Welcome to a detailed overview of Petrovac, a charming coastal town in Montenegro. I’ll share insights on where to stay, the best restaurants, a ranking of the town’s beaches, and a list of must-visit attractions. Most importantly, I’ll answer the big question: Is Petrovac the right vacation destination for you? This guide isn’t just full of praise—I’ll provide honest reviews as well.
Table of contents:
- Petrovac na Moru: An Overview and Brief History
- How to Get There
- Apartments and Hotels in Petrovac
- The Best Restaurants in Petrovac
- Beaches and Seaside Leisure
- Top Attractions in and Around Petrovac
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Petrovac na Moru: An Overview and Brief History
Petrovac, officially known as Petrovac na Moru, is a coastal town on the Adriatic Sea, part of the Budva Riviera. It is located just 18 km from Budva along a scenic coastal road and 9 km from Sveti Stefan, Montenegro’s most iconic island. You can even reach Sveti Stefan by boat. Overview of the island-hotel Sveti Stefan
- City Coordinates: 42.205597747843406, 18.940805758035808
- Population: Approximately 3,000 residents (according to the last census). While this is the year-round population, the town has expanded significantly in recent years. It’s not as large as Budva or Bar, but it’s no longer a small village either. Walking from one end of Petrovac to the other takes about 40 minutes.
Important:
Due to its central location on Montenegro’s coastline, Petrovac is easily accessible from both Podgorica and Tivat airports. During peak season, the town sees a huge influx of tourists, including visitors from Podgorica on weekends and vacations.
For a more detailed history, you can always check Wikipedia, but here’s a quick summary:
- The exact founding date of Petrovac is unknown.
- The earliest written records mentioning the town date back to the 12th century.
- However, Roman mosaics from the 3rd century BCE have been discovered in Petrovac, suggesting that the area was inhabited long before the arrival of the Romans.
- Like most coastal towns in Montenegro, Petrovac flourished during the 15th century under the rule of the Venetian Republic.
- By the 19th century, due to ongoing wars and conflicts, much of the town was destroyed.
Unlike neighboring Budva, Petrovac doesn’t have a well-preserved medieval Old Town or an extensive list of historical landmarks. Its main historical site is a single fortress located on a cape by the main beach.
How to Get There
Here’s a quick breakdown of transportation options:
By Taxi or Car:
- Roads in Montenegro are excellent, and distances are short.
- Petrovac is less than 45 km from both Tivat and Podgorica airports.
- Read about airport transfer and taxi in Montenegro at the link, find out the prices and where you can order.
🚌 By Bus:
- No direct buses from either airport—you’ll need to transfer at least once.
- The coastal bus network is well-developed but follows one main road running from Tivat to Ulcinj.
- Any bus running on the Bar – Budva, Ulcinj – Budva, or Kotor – Bar route stops in Petrovac.
- Buses between Bar/Budva and Petrovac run frequently, but reaching Petrovac from the airports is more challenging.
Bus schedules change frequently, so always check at the station for up-to-date information.
Apartments and Hotels in Petrovac
Petrovac has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to tourism. During peak season, tourists outnumber locals by 20 to 1. Virtually all residents work in the tourism sector, and many rent out apartments to visitors.
Accommodation Options:
- Large Hotels – A handful of established hotels.
- Smaller Hotels & Condominiums – Boutique and family-run options.
- Private Apartments – The most common type of accommodation, offered by local residents.
In the article on the link you will read everything you need to know about accommodation in Montenegro. What’s the difference between hotel and apartment hotel and so on. And most importantly, there will be accommodation features that may surprise or upset some a little.
You can browse more rental options and reviews on TripAdvisor.
Best Restaurants in Petrovac
A large number of tourists means plenty of dining options. In Montenegro, finding a place to eat has never been a problem. Taverns, bars, and restaurants are everywhere, often featuring a mix of cuisines on their menus.
- Montenegrin cuisine: lots of meat and fresh vegetables.
- Mediterranean cuisine: pizza, pasta, risotto, seafood.
Below, you’ll find some great restaurants and taverns in Petrovac that we personally enjoyed. They serve generous portions at reasonable prices, much lower than in the photo above. All locations will be marked on the attractions map later in the article.
- Restaurant Fortuna
- Konoba Mediterraneo (The word konoba means “tavern” in Montenegrin).
- Restaurant Ambassador – slightly pricier but located near the Castio Fortress with stunning views.
- Konoba Katic – an excellent and budget-friendly option with large portions. Fresh oysters are available on the menu.
