Bar Montenegro: Rumija 4x4 Tour & Traditional Mountain Lunch

Summary

Olive trees older than empires, mountain roads and a slow meal above Bar

You’ll wander ancient olive groves near Bar with a local guide, taste homemade pomegranate juice high on Rumija Mountain, and share stories over a traditional lunch cooked slowly in a wood-fired oven. With panoramic Adriatic views and stops at historic sites along winding roads, you’ll feel both grounded in Montenegro’s past and quietly exhilarated by its landscape.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the sunlight hit those ancient olive trees just outside Bar — twisted trunks, silvery leaves flickering in the breeze. Our guide, Marko, joked that the tree was older than most countries (over 2000 years — wild), and you could actually smell this earthy, peppery scent under its branches. He told us a local legend about lovers meeting there at night, which made me laugh because it’s right next to a parking lot now. Still, you feel the age of it somehow.

Bouncing up Kurilo Hill in the 4x4, we passed what felt like endless olive groves. The road got narrower and dustier; I kept rolling down my window just to catch more of that sharp sea air mixed with something herbal. Marko pointed out which olives were for oil and which ones people still eat straight off the tree (I tried one — not recommended unless you like mouth-puckering bitterness). You get these wide-open views of Bar and the Adriatic that sneak up between the trees. I kept trying to take photos but none really did it justice.

We stopped by this monument for the “Battle for Bar” — apparently from 1042 AD — and Marko got unexpectedly serious explaining why it mattered so much here. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet looking over the city below; even some stray dogs seemed to pause. Then suddenly we were climbing again, zigzagging up Rumija Mountain until everything felt cooler and quieter.

The lunch spot sits at about 1000 meters up, tucked into green hills with nothing but birdsong and distant bells from sheep somewhere below. Lunch was this slow-cooked meat and vegetables done in an old oven (three hours!); honestly, I’m still thinking about how tender it was. Homemade pomegranate juice tasted tart and sweet at once — Li laughed when I tried to say “šipak” in Montenegrin — plus there was grappa if you wanted something stronger. It all felt unhurried, like nobody cared about time for a while. Afterward I just sat back listening to wind in the grass before heading back down toward Bar… kind of wishing we’d stayed longer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Bar and enjoy traditional lunch

• Start tour from Bar city
• Visit ancient olive tree
• Drive through Kurilo Hill olive groves
• Stop for photos and sea views
• See Battle for Bar monument
• Arrive at Rumija Mountain
• Enjoy traditional lunch and drinks

Top questions

How long does the Rumija 4x4 tour from Bar take?

The tour lasts around two and a half hours before lunch, plus time for lunch on Rumija Mountain.

Is pickup included for cruise ship guests?

Yes, pickup is arranged to match cruise schedules so guests return on time.

What food is served during the traditional lunch?

The lunch includes specialty meat and vegetable dishes cooked slowly in an old oven, local olives, cheese, homemade pomegranate juice, grappa, and wine.

Do we visit Europe’s oldest olive tree on this tour?

Yes, you stop at an olive tree over 2000 years old near Bar.

Are there restroom stops during the tour?

The first available restroom is at the lunch stop on Rumija Mountain; it’s recommended to use facilities before starting.

Is this tour suitable for people prone to motion sickness?

If you’re sensitive to motion sickness, taking a precautionary tablet beforehand is advised due to winding mountain roads.

What drinks are included with lunch?

You can choose from homemade wine, grappa (rakija), or pomegranate juice as your welcome drink.

What’s included

Your day includes convenient pickup matched to cruise schedules in Bar, entrance fees for visiting Europe’s oldest olive tree, scenic drives through ancient olive groves with a local guide sharing stories along the way, stops at historic viewpoints including the Battle for Bar monument, plus a traditional Montenegrin lunch on Rumija Mountain featuring slow-cooked meat and vegetables with homemade drinks before returning comfortably to town.