Day Trips from Bar – 7 Places Worth Visiting by Car

Day trips from Bar by car are an excellent way to explore the southern part of the Montenegrin coast, Lake Skadar, the Budva Riviera, and other interesting places in Montenegro during your holiday. Bar is located between the Adriatic Sea and the Lake Skadar area, so with a rental car you can easily organize different day-trip routes.

If you have a car available, you decide when to leave, where to stop, and how long you want to spend at each location.

If you have not booked a vehicle yet, check the available MVP Rent A Car vehicles.

Best day trips from Bar by car

Bar is a good starting point for exploring the southern coast, as well as for trips toward Lake Skadar and the Budva Riviera.

Day trips from Bar can include short drives to Old Bar and Sutomore or full-day trips toward Virpazar, Budva, and Bečići.

If you are staying in Bar and need a vehicle, visit Car rental Bar.

Below, we highlight seven routes worth considering during your holiday.

1. Old Bar and the Old Olive Tree

One of the first trips you can take is a visit to Old Bar.

Old Bar offers a completely different experience from the modern part of the city by the sea. You can spend part of the day walking, visiting cultural and historical sites, and discovering the older part of the Bar area.

Nearby is the famous Old Olive Tree, one of the symbols of Bar.

Since these locations are relatively close to the city, this trip is a good choice when you do not want to spend the entire day driving.

The official Bar Tourism Organization highlights Old Bar, the Old Olive Tree, Virpazar, Sutomore, and other attractions of the Bar Riviera on its website.

2. Bar – Sutomore

Sutomore is one of the best-known tourist destinations on the Bar Riviera and can easily be included in a shorter trip.

During the day, you can combine Bar and Sutomore, take a break by the sea, go for a walk, or continue toward other coastal destinations.

If you are staying in Sutomore during your holiday, see vehicle pickup details on the Car rental Sutomore page.

A car is especially practical if you want to use Sutomore as a base while visiting Bar, Petrovac, Budva, and Lake Skadar during your holiday.

3. Sutomore – Čanj and nearby beaches

From Sutomore, you can continue toward Čanj and other places along this part of the coast.

This is a good option for a day when you want less driving and more time by the sea.

The Bar Tourism Organization includes Sutomore, Čanj, Dobre Vode, and Utjeha among the different tourist destinations in the municipality.

With a car, you are not limited only to the beach located next to your accommodation.

You can leave Bar or Sutomore in the morning, spend several hours at another location, and return in the evening without depending on public transport schedules.

4. Bar – Virpazar – Lake Skadar

One of the most interesting day trips from Bar leads toward Virpazar and Lake Skadar.

Virpazar is a well-known starting point for exploring the Lake Skadar area.

When you arrive, you can walk around the town, relax by the water, or check available additional activities and boat trips.

Lake Skadar offers a completely different atmosphere from the coast, making this route a good choice if you want to combine the sea and nature during your holiday.

More information about the lake can be found on the official Lake Skadar National Park – Montenegro Travel page.

If you are planning this trip, leave earlier so that you have enough time to explore.

5. Bar – Dobra Voda – Utjeha

If you head south from Bar, you can visit Dobre Vode and Utjeha.

This route is suitable for visitors who want to explore the southern part of the Bar Riviera without spending the entire day on a long drive.

You can make several short stops, find a place for swimming or lunch, and then return toward Bar.

The advantage of a rental car is that you do not have to decide in advance exactly how much time you will spend at each location.

If you like a particular place, you can simply stay longer.

6. Bar – Budva and Bečići

If you want a longer trip, you can dedicate one day to the Budva Riviera.

From Bar, head toward Sutomore and Petrovac, then continue toward Budva.

Budva is suitable for walking, visiting the Old Town, going to the beach, or continuing toward Bečići and Sveti Stefan.

If you want more information about vehicles at this location, visit Car rental Budva.

For Bečići, we have a dedicated local page: Car rental Bečići.

If you plan to explore this part of the coast more during your holiday, also read our guide Day trips from Budva – 7 best routes by car.

7. Bar – Budva – Tivat

For a full-day trip, you can continue even farther toward Tivat.

This route requires more time, so it is best to leave earlier and allow for possible heavier traffic during the summer season.

You can spend part of the day in Budva and then continue toward Tivat and the Bay of Kotor.

If you are just arriving in Montenegro by plane through Tivat, useful information can be found on the Car rental Tivat Airport page.

Also read our detailed guide Tivat Airport to Budva by car if your trip begins at this airport.

