Petrovac is a small seaside town on Montenegro’s coast, located relatively close to Budva. Let’s start with the main point: the town is very small, so you won’t find a great variety of entertainment options. There are also few historical landmarks. So, some visitors may find it a bit boring.
In Montenegro there are many small resorts—such as Bečići or Rafailovići—where boredom doesn’t set in, because they are near larger resorts that you can reach in minutes with minimal cost. Petrovac is different: it stands on its own, and traveling to nearby towns is not as simple or fast. You can visit Budva once or twice, but you likely won’t make that trip every day. Petrovac is about 17 km from Budva—it’s not huge, but not insignificant either.
If you’re an active adult who likes walking and participating in activities, Petrovac may not be the best spot for your vacation. I recommend checking out other Montenegrin resorts with more entertainment and sights.
However, Petrovac has its positive sides, which I will explain now. The beaches are excellent—so if you plan to spend your days relaxing on the shore, Petrovac is the resort for you.
It’s also well suited for families with young children—since mobility may be limited, the advantages of a larger city don’t matter as much. Everything is conveniently located in Petrovac, which is ideal for preschool-aged children who don’t like to walk much.
Likewise, Petrovac is a great choice for visitors who can’t walk much due to health reasons or old age.
The town sits on the edge of a picturesque bay surrounded by greenery. It’s beautiful—and for those who don’t need a new activity every day or a lot of excitement, this resort will suit perfectly.
I hope I have clearly conveyed my view of this resort—I tried not to be too confusing.
In summary, choose Petrovac for your Montenegro holiday if:
- You are a beach fan.
- You travel with young children.
- You simply prefer a quiet, calm vacation due to temperament, health, or other reasons.
History and Attractions
Petrovac is relatively new—it began significant development only in the late 18th century. That is likely why the town has few historical landmarks. Although people have lived in the area long before the city existed. There was once a settlement called Stara Lastva on the site of modern-day Petrovac. The exact date of settlement is unknown, but the first mentions appear in chronicles from the 12th century.
Local Attractions
- The main landmark is the Venetian fortress “Castello”. To be honest, I don’t think it’s outstanding—there’s not much to see. But if you’re in Petrovac, you’ll probably visit it anyway, since it’s right by the beach. Plus, the town’s most famous restaurant is located there—and I’m sure you’ll want to dine there.
- The Gradiste Monastery complex is located near Petrovac and is a notable, though not famous, Orthodox monastery in Montenegro. It includes monk cells and several churches.
- You can also visit Sveti Voskresenja (Holy Resurrection) Island and Katić Island, which feature a small church and wild beaches.
Beaches in Petrovac
As noted earlier, the beaches in Petrovac are excellent—no worse than elsewhere in Montenegro. They are well-equipped with all essentials. It’s worth mentioning that urban beaches in Petrovac—and throughout Montenegro—are leased to operators.
Typically, a beach is leased by a café that sells items like drinks and snacks. They also rent sunbeds and umbrellas, earning extra income. Operators want visitors to use their beach—and they take good care of it. Beaches are cleaned regularly and meet all comfort standards. Most Montenegrin beaches allocate space for visitors with their own towels to relax for free, and this system works well—even on Petrovac beaches.
Most tourists swim at the main beach, which stretches about 2 km through the town. It’s equipped with showers, toilets, loungers, umbrellas, restaurants, and cafés—standard for Montenegrin city beaches.
Nearby is Lučice Beach, about 200 m long. This beach is more attractive than the main beach and is popular with families with children.
If you prefer a lack of service, visit the wild Buljarica Beach. It’s very beautiful with stunning views—but there are no sunbeds, cabins, or any signs of civilization.
Climate in Petrovac
The climate in Petrovac is Mediterranean and similar to that of other Budva Riviera resorts. Below you can see the average daily temperature at the resort:
As you can see, the hottest months are July and August—but even in February, you’re unlikely to feel cold.
The swimming season lasts from May to the end of September, though some tourists (mostly Russians) swim into November. The sea is warmest in July and August. See sea temperature data below:
Swimming is usually comfortable starting in mid‑May—or even earlier. Rainfall during summer is minimal, but approaching and after mid‑September, rain becomes more likely. I always advise planning to end your Montenegro vacation by September 15‑20, as weather may become unstable afterward.
As you can see, rain in September can occur—not often, but still.
Accommodation in Petrovac
There are numerous apartments and hotels available to suit all tastes and budgets.
Remember: the lowest prices for Aprt and hotel stays are in May and September, while the highest are in July and August.
Nightlife and Festivals
Nightlife in Petrovac is centered around the Castello fortress, where a nightclub and the famous Castello restaurant are located. I’ve visited that restaurant many years ago—while I may not have photos, the memory is very positive.
Several festivals take place during the season, including:
- Jazz Festival
- Petrovac Night
- Pašticada Festival
Like across Montenegro, these festivals are interesting—and if one coincides with your visit, make sure to attend. I’ve been less often in recent years, not because the festivals aren’t good—they’re just familiar.
Getting to Petrovac
Montenegro has two international airports: Tivat and Podgorica. It doesn’t matter much which you choose for Petrovac—just pick the cheaper ticket.
You can get from the airports to Petrovac by:
- Bus – cheapest, but least convenient. Buses don’t operate at the airport itself; you must get to the main station.
- Taxi – not recommended; airport taxis charge inflated rates.
- Pre-booked transfer.
- Car rental – not worth it just for airport transfer, but if you plan to travel around Montenegro, it’s a good option.
Shopping in Petrovac
Buying groceries in the town is easy—every Montenegrin city has at least several supermarkets. However, there are no large shopping centers in Petrovac, and few small shops. For serious shopping, consider visiting Budva or Podgorica.
