2 Days in the Bay of Kotor: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary
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How to Spend a Weekend in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
If, like me, you can’t decide between mountains and sea, come to the Bay of Kotor, and you won’t have to. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s one of the most scenic places I’ve ever been to. My first time seeing it was supposed to be aboard my very own sailboat as I sailed into the unique double bay (which would’ve been epic). Unfortunately, life had other plans for me, and I had to wait another year before visiting (by car). The wait was worth it: it was everything I imagined and more. Majestic mountains rise out of the deep blue sea with historic stone villages dotted around every bend. Driving around there felt like being dropped into a fairytale.
If you only have a weekend in Montenegro, the Bay of Kotor is what you should be focusing on. It’s got pretty medieval old towns, fortress viewpoints, idyllic swimming spots, lots and lots of cats, and some of the prettiest views I’ve ever woken up to. It’s compact enough for a short trip, but packed enough that you’ll be kept busy your entire stay.
This 2-day itinerary is ideal for a first visit, giving you a proper introduction to Boka Bay without trying to cram in too much. By the end, you’ll probably already be planning a longer trip through Montenegro. Read on for the full guide of what to see and do in the Bay of Kotor!
In a Rush? Check out my Quick Guide:
Must-See Spots:
– Kotor Old Town
– Kotor Fortress
– Perast
– Tivat
– Herceg Novi
Activities to Book:
– From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour from Perast to Kotor
– Kotor: Blue Cave, Submarine Base, and Lady of the Rocks Tour
– Boka Bay Full-Day Guided Cruise with Swim Stop
– Kotor: Official Cable Car Round-Trip Ticket
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How to Get to the Bay of Kotor
The easiest and most convenient way to get to the Bay of Kotor is to fly into Tivat Airport, which is only a short drive from Kotor. Podgorica Airport is another option, but I’d only recommend it if you’re combining the bay with other parts of Montenegro, as the drive to Kotor is longer and can easily cut into your limited time in the bay if you’re only here for a weekend. You can also fly into Dubrovnik in Croatia, which often has more flight options and is close to the Montenegrin border, though border crossings can slow things down in summer. Once you arrive, you can reach Kotor by rental car, bus, taxi, or private transfer.
Day 1: Kotor Old Town, Kotor Fortress, and Perast
Start your first day in Kotor, the most famous town on the bay and the obvious place to begin. Kotor sits right at the end of the bay, sandwiched between the steep mountains and the sea. The walled Old Town is small and full of narrow stone streets, with little squares, churches, cafes, and lots and lots of cats.
Climb Up to Kotor Fortress
The first thing I’d recommend doing is making your way up towards Kotor Fortress via the Kotor City Walls. You’ll see the steep defensive walls and fortifications as they zigzag up the mountain from afar as you’re approaching Kotor. If you get there early enough, you can beat the crowds and the midday heat.
The main entry point is near the River Gate (North Gate), where you can purchase the €15 entrance fee and then start climbing the 1350 steps to St John’s Castle at the top. It takes about 45 minutes to get there, and it’s very steep with little shade to protect you from the sun, but it’s worth it, as you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the town and the bay far below you.
Top Tip: If you don’t have the energy, time, or simply don’t want to fork out €15 for a steep climb (totally understandable), then you can still walk the Lower Walls (the sections of wall facing the sea and Škurda River) for free.
Wander Around Kotor Old Town
After you’ve finished with the walls, spend the rest of the morning wandering around Kotor. The Old Town is a compact medieval maze that’s super fun to just amble around without a set itinerary. That being said, here are some of my favorite spots that are absolutely worth checking out:
The Sea Gate
The main introduction to the Old Town, the Sea Gate was constructed in 1555 during Venetian rule (look out for Venice’s symbol, the winged lion). Above the gate you’ll find a communist star and a quote from Tito – remnants of Montenegro’s Yugoslavian past. Walk through the gate into the Old Town.
Trg od Oružja (Armoury Square)
The Sea Gate opens up onto the Stari Grad’s (Old Town) large main square. It’s got a cute, squat clock tower; the Rector’s Palace built in the 17th century; and the Napoleon Theatre, once a military warehouse for Venetian ammunition.
St Tryphon’s Cathedral
It’s the only one of Kotor’s churches that requires an entrance fee (€4), but it’s worth it, as it’s Kotor’s most impressive building and main cathedral. Inside you’ll find beautiful Romanesque architecture, and, behind the altar, Kotor’s most prized treasure: a gilded silver bas-relief screen. There is also a museum upstairs dedicated to sacred art, and a reliquary chapel hosting the remains of various saints!
Cats Museum
This one might be a little specific to crazy cat lovers like me, but this collection dedicated to all things cat-themed is totally worth the €1 entrance fee (plus the admission price goes towards taking care of Kotor’s many feline residents!
