Why Montenegro's famous olive festival should be on your radar this November?

Looking for the ultimate autumn escape?

The historic town of Bar is gearing up for the 24th edition of “Maslinijada” (The Olive Festival), running from 20–22 November, with the main, unmissable celebration happening on Saturday, 21 November.

Honestly, a stroll through the cobblestone streets of Stari Bar’s old bazaar—sampling authentic local olives, artisan cheeses, golden priganice (fritters), and sun-dried figs—sounds like the absolute perfect weekend. It’s the ultimate chance to stock up on genuinely home-grown, top-tier goods, from organic eats to local drinks.

Photos: Municipality of Bar

Here is your quick insider checklist for the weekend:

Sip & Soak it In: Grab a traditional coffee or a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice in one of the lively bazaar cafés.
Explore the Open-Air Museum: Get lost in the stunning, rugged history of Stari Bar’s ancient citadel.
The Luck Ritual: Visit the Old Olive Tree in Mirovica—an incredible force of nature rooted here since the 3rd century and walk around it three times for good luck.
Meet the Locals: Don’t forget to say hi to the famous Stari Bar cats, who are always ready to pose for your camera. 🙂

Photo: Anne Marie Alves Curcic Photo: Aleksandar.me