Fjords, amazing seafood, crystal clear water, great weather, and stunning views—the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro has them all and much more. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the 25 most beautiful fjords in the world and it is easy to see why. It is a must visit on holidays to Montenegro.
Here is my guide to the best things to do in the Bay of Kotor Montenegro.
1. Visit the Kotor Old Town
Kotor is a beautifully preserved medieval gem on the Bay of Kotor. The town is surrounded by ancient stone walls and filled with narrow, winding streets, historic churches, and beautiful squares. It also has an incredibly picturesque location, with towering mountains as a backdrop and the bay as the foreground.
Highlights include:
- The Clock Tower
- St Tryphon Cathedral
- Church of St Luke
- Walking the walls around the town
- Tiny Let Me Pass street
- “Laundry” sculpture by local artist Rajko Susic near Letrika coffee shop
Top Tip: Kotor is most lovely during the golden hour before and leading up to sunset. Visiting at this time is also a good way to avoid the crowds from cruise ship tours during the day.
2. Eat as much Seafood as Possible
The Bay of Kotor is known for its outstanding seafood. Everywhere you look is fresh seafood. You’ll find whole fish like bream and branzino, often grilled. The area is also known for its tuna and I enjoyed tuna carpaccio several times during my stay. Octopus and squid are also popular and oh so delicious.
Here are some of the seafood restaurants I visited on my trip and would recommend:
- Restaurant Ladovina – just outside the old walls of Kotor
- Restaurant Conte – Perast
- Konoboa Skver – Herceg Novi
3. Enjoy all things Cat in Kotor
If you’re a cat lover, then Kotor is the place for you. The old town is filled with well-looked-after stray cats. As a maritime town located between the mountains and the sea, Kotor used to have problems with mice and other vermin, so cats were introduced. Today, the cats are looked after by community organisations, so they are well fed, groomed, and generally in good moods.
The capital of cats in Kotor is Cat Square or Pjaca od Drva. You will see cats galore at this square as it is often where feedings take place. There are numerous cat based souvenir stores in town, many of which have cat attendants who don’t seem to do a lot of work. And finally, there is a small, quirky cat museum featuring vintage drawings and materials relating to cats.
4. Explore the beautiful coastal town of Herceg Novi
Located at the mouth of the Bay of Kotor, about a one-hour drive from Kotor, Herceg Novi is the bay’s less visited charming coastal town. It is also known as the sunniest city in Montenegro. The town dates back to 1382, so there is a mixture of history, amazing views, charming cafes, and lovely beaches to explore.
Highlights of visiting Herceg Novi include:
- 14th-century Kanli Kula Fortress, which doubles as a theatre in the summer and has fantastic views of the Adriatic Sea
- Walk along 7 kilometre Pet Danica Promenade
- 17th Century Turkish Clocktower
- Church of St Michael the Archangel
- The charming local market Gradska Pijaca
- Enjoy delicious local seafood at Konoba Skver
- Sip a coffee with a stunning view at Gradska Kafana
- Take a boat trip (the next two listings are two of the most popular boat trip destinations from Herceg Novi)
5. Swim in the Blue Cave
Accessible only by boat, the Blue Cave/Blue Grotto/Plava Spilja is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Bay of Kotor. The beautiful blue glow of the cave is produced by the sun hitting its crystal-clear waters. The effect lights up the entire cave and it is pretty stunning.
The Blue Cave can only be accessed by small boats and is closed off at high tide. It is possible to swim in the Blue Cave but it gets busy with boats and people. There are several small lesser known caves near by that can be a better option for a relaxing swim.
6. Visit the Formerly Secret Submarine Tunnels
The Bay of Kotor was home to three top secret naval tunnels that could hide submarines and other vessels from enemies. The Yugoslav Army built them and their entrances were hidden by fake rocks. Today they are a tourist attraction and often combined with the Blue Cave on boat tours. It is possible to swim in the tunnel, but there are more scenic swimming spots.
Book Your Tour of the Submarine Tunnels
7. Try the local wine
If you haven’t travelled to Montenegro before, it is unlikely you have tried wine from Montenegro. Most of the wine produced in Montenegro is consumed locally. This doesn’t mean it is bad, indeed I very much enjoyed the local wine I tried while in Kotor.
Vrananc is the most popular grape in Montenegro. At their best, wines made from Vranac can resemble those of Southern France. The key white grape in the area is Smederevka. Chardonnay is also popular and sometimes referred to as Sardone.
The biggest winery in Montenegro is Plantaze. Some other wineries to look out for are Monte Grande, Savina and Radevic.
8. Have dinner at Montenegro’s Best and Most Beautiful Restaurant
Located in the tiny village of Morinj, this family owned restaurant was formerly a mill and is now known as one of the best restaurants in Montenegro. The location of Catovica Mlini is absolutely idyllic. Although only a short distance from the Bay of Kotor, the quiet and beautiful grounds feel like a trip deep into the countryside. There are streams, bridges, geese, peacocks and stunning mountain views.
