Bijela: Beaches and Church History

When choosing a hotel stay in Bijela, you can start by weighing two interests: time at the beach and the history of the local churches. Both have specific points of interest. Bijela’s local history spans medieval records of the town’s name and churches with several building phases; along the coast, there are different bathing areas and a designated water quality classification.

Church history across several periods

A document from Kotor mentions Bijela for the first time in 1333 under the name Sankti Petri. A document from 1355 already refers to the town by its present-day name, Bijela. The two records mark different stages in the documented history of the town’s name.

The Church of Rize Bogorodice was built in the 19th century on the foundations of a church dating from the 12th century. The apse of an older church from the 12th or 13th century has been preserved, along with remains of medieval frescoes. Sv. Petar stands on foundations dating from the 9th century; it was rebuilt in the 15th and 18th centuries, and the church is dated to 1783. Architectural fragments from Sv. Petar also date from the 9th to 11th centuries.

These details relate to different periods: foundations, surviving fragments and later reconstructions should be distinguished from the date attributed to the church. The Church of Sv. Vrači dates from the 18th century. Bijela is also known for a maritime and shipbuilding tradition that continues to this day. Alongside its religious architectural history, the town therefore has an enduring maritime aspect to its character.

Beaches and water quality

Azzuro Beach is a hotel beach and is also open to the public. As local access conditions may change, check them before your visit. The bathing area at Hotel Delfin is divided into Atlas zones 19B1 and 19B3. Zone 19B1 includes areas for sun loungers and umbrellas, changing cabins, a lifeguard station, waste bins and a volleyball court. Toilets and showers are located in an adjacent food and beverage establishment. The bathing area is adapted for people with reduced mobility. Check current access and facilities before your visit.

According to the 2025 classification, Bijela’s coastal waters are assigned to Class II. Monitored waters in Classes I and II are considered suitable for bathing and marine recreation. As bathing water quality varies by season, check the current conditions again before your trip.

Herceg Novi as a regional context

The wider destination of Herceg Novi has its own cultural and natural attractions. In Herceg Novi itself stands Kanli Kula, a fortress in the Old Town built by the Ottomans in 1539. The clock tower of Herceg Novi was built in 1667 by order of Sultan Mahmud and forms the entrance to the Old Town. The Mirko Komnenović City Museum houses historical, archaeological, ethnological and icon collections; it opened in 1953. Orjen Nature Park is in the hinterland of Herceg Novi, on Mount Orjen. Its dense network of marked trails ranges from easy walking paths to routes for experienced mountaineers.

Discover more destinations: Sutorina, Gornji Morinj, Kameno, Lipci, Đenovići, Baošići, Sušćepan, Igalo

For the wider travel overview: Herceg Novi.