Visiting Sveti Stefan: Complete Guide

South of Budva, the non-public island resort of Sveti Stefan was as soon as the Adriatic playground of the wealthy and well-known in the course of the 70s, however fell into decline in the course of the Nineteen Nineties. After painstaking renovations beneath Aman Resorts, the island has been restored to its former glory, making it as soon as once more one among Europe’s most glamorous locations. 

Joined to the mainland by a stone walkway, the island resort of Sveti Stefan is essentially the most iconic image of Montenegro. It appears like one thing out of a fairytale story, with its terracotta rooftops contrasting in opposition to the azure blue of the Adriatic.

When the island got here into view as we drove alongside the coastal highway, I used to be captivated by it. But a room at an unique resort similar to this comes with a hefty worth tag- a 750€ per evening (minimal) price ticket! And that’s only for the most affordable room.

I wouldn’t normally fork out that a lot cash on an evening’s keep however since I used to be visiting Montenegro on a press trip, we have been invited on an unique tour.

Sveti Stefan’s History

Sveti Stefan dates again to the fifteenth century, when the fortified village was constructed to defend in opposition to the Turks. It began out with 12 households however by the 1800s, the city was residence to round 400 people. A second constructing referred to as Villa Miločer was constructed on the mainland within the mid Thirties because the summer time residence of Queen Marija Karadordevic of Serbia, which is surrounded by a whole bunch of olive bushes and has its personal seashore.

In the primary half of the twentieth century the inhabitants started to say no as a result of most of the residents becoming a member of the military or shifting abroad. By 1954 there have been solely 20 people left, so the Yugoslav authorities moved them to the mainland and transformed the village right into a luxurious resort, which welcomed the world’s strongest elites.

In its Seventies heyday, the resort was frequented by A-list celebrities similar to Sylvester Stalone, Princess Margaret, Claudia Schiffer and Sofia Loren, however fell into decline in the course of the break up of Yugoslavia.

Aman Resorts received the contract to revitalize the island, sustaining the outdated appeal of the outside whereas updating the interiors. The resort incorporates a variety of lodging on the island, plus Villa Milocer on the mainland.

There are additionally three pink sandy seashores, together with  Sveti Stefan, Miločer Beach, and Queen’s Beach. The island covers an space of 12,400 m² (133,000 sq ft), whereas the shoreline measures round 2-kilometres (1.2 miles) lengthy.

Where is Sveti Stefan?

Sveti Stefan is positioned on Montenegro’s Adriatic shoreline southeast of Budva between between Pržno and Sveti Stefan villages.

How Can I Get to Sveti Stefan?

On foot – You can get to Sveti Stefan on foot from Budva by strolling the coastal path. It’s a fairly stroll with swimming stops however keep in mind the stroll is 8km.

By taxi/automotive – Alternatively you possibly can take a taxi from Budva, or when you have your personal automotive you possibly can drive there and park within the car parking zone close to the island. Parking is €2 euros per hour, or in the event you spend €20 euros at Olive Restaurant, it’s free. The drive alongside the principle highway from Budva takes round quarter-hour. When you arrive, take your photographs of the island from up close to the principle highway as a result of the view is significantly better.

By bus – There’s additionally a bus that runs from Budva bus station to Sveti Stefan for €2 euros every way.

Tour – If you’re staying in Kotor at some stage in your trip and don’t plan on visiting Budva, then you possibly can book an organized tour to Sveti Stefan for the day.

Inside Sveti Stefan

Walking across the resort it actually doesn’t really feel such as you’re at a resort. It feels such as you’re strolling round a really clear and nicely stored small village, which is de facto what Sveti Stefan is.

It’s extra of an unique neighborhood fairly than a resort; solely open to paying company or guests to the restaurant. All the stone cottages are linked by cobbled lanes and shaded courtyards – it’s actually cute! Sveti Stefan is a extremely tranquil and peaceable island, and the floor of the water sparkles like diamonds. I couldn’t recover from how blue the water is, it’s actually unimaginable.

Accommodation

There are 51 rooms, cottages and suites on the island, that are all set contained in the restored stone buildings.

Room varieties are as follows:

• Village Room
• Cottage
• Deluxe Cottage
• Grand Cottage
• St. Sava Cottage
• Two-bedroom suite
• Three-Bedroom Village Cottage
• Adriatic Suite
• Sveti Stefan Suite

The costliest of all of them is the Sveti Stefan Suite, which has two-floors, a swimming pool, an outside terrace and spectacular sea views. All rooms have a costal vibe with white bedding, picket furnishings and a impartial colour palette.

On the mainland, Villa Milocer presents 3 forms of Suites:

• Milocer Garden View Suite
• Milocer Sea View Suite
• Queen Marija Suite

Garden View Suites have Juliet balconies overlooking the gardens, whereas Sea View Suites overlook the Adriatic Sea. The mansion additionally boasts a communal front room, a big assembly room and a book-filled library.

Spa and Wellness

Aman Sveti Stefan additionally boasts a state-of-the-art spa and a health heart overlaying 140 sq. meters.