About oysters:
If you want to try the freshest oysters right at an oyster farm, where they will be harvested in front of you, head to the Bay of Kotor. There are about ten oyster farms in the area. I recommend visiting Perast, where two farms are located just 1 km from the town. You can find a full guide to Perast—including what to see, where to eat, and where to stay overnight—via the link.
Beach Holidays and Beaches in Petrovac
This is one of the trickiest topics—things are not so straightforward. Petrovac does have beaches, and certainly more than any resort in the Bay of Kotor, but all of them are rather narrow. There’s just enough space for about three rows of sunbeds from the water’s edge to the promenade, leaving almost no free space.
During peak season (July–August), it gets extremely crowded. Many visitors come not only from Podgorica but even from neighboring Albania.
Good to know:
Two sunbeds and an umbrella on the main beach of Petrovac cost €20 per day in August. I’ve even seen prices go up to €30, with no available sunbeds left. The sunbeds are placed so close together that you could literally reach out and touch the person lying next to you.
Below is a list of beaches in Petrovac, all of which will be marked on the attractions map:
Petrovac Beach (Main City Beach)
- Type: Fine pebbles
- Size: 500–600 meters long, 5–10 meters wide
- Sunbed & umbrella rental: €20–30
- Coordinates: 42.2054945203668, 18.94085505870643
- Conditions: Located in a bay with no strong winds or waves. Water gets deep just 5 meters from shore, making it less suitable for young children.
- Petrovac beach is the main beach of the city. Pebble. The length of the beach is only 500-600 meters. The width of the beach is 5-10 meters.
About the beaches in Montenegro:
Most beaches in Montenegro are public, meaning anyone can visit them for free. However, local businesses rent sections of the beach, set up sunbeds, and charge for their use. By law, there must always be a section of beach available for people who want to lay down towels, but in practice, sunbeds are placed so densely that there’s hardly any room left. On the narrow beaches of Petrovac, this issue is particularly noticeable.
Perazica Do Beach
- Type: Semi-wild, semi-organized
- Location: 1.5 km north of Petrovac
- Access: Reachable by car or on foot via the scenic Health Trail, which winds through a pine forest, cliffs, and tunnels (more details on this trail later).
- Size: ~500 meters long
- Sunbeds: €20 for two sunbeds and an umbrella
- Wild area: Half of the beach remains unoccupied by sunbeds. There’s also a small nudist section on the rocks. In the article on the link you will find a list of nudist beaches in Montenegro.
- Coordinates: 42.21040801698496, 18.925843152334956
The beach is famous for an abandoned 20-story hotel, left unfinished about 15 years ago (even with the construction cranes still in place).
To the south of Petrovac, there are two more excellent beaches in Lučice and Buljarica. These settlements have technically become part of Petrovac, but they were once separate villages, each with its own beach.
Lučice Beach
- Type: Fully sandy (a rare feature in this part of the Adriatic)
- Size: ~200 meters long
- Sunbeds: Typically, half of the beach is covered with sunbeds, while the other half is open for those with towels.
- Depth: Shallow water, surrounded by rocks and trees, with no wind or waves.
- Ideal for: Families with children (they make up the majority of visitors here).
- Walking distance from Petrovac: 700 meters (~10–15 minutes)
- Sunbed & umbrella rental: €20–30
- Coordinates: 42.200509, 18.950873
Buljarica Beach
- Type: A mix of pebbles and sand, with larger pebbles in the southern part.
- Size: 2.5 km long, making it the second-longest beach in Montenegro.
- Sunbeds: The northern section (closer to Petrovac) has organized sunbed rentals (€10–12, cheaper than Petrovac).
- Wild area: The central and southern parts remain wild, attracting campers and van-lifers who park right at the beach’s edge. Parking costs €4 per day.
- Nudist section: Located in the far south, where the beach becomes rockier.
- Walking distance from Petrovac: ~45 minutes along a well-maintained coastal trail through pine forests and cliffs.
- Coordinates: 42.19152837109588, 18.967234479227567
To give you an idea of the crowds, here’s what the main beach in Petrovac looks like in August:
What to See in Petrovac and Its Surroundings
As mentioned before, Petrovac is primarily a destination for beach and relaxed vacations. There are hardly any historical landmarks, and the 4-5 locations within the town that might interest tourists can be explored in just two to three hours.
