A few weeks ago I gave some tips about 7 easy winter walks on the Montenegrin Coast, but I forgot to mention one of the most attractive walkways along the coast: the Five Danica Promenade in Herceg Novi.
Being entirely exposed to the sun, this pedestrian path offers a unique opportunity to make a long and relaxing walk along the seashore. Moreover, it offers stunning views of the Bay of Boka Kotorska and the surrounding mountains.
This beautiful waterfront promenade, which stretches along the coast from the Igalo’s beachfront park in the west to Meljine in the east with a total length of 7 kilometers, is officially known as Šetalište Pet Danica (in translation: Five Danica Promenade).
The pathway is named after five young girls with the same name, i.e. Danica, who were killed during World War II. They were between 18 and 21 years old when they died and they were all born in this region.
It is interesting to know that this promenade also covers a part of the route of the former famous railway line Sarajevo – Zelenika. This narrow-track railway was built by the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Officially opened in 1901, it was closed in 1968, as it was an obstacle for further development of tourism.
If you want to make a longer walk, you can start at Villa Galeb in Igalo, once the summer residence of Josip Broz Tito. This villa, embedded in greenery, is now open to (wealthy) tourists. Guided groups (10 persons or more) can also visit the villa. Next to it is Institute „Dr Simo Milošević“, a famous spa facility.
You can walk along the seashore of Igalo (red line on the map) until you arrive at the junction in front of the Igalo beach park, where the official Five Danica Promenade starts (blue line). But when you reach Meljine, you can also continue the walk until Zelenika (red line). There is choice enough!
The first stretch of the walkway through Igalo is lined by numerous pubs, restaurants and souvenir shops. Local women sell their hand-knitted woollen socks, undershirts and crocheted tablecloths. No wonder, as Igalo is a famous rehabilitation center for locals, in particular for retired people. And of course, before the corona outbreak, there were also many foreign tourists who took advantage of the radioactive mud from this area.
Between Igalo and Meljine, you will encounter concrete and pebble beaches and resting spots, an outdoor swimming pool, a yacht club, the harbor, beautiful villas and several turns to stairs that will take you to the city center.
Bet let’s start from the beginning of the promenade, which is also called „health trail“, as its runs directly along the shore and it is surrounded by subtropic vegetation: palms, oleanders, cacti, Indian figs…..
On your way, you will pass through an old railway tunnel. There is an funny local story that says: if you make a wish and then run through the tunnel from one side to the other keeping your breath, this wish will be fulfilled. Why wouldn’t you try? …. It might be true!
You will soon arrive at the harbor and the central square called „Škver“. This is more or less the center of the promenade. Here you can find a yacht club and a pool, but also several nice restaurants and pubs with open-air terraces.
One of them is located in the former railway station, a beautiful two-story stone building constructed in 1934. It still carries the name of the place and the station clock on the tower. The building is owned by the famous film director Emir Kusturica, who had once the intention to open a summer film school here – but this plan never came true…
However, there is an interesting story about this building. Before the railway station was built, the train always stopped just here in front of the „Topola“ Hotel. Guests entered the hall of the hotel directly from the train, and from their rooms they had a beautiful view of the sea and the harbor. But the then mayor of the town decided to construct the station building directly in front of the hotel, depriving the hotel and its guests of their sea view. Why did he do that? Nobody knows….
On your right side is a huge statue of King Tvrtko, which was erected in 2013. It is more than 5 m tall and its weight is over 1000 kilos. It is supposed that King Tvrtko, „the King of Serbs, Bosnia and the coast and west sides“, founded Herceg Novi in 1382. He also laid the first cornerstone for the sea fortress Forte Mare.
This is a suitable place to turn left uphill, to the old city center with its famous clock tower and narrow cobbled streets. You will have to climb a lot of stairs or „skaline“ to get there. That’s why Herceg Novi is also called „grad od skalina“ (town of stairs). It is clear that each inhabitant and visitor of Herceg Novi must be in good physical shape!
The Clock Tower (Sahat Kula or Tora) is the symbol of Herceg Novi. It is located above the Nikola Djurković Square and it was built in 1667, during the Ottoman occupation. In those times, there was also a mosque besides the tower.
Pass under the Clock Tower after having climbed around 60 steps and you will find yourself on the Herceg Stjepan Square, commonly known as Belavista. The square features with the church of St. Michael the Archangel and a commemorative fountain. Take the steps to the right from the Belavista Square, i.e. Marko Vojnović street, pass by Radio Herceg Novi and by the gallery »Josip Bepo Benković» and you will reach Forte Mare, the medieval Sea Fortress that is located directly above the walkway.
Further along the promenade you will see the remains of the Citadel. This used to be a fortress directly on the seashore, but it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 17th century. The fortress was restored by the Venetians, but it was finally destroyed by the major earthquake that struck the Montenegrin coast in 1979. On that occasion, the walls of the fortress fell into the sea.
When you continue your walk, you will notice that you pass through a more quiet part of the town. On your left side is the Savina monastery. It is located in a dense Mediterranean forest on a hill with a magnificent view over Luštica and Oštri Rt, but also towards Tivat and Mount Lovćen. Savina is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Montenegro.
The last part of your walk to Meljine passes alongside the Meljine medical center. Originally, this was a fortress, built in 1732. It has been used as a military hospital for several centuries, as the healthy micro-climate of this spot helped to cure the injuries that soldiers got in battles. Eventually, it became a famous civil hospital.
The Five Danica Promenade officially ends in Meljine, but you can continue your walk to Zelenika along the old railway track. Here you can see one of the old waggons of the train that was once called „Ćira“ by the citizens of this region.
In this time of the year, you will notice several flowering mimosa trees on your way through Herceg Novi. Since the 1960s, Herceg Novi has been host to the famous Mimosa Festival. Until last year, this Festival has been held in or around the month of February with a program of outdoor concerts, costume balls, flower processions and Fish and Wine Fiestas. Due to the corona pandemic, the Festival will not be organized this year – at least, I couldn’t find any information about it.
I am sure that you will take advantage of the opportunity to spend a wonderful day in Herceg Novi, walking along the Five Danica Promenade!
Great description of this long traffic-free walk along the Boka Kotorska. It really is rather unique as most of the shoreline of the bay is either privately owned or filled with cars.
It seems to be a paradise by the sea! It is beautiful and worth visiting before I die!