13 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro: Complete Travel Guide

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The Bay of Kotor is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Montenegro and easily one of the highlights of any Montenegro road trip. With its dramatic mountains, medieval towns, winding coastal roads, and sparkling blue water, this part of the country feels almost too scenic to be real.

We spent several days exploring the Bay of Kotor and quickly realized there’s so much more to do here than just visit Kotor Old Town. From hiking up to Kotor Fortress and wandering through Perast to driving the serpentine road, visiting hidden viewpoints, and discovering quieter places like Rose and Savina Monastery, the bay is packed with beautiful stops.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in the Bay of Kotor, including the most scenic viewpoints, charming towns, beaches, hikes, and practical tips to help you plan your visit!

13 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro: Complete Travel Guide

Quick Tips for the Bay of Kotor
How to reach the Bay of Kotor
Best time to visit the Bay of Kotor
Where to stay in the Kotor Bay
Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor
How many days to visit the Bay of Kotor

Quick Tips for the Bay of Kotor

Where to stay – 🏨 Dekaderon Lux Apartments were the perfect base to explore the stunning Bay of Kotor. Located right on the opposite side of the bay and offering a direct view over the old town of Kotor.
Must visit places – Lovćen National Park, Kotor, Rose, Herceg Novi, Sveti Stefan.
Best beach – Plavi Horizonti Plaža
Best tours – Kotor: Blue Grotto and the entire Bay of Kotor with luxury boats, Kotor Shore Excursion: Budva, Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks

How to reach the Bay of Kotor

The easiest way to reach the Bay of Kotor is by car, especially if you’re planning a Montenegro road trip. Having your own rental car gives you the freedom to explore Kotor, Perast, Herceg Novi, the Kotor Serpentine Road, Lovćen National Park, and smaller stops around the bay at your own pace.

🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.

If you’re flying into Montenegro, the closest airport is Tivat Airport, which is only a short drive from Kotor. Podgorica Airport is another option and usually has more flight connections, but it takes longer to reach the bay. You can also fly into Dubrovnik in Croatia and drive across the border, which can be a good option if you’re combining Croatia and Montenegro in one trip.

We explored the Bay of Kotor by car and I’d definitely recommend it. The roads around the bay are incredibly scenic, but they can also be narrow and busy, especially in summer. Parking in Kotor can fill up quickly, so try to arrive early if you’re visiting for the day.

You can also reach the Bay of Kotor by bus from places like Podgorica, Budva, Tivat, and Dubrovnik. This works well if you only want to visit Kotor or Perast, but it gives you less flexibility if you want to stop at viewpoints, beaches, monasteries, or smaller villages along the way.

Best time to visit the Bay of Kotor

The best time to visit the Bay of Kotor is in spring or early autumn, especially in May, June, September, and early October. During these months, the weather is usually warm enough for exploring, boat trips, and swimming, but it’s much more pleasant than the peak summer months.

We visited Montenegro in the first half of June and thought it was a really good time to explore the Bay of Kotor. It was already warm and sunny, but not unbearably hot yet, and the towns were lively without feeling completely overcrowded. It was also still manageable to drive around the bay, find parking, and visit places like Kotor, Perast, Herceg Novi, and Lovćen National Park.

July and August are the busiest months, and while the bay is still beautiful, it can get very crowded and hot. Parking becomes more difficult, cruise ship crowds are more noticeable in Kotor, and the narrow coastal roads can get slow.

If you want the best balance of good weather, fewer crowds, and a more relaxed experience, I’d recommend visiting the Bay of Kotor in June or September. Winter is much quieter, but some restaurants, boat tours, and seasonal activities may be limited, so it’s not the best time for a first visit.

Where to stay in the Kotor Bay

Dekaderon Lux Apartments

Dekaderon Lux Apartments were the perfect base to explore the stunning Bay of Kotor. Located right on the opposite side of the bay and offering a direct view over the old town of Kotor.

The apartments are modern and stylish but one of the highlights is the outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Kotor.

There’s daily room service and the possibility to have dinner in the garden every evening. But the best part for us? The staff was incredibly kind towards our son César!

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Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor

1. Visit Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi is one of the most charming coastal towns in Montenegro and a beautiful place to visit if you’re exploring the Bay of Kotor. Located near the Croatian border, this seaside town is known for its old stone stairways, historic fortresses, colorful houses, and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

Compared to places like Kotor or Budva, Herceg Novi feels a little more laid-back, making it a lovely stop if you want to wander through a pretty old town without the biggest crowds.