Green markers — Beaches
Purple markers — Taverns and Restaurants
Red markers — Landmarks
The Most Interesting Landmarks in Petrovac:
Castello Fortress (Castio Fortress)
This small yet very photogenic fortress is visible from any point along the Petrovac promenade and beach. Despite its modest size, it offers a small museum, a wine tavern, a panoramic viewpoint, and even a cannon!
- Coordinates: 42.205268275553955, 18.937113355015036
- Most of the fortress and the pier are accessible for free, 24/7.
- Recommended visit time: 15-30 minutes.
⭐ Author’s rating:
Although the fortress is quite small, it is well-preserved and stands out compared to fortresses in other coastal towns. You will almost certainly pass by it while in Petrovac, as it is the focal point of the town’s tourist activity. Interestingly, the Health Trail to Perazica Do Beach begins right here.
Health Trail to Perazica Do Beach
This well-maintained, asphalted, and illuminated pedestrian trail leads from Castello Fortress to Perazica Do Beach, passing through a pine forest with stunning sea views. Along the way, you’ll encounter three pedestrian tunnels, adding a unique touch to the walk.
- Starting point coordinates: 42.20665, 18.93747
- Trail length: ~1.5 km
- Walking time: 30–40 minutes one way at a relaxed pace
- Free to access and open 24/7, with lighting at night.
⭐ Author’s rating: 10/10
If you visit Petrovac, this trail is a must, no matter the season. It’s an amazing experience!
Another Health Trail: From Lucice Beach to Buljarica Beach
Another well-paved and illuminated trail, starting from Lucice Beach and leading to Buljarica Beach. Unlike the first trail, this one doesn’t have tunnels but features benches and rest areas.
- Starting point coordinates: 42.19938959594116, 18.951499307697517
- Preferred trail? The first one (to Perazica Do) is more scenic, thanks to its stunning views and cool tunnels.
- This trail leads to a long, spacious beach where it’s easy to find a quiet spot, even in peak season.
- Free and open 24/7.
⭐ Author’s rating: 8/10
If you’re staying in Petrovac, visit both trails. If you’re here for just one day, the Perazica Do trail is the better choice. Active tourists often combine both trails with the Petrovac promenade, making for a 6 km round trip that takes about 2 hours at a leisurely pace.
Additional Attractions:
- Star Viewpoint 📍 42.20187, 18.94564 – A simple uphill walk leading to stunning sea views.
- Reževići Monastery 📍 42.21504, 18.92412 – A must-visit for those interested in religious sites.
- Roman Mosaics (3rd Century BCE):
- 📍 42.208539039615175, 18.939701544569633
- Housed in a small building, viewable through glass.
- No clear opening hours, and the site appears abandoned.
- Free entry.
- Time needed: 5 minutes.
- Not worth a separate trip.
- Another 9 km from Petrovac there is the island of Sveti Stefan – the symbol of Montenegro. The link to the review was at the top of the article.
- Skadar Lake National Park is 25 km away. There you can take a boat trip on one of the most famous lakes in the Balkans. Overview of this national park at the link.
Two Uninhabited Islands: Katič and Sveta Nedjelja
These two islands, located about 1 km from Petrovac Beach, are visible from almost anywhere in town. Despite their small size (about 70×70 meters each), they are popular attractions.
Sveta Nedjelja Island
A small church sits atop a rocky peak on this island. It’s open to visitors, and you can climb up via steep steps to enjoy breathtaking views.
- 📍 Coordinates: 42.19833, 18.93653
Katič Island
A small working lighthouse is located on Katič. Unlike Sveta Nedjelja, landing on this island is impossible due to its rocky shoreline, but you can easily paddle around it.
- 📍 Coordinates: 42.19585, 18.93572
- Boat tours: Rent a boat for €20–30 per hour to explore the islands and land on Sveta Nedjelja.
- Kayak/SUP rental: Rent a SUP or kayak from the beach and paddle to the islands yourself. A 2-hour rental is sufficient.
⭐ Author’s rating: 10/10
This is a fantastic experience! A sea adventure, an uninhabited island, and incredible views – highly recommended. Kayaking here was an unforgettable highlight!
Final Thoughts
Petrovac is a fantastic town in a beautiful location. It boasts great weather year-round, calm seas, little wind, and an excellent beach vacation atmosphere. It’s also a convenient base for exploring Montenegro’s attractions and nearby towns.
Only downside: In July and August, the town is overcrowded. The main beach becomes packed, and sunbed rental prices skyrocket. Finding a free spot is nearly impossible.
Best time to visit? May and October – an absolute paradise!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel