Montenegro Travel Report: Tips for Kotor, Budva & the Adriatic Coast
- Seven places: Herceg Novi, Perast, Budva, Kotor, Tivat, Sveti Stefan, Stari Bar
- Kotor's old town, Starigrad, is under UNESCO protection
- Perast: Boats to the islands all 15 minutes
- Sveti Stefan is privately owned, Closed to tourists
- Parking in front of Stari Bar: 1 hour for 2 euros, that's enough.
Contents of this post13 chapters
- 1Herceg Novi
- 2Perast
- 3Budva
- 4Starigrad, Kotor
- 5Tivat
- 6Sveti Stefan
- 7Stari Bar
- 8Montenegro: the Bay of Kotor as the southernmost fjord in Europe
- 9Sveti Stefan and the serpentine road in Montenegro
- 10Montenegro on a Balkan road trip: Croatia, Bosnia and Kotor
- 11Content for tourism boards about the Montenegro trip
- 12More about the trip
- 13Frequently Asked Questions
7 Beautiful Places in Montenegro
Herceg Novi
In Herceg Novi you'll find a fortified medieval old town with a few churches, narrow stone alleys and lots of steps. Right next to the town there's a small harbor & a few ice cream parlors. I especially liked the Clock Tower, which you can see in the middle picture.
The TOP sights include: Savina Winery, Promenada of Herceg Novi, Monastery Savina, Church of Michael the Archangel, Forte Mare, Herceg Novi Old Town, Kanli Kula Fortress & Mamula Fortress.
Perast
Perast is a small town and belongs to the municipality of Kotor. It lies directly on the shore below Mount St. Elias and is known for a mild climate & the most hours of sunshine per year. We strolled along the waterfront promenade and enjoyed the great view of the sea. If you like, you can take a boat trip on site to the small islands St. George (Sveti Đorđe) and Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela). Boats depart every 15 minutes ..
Budva
Budva is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and its nightlife. In the old town you can let yourself drift through the alleys and admire the little boutiques. You should also not miss the Citadel, the Mogren Beach, the Budva City Walls, the church “Church of the Holy Trinity“ and the “Saint Ivan Church“ Don't miss out.
Starigrad: Kotor
One of the most beautiful districts of Kotor is Starigrad. The medieval town is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and creates a fairytale atmosphere. A few days are completely enough to explore the essentials. In the alleys, countless cats cross your path & scents of fresh pizza & pasta float through the air.
Tours and activities: die Bucht von Kotor
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“Life is too short for ‘someday’.”
Janet Dannehl
Tivat
Located on the Bay of Kotor is the town of Tivat. I would also describe it as the town of the „rich“, since everything is extremely well kept and you find one expensive boutique after another. Furthermore, the town offers numerous upscale hotels & elegant restaurants. What I like best is that great value is placed on plants!.
Sveti Stefan
Very close to Budva you'll find the small Adriatic island “Sveti Stefan“. Especially from above, the island looks admirable! Unfortunately, we had to find out on site that entry for tourists is forbidden. The island is run by Aman Resorts and is privately owned. If you do have a huge interest in exploring the island, you should get in touch with the owner. Prices are at the higher end. For us the exterior view was completely enough, after all, there are still plenty of other places to discover. In addition, there's a lovely beach in front of the island.
Stari Bar
The city of Stari Bar is a bit hilly inland. Colorful, oriental lamps are sold everywhere and fresh pomegranate juice is ready on every corner. For me a perfect town to just go and have a coffee/tea! Right in front of the town we could park for 1 hour worth 2 euros. The hour was also completely enough to see the essentials.
Montenegro: the Bay of Kotor as the southernmost fjord in Europe
The Bay of Kotor is Europe's southernmost fjord. Max describes the Bay of Kotor as a kind of mini-Norway and, from above, as a dream. At the end of the bay lies the old town of Kotor. The landscape thus complements the previously described tour of Starigrad: in addition to the medieval town and its narrow streets, the bay and the surrounding mountains define the view of Kotor.
This connection is particularly impressive in a 360° panorama over the Bay of Kotor. From the air, the old town at the end of the bay, the water, and the mountains form a single image. The drone flight over the bay thus opens up another perspective on Kotor: not a single place, but its location at the end of the fjord takes center stage.
Autumn and October at the Kotor Fjord
For a trip to Montenegro in autumn, October is particularly popular at the Kotor Fjord. The mountains turn vibrant colors, the tourists have thinned out, and the light on the water is perfect for photography. The 360° panorama over the bay showcases the autumnal hues. Those who visit Kotor in October therefore experience not only the old town but also the interplay of colorful mountains, water, and light.
Autumn transforms the view of the Bay of Kotor. October on the fjord offers a unique subject: autumn colors in the mountains and light on the water. This combination is crucial for photography. At the same time, this season is characterized by a low number of tourists.
Sveti Stefan and the serpentine road in Montenegro
Among the popular European drone spots is the small island of Sveti Stefan off the coast. From this perspective, it is often mentioned alongside the Bay of Kotor and the old town of Kotor. Sveti Stefan thus complements the views of the Kotor Fjord by adding a glimpse of the Montenegrin coast.
Another defining feature around Kotor is the winding road leading up the mountain. Together with the old town at the end of the bay and Sveti Stefan off the coast, it is one of the most popular drone spots in Europe. The serpentine road clearly demonstrates how closely Kotor, the bay, and the mountain landscape are connected.
Montenegro on a Balkan road trip: Croatia, Bosnia and Kotor
Montenegro can be incorporated into a Balkan road trip that also includes Croatia and Bosnia. This combination of Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro features stops in Istria, Mostar, and Kotor. The Balkans are described as affordable, less touristy, and with developing infrastructure. In this itinerary, Kotor is the stop in Montenegro.
Another documented route leads through Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. Stopovers include Ljubljana, the Plitvice Lakes, Dubrovnik, and Kotor; entry into Albania is possible via Podgorica. This means Kotor can be part of either a trip through Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro or a longer route towards Albania.
Content for tourism boards about the Montenegro trip
Tourism boards wishing to present Montenegro, Kotor, or a trip through the Balkans with in-depth content can find further information at Request Collaboration.
More about the trip
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the island of Sveti Stefan?
No. Tourists are not allowed access; the island belongs to Aman Resorts and is privately owned. Anyone determined to visit must contact the owner, prices are on the higher side. Seeing it from outside was more than enough for us, and there's a beautiful beach in front of it.
How do I get to the small islands in Perast?
You can take a boat trip from there to St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks. Boats depart every 15 minutes.
How much time should I allow for Kotor?
A few days are more than enough to explore the essentials. The Old Town district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How much does parking cost in Stari Bar?
We paid 2 euros for an hour right outside the town. An hour was more than enough to see the essentials.
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