Petrovac
On the Budva Riviera, about seventeen kilometers further south, the coast narrows around a bay enclosed by a rocky headland: here...
Updated 8 July 2026
The story
The story of Petrovac
From the Roman outpost to the Venetian fortress
Before becoming a seaside destination, the Petrovac area was already inhabited in Roman times: in 1902 the remains of a villa were found with a floor mosaic datable to the 3rd century AD, now preserved in a protected area near the center, not far from the tennis courts. Many centuries later, when the coast came under the control of the Republic of Venice, the fortress that locals call Kastio was built, from the Italian word “castello” (castle): it dates back to 1420 and stands on a small rocky headland that closes the bay to the west, with the function of controlling the port and defending against pirate and Ottoman raids. Over the centuries the structure has changed use several times, until becoming today a venue for summer outdoor events, including open-air cinema; climbing its walls remains the most direct way to get an overall view of the bay, the small islands in front of it, and the main beach below.
The beaches: Petrovac, Lučice and Buljarica
The town beach of Petrovac stretches for about 700 meters of fine gravel and reddish sand, bounded on one side by the fortress and on the other by the Perazića Do headland. A few minutes' walk away, along a scenic path that follows the rocky coastline, you reach Lučice, a smaller, more sheltered cove surrounded by pines and rocks, often less crowded. Heading south, towards Buljarica, a beach about two kilometers long opens up, made of sand and pebbles, behind which a small stream flows; the area remains largely free of buildings and is frequented mainly by those looking for camping and open space.
The islets of Katič and Sveta Nedjelja
In front of the bay are two small islands that are part of Petrovac's signature landscape. Sveta Nedjelja is a natural islet with a small chapel; local tradition has it that the women of the town would swim there to light a candle and bring good luck at sea. Katič, a little further north, also houses a chapel, built in the nineteenth century by a family of local sailors and dedicated to the Madonna. Both islets can be reached by boat or, in calm seas, by swimming from the main beach, and remain among the town's most recognizable photographic subjects.
The seafront promenade among pines and cafés
One of Petrovac's distinctive features is the pine grove that lines the seafront promenade, planted in the early decades of the twentieth century during the Austro-Hungarian period, when the Montenegrin coast began to be visited for tourism following the model of other Adriatic destinations. Today that band of pines offers shade to a walkway that links the center, the beach and the paths towards Lučice, dotted with cafés, seafood restaurants and shops, at a pace that nonetheless remains more relaxed than the more fashionable resorts of the riviera.
A family atmosphere, just a few kilometers from Budva
Petrovac developed as a tourist destination especially during the Yugoslav period, when it became a beach destination popular among families, helped by the sheltered shape of the bay and the shallow beach suited to children. Unlike Budva, which in recent decades has focused on nightlife and large resorts, Petrovac has maintained a smaller scale, with low buildings, family-run guesthouses and a center that can be covered entirely on foot. It nonetheless remains just about twenty minutes by car from Budva, for those who want to alternate between the two atmospheres.
The surroundings: monasteries and villages of the Paštrovska Gora
The hinterland behind Petrovac belongs to the historic region of Paštrovska Gora, dotted with Orthodox monasteries and small stone villages. The best known is the Reževići Monastery, of medieval origin, located along the coastal road heading north towards Sveti Stefan, surrounded by olive trees and cypresses. A little further south, towards Bar, there are other hillside villages reachable with short excursions, offering a different viewpoint on the coast compared to the obviously maritime one of the town.
When to go
The bathing season in Petrovac runs roughly from June to September, with the warmest sea and the busiest beaches in July and August, when mostly families and Balkan tourists arrive on vacation. June and September offer temperatures still suitable for swimming with fewer crowds and lower prices. In the low season, from October to May, the town empties out almost completely and many tourism-related businesses close, but it remains an option for those seeking quiet walks along the seafront and visits to the surrounding area at a relaxed pace.
FAQ
Petrovac è adatta a una vacanza in famiglia?
Quanto dista Petrovac da Budva?
Si può raggiungere a piedi la spiaggia di Lučice?
Gli isolotti di Katič e Sveta Nedjelja si possono visitare?
Qual è il periodo migliore per andare a Petrovac?
Petrovac ha vita notturna come Budva?
Getting there
- Aeroporto di Tivat (TIV), circa 18 km a nord
- Aeroporto di Podgorica (TGD), circa 65 km a est
- Nessuna stazione ferroviaria diretta a Petrovac: la linea Bar–Podgorica–Belgrado non tocca la cittadina, la stazione più vicina è a Bar
- Petrovac si trova lungo la Jadranska magistrala, la strada costiera che collega Budva a Bar; da Budva si impiega circa mezz'ora, da Bar circa venti minuti.
- In alta stagione conviene noleggiare un'auto o affidarsi ai bus di linea che collegano la costa, poiché i taxi possono avere tariffe più alte nei mesi di punta. Alcuni viaggiatori usano anche l'aeroporto di Dubrovnik, in Croazia, come alternativa per la costa montenegrina, pur essendo oltre confine.
Perfect for
Ghiaia rossastra a Petrovac, ciottoli riparati a Lučice, sabbia aperta a Buljarica: tre spiagge diverse a pochi minuti l'una dall'altra.
Dal mosaico romano del III secolo alla fortezza veneziana Kastio del 1420, la baia conserva stratificazioni di secoli diversi.
Il lungomare tra i pini e il sentiero costiero verso Lučice offrono percorsi brevi ma panoramici lontano dalle auto.
Il monastero di Reževići e i borghi della Paštrovska Gora, nell'entroterra, aggiungono una prospettiva diversa da quella balneare.
Un centro a misura d'uomo, pensioni familiari e ritmi più lenti rispetto alla vicina Budva, pur restando a pochi chilometri da essa.
