Tivat
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Tivat travel guide, where we explore this small town located on the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Quite different to it’s nearby counterparts such as Kotor and Budva, Tivat has undergone major redevelopment in recent years and is now a gleaming up-scale resort, catering to mainly nautical tourism.
Tivat is quite the surprise on arrival. If you’ve been to nearby Kotor or Budva, you will quickly realise that Tivat is completely different. A large portion of the town is now dedicated to up-scale accommodation, restaurants and shops which form part of the prestigious Porto Montenegro development. While the development isn’t traditional, it has been well done and incorporates well-landscaped gardens and is fully pedestrianised. This has largely contributed to Tivat attracting a less cash-conscious crowd and a different type of tourism to the rest of Montenegro. While Tivat isn’t top of many people’s lists in Montenegro and many may not have even heard of it, it’s well worth a visit if you’re visiting Montenegro for longer or are in the area.
Tivat Travel Guide Contents
Tivat Travel Guide
How to get to Tivat
Montenegro is a very small country and therefore tourists can often arrive at destinations, such as Tivat, from a variety of means and places. The most common arrival points for most tourists are Tivat Airport (TIV) and the capital city airport, Podgorica Airport (TGD). Both Tivat and Podgorica airports are small and although Podgorica is the capital, Tivat airport is the busier of the two, due to its location near tourist destinations in the country. Both airports cater to international flights and have a small selection of cafes and duty-free shops. During the peak season, Tivat airport can get uncomfortably busy for a small airport. These are the main transport options for how to get to Tivat from the two airports:
Taxi from Tivat Airport – Several taxis are awaiting arriving passengers at Tivat Airport so getting a taxi is no problem. The journey from the airport to the Tivat centre will take 5min and should cost no more than €10 ($12). With negotiation, you may be able to reduce this to just above €5 ($6)
Transfer or Taxi from Podgorica Airport – The journey from Podgorica Airport to Tivat is approx 1hr 25min and should cost approx €60-€80 ($70-$95) in either a taxi from arrivals or a pre-arranged transfer. If you’re in a group of 4 or more then this option will work out on a similar budget to the below option
Public Transport from Podgorica Airport – This option is a little complex but is better for those on a budget. You can catch a bus from Podgorica Bus Station to Tivat for approx €7 ($8) per person, journey time 2hrs. To get to the Bus Station from the airport, you can either grab a taxi, costing approx €12 or take the train and walk 1km, which would only cost €8 ($9.50). The entire journey can take anywhere up to 3hrs, so this is not a great option for those short on time, but will save a substantial amount of money
Areas to stay in Tivat
The main area of Tivat is quite small, so there isn’t exactly a variety of areas to stay within the town. We could split this into staying in Porto Montenegro or the rest of Tivat town. Porto Montenegro is a high-end area and, as a result, you are likely to spend more by staying here. Whereas staying outside of Porto Montenegro will give you more choice and cheaper accommodation, and you’ll still be within 10-15min walking distance to Porto Montenegro, so this is what we recommend.
Accommodation in Tivat
Tivat is a destination that has a growing reputation as a luxury resort and, as a result, the number of luxury resorts and hotels is increasing in this small Montenegro town. However, it’s still possible to find budget and mid-range accommodation options including hostels, budget hotels and apartments. While accommodation is still generally inexpensive in Tivat, compared to many European destinations, prices can rise substantially in the peak months of July and August and booking in advance is strongly advised. Here are some of our top picks of accommodation in Tivat:
Budget Option | Tivat Star – Located just a few minutes walk from the main Tivat seafront area and 10 minutes walk from Porto Montenegro, Tivat Star is an excellent option for those on a budget. Rooms are simple but well equipped with a fridge, a/c and Wi-Fi. Breakfast is available for extra and there is also a shared lounge and terrace for guest use
Mid-range apartment option | Waikiki Apartments – Located on the beachfront in Tivat with a terrace, bar and restaurant, Waikiki Apartments offer both rooms and apartments that are spacious, well-equipped and comfortable
Mid-range hotel option | Hotel Astoria – In an excellent location within Tivat, Hotel Astoria is a great mid-range hotel option that features spacious rooms and a restaurant, terrace and bar for guests
High-end apartment option | Porto Montenegro Residences – Porto Montenegro Residences sit within Porto Montenegro, Tivat and are a collection of beautifully furnished apartments and studios with access to pools, restaurants, bars and a gym
Luxury hotel option | Regent Porto Montenegro – Situated in the heart of the Porto Montenegro development, Regent Porto Montenegro is where to stay for luxury in Tivat. Rooms are elegantly furnished in a nautical style and the hotel features a spa, restaurant, bar and pool for guest use
How to get around Tivat
Everything in Tivat is well within walking distance so public transport within the main tourist area of the town isn’t necessary. The Porto Montenegro area is pedestrianised, but there are golf buggies which you can see shipping people around, on occasion. If you are coming to Tivat from Kotor, then you should expect to pay around €6-€8 ($7-$9) in a taxi, but buses are also available. If you are planning to arrive in Tivat from Budva, then buses are also available on this route or you can expect to pay €15-€20 ($17-$23). Buses are reasonably cheap, costing approx €1-€2 ($1.20-$2.40) from either Budva or Kotor into Tivat.
