Rent a Car Petrovac

Why Rent a Car in Petrovac?

Petrovac na Moru sits on a sheltered bay halfway between Budva and Bar, surrounded by olive groves and pine forest. The town's two pebble beaches — Petrovac beach and Lučice — are popular with families, but the real appeal lies in the freedom to explore the coast beyond the waterfront promenade. A rental car turns Petrovac from a quiet beach stop into a base for discovering hidden coves, medieval monasteries, and mountain villages that see few tourists.

Public transport along the coast is limited to infrequent buses that serve only the main highway stops. Without a car you miss Rijeka Reževići, the fortified monastery perched above the sea; Sveti Stefan, just 15 minutes north; and the rocky cape at Čanj, 10 minutes south. The Sozina tunnel shortcut to Podgorica and Skadar Lake is a 40-minute drive inland, and the winding mountain road to Virpazar passes through some of the greenest scenery on the Adriatic. Phoenix Car Montenegro delivers to any address in Petrovac — hotel, apartment, or the main beach parking area — so you can start driving the moment you settle in.

Petrovac itself is walkable end-to-end in 20 minutes, but a car unlocks day trips to Kotor (50 km, 1 hour), Budva (17 km, 20 minutes), Bar (20 km, 25 minutes), and the Lovćen National Park summit (90 km, 1 hour 45 minutes). Parking is straightforward: free street parking on the edges of town, paid lots near the beach in summer (€1–2 per hour). The Adriatic Highway (E65/E80) runs through the centre, connecting you to the entire coast in both directions.

Petrovac at a Glance

Car Classes Available in Petrovac

• Economy — Fiat Panda, Renault Twingo, Hyundai i10. Ideal for couples or solo travellers exploring the coast. Daily rates from 25 EUR, perfect for narrow village streets and tight parking spots near the beach.
• Compact — VW Polo, Škoda Fabia, Peugeot 208. Four adults, two large suitcases. Comfortable for day trips to Budva, Kotor, or the Lovćen summit. Slightly more power for overtaking on the Adriatic Highway.
• SUV / Crossover — Dacia Duster, Renault Captur, Nissan Qashqai. Higher ground clearance for unpaved roads to remote beaches (Buljarica, Drobni Pijesak). Five seats, large boot, air conditioning standard.
• Family / 7-seater — Dacia Jogger, Renault Kangoo. Three rows, seven seats, ample luggage space. Recommended for groups visiting Durmitor or Biogradska Gora from the coast.
• Premium — Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class. Leather seats, advanced safety systems, automatic transmission. For business travellers or those wanting extra comfort on longer drives to Albania or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

All cars come with unlimited mileage within Montenegro, full-to-full fuel policy, and third-party liability insurance. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and TP (Theft Protection) are included in every rental. Check the live widget for exact availability and current rates.

Top Drives from Petrovac

Petrovac – Sveti Stefan – Budva (17 km, 20 minutes)
Follow the coast road north past the Miločer royal park to the fortified island of Sveti Stefan, then continue to Budva's walled Old Town. The entire route hugs the shoreline, with multiple viewpoint turnouts. Free parking at Sveti Stefan viewpoint, paid lots in Budva Old Town (€1.50 per hour).

Petrovac – Bar – Stari Bar (25 km, 30 minutes)
Drive south through Sutomore to the port city of Bar, then 4 km inland to Stari Bar, a ruined Ottoman fortress with stone houses and a 1,000-year-old olive tree. Parking at Stari Bar is free; entry to the archaeological site is €3 per person.

Petrovac – Rijeka Reževići – Čanj (15 km loop, 25 minutes)
Turn inland at Reževići village and climb 3 km on a narrow paved road to Rijeka Reževići monastery (13th century, sea views). Return to the coast and continue south to Čanj beach, a long pebble strip backed by cliffs. Both stops have free roadside parking.

Petrovac – Virpazar – Skadar Lake (50 km, 1 hour)
Take the old road through Sozina village (not the tunnel) and descend through vineyards to Virpazar, the gateway to Skadar Lake National Park. Boat tours €10–15 per person, birdwatching hides along the shore, local wineries offering tastings. Parking in Virpazar is free along the main street.

Petrovac – Kotor via Budva (50 km, 1 hour)
North through Budva, then around the Bay of Kotor to the UNESCO Old Town. The bay road is narrow and winding with frequent tour-bus traffic in summer; allow extra time. Parking in Kotor costs €1.50 per hour in municipal lots outside the walls.

Petrovac – Lovćen National Park – Cetinje (90 km, 1 hour 45 minutes)
Drive to Budva, then take the serpentine road up Mount Lovćen (25 hairpin bends, 1,749 m summit). The Njegoš Mausoleum at the top offers 360-degree views of the coast and mountains. Descend to Cetinje, the historic royal capital. Mausoleum entry €3, parking free. The road is paved but steep; not recommended in snow or ice.

Rules, Documents & Insurance

Driver requirements: Minimum age 21, driving licence held for at least one year. International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended for non-EU licences, though most rental providers accept UK, US, Canadian, and Australian licences without one. Drivers under 25 may face a young-driver surcharge depending on the car class.

Documents at pickup: Valid passport, original driving licence, rental voucher (printed or on phone), and a credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit. Debit cards are accepted for the rental fee but not for the deposit hold.

Deposit: Typically €200–500 depending on car class, held as a credit-card authorisation and released 7–14 days after return. Cash deposits are possible but less common. Any damage, missing fuel, or traffic fines are deducted from the deposit before release.

Insurance: Every rental includes CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and TP (Theft Protection), which reduce your liability in case of accident or theft but do not eliminate it entirely. Full coverage (zero excess) is available for an additional daily fee and is recommended if you plan to drive mountain roads or park in crowded coastal areas. Tyres, windscreen, and undercarriage damage are often excluded from standard CDW; check your rental agreement at pickup.

Cross-border travel: Albania is permitted with a €20 surcharge and advance notice. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo require approval and may incur additional fees. Serbia, Croatia, and North Macedonia are generally not allowed without special arrangement. Always inform Phoenix Car Montenegro at booking if you plan to leave Montenegro.

Traffic enforcement: Speed cameras are common on the Adriatic Highway and in tunnels. Fines start at €60 for minor speeding (10 km/h over) and rise sharply for serious violations. Police conduct random checks for licence, insurance, and vehicle registration. Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers; child seats required for children under 12.