Montenegro: Kosher Adriatic luxury at the Dukley Hotel

The huge banner close to the entrance of this exclusive resort reads “Dukley: The New Mediterranean.” And it’s clear to see why. Dukley Hotels & Resort offers privacy, luxury, and a genuine warm smile, just a short walk from the historic Old Town of Budva, Montenegro, on the Adriatic Coast.

The resort makes for the perfect jumping off point to explore this small country. The capital, Podgorica, is just an hour away, while a stunning 40-minute drive whisks you into the mountains and the historic royal capital Cetinje.

And that’s great news for kosher travelers.

The resort offers seven restaurants with five-star dining options, including Mediterranean, Japanese, seafood, and, yes, a kosher restaurant – the Shalom. Dukley not only offers the discerning traveler quality kosher fare, it also houses the Budva Jewish Community Center, replete with synagogue and meeting rooms. No surprise that this part of the complex is run by Chabad.

On Friday nights, Chabad comes into its own. Around 40 people join the Friday night service, before twice that number enjoys a scrumptious four-course fish and meat meal, accompanied by boisterous singing and stories to inspire.

The Shalom restaurant is open daily, with both à la carte and buffet options available. Dairy breakfasts offer a huge selection of cheeses from across Europe, shakshuka and eggs, a variety of fish, and the freshest local fruits and vegetables.

More than 100 plant varieties line the streets, terraces, and pathways of this piece of paradise. The trees offer shade, and even when the sun is at its hottest, this corner of the Balkan coastline is not too humid.

Sitting in the Jacuzzi on the balcony of one of the sea-view suites, one can idle the time away watching paragliders sail across the vertiginous, mountainous horizon, the sailboats that pedal across the Bay of Budva, and those swimming below in the warm waters of the Adriatic.

The hotel is built into the hillside, and some of the paths are steep but a fleet of golf carts ferry residents around the resort, sometimes at breathtaking speed.

Dukley is not only open to tourists but also offers permanent housing. That means there’s a kids’ club, Pilates studio, gym, international school, dentist’s office, meeting rooms for businesspeople, and much more within the complex. For those who don’t want to venture down to the resort’s three beaches – one just for adults – there is an infinity pool offering incredible views of the Adriatic in three directions. A pizza oven, great food menu, and cocktail bar keep swimmers sated throughout the day by the infinity pool.

On-site, you’ll also find Sumosan, the iconic Japanese fusion restaurant from London, Courchevel, and Berlin. Here, it sits right at the beach – perfect for sushi under the stars or relaxed afternoons in the sun. Just steps away, Laguna Beach offers a hidden haven with shaded lounges, deep sofas, and calming views.

Prefer sand between your toes? Dukley Beach & Bar delivers a secluded stretch of golden sand with laid-back beats and elegant service. It’s perfect for extended enjoyment on the beach, at the bar, on loungers, or for dinner with a view in the Seafront restaurant just above. Because some days simply shouldn’t end too soon.

For long, leisurely mornings, Benedict Café – part of Hotel Harmonia – is the perfect retreat. This modern Mediterranean bistro captures the effortless charm of a refined resort, offering a unique all-day breakfast experience that is both comforting and revitalizing.

Dukley Hotels & Resort isn’t just a destination – it’s a story in motion. A gallery of flavors, feelings, and unforgettable moments. Some come for the food, others for the sea. Some come because it’s safe and welcoming for Jewish travelers.

But many stay – and return – for something deeper: the rare feeling that life here flows slower, softer, and more meaningfully.

Accommodation varies from spacious rooms in the four-star Harmonia Hotel to swanky penthouse apartments with breathtaking views of Budva and beyond for an exclusive five-star experience. For Shabbat observant guests, there are old-fashioned keys, an eruv, and a well-trained team who understand that sometimes there’s a need to press an elevator button.

The Harmonia Spa includes cosmetics from the Israeli firm Zielinski & Rozen.