Things to do in Tivat
Despite its small size, there is still plenty to keep you entertained in Tivat, here’s our list of the top things to do in Tivat, Montenegro:
Porto Montenegro – This is the high-end development that has put Tivat firmly on the map as a luxury destination. The marina is surrounded by upscale apartments, high-quality restaurants and upmarket retail outlets. The area has been well landscaped with plenty of greenery and fountains and is a pleasure to wander through
Maritime Heritage Museum – A well laid out museum dedicated to the former Arsenal shipyard and naval base with two large submarines on display outside. Entry to the museum is €3 ($3.50) and entry into the submarine is €2 ($2.40)
Pine Embankment – An area that could also be considered the promenade, this newly renovated section of the coastal front in the town makes for a beautiful walk overlooking the Bay of Kotor
Our Lady of the Rocks – This small, artificial island is located in the Bay of Kotor and is one of the main attractions in the Bay. The small island is home to the Church of Our Lady on the Rocks, a museum inside the church and a gift shop. To get there, take one of the boats that leave from the Pine Embankment area
Visit The Beach – There are several small, gravelled beaches in the Tivat area with good water for swimming, it’s worth taking a few hours to enjoy the Bay of Kotor from the water!
What to eat in Tivat
Montenegrin cuisine reflects that of many Balkan countries and is a mix of Balkan and Mediterranean cuisine, with an Italian influence. There are just over 50 restaurants in Tivat Municipality. The up-scale nature of Tivat tourism however has provided a good selection of restaurants serving up a range of dishes including local cuisine, steaks and burgers and even Asian food. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Tivat, Montenegro:
Njegusi Proscuitto – A must try when in Montenegro, this prosciutto is made in the village of Njegusi. Try as a sharing board with cheese and olives
Black Risotto – Common in Montenegro and along the Adriatic coast, this risotto dish comes with cuttlefish pieces and is black from the ink
Burek – A popular breakfast dish, these pastries are usually spiral-shaped and filled with potato, spinach, cheese or meat
Ispod Saca – A very traditional, hearty dish of slow-roasted meat (commonly goat, veal or lamb) with potatoes, carrots, onion, tomato and paprika
Cream Pie – This local dessert is light and fluffy and custard-based, it is delicious and a must-try when in Kotor
Money - Tivat Travel Costs
Despite not being a member of the EU, the currency in Montenegro is the Euro (€). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Tivat and ATMs accepting foreign cards can be found in many parts of the town, particularly in the Porto Montenegro area. A service charge is occasionally added to the bill, usually in handwriting at the bottom of the bill. If it is not included, and you are happy with the service then a tip of 5-10% is quite normal, you can round up for taxis. Despite being a higher-end resort, Tivat is still a very reasonably priced destination, suitable for both the budget and luxury traveller. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay in Tivat (per person) for:
A local draught beer – €2-€3 ($2.50-$3.50)
A coffee – €1-€3 ($1.25-$3.50)
A grab and go pastry – €1-€2 ($1.25-$2.50)
Budget restaurant meal – €5-€15 ($6-$18)
Mid-range restaurant meal – €15-€30 ($18-$36)
High-end restaurant meal – €35+ ($42+)
When to go to Tivat and for how long
The best time to visit Tivat is in either June or September when there is less rain and the weather is warmer. Tivat is small and doesn’t have quite as much to offer as nearby Kotor or Budva, however, it’s worth at least a day trip or a 2-night stay. We would recommend making Tivat a stop on a longer trip to Montenegro.
Local language and phrases
The local language in Montenegro and Tivat is Serbian, although many people will speak some English. Take a look at our Montenegro travel tips for a quick guide to some key Serbian words and phrases to learn before your trip.
Tivat travel tips
– Tivat is generally very safe and is suitable for lone travellers, including lone females
– The tap water is safe to drink in Tivat
– If you require a PCR test during or at the end of your journey in Montenegro, then PCR and Antigen tests are available at Milmedika. They have locations in Tivat and Budva and can also offer a home testing service. Check test and entry requirements of where you are travelling to before booking any travel
Tivat travel guide written in July 2021
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Tivat Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Montenegro walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Tivat Harbourside Route
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of Tivat Harbourside and accompanying map showing the route we walked.
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