Spend some time exploring the historic center, walk along the seaside promenade, visit Forte Mare or Kanli Kula fortress, and enjoy the views over the sparkling Adriatic Sea. It’s also a great place to stop at the start or end of a Montenegro road trip, especially if you’re coming from Dubrovnik.

2. Spend a quiet morning in Perast

Perast is one of the most charming places to visit along the Bay of Kotor and an absolute must on any Montenegro itinerary. This tiny waterfront town may be small, but it’s incredibly picturesque, with elegant stone palaces, old churches, mountain views, and a peaceful promenade lined with restaurants and cafés.

What makes Perast extra special is its view over the two tiny islands in the bay, especially Our Lady of the Rocks, which you can visit by boat from the waterfront.

Simply wander along the water, admire the beautiful Venetian-style architecture, stop for a drink with a view, and soak up the slower pace of the bay.

3. Spend the day at Plavi Horizonti Plaža

Plavi Horizonti Plaža was one of those beaches where we immediately knew we had made the right choice for our child. So many beaches in Montenegro are pebbly and beautiful, but not always the easiest with small children.

This one felt much more relaxed for us because of the soft sand and shallow water. César could safely play near the shore without the water getting deep too quickly, which made the whole beach day a lot less stressful.

The bay also feels sheltered and calm, so it’s a great spot if you’re looking for an easy family beach day in Montenegro.

💡 TIP – You can rent 2 beach chairs and an umbrella for only €20/day and there’s a restaurant/bar on site as well.

4. Explore Kotor Old Town

Kotor Old Town is the heart of the Bay of Kotor and one of those places you’ll probably want to wander through more than once. The historic center is small, but it’s full of narrow streets, stone houses, little squares, churches, cafés, and cats casually acting like they own the place.

I’d recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon, especially during summer or on days when cruise ships are in town. That’s when Kotor feels the most charming and you can actually enjoy walking around without constantly moving through crowds.

You don’t need a strict plan here. Just enter through one of the old city gates, get a little lost in the streets, stop for coffee or lunch, and make sure to look up every now and then because the mountain backdrop behind the town is absolutely incredible.

💡 TIP – Cruise ships usually start to arrive from 8am and onwards. On Cruise Mapper you can check which cruise ships arrive when.

5. Hike up to Kotor Fortress

Hiking up to Kotor Fortress is one of the best things to do in the Bay of Kotor, especially if you want that classic view over the old town and the bay. The trail starts right from Kotor Old Town and follows the old stone steps all the way up to San Giovanni Fortress.

It’s not a long hike, but don’t underestimate it. There are a lot of stairs, barely any shade, and it can get very hot during the day. We hiked up with César, and he actually walked by himself until the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, which already has a beautiful view over Kotor. After that, we carried him the rest of the way in our Thule child carrier.

The views get better with every step, and once you reach the top, you’ll understand why this hike is so popular. I’d recommend going early in the morning or later in the afternoon, bringing plenty of water, and wearing proper shoes since the old stone steps can be uneven.

6. Take a boat ride to Our Lady of The Rocks

A boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks is one of the easiest and most beautiful things to do in the Bay of Kotor. The small island sits just in front of Perast, so you don’t need to plan a big excursion to visit it. You can simply walk along the waterfront in Perast and take one of the little boats across.

The boat ride itself is short, but the views are lovely, especially with Perast on one side and the mountains rising up around the bay. Once you’re on the island, you can visit the church, walk around for a little while, and take in the views from the water.

It’s a very easy stop to add to your Bay of Kotor itinerary, and I’d definitely combine it with some time in Perast. Go early in the day or later in the afternoon if you want to avoid the biggest crowds.

🎫 TOUR – From Kotor: Perast & Lady of the Rock cruise

7. Drive the Kotor Serpentine Road

Driving the Kotor Serpentine Road is one of the most scenic things to do in the Bay of Kotor, but also one of those drives where you really don’t want to rush. The road climbs from Kotor towards Njeguši and Lovćen National Park through a series of narrow hairpin bends, with views over the bay that get better the higher you go.

We absolutely loved this drive, but it’s definitely not the most relaxing road if you’re not used to narrow mountain roads. Take your time, drive carefully, and only stop where it’s safe because the road can be tight in places.

