Sutomore is a popular resort in Montenegro, located near the town of Bar. It’s a large settlement offering all the essential infrastructure for both living and vacationing. By the way, while writing this article, an interesting question came up: is Sutomore a town or a village? In Montenegro, it’s usually called a suburb of Bar or a village, but according to Wikipedia, it is considered a town.
A Glimpse into History
The date of the settlement’s founding is unknown, but historians claim that people lived in Sutomore during the Roman Empire era. The resort’s boom occurred during the heyday of the Venetian Republic when affluent Venetians frequently vacationed here. Traces of that luxury remain visible today—medieval cobblestone roads and paved streets contrast strikingly with modern buildings.
Location & Transport
Sutomore is close to many cities and attractions in Montenegro, making it easy to travel the country if you rent a car or buy a bus ticket. You can reach Bar in just a few minutes, Podgorica in about an hour, Budva and Sveti Stefan in approximately 50 minutes, and Kotor and Tivat within 90 minutes.
Prices at this resort are slightly lower than the Montenegrin average. So, if you’re seeking budget-friendly travel, you can count Sutomore as a plus. Don’t expect massive savings, but your holiday will still come out a bit cheaper.
Attractions in Sutomore
Sutomore is ideal for a calm, family-friendly beach holiday. However, there are few attractions at the resort itself, so history lovers will need to venture out.
What to See in Sutomore
Nearby are the ruins of the old Venetian fortress Hai Nehai (15th century).
In the small village of Nehai, visit the Church of Saint Demetrius (12th century), notable for having both Orthodox and Catholic altars inside.
Also nearby are the ruins of the Church of Saint Mary (12th century).
Accommodation, Shops & Restaurants
As with all Montenegrin resorts, finding a place to stay in Sutomore is easy—the selection of apartments and hotels is quite good. However, don’t delay booking; it’s in your best interest to secure accommodations as early as possible, ideally long before the season starts.
Early booking won’t get you discounts, but you’ll have a much greater choice of quality properties that fit your budget.
There are many restaurants in Sutomore, most offering good service and cuisine. Over fifty line the promenade alone, and the town has even more. I doubt you’ll visit them all in one vacation.
For shopping essentials like beach items or groceries, Sutomore has supermarkets no worse than those on other Montenegrin resorts. However, if you’re looking for “serious” shopping—clothing, electronics, etc.—you’ll likely need to go to Bar or Podgorica, where the selection is greater.
Beaches in Sutomore
The beaches in Sutomore are good. Personally, despite living in Montenegro since 2011, I’ve never swum here—but I have walked the promenade and seen the beaches, and they left a positive impression.
This is what the beach in Sutomore looks like:
The beaches are well-equipped with changing cabins, showers, sunbeds, and umbrellas. You can enjoy the beach for free with your own towel (as seen in the photos of several tourists). If you want extra comfort, you can pay to rent a sunbed and umbrella.
The coastline spans 2.5 km—quite extensive. As you can see in the photos, the beaches are spacious, so you won’t feel crowded. Overall, I liked the beaches and would say they’re even better than those at more popular resorts.
Nearby settlements like Čanj also have nice beaches worth visiting for variety.
Weather & Swimming Season
The weather in Sutomore allows swimming from early May to the end of September. Water warms as the season progresses. For example, this year, on May 1 it was 21 °C; by May 14, 22.5 °C; and by the end of the month, 24 °C—showing comfort increases in the latter half of May.
A similar logic applies to September: last year on September 1 it was 25 °C; from September 6 to 24 it stayed around 24 °C; and by month’s end it cooled to 23 °C.
Let’s now look at the average monthly sea temperature:
Here’s also the average daytime air temperature:
Rain can occur any time of year, but during the tourist season it’s not prolonged, so it won’t spoil your holiday. Summer months in particular see very little rain.
How to Reach Sutomore
Montenegro has two international airports: Podgorica and Tivat. It doesn’t matter much which one you arrive at. From Tivat airport, the drive to Sutomore takes about 80 minutes; from Podgorica, around 55 minutes. Choose based on ticket price.
Getting from the Airport
- Rent a car – not worth it just for the transfer, but great if you’re touring Montenegro independently.
- Book a transfer from the airport.
- Take a taxi – airport rates are higher.
- Use the bus – cheapest, but buses don’t go directly to resorts. You’d need a taxi to the bus station and then from Sutomore bus stop to your apartment, which can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
