Rafailovici
Rafailovici is a Montenegrin resort located in the neighborhood of Becici, 3 km from the ancient city of Budva and 13 km from Tivat. The village is notable, first of all, for its beach, which is one of the best in the country and is part of the Budva Riviera. The strip of golden sand stretches for 2 km along the shore of the Adriatic Sea, forming a cozy bay. The busiest place in Rafailovici is the promenade, where vacationers stroll, attracted by street vendors and sellers of excursions.
Video: Rafailovichi
Contents- Highlights
- History of Rafailovichi
- Climate and weather
- Beach vacation
Attractions in and around Rafailovichi - Hotels
- Restaurants
- Shops
- Travel tips
- How to get there
Highlights
Rafailovici is called a fishing village, but in fact it is a full-fledged tourist center consisting of small private houses, hotels and hotel complexes. If you look at the resort from above, you can see colorful tiled roofs of villas huddled together. As for fishing, the season opens in October and lasts seven months.
If the census is to be believed, not a single person lived here 15 years ago. Now Rafailovici is home to several thousand inhabitants, mostly engaged in fishing and services. Summer travelers may think that the village is inhabited only by idle tourists and those who try to turn their stay into a fairy tale. And this is not far from the truth, because Rafailovichi is a paradise for lovers of seaside recreation, silence and a warm welcome at home.
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History of Rafailovichi
In the last century, Rafailovici was a poor village whose inhabitants practiced fishing exclusively. In the middle of the century, less than a hundred people lived there, and the population only decreased over the years. In the 1990s, the village was deserted.
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At the beginning of the new millennium Montenegrin tourism entered the world arena. In Rafailovici began construction of hotels, and at a rapid pace. Today, hotels and guest houses stand almost side by side, between restaurateurs – fierce competition, and the beaches are crowded with vacationers in early June.
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Climate and weather
Attractions in and around Rafailovichi
Attractions of Rafailovići are natural monuments. Near the coast spread majestic mountains dotted with greenery. The somewhat harsh but beautiful stony landscape is marred by signs that read: Danger! Beware of falling rocks! (Danger! Beware of falling rocks!). The thought of falling rocks makes you uneasy. However, the warnings are set here according to the principle – God protects the careful. There are no known cases of rockfall in the history of Rafailovichi.
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You can also go to Budva by public transportation. Buses leave at 20-minute intervals. In just a quarter of an hour you will reach the city and see with your own eyes the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Podmajne Monastery. But the most comfortable way to visit the town is to go from Rafailovichi to the nearby settlements as part of a tour group.
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The valley of 18 lakes is another interesting sightseeing program. The Montenegrin landscape is characterized by a high concentration of water bodies. Local guides claim that such a number of beautiful lakes will not be seen in any corner of the world. Perhaps, they exaggerate. But the beauty of local places and ancient legends told by guides make you believe in the uniqueness of Montenegrin natural monuments.
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From the end of July from Rafailovichi you can take a boat trip to the island of St. Nicholas, often called “Hawaii” after the restaurant of the same name. This option is most interesting for couples in love.
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Hotels
Most of the hotels in Rafailovichi are concentrated at the end of the beach, closer to Kamenovo. The most famous ones are Obala Plus, La Mer, Meduza.
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Restaurants
In the village of Rafailovichi, most of the establishments are oriented towards fans of Mediterranean cuisine, rich in fish and seafood dishes. However, there are enough restaurants where both meat lovers and vegetarians can dine. Along the shore stretches a string of cafes with a varied menu.
.In the village of Rafailovichi, on the seafront, there is a nice restaurant with live music – Dolce Vita. And here, too, it is not without fish. However, in addition to shrimp, carp and pasta with seafood, the restaurant staff offers guests chicken with vegetables, the famous Caesar salad, and children are treated to extraordinary desserts. Dinner at Sweet Life lends itself to a promenade along the waterfront.
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Shops
There are several grocery stores and many tents in the village of Rafailovichi. There are no supermarkets here, but for more serious shopping you can go to Becici or Budva. At the end of the cave corridor, in Kamenovo, there is a small market. Here you can buy vegetables and fruits cheaper than in Rafailovici.
.Tips for tourists
- Parking can be a problem in Rafailovici. If you are going to travel around Montenegro by rented car, find out in advance if there is a mini parking lot on the territory of the hotel. In June and July, hotels by the sea are overcrowded. But even if you managed to book a room in the best hotel, in silence is unlikely to be able to spend a vacation. In the cafes belonging to the coastal hotels, in the mornings are not uncommon pandemonium. Reserve a room in guesthouses located 10-15 minutes from the beach.
- Finding suitable accommodation in Rafalovichi in July or August is not easy. Book rooms in advance.
How to get there
The nearest airport to the resort Rafailovici is in Tivat. You can get from the airport to the village by cab for 25 €. The journey will take only 20 minutes. Another option is to take a cab to the bus station and from there take a bus to Rafailovici.
.Rafailovici can be reached from any city in Montenegro. There is no train station in this small village – the nearest one is in Becici, where buses go from Petrovac, Kotor, Bar, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Ulcinj, Sutomore. But in some cases you will have to make one or two transfers.
.From Budva to Rafailovici you can come by tourist mini-train, which stops at each hotel. The ticket costs 1.5 €.
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