Sveti Stefan is Montenegro's main landmark. It was first mentioned in the XV century, when local people built a fortress on the island, after victory over the Ottomans. For a long time the island had been a small fishermen's village until the 1950's when a hotel was built there. This hotel is unusual, it consists of 80 original reconstructed houses, each of which offers luxury apartments (hotel's website). During the high season the prices start from 1,000 euros per night. Only hotel guests can visit the island.
On the road that runs near the island there's an observation deck where every tourist makes this photo.
Sveti Stefan ©Yuriy Buriak
The island is connected with the shore by a thin strip of gravel, with beaches on both sides. The main one is the hotel beach (to the right) and it's pretty expensive, 50 euros for the sunbeds and umbrella. On the public beach (to the left) the price is 30 euros, it's still expensive, but there's also a free part. The beach is ordinary, the only difference from the others is the island-hotel in front of it.
We were on the car, so we went to the camp to the left of Sveti Stefan, paid 2 euros for the entry, left the car parked and walked down to the Crvena Glavica beach. The water there is much clearer than in front of the island, as this place is almost not visited by people. Update: In 2014 the beach became "civilized" :(
Sveti Stefan ©Yuriy Buriak
Crvena Glavica Beach near Sveti Stefan ©Yuriy Buriak
Unusual view of Sveti Stefan ©Yuriy Buriak
Swimming near the Sveti Stefan Island ©Yuriy Buriak
Unusual rock ©Yuriy Buriak
Water clarity ©Yuriy Buriak
Water clarity ©Yuriy Buriak
Sea urchins are everywhere. ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: There are buses from Budva every 15 minutes, about 9 km to go. You can even walk, first through Becici, then through the tunnel to the Kamenovo beach. From the beach you need to walk a little along the road to Pržno, and then go down to the woods and walk to Sveti Stefan. You can return by bus.
