Dropping anchor at Porto Montenegro

The story of how a neglected naval shipyard turned into an uber-luxe marina and an exciting destination comparable with the likes of Monaco and Capri.

Porto Montenegro was once a naval shipyard of the Yugoslav Navy, which after the break-up of Yugoslavia fell into disuse. In 2006, the shipyard was put on public offering. Its new owners, Peter Munk and partners, transformed it into a swanky luxury yacht marina in less than a decade’s time. Developed to cater to even advanced needs of all yachts, the marina currently has 420 berths, 130-sold out luxury apartments as well as shops, restaurants, bars, café and the 5-star Regent Hotel. This summer season Porto Montenegro is also witnessing the entry of new luxury fashion labels as well as a number of exclusive events.

Shopping at Porto Montenegro

Fashionistas Shop-in-Shop Gallery is opening this summer with many prestigious high-end fashion brands being presented in the Balkans for the very first time. You can expect Ready to Wear, Resort and Accessories collections from brands like Dolce and Gabbana, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Balenciaga, Moncler, Philip Plein; exquisite lingerie by La Perla; and perfumes like Editions Frederic Malle, Tom Ford Private Blend and Floris. Do also look-out for exclusive limited edition pieces from each of these brands.

Mooi is another fashion boutique showcasing Ready to Wear collection as well as limited edition bags, shoes and accessories from labels like Celine, Givenchy, Chloe, Isabel Marant, Saint Laurent, Emilio Pucci, Lanvin, Thom Browne, Valentino and Victoria Beckham. Also at Porto Montenegro is the Heidi Klein store, which offers swimwear and beach accessories and also stocks brands like Ligne St Barth, Orlebar Brown and Onia. There are plenty more stores and brands here that should keep most shopaholics tripping on Porto Montenegro for a long time!

Entertainment and events

The luxury marina is turning into a rather trendy area where people can choose between several entertainment and dining options. Yachting enthusiasts recently enjoyed the SuperYacht Rendezvous, which saw both sailing and motor-powered superyachts from 30m upwards. The next event you can mark on your calendar is the MYBA Pop-up SuperYacht Show, which will be hosted in association with Worldwide Yachting Association MYBA from 4 – 6 September, 2015.

The SuperWine 3.0 Festival also recently concluded at the PM Yacht Club in Porto Montenegro. It introduced people to 20 celebrated wines from around the world.

Another highlight in Porto Montenegro is Lido Mar, a new members-only Yacht pool club that caters exclusively to Porto Montenegro homeowners, visiting VIPs, marina guests and hotel residents. It features a stunning infinity pool where people can enjoy poolside dining and cocktails. At the foot of the pool is Lido Pranzo, a casual daytime restaurant. De Gustibus offers dining with sunset views while the Platinum club offers an intimate and luxurious nightclub experience.

London’s leading contemporary art gallery Mead Carney is currently holding a pop-up exhibition in Porto Montenegro. To carry on till mid-September, the show features works from the gallery’s most recent exhibitions. The Naval Heritage Museum is also currently hosting ‘Magnificent Nature,’ a collection of paintings and sculptures created by Milena ZeVu. From 1st to 18th of August, Cattaro Home Gallery in Porto Montenegro will present ‘Venice’ by David Hamilton, who is a photographer and part-time film director with several photographic books and five feature films to his credit. Venice will feature some of his finest landscapes and portraits.

For more information on Porto Montenegro, please visit its official site.