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 post8 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.
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 🚤 . . . . .
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. 🤪 .
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 🍝.
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! 🌴🌿.
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 😊.
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 😉.
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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