Some places captivate visitors not only with their architecture or location, but with the stories they hold. Villa Galeb in Igalo is one such place. Once the seaside residence of Josip Broz Tito, the estate occupies one of the most spectacular spots on the Herceg Novi Riviera, overlooking the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, as well as Mount Lovćen and Mount Orjen.
From 1 July, visitors will once again have the opportunity to explore this remarkable property, which has intrigued both domestic and international guests for decades. For Herceg Novi, Villa Galeb is far more than a historic landmark—it is a unique attraction where nature, architecture and stories from a bygone era come together, recalling the days when statesmen, artists and world leaders walked its halls.
Photo Source: Institut dr. Simo Milošević
Visitor Information
Guided tours of Villa Galeb will take place from 1 July on:
• Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 pm
All visits include a professional guided tour, with tours also available in English.
Ticket Prices
• Adults: €10
• Children aged 12–18: €5
• Children under 12: Free admission
No reservation is required for regular tour times, while special arrangements can be made for organised groups of ten or more people. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance before the tour begins.
Photo Source: Institut dr. Simo Milošević
What Makes Tito’s Villa So Special?
Although Josip Broz Tito had several residences across the former Yugoslavia, the villa in Igalo holds a special place among them. Located next to the Dr Simo Milošević Institute, it sits in an area renowned for its mild Mediterranean climate, therapeutic mud and natural mineral springs.
Built in 1976 in just six months—an impressive engineering feat even by today’s standards—the complex covers approximately 5,500 square metres across four levels and is surrounded by landscaped parkland that enhances its sense of privacy and tranquillity.
Today, it may be difficult to imagine, but the villa was originally conceived as an elegant retreat where distinguished guests could enjoy both the natural benefits of Igalo and the services of what was then one of Europe’s leading rehabilitation centres.
Highlights You’ll Discover During Your Visit
One of the details that most fascinates visitors is the presidential suite, complete with a luxurious bathroom crafted from rare Brazilian marble. It was among the most expensive materials used during the construction of the villa and remains a testament to the high standards that defined presidential residences of the era.
Photos Source: Institut dr. Simo Milošević
The location itself is equally impressive. From the villa’s terraces, sweeping views extend across the Bay of Kotor, Mount Lovćen and Mount Orjen, making it easy to understand why this stretch of Montenegro’s coastline was chosen as a retreat and meeting place for distinguished guests.
Photo Source: Institut dr. Simo Milošević
Over the years, Villa Galeb welcomed numerous world leaders and prominent figures, including Algerian President Houari Boumédiène and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The villa’s first foreign guest was the celebrated violin virtuoso Henryk Szeryng.
A Place Where History Lives On
Villa Galeb is about far more than luxury and breathtaking scenery. Over the decades, it became a silent witness to significant political meetings and historic moments that shaped an entire era.
Tito and Prince Charles (now King Charles III) in Igalo. Photo collection of Miodrag Gabo Golubin. Source: Boka News.
After spending decades largely closed to the public, the villa now offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience a chapter of Herceg Novi’s history that remained hidden behind closed doors for many years.
As future investments and restoration projects move forward under the restructuring plan of the Dr Simo Milošević Institute, the reopening presents a perfect chance to discover one of the Herceg Novi Riviera’s most intriguing landmarks—a destination that is at once a historical monument, an architectural curiosity and a must-visit attraction for the summer season.
The Earthquake Story That Still Lives On
One of the most enduring stories connected to Villa Galeb dates back to the devastating 1979 earthquake.
According to local accounts, while aides urged Tito to evacuate, he refused to leave the estate. Instead, he reportedly asked for a tent to be set up in the grounds and watched the aftermath of the disaster from the villa’s vantage point overlooking the coast. Only a few hours later, he toured parts of the Riviera to assess the damage firsthand.
Tito in Igalo, source: Boka News
It would prove to be his final stay at Villa Galeb.
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