THE CLIMB from Dukley to the historic royal capital Cetinje is truly awesome. Vehicle lay-bys offer stunning views of the entire bay and the glistening Adriatic beyond. Cetinje makes for a great day trip. This compact town was the royal seat of the original Montenegrin dynasties. It is flat and easily walkable but the local tourist office also provides guided tours via golf cart.

The museum in the main square tells the story of the country and its leaders in a former royal palace. Cetinje provides an excellent insight into the life of Montenegrins, many of whom live in small towns. Lines of laundry hang above pretty street-side cafes on tree-lined boulevards, with historic buildings peppered among them.

The town is also a great location to play embassy spotting. While the main diplomatic offices of foreign countries are located these days in Podgorica, you can visit some of the original embassies or play spot the coat of arms on these beautifully preserved buildings.

The road to Lake Skadar starts off as a pretty-straight highway but soon becomes a single-track drive with tight hairpin bends. This road takes you down to the River Crnojevića and a group of lovely bistros overlooking a small waterside port where fishermen paint their boats and companies offer river and lake day-long fishing and cruising trips.

Named after the nearby stone bridge, the Stari Most restaurant has a terrific supply of wines to wash down the excellent smoked carp and, if it’s your thing, a variety of eel dishes. Ask for the chocolate dessert.

You are guaranteed a very warm welcome at the Vukmirovic Winery, a short drive away in a valley surrounded by steep, tree-lined hills.

“The only fruit in our alcohols that we don’t grow ourselves is the blueberry, which needs to come from colder [climates],” says Sasha, the proud owner of this small winery, which also produces honey-based liqueurs.

The tasting session takes in five wines accompanied by delicious cheeses and what looks like and tastes like a date but grows on a bush – it might be a jujube – limited Internet in these parts makes online translation apps redundant. While some of Sasha’s wines include a Chardonnay grape, he tells guests that the secret ingredient in some of his bottles is a grape variety grown locally for generations that hasn’t been named.

“I have no intention of changing that custom anytime soon,” says Sasha, who is probably the last in a line of nine generations to manage this family-run enterprise, with both of his children opting to head for urban life rather than remaining in this bucolic paradise.

From the Dukley lido, a water taxi ferries residents to Budva Old Town, located on a small peninsula jutting out from the newer part of the city.

In peak season, throngs of tourists check out the historic wall walkway, shaded narrow alleys, and dozens of souvenir stores and courtyard cafes. The city predates the Roman Empire, established around 2,500 years ago by a people known as the Illyrians.

From that point on, Budva has been a natural port of call for visitors and tradesmen plying their wares along the Adriatic Coast. The Bay of Budva provides ample fishing opportunities, leading to excellent menu offerings in the city’s myriad restaurants.

Scores of boats line the marina offering fishing and sightseeing trips.

Crystal clear waters stretch out as far as the eye can see. For several hundred meters from the shore, the seabed is just a few feet below the surface. That, coupled with calm waters, makes the area a swimmer’s paradise. Snorkelers, kayakers, jet skiers, and party boats share this large, pristine space. A short sail around the headland or Saint Nicholas’s Island leads to caves and grottoes, one of which is just about big enough for a couple of people, winning it the epithet the lovers’ cave.

There are some 20 beaches in the Budva area, each offering something a little different.

“A treasury of sacred and cultural treasures, the city has the most beautiful sandy and rocky beaches on the Adriatic Coast,” says Ljubica Pribilovic of the Budva Tourism Organization. “With a hinterland rich in olives and vines, it’s been attracting and intriguing tourists from different parts of the world since its inception. Budva is exclusive, inspiring, and attractive. Budva is simply seductive.”

Guests at the Dukley use the Dukley speedboat, which operates every hour, taking guests to the heart of Budva Old City, to party the night away in the new town, or visit one of Budva’s casinos. Alternatively, they can spend an entire vacation within the resort, sampling its fine dining, private beaches, warm waters, evening concerts, and incredible views.