Bar — Working Port and Medieval Ruins on the Hill
Bar is not a pretty town. It is a working Adriatic port 30 minutes north of Ulcinj, built mostly from post-earthquake concrete after the devastating 1979 quake flattened much of the original settlement. The modern waterfront has a ferry terminal with overnight boats to Bari, Italy, a promenade lined with cafes, and a functional commercial harbour. But the reason to come here is above the town — Stari Bar, the ruined medieval fortress city that clings to the hillside like a ghost.
Stari Bar contains the remains of over 240 buildings — churches, mosques, palaces, houses, and public baths — spread across a dramatic hilltop connected to the modern town by a 20-minute walk through olive groves. An ancient olive tree near the entrance is believed to be over 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living trees in Europe. It still produces fruit.
What to See
- Stari Bar fortress ruins — wander through 240 crumbling structures with views across to Italy on clear days. Allow 2 hours minimum
- The Old Olive Tree of Bar — a gnarled, fenced-off monument believed to be 2,000+ years old. Still alive. Still bearing olives
- The waterfront promenade — functional rather than beautiful, but the spot to check the ferry schedule to Bari if Italy is calling
Getting There
Drive north from Ulcinj on the E85 coastal road. Bar is 30 km away, about 30 minutes in normal traffic. Park in the modern town and walk or drive up to Stari Bar (4 km further inland, signed from the main road).