Bar Apartments for Sale: Montenegro's Port City and Southern Riviera

Bar is a working port city rather than a pure resort, with year-round activity, a market, schools and a hospital. The old town, Stari Bar, is a ruined hilltop fortress and a UNESCO candidate with an ancient olive tree said to be more than two thousand years old. Beaches include the pebble shore at Šušanj and the long strand of Sutomore to the north. Ferries run to Bari in Italy, and Podgorica is about an hour away by road, while the airport at Tivat is around 75 minutes.

In summer the promenade is lively, while in winter the town quietens but stays open. Tolerable traffic, rail links and a lower cost of living make it appealing to long-term residents.

Foreigners can buy apartments and houses on the same basis as locals. A notary signs the sale contract, property transfer tax is 3% to 6% (progressive by price) for resales and the cadastre must register the new owner. Check that the building is legalised and that the unit has its own cadastral entry, because informal or partially legal buildings exist along the coast. Old flats may need new wiring and windows, and some buildings have limited lift or parking arrangements.

Residence permits are available to property owners and renewable on conditions. Our Montenegro buying guide, financing page and Montenegro analysis cover the process, and the valuation tool helps check a price.

Bar's low prices attract buyers looking for a seaside flat for under €200,000, and demand comes from Serbian and Montenegrin diaspora, Turkish and Russian buyers, and a small number of EU residents. Summer rentals can work well near the beach, but winter occupancy is low, so net returns depend on the season. Annual running costs include a building fee, utilities and a property tax. Check that the flat has an energy-efficient heating source, because winters bring cold winds from the mountains. Visit in January as well as July to judge the city fairly.

Bar has distinct areas: the centre and port, Šušanj with its seafront flats, Topolica as a residential beach strip, and hillside villages with houses and plots. The centre is practical year-round, Šušanj and Topolica suit beach lovers, and the villages suit buyers wanting space. Check the walking distance to the sea, the road conditions and the water supply in hill areas.

Compare Bečići, Tivat, Petrovac, Ulcinj, Dobra Voda and Podgorica. Visit the Montenegro hub or see cheap property in Montenegro.