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Cover photo of Montenegro with a view of the coast and old town

Montenegro Travel Report — Kotor, Budva & Adriatic Coast Tips

  • 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

7 beautiful places in Montenegro

Herceg Novi

In Herceg Novi, you'll find a fortified medieval old town with several churches, narrow cobblestone streets, and many steps 😁. Adjacent to the town is a small harbor & some ice cream parlors 🍦. I particularly liked the Clock Tower, which you can see in the middle picture.
Top attractions 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.
Church with rose window and flag in Herceg Novi
Stairs to the clock tower in the old town of Herceg Novi
Stone alley with old buildings in the old town of Herceg Novi

Perast

Perast is a small town belonging to the municipality of Kotor. Situated below the St. Elias Mountain directly on the shore, it is known for its mild climate & the most hours of sunshine per year ☀️. We strolled along the promenade and enjoyed the great view of the sea 🌊. For those interested, there's the opportunity for a boat trip to the small islands of St. George (Sveti Đorđe) and Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela). Departures are every 15 minutes 🚤 . . . . .
Perast waterfront promenade overlooking the Bay of Kotor
Church tower and palm trees in the square of Perast
View across the turquoise waters of the bay towards the town of Perast

Budva

Budva is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife ⛱. In the old town, you can wander through the alleys and admire the small boutiques. Additionally, don't miss the Citadel, Mogren Beach, Budva City Walls, the Church of the Holy Trinity, and the Saint Ivan Church. 🤪 .
Janet on a staircase in the old town of Budva
Church tower amidst palm trees and greenery in Budva
Green courtyard with café in the old town of Budva

Starigrad — Kotor

One of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Kotor is located in Stari Grad 🥰. The medieval town is protected by UNESCO World Heritage and creates a fairytale atmosphere 🧚🏻‍♂️. A few days are enough to explore the essentials. In the alleys, numerous cats cross your path, and the scent of fresh pizza and pasta fills the air 🍝.
Cathedral of Saint Tryphon with two towers in Kotor
Kotor fortress wall on the steep rocky slope
Cobbled square in the old town of Starigrad in Kotor

Tours and activities: the Bay of Kotor

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Tivat

Located on the Bay of Kotor, the city of Tivat is often referred to as the city of the "rich," as everything is meticulously maintained, and you'll find one expensive boutique after another 🤑. Furthermore, the city offers many upscale hotels and fine restaurants 🤩. What I find most beautiful is the emphasis on plants! 🌴🌿.
Tivat's waterfront promenade with palm trees and a large yacht
Well-maintained courtyard with arches and palm trees in Tivat
Tivat harbor with boats under a cloudy sky

St. Stephen

Near Budva, you'll find the small Adriatic island of "Sveti Stefan." It looks particularly impressive from above 🥰! Unfortunately, we found out on-site that access for tourists is prohibited ⛔️. The island is managed by Aman Resorts and is privately owned. If there's a huge interest in exploring the island, you should contact the owner. Prices are on the higher side 😉. For us, the exterior view was sufficient – after all, there are still plenty of other places to discover 😁. Additionally, there is a beautiful beach in front of the island 😊.
Sandy beach at Sveti Stefan in front of the mountains
View from above of the island of Sveti Stefan
Turquoise bay with boats near Sveti Stefan

Stari Bar

A bit hilly inland is the town of Stari Bar ☺️. Colorful, oriental lamps are sold everywhere, and fresh pomegranate juice is available at every corner 🤤. For me, it's a perfect city to simply go for a coffee/tea! ☕️ We were able to park directly in front of the city for 1 hour, worth 2 euros. The hour was sufficient to see the essentials 😉.
Alley in Stari Bar with colorful lamps and textiles
House with cypress trees and bougainvillea in Stari Bar
Old wagon wheel and metal chair against a stone wall in Stari Bar

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

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More about the trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit the island of Sveti Stefan?

No. Tourists are not allowed on the island; it belongs to Aman Resorts and is privately owned. Anyone who absolutely wants to visit must contact the owner—prices are quite high. The view from the outside was perfectly sufficient for us, and there's a beautiful beach in front of it.

How do I get to the small islands in Perast?

On site you can take a boat trip to St. George and St. Mary of the Rock. Boats depart every 15 minutes.

How long should I plan to spend in Kotor?

A few days are perfectly sufficient to explore the essentials. The Starigrad district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How much does parking cost in Stari Bar?

We paid 2 euros for an hour just outside the city. That hour was perfectly sufficient for the essentials.

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“Life is too short for ‘someday’.”

Janet Dannehl
About the author

Janet Dannehl

Travel Creator · Visual Storyteller · Camera Producer

With over 8 years of professional experience and more than 2.2 million followers, Janet is active as a travel creator on Instagram and YouTube. She specializes in authentic visual storytelling, luxury hotel campaigns, and collaborations with tourism boards and brands in over 72 countries.

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