The old town of Bar is a fortified city that was the center of Bar for several centuries, until the town moved lower, to the field next to the watter, at the beginning of the 20th century. Its streets are guides through the ages, from the Greek colonies to the Middle Ages, the rule of the Venetians, the Turkish period and all the way to the new era. The very foundations of the old city are over two and a half millennia old.

Where is the old town of Bar located?

The old town of Bar is located at the foot of Rumija, inaccessible from the south and east. It is located on the southeastern part of the coast, 4 kilometers away from the Adriatic Sea, which gave it an ideal geographical and strategic position. It is the only old town in Montenegro that is located in the mountains. Stari Bar is easily accessible from Podgorica (about 1h driving) and Budva (1h drive away).

How to get here?

The old town of Bar is 65 km from the old town of Kotor, and 43 km from the old town of Budva. Podgorica airport is 55 km away, and Tivat airport is 61 km away. From the city center of Bar, the old Bar is 5 km away, so you can take a taxi.

We always recommend taking a tour to see historical places like this. There is so much to be discovered!

Book our Old Bar tour here.

Climate in Stari Bar

The climate of old town Bar is determined by the proximity of two large bodies of water (Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar) and the Rumija mountain massif. It is characterized by long, hot and dry summers with temperatures that can reach up to 40°C and mild and rainy winters, with an average temperature of around 8°C in the coldest month January.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the old Bar is mid-May and mid-September, but we also recommend visiting Stari Bar in summer as you can combine it with one of the gorgeous beaches in close proximity and even swim in the waterfalls in a village near by. Spring, Autumn and Winter are great too.

nature in stari bar — Discover the incredible nature surrounding Stari Bar

Things to do in Stari Bar

Go inside Old Bar fortrified city

The most important part of the old town is the Stari Bar fortified city. You won’t miss it from the outside, with its large imposing stone walls and sturdy round turrets at the corners.

Head inside and everything suddenly gets much quieter. You don’t have the shops and the stalls here.

Instead, you’ll find cobblestoned pathways leading underneath ancient arches; towers that stand firm even though the original buildings around them have crumbled away; plants that come from between the bricks; bushes blooming with flowers escaping over walls; gates that lead to the remains of tunnels within the fortifications.

stari bar — Stari Bar - where history meets nature

The Clock tower

Clock tower is the most significant part of the fortress that you have to see. Built in 1753, the Tower features clocks on all four sides. Yahya Ibrahim Osman Agha, a prominent resident of the city built it. The tower faced damage from wars and natural disasters, but it was completely reconstructed in 1984. The current appearance made it one of the most recognizable symbols of old Bar.

Taste the delicious cuisine from Old Bar

Old Bar, once ruled by the Ottoman Empire, retains a rich heritage that influences not only its architecture but also its cuisine. This charming town is home to some of the best restaurants in Montenegro, offering unique dishes you won't find anywhere else. Don't miss the chance to try the vegetarian mezze, featuring stuffed peppers, aubergines, and okra, as well as some of the finest meat dishes you'll ever taste.

Discover more about Montenegrin cuisine here.

The Omerbašića mosque

The Omerbašića mosque is located about a hundred meters before the entrance to the Old Town. It was built by Omer Baša, a Bar merchant and nobleman, with his two sons in 1662. According to tradition, the mosque was created when Omer-Basha, because evening was approaching and he could not reach the entrance to the fortress, vowed that he would build a mosque in the place where he would find himself when the prayer began.

It has been renovated several times. The restoration was carried out in 1971, but the strong earthquake of 1979 caused great damage to it, which was thoroughly repaired in 1986. Even today, prayers are held there and it is the central mosque of Bar.

the-omerbasica-mosque — The Omerbašića mosque

The Bar Aqueduct

The Bar Aqueduct is a stone bridge, located 450 m from the old town of Bar. The Bar aqueduct is the only aqueduct in Montenegro, and one of the three largest and best preserved aqueducts in the former Yugoslavia.

The Bar aqueduct was built during the Ottoman rule, from the 16th to the 17th century, and served to deliver water from the spring on Mount Rumija, about 3 km away, to the old town of Bar. The bridge is supported by 17 stone arches, of different widths and heights, supported by 17 massive stone columns.

After the catastrophic earthquake that hit Montenegro on April 15, 1979, the aqueduct completely collapsed. After that, it was completely renovated, so that it still serves its basic purpose today.

The Turčini waterfalls

Only 15 minutes away from the old Bar, Turčini waterfall is a true example of unreal Montenegrin beauty. The place was named after the Italian family that lived there. In this place, scenes like from a fairy tale await you. There is a cafe near the waterfall that can provide refreshment during hot summer days.

the-turcini-waterfalls — The Turčini waterfalls

Book our tour of Turcini here.

Rikavac Canyon

Rikavac Canyon is located right next to the ramparts of the Old Town of Bar. The most interesting part of the canyon stretches from the old bridge to the old waterworks under the walls of the old town. The canyon is ideal for beginners looking for adventure.

The canyon is quite fun to walk through, there are about 10 waterfalls, and the tallest is 12,5m. The water temperature in the canyon is 12-20 C, depending on the season.

The water in the canyon never dries up, so it is feasible to organize canyoning tours from April to the end of September.

The canyon of the Hot River (Vruća rijeka)

The canyon of the Hot River (Vruća rijeka) is located in the hills above Bar, on the southern slopes of Mount Rumija, ten minutes' drive from the old town. It is 6 km long.

The canyon abounds with almost 100 natural pools of smaller and larger areas, as many waterfalls of 1-20m height. Along the entire canyon, one passes through the wild beauty of untouched nature. The water in the canyon is quite warm, because the canyon along the entire course faces south and is therefore illuminated by the sun. The water temperature varies from 12C at the beginning to 25C at the base. That is why it is called the Hot River (Vruća rijeka).

The ideal months to pass this canyon are from the end of March to the middle of June. It dries up during the summer. Again, tours can be carried out in early autumn, and even if it rains.

the-canyon-of-the-hot-river — The canyon of the Hot river

The old town of Bar, with its rich history offers an journey through time. Nestled at the foot of Rumija and close to the Adriatic Sea, it boasts impressive landmarks. Ideal for visiting between mid-May and mid-October, this ancient town provides a unique connection between historical exploration and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination in Montenegro.

Discover the Old Town of Bar: Where History Meets Nature