Aman Sveti Stefan Spa

Treatments on the spa draw upon greater than 650 medicinal herbs, a lot of that are sourced in Montenegro. The signature Adriatic Rejuvenation remedy begins with an oat-milk soak, adopted by an exfoliating mix of mint-infused olive oil, wild honey and uncooked sugar. Guests are then massaged with lavender and palmarosa oils to depart the thoughts and physique feeling relaxed and calm.

With a soothing sea-view setting, the spa options three hydrotherapy suites providing scrubs, wraps and baths. There’s additionally 24 meter tranquil pool with indoor and outside sections, lined with slate and glass. Surrounding the pool space are three hydrotherapy areas with steam rooms, saunas, and cold-plunge swimming pools.

The Gym

Sveti Stefan’s fitness center is provided with superior Technogym cardiovascular and weight-training gear. Personal trainers are additionally available to supply customized exercise applications, non-public kickboxing lessons and bespoke bodywork periods.

Restaurants

There are a number of eating choices, each on the island and at Villa Milocer on the mainland.

Arva – An Italian restaurant on Sveti Stefan island with two outside terraces providing breathtaking views throughout the bay. The menu presents are trendy spin on Italian delicacies, with a choice of contemporary pastas and risottos, in addition to quite a lot of seafood dishes. The sea bass, octopus and rock oysters are caught contemporary from the Adriatic, whereas the pasture-fed beef is sourced from northern Montenegro.

The Piazza – Slightly extra informal and rustic than Arva, The Piazza restaurant is located in an open-air sq. with views of the ocean. The taverna is the island’s primary restaurant, serving European and American breakfasts, plus contemporary Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. Head to The Piazza within the early night and you’ll additionally be capable of get pleasure from mild snacks from the antipasti bar and and pre-dinner drinks whereas watching the solar go down.

Villa Milocer Restaurant – Located on the mainland, the restaurant at Villa Milocer is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner all year long. Dinersa number of basic and up to date dishes from the Adriatic area whereas absorbing the of Sveti Stefan Island and the bay.

To make reservations at any of the eating places, telephone: +382 33 420 000

Beaches at Sveti Stefan

There are three seashores with pink sands at Aman Sveti Stefan:

• Sveti Stefan Beach
• King’s Beach
• Queen’s Beach

Sveti Stefan Beach is open to the general public in addition to company. There’s a north facet and a south facet to the seashore on both facet of the isthmus. On the north facet the loungers and chairs price €80 euros. On the south facet costs begin at round €15 euros for 2 chairs and an umbrella. Or you possibly can simply sit on the sand right here at no cost. The loungers and chairs on each side are run by Aman Sveti Stefan’s seashore group.

King’s Beach lies between Sveti Stefan Beach and Queen’s Beach. This one can be open to non-residents in addition to company. The seashore will be accessed both by boat from Sveti Stefan or by strolling alongside the pathway that results in Queen’s Beach.

Queen’s Beach is totally non-public and solely obtainable to company staying on the resort. Here you’ll discover the Aman Spa and non-motorized water sports activities similar to rise up paddle boarding.

Where to Stay Near Sveti Stefan

Budva or anyplace on the Budva Riviera is right for visiting Sveti Stefan. If you’re seeking to keep on the Budva Riviera, Explore Montenegro has a variety of Budva holiday villas.

Restaurants Near Sveti Stefan

If you don’t need to spend a lot cash, I’d advocate simply sitting on the free seashore for the day. You also can take a pleasant stroll alongside the coastal path, which leads from Olive Restaurant to Villa Milocer.

If you’re feeling peckish, there are just a few eating places within the space, which received’t be as costly as eating on the island. These embrace:

Adrovic Restaurant – Restaurant at Hotel Adrovic, with a big terrace providing views of Sveti Stefan. The menu options native cheeses, salads, plus loads of contemporary fish and seafood from the ocean. Dishes embrace tuna carpaccio, spaghetti with seafood, grilled octopus, white fish baked in salt and beef steak in pepper sauce.

Olive Restaurant – Situated proper subsequent to Sveti Stefan Beach amongst centuries-old olive bushes you’ll discover Olive Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on its lined terrace. The intensive menu options pastas, pizzas, seafood and meat dishes with loads of contemporary greens from Montenegro.

Femelja Kentera – Amazing location within the hillside with a terrace overlooking Sveti Stefan. The restaurant serves Montenegrin delicacies together with pastas, pizzas, fish and seafood.

Drago – Established in 1967, Drago was round on the peak of Sveti Stefan’s superstar heyday. On the menu you’ll discover a lot of meat dishes, together with steak, veal, roasted rooster and lamb. Meanwhile the fish menu options contemporary fish, oysters, octopus, squid, clams and gamberetti.

Your Sveti Stefan FAQs Answered

A Final Word…

Sveti Stefan is really a magical place and ought to undoubtedly be included in your Montenegro itinerary. I counsel staying a few days in Kotor and then just a few nights in Budva so you possibly can discover Sveti Stefan and all the opposite things to do within the space. While a keep on the resort could also be out of most peoples’ worth vary, you possibly can nonetheless lay on the seashore, stroll round and benefit from the surroundings.