Why are day trips from Bar convenient with a rental car?

The main advantage of having a car is the freedom to adapt your travel plans to your own schedule.

If you use public transport, you need to consider timetables, departure points, and the time of the last return service.

With a rental car, you can leave whenever you want and change your plans during the day.

This is practical if:

• you are traveling with family,
• you have small children,
• you want to visit several places,
• you are carrying beach equipment,
• you want to visit locations outside the main tourist centers,
• you are planning several day trips.

For this reason, day trips from Bar by car are especially suitable for visitors who do not want to spend their entire holiday in one place.

Bar or Sutomore as a base for exploring?

Both Bar and Sutomore can be good bases for traveling.

If you are staying in Bar, Old Bar, the southern part of the coast, and the route toward Lake Skadar are nearby.

If you are staying in Sutomore, you are conveniently positioned for driving toward Bar in one direction and Petrovac and Budva in the other.

For a stay in Bar, visit Car rental Bar, and if you are staying in Sutomore, use the Car rental Sutomore page.

Which car should you choose for day trips from Bar?

For most of the routes listed above, a practical city car is sufficient.

If you are traveling with several people, children, or a larger amount of luggage, a more spacious model may be more comfortable.

When choosing a car, pay attention to:

• number of seats,
• trunk size,
• manual or automatic transmission,
• air conditioning,
• fuel consumption,
• length of the planned routes.

You can browse the available cars on the MVP Rent A Car homepage.

If this is your first time renting a car in Montenegro, we also recommend our guide Car rental Montenegro – what to know before booking.

When should you leave for a day trip from Bar?

During the summer season, it is recommended to leave earlier in the morning, especially if you are planning a trip toward Budva or Tivat.

For Old Bar, Sutomore, Dobre Vode, and other nearby places, you have more flexibility.

For Lake Skadar or the Budva Riviera, allow more time.

Before departure, check the weather conditions, road conditions, and fuel level.

Do not plan your schedule so tightly that you have to rush between two destinations.

Are you arriving through Podgorica Airport?

If you are arriving in Montenegro by plane through Podgorica, you can pick up a vehicle after arrival and then continue toward the coast.

See the details on the Car rental Podgorica Airport page.

If your accommodation is in Budva or Bečići, our guide Podgorica Airport to Budva by car may also be useful.

You can then use the vehicle throughout your holiday and continue toward Bar, Sutomore, and other destinations.

Are you arriving through Tivat Airport?

If your flight arrives in Tivat, you can book a vehicle for pickup at Tivat Airport.

After that, you can continue toward Budva, Petrovac, Sutomore, or Bar, depending on where you are staying.

This way, you do not need to arrange a separate airport transfer and then look for a rental car later.

Plan several day trips from Bar

If you have a car for several days, there is no need to try to visit everything in a single day.

You can dedicate one day to Old Bar and the surrounding area.

The next day, you can travel toward Lake Skadar.

On the third day, you can head toward Budva and Bečići.

This way, day trips from Bar are more relaxed and you have enough time to really experience each destination.

If you want more ideas for traveling through the country, read our car rental guide for Montenegro.

Book a car for day trips from Bar

If you are planning day trips from Bar and want to explore the coast and Lake Skadar independently, you can book a rental car in advance.

Browse available models, specifications, and prices on the MVP Rent A Car website.

View available vehicles and book a car.

For questions about pickup in Bar, Sutomore, Budva, Bečići, or at the airports, contact MVP Rent A Car.

Frequently Asked Questions about day trips from Bar

What are the best day trips from Bar by car?

You can visit Old Bar, Sutomore, Čanj, Dobre Vode, Utjeha, Virpazar, and Lake Skadar, while for a longer day trip you can head toward Budva and Bečići.

Can you travel from Bar to Lake Skadar?

Yes. The Virpazar and Lake Skadar area is an excellent choice for a day trip from Bar.

Can I combine Bar and Sutomore in one day?

Yes. Bar and Sutomore are close enough to easily combine in the same day, especially if you are using a car to explore the Bar Riviera.

Can I visit Budva from Bar and return the same day?

Yes. Budva can be visited as a day trip, but during the summer season allow enough time for possible traffic congestion.

Where can I pick up a rental car in Bar?

Information about booking and pickup can be found on the Car rental Bar page.

Where can I rent a car in Sutomore?

Visit the dedicated Car rental Sutomore page and check pickup availability for your preferred dates.

Should I book a car in advance?

During the main tourist season, it is recommended to book your vehicle earlier so that you have a wider choice of available models.