Aman Sveti Stefan Reopens After Five-Year Closure

Aman Sveti Stefan reopened on 1 July 2026, ending a five-year closure that saw the historic island resort undergo an extensive renovation programme. The property — built around a fortified 15th-century fishing village on its own island, connected to the mainland by a causeway — is one of the most distinctive hotels on the Adriatic and its return marks a significant moment for Montenegro’s luxury tourism sector.

What Changed During the Renovation

The five-year closure allowed Aman to restore the original stone structures while modernising the interiors and amenities. The renovation work addressed building fabric that had accumulated wear across decades of hospitality use, restored frescoes and architectural details in the historic villas, and upgraded the resort’s spa and wellness facilities. The beach club on the adjacent mainland, Sveti Stefan Beach, also received an overhaul.

The Sveti Stefan island itself holds 50 suites housed in the original village buildings. Each is different in layout and character — the renovation retained that individuality rather than standardising the rooms.

What It Means for the Budva Coast

Aman Sveti Stefan has long been the anchor of Montenegro’s high-end hospitality offering. Its reopening brings one of the Adriatic’s most recognisable addresses back into operation during the peak summer season, and is expected to draw visitors from across Europe and the Gulf markets that have been growing rapidly for Montenegro.

The island sits roughly 6 km south of Budva, which remains the main base for most visitors to this part of the coast. Sveti Stefan beach is public outside the hotel zone, and the photogenic island backdrop is accessible to all regardless of where you are staying.

For visitors basing themselves in Kotor, day trips along the Budva Riviera typically include a stop at Sveti Stefan — the view of the island from the road above remains one of Montenegro’s most reproduced images. These routes are easily covered on a guided Kotor coastal day tour. Our Montenegro itinerary covers the full coastal route from Kotor to the Albanian border and includes the key stops between the two.

The reopening is timed to catch the heart of summer — July and August are the busiest months on the Montenegrin coast, with temperatures averaging 30°C and calm, clear Adriatic water.