Ivo Andric, winner of a Nobel Prize in literature, viewed Herceg Novi as a place of “eternal greenery, sun and promenades”. Situated on the Bay of Kotor at the entrance to the Boka Kotorska, Herceg Novi became a popular tourist resort due to its subtropical climate and mild winters.  Originally Herceg Novi was supposed to carry the name of Sveti Stefan. After Duke Stjepan Vukcic Kosaca began to develop the village, it became Herceg Novi. He turned the town into an important marketplace and finally, as the first tourist, spent the winter here. He simply preferred the mild coastal climate, which was a lot more pleasant than the harsh weather in his homeland.  

When the Turks began conquering the region, town by town, Kosaca’s son Vlatko  solicited support from Venice and Hungary, but was unsuccessful.

Hotel Tip

Pansion Vila Palma: Hanna’s reputation is legendary with the UN soldiers who monitor the Prevlaka Peninsula because it is disputed territory between Montenegro and Croatia, west of Herceg Novi. It doesn’t matter if the UN Secretary General or the American Secretary of Defense visits the base – Hanna and Boro Vitez always receive a phone call asking if they would put together a small buffet. Olives, smoked ham, wine, vegetables and herbs – everything is “domaci”, meaning homemade. Accordingly the guest book reads like a “Who’s who?” of politicians and militaries. The pension of this German Montenegrin couple has 17 rooms, lodging per night is 8 €, half board is 20 €, private beach and German filtered coffee included.  Phone 088/73 104.