Bar: when your ship stops here
A ruined hilltop town three kilometers inland, a king's seaside palace, and the largest lake in the south of Europe.
Facts checked Nov 6, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.
Bar is a town and seaport on the coast of Montenegro, with 15,868 people in the 2023 census. The capital, Podgorica, is about 53 km (33 miles) away. Our sources do not say how far the cruise berth is from the center, so ask on board how you will get into town.
Source: Wikipedia: Bar, Montenegro
Top 3 things to do
1. Stari Bar
Stari Bar, "Old Bar", is a small hilltop town three kilometers from the new city, on Londsa hill at the foot of Mount Rumija. It was besieged for seven weeks in 1877 and 1878, and after the 1979 earthquake destroyed the aqueduct that supplied its water, the old town was abandoned.
Tip: It is inland, so it needs a ride from the port. Our sources give no travel time or opening hours.
2. King Nikola's Palace
A seaside complex built in 1885 in Topolica, with a large palace, a small palace, a chapel, two guard towers, a winter garden and a park. The palace now houses the Bar Homeland Museum.
Tip: A wooden pier in front of it once moored ships and yachts. Our sources give no opening hours, so check them for your day.
Source: Wikipedia: Bar, Montenegro
3. Lake Skadar
To the east of Bar is the largest lake in the south of Europe. Wikipedia says it is rich in bird life, including the pelican.
Tip: Our sources give no tour or travel time from the port, so book it through the ship or leave it for a long call.
Source: Wikipedia: Bar, Montenegro
What to skip
Counting on a long list of sights in the new town
The port is the most recognizable feature of the new city of Bar, and the sights our sources name are the old town, the palace and the lake. Choose one and keep your all aboard time in view.
Source: Wikipedia: Bar, Montenegro
Before you go ashore
You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.
Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?
Back-to-backs that stop in Bar
Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Bar, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:
- Back-to-back cruises from Ravenna 4 back-to-backs with a stop in Bar
- Back-to-back cruises from Athens 1 back-to-back with a stop in Bar
- Back-to-back cruises from Barcelona 1 back-to-back with a stop in Bar
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bar, Montenegro
- Wikipedia: Stari Bar
- Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?
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