What to do in Sveti Stefan, the small island in Montenegro that hosts luxury tourism
Sveti Stefan it is located a few kilometers from Budva, Montenegro. Located on a small peninsula, it is connected to the Montenegrin coast by a small strip of land. Sveti Stefan was originally a small fishing village, but during the 19th century it underwent a strong transformation that changed the face of the country.
Sveti Stefan is one of the surprises of the Montenegrin coast: the small village is full of character and charm. Today the small island of Sveti Stefan is home to a resort 5-star hotel known as Aman Sveti Stefan. The resort also has a part on the mainland where the historic Villa Miločer is located which offers its exclusive customers luxury suites.
The history of Sveti Stefan is very ancient and some of its pages are filled with legends involving pirates, fleets and battles. What is certain is that the village was founded around the 15th century and became a protected and safe place for the local population: in that period, in fact, incursions by the Turks were frequent. After a period of expansion, including construction, in the 19th century - thanks to which the island took on the appearance that can still be admired today -, at the beginning of the 20th century it lost its centrality and became depopulated due to wars and emigrations.
The revolution occurred when a group of architects and artists set to work to transform what was now a small forgotten village into a luxury tourism destination. Once the few remaining residents were relocated, the historic buildings of Sveti Stefan were renovated respecting local traditions. In a short time. the town was transformed into a large hotel complex, decidedly unique in its kind.
Sveti Stefan is such an exclusive location that it opens the doors to top-level tourism; in the boom era it hosted celebrities from the world of entertainment, both European and Hollywood. Luxurious and elegant apartments are hidden inside the historic houses following, perfectly integrated into the local architectural context which maintains its external appearance unchanged.
The island of Sveti Stefan is reserved for guests of the luxury resort, but an equally good option is to choose a hotel located on the coast with a view of the island and the sea. The Mediterranean climate makes the months between June and October the best period to organize a holiday in these places.
To admire and enjoy the beauty of the island, organize a walk along the seafront of the new Sveti Stefan, the city built on the mainland. The view is truly evocative, the ancient houses with red tile roofs are flanked by Mediterranean vegetation, the deep blue of the Adriatic sea and the clear blue of the sky forming the backdrop to this postcard.
In the northern part of Sveti Stefan there is a pine forest overlooking the sea: the place is perfect for organizing pleasant walks and enjoying a unique panorama. A short distance away is Milocer beach, another attraction loved by many tourists. Nearby is the Praskvica monastery founded at the beginning of the 15th century. The monastery is the best-known Orthodox religious center in the area and certainly deserves to be visited, also because from the top of the hill it occupies you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the gulf and the island of Svet Stefan.
The main attraction of the Montenegrin coast is the beaches where tourists tan in the sun. The sea is the ideal place for refreshing swims, keeping in mind that the morphology of the area makes the waters deep after a few metres. From Sveti Stefan, continuing north to discover this extraordinary territory, you come across the village of Przno. Here there is a characteristic red sand beach, the perfect place to relax and forget the worries of everyday life for a while.
About ten kilometers from Sveti Stefan, a ten minute drive from Przno, at the end of the small gulf, lies the city of Budva, a sought-after tourist destination for its coast and its long history; in fact, the origins of the city are very ancient and the legends are populated with Greek heroes and deities. Today Budva is one of the beauties of the region rich in architectural treasures; among these the citadel with its monuments and historic buildings.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Budva is Becici, surrounded by Mediterranean scrub, the favorite place for those who want to practice outdoor sports or rest under the sun. In addition to all this, Budva is also a rich cultural center which hosts important events every year, one of the most important of which is the Sea Dance Festival.
