Best things to do in Tivat
Tivat is a glitzy port town whose appeal lies in its waterfront, a pleasant promenade rammed with convivial bars, cafés and restaurants, and the glistening marina filled with superyachts.
Viewpoints and panoramas
The best districts
Porto Montenegro: The coast’s flagship resort, this luxurious marina is the heart of modern Tivat and home to a choice selection of cafés and restaurants, as well as upmarket and designer boutique shops - the place to see, and be seen.
Pine: The flower-scented waterside promenade is the location for an endless string of convivial terrace cafés-cum-bars, all perfectly suited to supping and gazing.
Museums
Buca Museum: A fine assemblage of mostly Bronze Age finds, alongside an ethnographic display starring a selection of beautifully embroidered ječerma (waistcoats) from the Dobrota region.
Naval Heritage Collection: Occupying a restored Austro-Hungarian sawmill, this marvellous museum documents the Boka’s strong naval associations; better still is the opportunity to clamber inside the dry-docked submarine Heroj - not one for claustrophobes though.
Parks and gardens
Big City Park: Also known as Veliki Gradski Park, this lush green space is an expansive area of fir, cedar and pine trees, as well as a range of exotic plants brought here by seafarers.
Historical monuments
Church of the Holy Trinity: A pretty little edifice whose brilliant white stone frontage manifests a beautifully carved rosette and three window arches, while inside there’s a stunning wood-carved iconostasis.
Gornja Lastva: A traditional Montenegrin village located on a hill high above Tivat which offers a glimpse into the past with its old stone houses.
Day trips in the area
Kotor: Perched on the edge of a majestic bay, the medieval Old Town of Kotor is the undisputed jewel in Montenegro’s crown. Explore the Old Town, hike up to the ancient fortress and enjoy the colourful local markets.
Budva: Filled to the brim with bars, restaurants and limestone houses, its Old Town is almost as pretty as the one in Kotor and there’s plenty of fun to be had on its many beaches.
Perast: As picturesque a place as any along the coast, Perast is known for its stately waterside palaces, as well as one of the coast’s showpiece landmarks, the Our Lady of the Rocks island.
Activities for families
As a family-oriented destination, Tivat holidays are just the ticket for those with kids in tow. Not as busy as most other resorts but still with plenty of activities on offer.
Beaches: A small but neat gravelly beach with shallow waters and excellent amenities, plus lifeguards, makes Kalardovo one of the area's finest family-friendly beaches. There’s a cool little beach bar here too.
Adventure Park: Located in Lovćen National Park about an hour’s drive away, this ace park is a series of aerial walkways, zip-lines, cargo nets and hanging log poles, with different challenges depending on age and fitness - be prepared to have a blast.
Watersports: The gentle, sheltered waters of Tivat Bay allow for many safe, family-friendly activities on the water, for example, sea kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
Boat tours: Numerous companies operate out of the harbour offering trips around the Bay of Kotor, as well as further afield.
Free things to do in Tivat
Holidays to Tivat need not be all about spending money. As well as spending time chilling on the local beaches or enjoying one of the many festivals, there are simple pleasures to be had just by strolling.
Free events: The best of the region’s many fab festivals take place in nearby Kotor: these include February's Masked Ball, with processions through the Old Town and April’s Montenegrin Dance Festival, but all pale in comparison to August’s Boka Nights, when boats fill the bay and fireworks electrify the night sky.
Promenade walks: A lovely way to spend an evening without the cost, save perhaps for the odd ice cream, is to take a leisurely stroll along Tivat’s nightly korzo, which flows past a string of lively café-bars.
Nature and outdoor activities
Outdoor activities holidays to Tivat come in two main flavours: mountain and coastal, with superb hikes in the hinterland complemented by all manner of water-bound thrills - there’s wonderful nature to observe here too.
Hiking: From Gornja Lastva, it’s possible to partake in a number of walks along the narrow ridge of the Vrmac Massif just above Tivat, the highest point of which is Sveti Ilija at 785m. The most enjoyable of these is a 7km-hike along the main ridge, via Pasiglav, if only for the superlative views of Boka Bay.
Birdwatching: Twitcher alert! Just outside Tivat is the Solina Nature Reserve, a vast sweep of tidal seawater and marshy vegetation that’s home to both migrating and wintering birds, including waders, common crane, herons, snipe, osprey and pygmy cormorant.
Diving: The clear waters off Tivat have long been seen as a diving mecca; explore underwater caves, reefs and shipwrecks, such as the magical Blue Grotto on the Lustica Peninsula. Diving Club Neptun offers a range of diving excursions as well as multi-day courses.
Sea-Kayaking: A great way to explore the gorgeous coves and inlets of the Bay of Kotor, intermittently stopping off at a beach or village for a spot of light refreshment; the best way to go about it is with a reputable operator such as Black Mountain Montenegro.