We could happily spend weeks marvelling at the views from this stunning hilltop hideaway. And, clearly, we're not the only ones. In 2018, two friends from London were so enchanted by "the vistas of mountains rising straight from the sea and fortified medieval towns" that they bought this 16th-century olive mill, renovated its old stonework and beamed ceilings, and spent happy summers here. New owners - also British - arrived in 2022, adding more homely touches and opening it up to guests through the season.
Inside, there's a gracious but cosy living room, a spacious kitchen and five en-suite double bedrooms, furnished with antique pieces, handmade Persian rugs, old prints and eclectic artworks. The result is a fabulous, homely retreat with bags of character.
Outside, there's a terraced garden with outdoor eating spaces and a pool with parasols and wooden sunbeds, all overlooking the dramatic mountains and calm waters of Kotor Bay. The location, on Lustica peninsula, offers a lush interior dotted with rural villages, medieval churches and olive groves that once supplied the Venetian Republic's coastal settlements. Lustica gives onto Kotor Bay to the north and the open sea to the south, where you'll find several blissfully secluded beaches. Nearby activities include sailing, sea-kayaking, cycling and hiking; kids will love it here. Come with all the family or bring your friends - this would make a great hideaway for a celebration with loved ones.
Highs
- The magnificent hillside location above the Bay of Kotor – near medieval Kotor town, but away from the crowds
- Lovely walled garden with stone terraces, a barbecue, a saltwater pool with views, fig trees, climbing roses and fragrant herbs
- Each bedroom has its own outdoor entrance for added privacy
- The rustic sitting room comes with wood-burning stove, comfy sofas, antique pieces, artworks, and ents system
- The proximity to both sea and mountains makes it a perfect base for watersports and adventure sports enthusiasts
Lows
- The tiny hamlet of Zabrdje is very sleepy so don't expect much in the way of shopping or nightlife - although there is a van that comes each morning selling homemade wine, meat, oil and other essentials
- You really need to hire a car to explore the area properly
- There's an adjoining annexe that's separately owned, with outdoor space beside the back veranda, but no facilities are shared
- We've not visited in person since the new owners arrived in 2022
- Boutique Villa
- 5 bedrooms
- Self-catering
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- English-speaking caretaker
Rooms
Each bedroom is different in terms of layout, aspect and decor, but all have exposed stone walls, handmade Persian rugs and an eclectic mix of antique prints and contemporary artworks from across the former Soviet Union. You get an en-suite shower room (the master bedroom ensuite has a bath), a safe, WiFi and air-conditioning (which seemed to work better in some rooms than others). All rooms have kingsize or double beds, but in two rooms these can be divided to create two singles if preferred.
The master bedroom, Orla, has two doors opening onto the garden, plus a sofa, a marble coffee table and mahogany dressing tables. Copper is named after its copper bedstead and has a collection of novels in French, Russian, English and Italian, plus lots of art books, and the best views across the garden and pool to the bay and mountains. Oriental has a Chinoiserie painted altar table and is hung with Oriental art and antique swords. Oak is named after its 18th-century carved oak side table, while the more ostentatious Herrington has a mirrored dressing table and bedside tables.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Board games
- DVD player
- Hairdryer
- Radio
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- Tumble dryer
- TV
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
The kitchen is extremely spacious and lovely for cooking in. It has exposed stone walls, five little windows giving onto the garden, and a long wooden dining table seating 10. You'll find everything you need for cooking up a storm: oven, hotplates, fridge, freezer and kettle, plus plenty of pots, pans, glasses and crockery. We particularly loved the main workspace, which is a central island rimmed by high stools.
There's a covered verandah with an alfresco dining table for warmer months. Steps lead down to the garden, where you'll find an outdoor summer kitchen (barbecue, fridge and sink) shaded by a pergola. For shopping, the nearest supermarket is Queen in Krasici (5km). Or, if you're feeling indulgent, a chef can be arranged on request.
If you opt to eat out, good restaurants are a short drive away. Try Forte Rose in Rose and Ribarsko Selo in Zanjice, both with lovely waterside terraces. In Kotor, rustic Scala Santa is the town's oldest eatery, with a lovely open fire in winter.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Dinner by arrangement
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Lunch by arrangement
- Microwave
- Oven
- Toaster
- Self-catering
Activities
- Explore Kotor's Unesco-listed fortified old town, with its 12th-century cathedral, Venetian-era mansions and quaint cobbled alleys filled with restaurants and cafes.
- Visit tiny Perast, looking onto twin islets, each capped by a church – catch a boat from the seafront to Our Lady of the Rocks.
- Sunbathe and swim at local beaches – try Zanjice, a curving pebble bay backed by several bars and restaurants, or the chi-chi Almara Beach Club on a wide wooden deck hosting guest DJ's near Lustica Bay.
- Try sea kayaking or paddleboarding - Montenegro+ offer guided tours from Veslo beach on Lustica to the Blue Cave, as well as night paddling from Movida beach.
- Charter a private yacht from Porto Montenegro marina for a skippered sailing trip around Kotor Bay.
- Go olive oil tasting in Tici, where Ilija Moric runs tours of his olive groves and 400-year-old mill, followed by a lunch of traditional local specialities.
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Parasailing
- Quad biking
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- SUP
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Wakeboarding
Best Time to go
Summer is the season if you want to swim, sunbathe and enjoy local open-air cultural events. June or September are great for warm seas without the crowds; Kotor gets extremely busy in July and August. May and October are best if you prefer hiking and cycling. If you decide to brave the chillier months, the villa's wood-burning stove works a treat, and blankets are supplied for sitting out on the terrace.
Our Top Tips
Drive to Mount Lovcen (1660m) and climb the 460 steps up to the Njegos Mausoleum, which was built to commemorate Montenegrin national hero Prince-Bishop Petar II Petrovic Njegos (1813-1851). Designed by sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, built of limestone, granite and marble, and completed in 1974, it affords panoramic views over the surrounding mountains, down to Kotor Bay and out across the blue Adriatic.
Location
The house sits in the peaceful hillside hamlet of Zabrdje, on the north side of Lustica peninsula, overlooking the sheltered waters of the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro.
By Air:
Tivat (15km) is the closest and most convenient airport. You could also fly into Dubrovnik (66km) or Podgorica (95km), and then self-drive along the coast.
From the Airport
We'd recommend hiring a car in order to reach the villa and explore the surrounding area. See our car rental recommendations. There is free off-road parking at the villa.
Detailed directions will be sent when you confirm a booking through i-escape.
Airports:
- Tivat 15.0 km
- Podgorica 95.0 km
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 2.7 km
- Restaurant 4.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
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