Naval Heritage Collection Museum

Located in the heart of the modern Porto Montenegro marina, the Naval Heritage Collection is a unique space where maritime history meets the present day. This museum complex in Tivat is housed in a restored 19th-century Austro-Hungarian arsenal building, carefully preserving evidence of the naval power for which Montenegro has always been famous.

Naval Heritage Collection. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Inside, the museum houses over 300 rare exhibits: from heavy diving gear and antique industrial equipment to personal belongings of the royal family. The collection allows you to vividly trace the evolution of seafaring in the Adriatic and learn about the lives of sailors from different eras.

The main pride of the exhibition is two genuine Yugoslav Navy submarines positioned right in front of the entrance. The museum creates a striking contrast between the rugged aesthetics of military submarines and the white superyachts moored nearby, offering visitors an interactive immersion into the region's naval past.

To make your visit to the Naval Heritage Collection as comfortable as possible, we recommend saving the contact details of this unique site in advance. Below is up-to-date information to help you find your way around Porto Montenegro.

Please note that the museum is part of a large complex, so you can also contact the marina's information center for event details.

Visiting the museum is a rare opportunity to step inside a real combat machine. The highlight is a tour of the diesel-electric P-821 Heroj submarine. Here, you can walk through narrow corridors, peek into the crew’s quarters, see the torpedo tubes, and even sit at the control panel in the command section. Nearby, be sure to check out the small P-912 Una submarine, which surprises visitors with its compactness and engineering ingenuity.

Inside the main building, pay close attention to the diving equipment collection: massive copper helmets and lead-weighted boots help you imagine the grueling work of past divers. On the second floor, you'll find detailed ship models and instruments from the legendary training sailing ship Jadran, which still sails the bay today.

The museum is perfect for family outings. While adults study blueprints and historical documents, children can play on a themed playground shaped like a pirate ship. After exploring the exhibits, it's pleasant to walk along the promenade to Purobeach or relax in one of the many cafes in Porto Montenegro, discussing the maritime relics you've seen.

Finding the museum on the city map is easy: it is located at 1 Blaža Jovanovića, in the prestigious Porto Montenegro district. If you are already walking through the marina, simply head along the waterfront towards the village of Seljanovo—the massive dark hulls of the submarines displayed outdoors serve as an excellent landmark.

For travelers arriving at Tivat Airport, it is most convenient to take a taxi (the trip takes about 10 minutes and costs 5–10 euros) or book a transfer. If you are coming from Kotor or Budva, you can take a regular bus to the Tivat bus station, and from there, it’s a 20-minute walk or a short local taxi ride to the museum.

For those who prefer private transport, there are paid parking zones near the marina. GPS coordinates: 42.4375908, 18.6936645. A visit to the museum is easy to combine with a stroll along the promenade and a look at the modern yachts.

The building that houses the Naval Heritage Collection is a historical monument in its own right. In the 19th century, during the Austro-Hungarian era, it served as a sawmill and workshops for the Naval Arsenal—the region's key ship repair base. A century later, the military docks were transformed into a luxury marina, but the walls of the old arsenal have preserved the memory of the city's industrial past.

Central to the display are the Yugoslav navy submarines. The P-821 Heroj, built in 1968, was a true technological achievement of its time. Over its years of service, it traveled more than 46,000 miles, spending a total of 726 days underwater. Next to it is its "younger sister"—the P-912 Una, a small midget submarine designed for stealth operations in shallow waters.

In addition to formidable machinery, the museum holds personal relics related to Montenegro's royal family. Some of the most touching exhibits are the diaries of Princess Xenia. You can also see the vintage barge BM 58 Barbara, which faithfully served the fleet for over 80 years, transporting workers and cargo across the bay.

To fully experience the maritime romance and study all the details of the exhibition, we recommend setting aside one and a half to two hours for your visit. The indoor exhibition featuring artifacts and ship models usually takes about 40 minutes of your time.

The main part of the visit should be dedicated to exploring the submarines and large machinery in the square in front of the building. If you plan to go inside the Heroj submarine, allow extra time for photos and exploring the narrow compartments, where every instrument still carries the spirit of the Soviet era. For families with children, the visit may last longer thanks to the pirate ship playground.

The Naval Heritage Collection opening hours make it easy to fit a visit into your plans. The museum is typically open to visitors on weekdays, from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On Saturday, the museum operates on a reduced schedule—from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday is usually a day off.

As the schedule may change depending on the season or special events, we strongly recommend checking the information on the official Porto Montenegro marina website before your visit. This will ensure you get inside the submarine and can explore all the halls without rushing.

Exploring the surroundings of the Naval Heritage Collection will allow you to deeply feel the city's atmosphere and see how historical heritage harmoniously coexists with modern luxury. There are many interesting locations near the museum, from old estates to stylish cafes.

Below are the nearby attractions worth including in your itinerary: