Sveti Stefan

Sveti Stefan is a town in Montenegro. Previously a fishing village, in 1960 it was converted into the old town, with its tower, narrow streets, shops and small churches, remained unchanged.

Sveti Stefan is an unusual and unique place not only at Montenegro or Budva's Riviera but in the whole Mediterranean. It stands on the cliff of a rocky island with roofs red like rubies. A sand isthmus looking like a stem connects it with the land. It came into existence in a unique way.

Understand

According to the memory of people, the town was founded in 15th century. The big Turkish fleet sailed into the Adriatic sea to rob and plunder rich seaside towns, especially those one in Boka. One day, when the weather was bad, that fleet sailed into Jaz beach, a place into bottom of Grbaljsko field, near Kotor. Guards were left on the galleys, which were anchored or grounded on sand, while the rest of Turkish soldiers set off for Kotor, across Grbaljsko field, to attack and devastate it from the land.When Pastrovics heard about this, they quickly gathered their soldiers and went to Kotor by shortcut to attack Turks and help Kotorans in defense of their town. After the victory, on their way back, they attacked Turkish galleys at the beach Jaz. With God's help they managed to kill the rest of Turkish crew and took the conquered galleys to Drobni Pijesak - the beach and the valley where they used to anchored their fisherman's boats and ships - to unload the war trophies there.

Pastrovics have decided not only to divide the rich war trophies but to build a fortress on the rocky island near the coast as well as houses for each of Pastrovic's 12 tribes, and the church decided to St. Stefan the protector of Pastrovics. The fort was made to serve defense against Turks, pirates and other enemies as well as an asylum and shelter: asylum for women, children and old people during the time of enemy's attacks and shelter for food and groceries: corn, oil, vine, meat, honey and others. They drowned the conquered Turkish galleys leaving no trace of them.

This folk tale finds confirmation in written documents where St. Stefan was mentioned for the first time (1442) as an advanced guard house. It is also written that the fort was built earlier and called St. Stefan after the church with the same name constructed at the same time when the settlement in the fort was built.

In ancient documents Sveti Stefan is mentioned by the name of “place of justice” - the pivotal place of Pastrovics township and tribe. This name originated from the fact that the court “Bankada” had been sessioning in it for 400 years. It was usually done at Pjaca, a space in front of the entering gate. Tribal disputes and misunderstandings were solved at that spot until 1929.

Fortress Sveti Stefan achieved a grand rise in the first half of XIX century when it counted 100 houses, three churches, and 400 inhabitants on its small space limited by the sea and the walls. There was no space for more.

At the beginning of XX century it suddenly lost its economic power and political importance. The inhabitants left it. The best men went to war and many more emigrated to America. In 1912 there were 150 inhabitants, and in 1954 only 20.

A group of smart architects and artists began adaptation of abandoned houses in 1954 with help of the communist power who removed the left 20 inhabitants to the land, and as early as 1957 they turned them into a unique town - hotel - the most attractive and the most luxurious hotel complex at the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, intended for tourism of the highest level. Adaptation was done expertly and heatedly so the buildings from outside look exactly as they were before, while the inside spaces were richly decorated and turned into luxurious apartments.

Sveti Stefan, in the 1970s, was popular among celebrities, and among its guests were Marilyn Monroe, Willy Brandt, Bobby Fischer, Boris Spassky, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, Monica Vitti, Ingemar Stenmark, Kirk Douglas, Jonathan Miller and Claudia Schiffer.

It remained the most exclusive resort on the Montenegro's coast until the 1990s, when it fell into decline during the breakup of the former Yugoslav federation.

In early 2007, Amanresorts, a Singapore-based luxury resort operator won a contract to lease Sveti Stefan along with the Miločer and Kraljičina beach resorts for a 30-year period. The island is now closed to non-resort guests.

Get in

By foot

From Budva, follow the path from the Slovenska Plaza to the end of the beach and then pass through a tunnel under the half finished and now abandoned monstrosity of development by the Russian company Mirax. From there, make your way through the car parks of the various hotels to the beach of Becici until it reaches the village of Rafailovici. Here, the path continues through a tunnel, passes the Kamenovo beach area and follows the coast to a place called Zoff's fish restaurant. Now the path turns to the left and up a set of steps to the main road. Turn right at the Kusta grill restaurant and walk along the main road for about 300 metres. Before the end of the viaduct there are steps leading down to Przno beach. If you pass in front of the Maestral Hotel, walk through the beach restaurants and go left up the hill at the end of the beach there is a gate that is sometimes open. Oherwise, keep to the left of the Maestral Hotel and go through the arch gate just past the bus stop and taxi rank. Keep walking, and after the next hotel, Kraljicina Plaza, you can either continue along the same road or choose the more beautiful beach path. Both options take you all the way to Sveti Stefan.

By bus

Buses costing €2 operate to/from Budva regularly, with the journey taking 30 minutes. Please note that only guests of the resort (a very expensive option) or those with lunch/dinner reservations (a less expensive but still costly option) are permitted entry onto the "island."

See

The island is closed to non-resort guests.

Do

Although the island is closed to non-guests, the beaches north and south of the island are open to the public. Beach side parking costs €12. It costs €50 to enter the North Beach.

Eat

Drink

There are a couple of makeshift outdoor bars on the beach. It's a good idea to bring your own water given the absence of concession stands.

Sleep

There are several small and family hotels located on the coast, near the famous hotel Sveti Stefan, with popular prices, great view, peaceful countryside and all modern equipment. They all settled in an old ambient of hundred years old olive trees and see view from the terraces. All houses own parking services.

Hotels
  • Hotel Adrovic, Jadranski put bb. €65 to €125. 
  • Hotel Azimut, ☏ +382 33 468 992, fax: +382 33 468 996. Check-in: 24 hr, check-out: 12:00. Hotel has 4 Stars, with a private beach, swimming pool, Spa & Wellness, restaurant. Open 24 hours and all 365 days a year. The hotel is located close to the beach in Sveti Stefan. Very quiet rooms with seaview overlooking the famous Sveti Stefan hotel. €80 to €120. 
  • Hotel Romanov, ☏ +382 33 468 471, fax: +382 33 468 487, . Check-in: 24 hr, check-out: 12:00. 4 star hotel. €90 to €150. 
  • Hotel Residence, Jadranski put bb, ☏ +382 33 427 100. Check-in: 24 hr, check-out: 12:00. 4 star hotel. €90 to €120. 
  • Hotel Vila Krsto, ☏ +382 68 011 011. €20 per person. 

Private rooms

There is a village on the coast where you can find very nice apartments in private accommodation. During the summer time a price is about €15 per person for accommodation at a private accommodation, and about €20 per persons for apartments closer to beaches.

Go next
Routes through Sveti Stefan
Budva ← Bečići ←  W  E  → Petrovac → Podgorica


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