It’s also important to know that during the busy season, there can be temporary traffic rules on the Kotor Serpentine Road to help avoid traffic jams. In 2026, a one-way system applies from May 25 until October 15, with uphill traffic from Kotor to Njeguši allowed in the morning, a short closure around midday, and downhill traffic from Njeguši to Kotor allowed in the afternoon. So make sure to check the latest road signs before starting the drive, and don’t rely blindly on Google Maps.

8. Visit the Njegoš Mausoleum in Lovćen National Park

Visiting the Njegoš Mausoleum is one of the best things to do near the Bay of Kotor, especially if you love viewpoints. The mausoleum sits high up in Lovćen National Park and getting there is already part of the experience, whether you drive up from Kotor via the serpentine road or come from the Cetinje side.

From the parking area, you’ll need to climb a long staircase to reach the mausoleum, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket because it can be much cooler and windier at the top. The climb takes a little effort, but the views are absolutely worth it.

After visiting the mausoleum itself, make sure to continue to the circular viewpoint behind it. On a clear day, you can see the Bay of Kotor, the surrounding mountains, and a huge part of Montenegro from up there. It’s easily one of the most impressive viewpoints we visited during our trip.

🎫 TOUR – Montenegro: Lovcen Cable Car, Njegusi & Cetinje Day Trip

9. Spend an evening in Rose

Rose is a lovely little place to visit if you want to escape the busier towns around the Bay of Kotor for a few hours. It’s tucked away on the Luštica Peninsula and feels much quieter than places like Kotor or Perast.

I’d especially recommend going in the late afternoon or early evening, when the light is softer and the whole village feels even more relaxed. There isn’t a huge amount to do here, but that’s exactly why it’s nice. Go for a slow walk by the water, have dinner or drinks by the sea, and enjoy a more peaceful side of the bay.

10. Explore the old town of Budva

Budva is one of the busiest places along the Montenegrin coast, and honestly, I wouldn’t plan too much time here. For me, the Old Town is the part that’s really worth visiting. It’s small but charming, with narrow streets, stone buildings, little squares, and plenty of cafés and restaurants tucked inside the old walls.

I’d recommend coming early in the morning or later in the day, especially in summer, because Budva can get very crowded. A short wander through the Old Town is enough to get a feel for the place, and you can easily combine it with a stop at the nearby beaches or continue your drive along the coast afterwards.

11. Visit the Savina Monastery

Savina Monastery is a lovely stop if you’re exploring Herceg Novi or driving around the Bay of Kotor. It doesn’t take a lot of time to visit, but it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary. We loved how peaceful it felt compared to the busier coastal towns, and the views over the bay are beautiful.

12. Visit Sveti Stefan Beach

Sveti Stefan is definitely one of the most iconic places to see in Montenegro, even though the island itself is actually a luxury hotel and not freely accessible. But the good news is that the beaches on both sides are free to visit, and they’re absolutely beautiful with their soft pink pebbles and clear blue water.

It’s worth stopping here for a swim, a walk along the beach, or simply to admire the view of the island from the shore. For one of the best viewpoints over Sveti Stefan, drive up to St. Sava Church. The view from there is incredible and gives you that classic postcard perspective over the island and the coastline.

13. Have lunch at Petrovac

Petrovac is a nice place to stop for lunch if you’re driving along the Montenegrin coast. It’s much smaller and more relaxed than Budva, but still has a lovely seaside promenade with plenty of restaurants and cafés. I wouldn’t necessarily plan a full day here, but it’s perfect for a slower lunch by the water before continuing your road trip. After eating, you can go for a short walk along the beach or simply enjoy the view before heading to your next stop.

How many days to visit the Bay of Kotor

I’d recommend spending at least 3 nights in the Bay of Kotor if you want to properly explore the area without rushing. This gives you enough time to wander through Kotor Old Town, hike up to Kotor Fortress, visit Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, drive the Kotor Serpentine Road, and add a few extra stops like Lovćen National Park, Rose, or Herceg Novi.

You can technically visit Kotor on a day trip, but you’d only scratch the surface. The Bay of Kotor is one of those places where the best moments often happen when you slow down a little: an early morning walk before the cruise ship crowds arrive, a sunset drive along the bay, or a relaxed dinner by the water.

With 3 nights, you’ll have enough time to enjoy the highlights and still keep your itinerary flexible, which is especially nice if you’re traveling with kids or visiting during the warmer months.

If you have any questions about how to visit Montenegro or if you want to share your experience, comment below!

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13 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro: Complete Travel Guide

Quick Tips for the Bay of Kotor

How to reach the Bay of Kotor

Best time to visit the Bay of Kotor