Villa Lustica

Several of Montenegro’s notable destinations lie on or close to the magnificent Bay of Kotor. The city of Kotor itself is one such highlight. Its magnificent location by the Skurda Canyon gives it real presence – and makes it a favourite with cruise-ship day trippers. Once there, you can enjoy watersports on the river, or venture into the medieval Old Town with its numerous churches and landmark St Tryphon’s Cathedral.

Kotor is big on places of historical interest, such as the Venetian Sea Gate and the Kampana Tower and Citadel which kept the city safe in centuries gone by. A visit will reward you with an amazing view and there’s even a café there these days. You can pop into the 17th-century Pima Palace for free – this regal building now incorporates a gallery. Also, look out for the city’s street cats and the cute museum dedicated to them.

With its Monaco-like vibe, trendy Tivat is the place to see and be seen on the Bay of Kotor. As glam as it gets, this town is known for its marina, nightlife and upmarket dining and shopping. For a completely different feel, make your way around the bay to peaceful Perast.

While it’s only a tiny town, Perast is a super-picturesque one – numerous palaces and churches give it architectural interest and provide a lovely backdrop to the regular festivals the town hosts. A boat trip out to the Our Lady of the Rocks island, where you will find a chapel, is another favourite with visitors.

Another spectacular island, albeit a private one, is Sveti Stefan, further down the coast to the south of Budva. You won’t be able to visit it unless you are staying there, but the view is good enough to make the trip.

Budva itself, about 15 minutes north, is Montenegro’s biggest visitor destination. While this certainly means ‘touristy’ in places, there is an impressive Old Town that’s worth a visit. Some of it is not so old, having been rebuilt after a significant earthquake in the late 1970s. A huge range of restaurants and nightlife options, as well as the biggest waterpark in the Balkans, are among Budva’s calling cards – but it’s not the best place to find peace and quiet.

For that, you have some amazing areas of natural beauty in Montenegro. You will feel you have uncovered some lesser-known gems when you visit the National Parks of Lovćen, Durmitor or Lake Skadar. From Bogišići, Lovćen is easily the closest – it’s the black mountain of this particular park which gave the country its name.

Read more about Bay of Kotor

About the Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor, or Boka, has been a World Heritage Site since 1979, so be assured of its captivating scenery that includes; a Venetian old town, a Fortress, Roman Mosaics, churches and a glistening cove that all culminate to provide guests with an exceptional holiday destination.

Sailing through the fjord you will notice the Orjen Mountains along the west, and the Lovćen Mountain range curling around the east, which outline this spellbinding landscape. As you enter through the bay you are greeted by a man-made islet that is home to Our Lady of the Rocks Church and a museum. This is the first of many reminders that you are about to reach a region of Montenegro that is famed for its natural scenery and poignant architecture.

The Bay of Kotor is made up of four cornerstones - Lastva, Morinj, Stoliv and the most renowned Tivat. Within these villages you are able to find iconic landmarks such as St Petka Church and St Mary’s Church, or for something a little less pious; simply enjoy Tivat Marina and Gornji Stoliv’s Olive grove & Fig orchard.

Travel inland and strap on a pair of hiking boots as you explore Lovcen National Park. Although it is about an hours drive from the Bay, it really is worth the day trip! Whether you’re travelling with a Botanists, Ecologist, Entomologist or Zoologist; they will be pleased to know that there’s an immeasurable number of species that include birds, insects, bears, wolves and some breath-taking flora & fauna.

We urge holidaymakers to make the most of Kodor! This charming town has everything you need to forget the day-to-day tribulations of home life. Not only does this small medieval refuge have a host of cafes & restaurants, but there are some must see attractions like the Maritime Museum, the Cats Museum of Kotor, Cats of Kotor Shop and St. John’s Hill. The perfect retreat for a family in need of sun, sea & sentiment.

Prior to Booking

As many of our regions in Montenegro are coastal, there can sometimes be some adverse weather. This tends to only really occur outside of the Peak Season though. When thinking about booking your holiday to Montenegro, please consult Foreign travel advice for more information.

Entry Requirements

Tourists who are British Citizens will not require a visa upon arrival, unless their stay lasts longer than 90 days. Please check Entry Requirements before departure.

Getting ThereSveti Stefan, Bar & Ulcinj are served by Tivat Airport and Podgorica Airport. Please note that Tivat is a smaller International Airport, which can experience overcrowding in Peak Season. Due to its proximity to Orjen & Lovćen Mountains, flights are sometimes re-directed to Podgorica Airport or cancelled in the case of bad weather.

From the UK:
Direct flights are available from London on Montenegro Airlines, easyJet, TUI, Ryanair and many others. Chartered flights are also available from several other UK airports.

From Dubrovnik, Croatia:
Connecting flights are available from Dubrovnik Airport to Podgorica Airport.

By Bus:
GetByBus operates from Dubrovnik, Tivat and Podgorica to Sveti Stefan, Bar & Ulcinj. Journeys can take up to 4 hours and 45 minutes.