The beautiful little island town in European country with barely any British tourists

Located on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, is a small islet and resort town called Sveti Stefan. Known for its picturesque and luxurious accommodations, the town was originally a fortified village from the 15th century, which was later transformed into a high-end resort - the Aman Sveti Stefan hotel complex.

It consists of a small island that is now connected to the mainland by a narrow tombolo (a sandy bridge). The island itself is a resort, while the mainland part of Sveti Stefan has residential areas. Sveti Stefan is being considered for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, highlighting its cultural and historical importance.

Sveti Stefan was established as a fortified village, with 12 families building houses on the island and naming it after the church dedicated to Saint Stephen. The island was built from treasure seized from the Turks.

Later by the 19th century, it became a fishing village with a population of around 400. By this era it had a number of houses, churches and a strong sense of community. However, by the end of the century, its economic and political importance declined, and some residents began to emigrate.

It wasn't until after the Second World War that the historic islet village in Montenegro, was transformed. The Yugoslav government took the remaining in habitants and relocated them to the mainland, taking ownership of the island. The island was then converted into a luxury hotel and casino resort, becoming a popular destination for celebrities and dignitaries.

Today, Sveti Stefan is a luxurious, exclusive resort managed by Aman Resorts. Aman is a luxury hospitality brand known for its discreet, intimate resorts and hotels, emphasising privacy, personalised service and unique locations.

They made great efforts to preserve its historical charm, with their original stone walls, rugged cliffs, breathtaking sea views, and Villa Miloer, a former royal residence.

The island's restored 15th-century stone cottages offer rooms, suites, and cottages, while Villa Miloer, a 1930s villa, provides elegant suites.

The resort has access to three private beaches on the mainland, accessible via a short boat ride; Sveti Stefan Beach, King's Beach and Queen's Beach.

It is important to note that Aman Sveti Stefan is closed due to an ongoing legal and operational dispute between Adriatic Properties, the company managing the resort, and the Montenegrin government.

This dispute arose from disagreements over beach access and has led to a situation where the resort has been closed since 2020, despite some attempts to find a resolution and reopen.