Tivat — From Naval Arsenal to Adriatic Jewel
Tivat is Montenegro's third-largest town and, since the development of Porto Montenegro, arguably its most glamorous. Located on a flat peninsula in the heart of the Bay of Kotor, it has been transformed over the past 15 years from a quiet industrial town (home to the Yugoslav Navy's main arsenal) into a world-class yachting destination. The Porto Montenegro development has brought superyachts, five-star hotels, designer boutiques, and Michelin-worthy restaurants to what was once a working naval base.
Yet beyond the glitter of Porto Montenegro, Tivat remains a town with genuine local character: a pleasant city park, a lively daily market, excellent beaches nearby, and easy access to some of the Bay of Kotor's most scenic areas.
Porto Montenegro
The Marina and Village
Porto Montenegro is built on 24 hectares of the former Arsenale — the Yugoslav Navy's main maintenance facility, established in the 19th century by Austro-Hungarian engineers. The marina opened in 2009 and has grown into one of the Mediterranean's largest superyacht destinations, with capacity for 630 berths accommodating vessels up to 250 metres in length.
The marina village itself is a masterpiece of adaptive reuse: old naval warehouses have been converted into restaurants, bars, and boutiques; the historic dry dock is now a centrepiece of the public promenade; and the brick and stone architecture of the Austro-Hungarian era has been preserved and sensitively integrated into the new development. The overall result has an ambience somewhere between a Venetian campo and a modern resort.
Naval Heritage Collection
The Naval Heritage Collection is one of the most unexpectedly fascinating museums in Montenegro. The centrepiece is Submarine B-806, a Tara-class (Heroj-class) vessel that served in the Yugoslav Navy during the Cold War and can be boarded and explored by visitors. The museum also displays torpedoes, naval mines, diving equipment, uniforms, maps, and photographs chronicling the full history of the Montenegrin and Yugoslav naval tradition from the late 19th century through to 1991.
Info
The Naval Heritage Collection is open from April through October. Admission is free for the outdoor exhibits; there may be a small fee for the submarine. Allow 1–2 hours for a thorough visit. It is highly recommended for history enthusiasts and children alike.
Shopping and Dining at Porto Montenegro
The Porto Montenegro village has a curated selection of international and regional boutiques along its cobbled waterfront streets. Brands range from international luxury names to Montenegrin designers and artisan producers. The dining scene is the best in Tivat, with waterfront restaurants offering everything from sushi and modern European cuisine to traditional Montenegrin fish dishes. Prices are higher than elsewhere in Montenegro — this is the luxury end of the market.
Beaches Around Tivat
Plavi Horizonti
Plavi Horizonti ("Blue Horizons") is located on the Lustica Peninsula, about 8 km from Tivat via a narrow road that winds through the villages of the peninsula. The beach is a large crescent of fine pebble and sand with exceptionally clear turquoise water and excellent views across the bay. It has sunbed hire, a popular beach club, and a restaurant.
The road to Plavi Horizonti is narrow and winding — a small-to-medium car is recommended. In peak summer, the beach car park fills by mid-morning; arriving before 9 am is strongly advised.
Donja Lastva and Other Town Beaches
Donja Lastva is a small, quieter beach village just 3 km from the centre of Tivat, reachable by a pleasant coastal walk or a short drive. The beach is pebbly and the water clear, with a more local, less touristy atmosphere than Porto Montenegro's beach. Several other small coves and beaches are dotted along the Tivat waterfront and around the peninsula.
Tivat Airport
The Gateway to the Bay of Kotor
Tivat Airport (TIV) is Montenegro's second-busiest airport and by far the most convenient for visitors to the Bay of Kotor. It is located just 2 km from Porto Montenegro and 4 km from Tivat town centre. The airport serves a wide range of European destinations — particularly from the UK, Germany, Russia, Scandinavia, and the Balkans — with greatly increased frequency in the summer season (May–October).
Getting Around from Tivat Airport
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porto Montenegro | 2 km | 5 min | Closest major destination |
| Kotor Old Town | 28 km | 30–40 min | Bay road, scenic |
| Budva | 35 km | 40–50 min | Via Trojica tunnel |
| Herceg Novi | 38 km | 35–45 min | Coastal road |
| Podgorica | 75 km | 1h | Via Sozina tunnel (toll) |
| Cetinje | 42 km | 50 min | Via 25 hairpins or tunnel |
Getting Around and Parking
Parking in Tivat
Tivat has generally better parking availability than Kotor or Budva. The main paid car parks are located near Porto Montenegro (street parking on the approach roads, 1–2 EUR/hour in season), and in the town centre near the market and city park. Porto Montenegro itself has a multi-storey car park for guests; non-guests can park on the surrounding roads. Most hotels in Tivat offer free guest parking.
Tip
If you are collecting a rental car from Tivat Airport, Porto Montenegro is a perfect first stop — just 5 minutes away. Leave your luggage at your hotel first, then explore on foot. The entire Porto Montenegro village can be walked comfortably in 1–2 hours.
Grbalj — The Fertile Hinterland
Villages, Wine, and Local Life
Behind Tivat, the Grbalj plain is one of the most fertile agricultural areas in coastal Montenegro. A network of small villages surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and vegetable fields stretches inland towards the Vrmac ridge. This area is largely off the tourist map and offers an authentic glimpse of traditional Montenegrin rural life. Local restaurants (konobe) in the Grbalj villages serve simple, excellent food: roasted lamb, local cheeses, and wine from nearby Crmnica.
The scenic drive over the Vrmac ridge connecting Tivat to Kotor Bay also passes through this area and offers outstanding views over both sides of the peninsula.