It is said that the fairies used to live in the hill above Bar, they used to help people and when they left the area they threw fairy coins all over the place. The legend says that the coins are supposed to bring good luck. Visit this enchanted place, feel the magic of the fairies and perhaps a vacation in Bar will even bring you good fortune.
Things to see in Bar
As you walk around the city of Bar you will see a unique blend of different religions and cultures embodied in numerous churches, monasteries and mosques. However there are certain places you simply have to visit during your stay in Bar:
The Old Bar
The Old Bar is a living monument of the past situated 4 km from the new Bar. It is a fortified city up on the hill with an amazing view. Pay special attention to the enterance gate with the tower, the Turkish bath and the aqueduct. Have a coffee in one of the cafes in the main street of the Old Bar. The market place of the Old Bar is especially appealing for tourists because local people dress in folk costumes and offer goods to people passing by.
The Old olive tree
Another tourist site of Bar is an olive tree in Mitrovica, as the tree is more than 2000 years old. According to the legend the tree was significant even in the past as quarrels between families were settled beside the tree.
In general there are a lot of olive trees in Bar probably due to the legend that no resident of Bar could get married unless he or she planted at least ten olive trees.
King Nikola's castle
It is a museum building of King Nikola I Petrovic with the winter gardens and a flower house called the Knjaževa Bašta (Prince's garden).
Virpazar and Skadar Lake
Virpazar is a village accessible through the tunnel of Sozina. In the past it was a significant market place, a transitory station for the cruise over Skadar Lake. Come to Virpazar and see the beauties of Skadar Lake, the boatmen will gladly talk to you about the past of Virpazar and the Skadar Lake. Skadar Lake is the largest lake on the Balkans and the second largest in Europe. It is known as the home of the pelican as it is the biggest settlement of pelicans in Europe. Come to the observation point above the lake and experience the beautiful view on waterlilies and pelicans. Try the local fish specialties in the 'Pelican' motel and 'kasoronja' seeds from a plant found only here.
Excursions from Bar
If you have extra time make sure to visit Haj – Nehaj medieval town on a hill above Bar, go diving and see the ruins of an ancient shipwreck with amphorae on the hydro-archeological locality of Bigovica, try the delicious wine from Crmnica in the village of Godinje and walk around an Illyrian necropolis on the archeological site of Mijele.
Bar is well connected with all destinations in Montenegro and the buses are quite frequent to all directions.
Beaches in Bar
The most famous beaches in Bar are the Sutomore beach with healing sand good for rheumatic disorder and the Canj beach also called the Pearl beach because of the different colours of sand.
Naturists will find a beach to their taste on the south side of the cape Ratac. 300 meters from the cape lies another beach. The Red beach is named after the red colour of its sand. The legend says that it is red because the sea nymphs used to brush their hair above the beach with coral brushes.
There is also The Queen's beach in Bar. It is a secluded beach accessible only from the sea. It was the favourite beach of the Montenegrin queen Milena. She used to go to the beach followed by her guards who bathed on a neighbouring beach and this is why that beach was named the 'Perjanicka beach' (perjanica = plume).
All the beaches in Bar are easily accessible by small van taxies that start from the centre of Bar every 15 minutes.
Accommodation in Bar
The majority of Bar hotels are located in the Sutomore area, a tourist settlement with the long sandy beach. In general the hotels is Bar have maximally 3 stars and they are relativelly affordable.
Hotel Topolica has a very good quality of rooms and cheap prices. Another hotel worth recommending is the Hotel MD. It is situated in Susanj (15-20 minute walk from the centre of Bar).
If you are looking for cheap accommodation in Bar you can always rent a room from the old ladies at the train station.
Food
Like everywhere else in Montenegro when in Bar try the fish and other seafood. In particular taste the salted anchovy which is a specialty of Bar. For those who prefer meat there is always 'cevapi'. It is bread with onions and small sausages and also Nikšicko pivo is a really great beer.
As far as sweets are concerned in Bar you can feel the touch of Orient as you enjoy baklavas, tulumbs, dates and walnut sweets.
Fun
In Bar people are really hospitable and tollerant probably due to their multi-ethnic and multi-confession heritage. The main street in Bar is a pedestrian street full of bars and restaurants. In general in Bar there is entertainment for everybody: besides water sports on the beach, sport fans can also go riding in a riding school in Virpazar on the Skadar Lake. Many bars and restaurants have Karaoke evenings on special occassions and party lovers will definitively find their satifsfaction in one of Bar's discoteques.
Special events
Here is a list of various cultural and sport events that take place every year in Bar during the summer. For the exact dates check the tourist office once you get to Bar:
The Chronicle of Bar – it is a multi-media festival held every year in July and August.
The Swimming Marathon – between Sutomore and Bar. It takes place in August.
The Port Cup – volleyball tournament for women in August.
Days of the Mrkojevic family – it is a cultural program showing the folk traditions of the region. It is organized in Pecurice during the last week of July.
The Virpazar Festivities – from mid-July to mid-August. These are the gatherings of farmers, wine-growers, fruit–growers and the bee-keepers.
The Procession to the peak of Rumija – it happens every year on Trinity day, then the cross of St. Vladimir is taken to the peak of Rumija. According to the legend there was a church there before. It is said that every person who goes up should take one stone. When enough stones are collected the church will rebuild itself.