And then there is the food. This is farm to fork at its best with a mix of traditional and European dishes. Don’t miss the yellow risotto with saffron and shrimp or the corn crusted octopus.
9. Take a Jeep Safari to Gornji Stoliv for some amazing views
Gornji Stoliv is known as a “hanging village”. This means to get there you’ll either need to walk up a very steep path for around 40 minutes or you’ll need someone with a 4 wheel drive who knows the terrain. We chose the later option with a local jeep company.
The small but beautiful Saint Elijah church is the heart of this tiny stone village and worth a visit. But the real attraction is the amazing views over the Bay of Kotor over to Perast from Gornji Stoliv. If you travel with Gobaloo you’ll also be able to enjoy some delicious home made local foods and the best fresh pomegranate juice I have ever tasted along with your view.
10. See the Bay of Kotor from the Kotor Cable Car
As you may have noticed by now, one of the key things to do whilst in the Bay of Kotor is to experience its beauty from as many angles and views as possible. This 11-minute cable car will whisk you from the sea and Kotor up the mountain towards Lovcen National Park, with jaw-dropping views the entire way.
The cable car takes riders up to Stanica Station, which is 1348 metres high. Once at the top, there are loads of things to do, including hiking paths, multiple viewpoints, a kid’s playground, a medieval adventure area, and, best of all, the Monte 1350 Bar. Plus, it is home to the next attraction in this article.
11. Ride the Kotor Alpine Coaster
Are you feeling brave? The Alpine Coaster offers a unique way to get some extraordinary views of the Bay of Kotor but it isn’t for the faint of heart! The maximum speed on the Alpine Coaster is 40 kilometers an hour. The good news is that you can control your own speed so if you get a case of nerves or want to slow down to enjoy a view that is an option – depending on how fast the person behind or in front is going.
12. Walk up the walls of Kotor Old Town
The traditional way to get the best views of Kotor Bay has been to walk up its ancient walls. Head to the back of Kotor’s old town towards the mountain, and there will be signs for the entrance to the climb up to the Castle of St John’s (entry is 8 euros). The hike is quite rocky and steep, involving about 1400 steps and ascending 820 feet.
The Church of our Lady of Health appears at the halfway point to the castle and offers some fantastic views. Expect the return walk from Kotor to the castle to take around 2 1/2 hours. I wouldn’t recommend the hike if you have health issues or if it is/has just been raining.
13. Watch the sunset in Perast
Lovely little Perast is the less touristy alternative to Kotor. I took a fantastic boat trip from the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay to Perast in the late afternoon. This charming little seaside town has cobbled streets, small back streets, a beautiful bell tower and endless photo opportunities. There are also several restaurants tucked along the harbour.
We enjoyed an outstanding seafood meal at Restaurant Conte. The restaurant has an outdoor area that allows guests to feel as close as possible to eating on the sea. The food was fantastic – don’t miss the carpaccio, prawn stuffed gnocchi with shrimp sauce and my grilled local fish of the day was perfect.
14. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks and St George
You can’t visit Kotor without seeing the adorable tiny islands of Our Lady of the Rocks and St George. Both islands have a chapel and are a short distance from each other and from Perast. St George cannot be visited, but boats can dock at Our Lady of the Rocks. Many boat tours of Kotor Bay include a stop at Our Lady of the Rocks.
15. See Royal Montenegro in Cetinje
Montenegro once had a royal family, and Cetinje was the country’s royal capital. Today, it is home to the official residence of the president of Montenegro and the National Library and State Archives. Visit Biljarda, the former residence of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, the Ethnographic Museum and King Nikola’s Museum. Cetinje is just 12 kilometres from Kotor.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay
I can’t imagine anywhere better to stay in the Bay of Kotor than the Hyatt Regency. Here is why I loved my stay at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort:
- Great location just a 20 minute drive from Kotor
- Three pools: one indoor, one very large infinity pool with great views of the Bay of Kotor and one pool with a bar.
- Large, stylish and modern rooms with lovely big balconies (mine had a great view of the Bay)
- Private beach on the bay of Kotor with the lovely Lighthouse restaurant
- On site spa with steam room and sauna
- Outstanding breakfast buffet
Check Prices and Availability for the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay
How to get to the Bay Kotor
The closest airport to the Bay of Kotor is Tivat which has Jet2 flights. Depending on traffic, it can take between 30 minutes and one hour to get from Tivat Airport to the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay. Jet2 has flights from London Stansted Airport.
Jet 2 regularly has fantastic deals for last-minute holidays. The Bay of Kotor is still a bit of a hidden gem so it is well worth checking these out for great value.
Thanks to Jet2 and Visit Montenegro who sponsored my fantastic trip to the Bay of Kotor. However, as always, my opinions are my own. This article does contain some affiliate links. That means if you click on some of the links and end up making a booking I may receive a small commission. Just wanted to let you know.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.