Ascend Mt Lovćen
For the very best view over the Bay of Kotor, you have to journey up Mt Lovćen. Today, there are three ways to do that: 1. You could hike the 10km-long zigzagging trail known as the Ladder of Kotor (which, if you’ve already hiked up the city walls, you probably will not want to do); 2. Drive up the famous serpentine road that includes 25 hairpin turns. It’s thrilling, but depending on traffic can also take a very long time, as you have to make way for vehicles coming in the opposite direction; 3. Hop in one of the Kotor Cable Car gondolas. The journey lasts only 11 minutes, saving you hours of journey time, which is well worth it when you’ve only got a weekend to explore. Plus, there’s an Alpine Coaster ride up there.
Afternoon in Perast
After lunch, head to Perast, a small waterfront town about a short drive from Kotor. Perast is much quieter and more polished than Kotor, with old Venetian palaces, a peaceful promenade, and views across to two tiny islands: Our Lady of the Rocks and St George known colloquially as ‘the Island of the Living’ and ‘the Island of the Dead’ (because one you can visit and the other contains a cemetery and is off-limits to tourists).
There is not much to do apart from walking along the waterfront, stopping for a drink, taking photos of the bay (I took some of my favorite photos from here), and hopping on a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks. The island is one of the most recognisable sights in the Bay of Kotor, and contains a church and adjoining museum.
Top Tip: Spend the evening back in Kotor. It is worth walking through the Old Town again at night as it feels much more atmospheric once the worst of the cruise crowds have gone.
Day 2: Tivat, Herceg Novi, and the Bay Road
Day two is for exploring a bit more of the bay beyond the main sights of Kotor and Perast. Start with Tivat, which feels like nowhere else in Montenegro. It’s modern, swanky, and marina-focused, especially around Porto Montenegro.
Porto Montenegro transformed a Yugoslavian navy base and shipyard into a town for the uber-rich to park their yachts. Not being uber-rich, I felt a little out of place there amongst the shiny shops and shinier people, but it was still fun to wander around and see a completely different side to Montenegro, and it’s the place to go if you like designer shopping.
If you do want a little history to go with your people-watching, head to the far side of town where you can see a couple of Yugoslav-era submarines looking totally out of place, but reminding visitors what the town once was.
Drive or Travel Around the Bay
From Tivat, continue around the Bay of Kotor towards Herceg Novi. This is one of those journeys where the drive itself is part of the experience. The road follows the water, passing little villages, churches, and mountain views, but at stretches it narrows into a single lane, so you’ll have to make way when you can for oncoming traffic. Some parts open directly onto the water with no barrier in between, so be careful not to get too close to the edge!
If you have a car, take your time and stop when something catches your eye. There are many photo opportunities and even spots to go for a swim, so pack a swimsuit with you too. If you’re using buses or taxis, you’ll have a bit less freedom, but you can still connect the main towns fairly easily.
You can either take the long route and go all the way around the double bays, which will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on traffic, or hop on the Kamenari-Lepetane ferry (€5 for a car but pedestrians go free) to cut your journey time in half.
Afternoon in Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi sits near the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and feels a bit different from other towns along the bay. It is greener, more spread out, and slightly rougher, which I actually think gives it a lot of charm. There are old fortresses, a long waterfront promenade, sea views, and many stairs, so come prepared to walk a lot!
Spend your time wandering through the Old Town, walking along the promenade, stopping for a swim if the weather is good, or visiting one of the town’s fortresses (the biggest and most impressive being Kanli Kula). If you have a little more time, hike up to the picturesque Savina Monastery, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the town below and get pretty views of the bay. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, take a tour to the famous Blue Cave where you can snorkel around a former top-secret Yugoslav submarine dock.
Where Should You Stay in the Bay of Kotor?
For a first weekend in the Bay of Kotor, and if you don’t have your own car, I would stay in or near Kotor. It gives you the easiest access to the Old Town, the fortress climb, Perast, boat trips, restaurants, and buses or taxis around the bay.
Perast is better if you want something quieter, like a romantic getaway. It’s beautiful, but small, so you might find options for sleeping and dining limited here.
Tivat works well if you prefer modern hotels and an easier airport connection. It is practical and polished, but it does not have the same historic atmosphere as Kotor or Perast.
Herceg Novi is a good choice if you’re arriving from Croatia or want a more local feel.
Alternatively, if traveling by car, you can rent a family-run apartment or room in one of the many smaller towns around the Bay. I stayed in Prčanj and woke up to stunning views of the bay from my balcony each morning.
Do You Need a Car for the Bay of Kotor?
You don’t absolutely need a car for a weekend in the Bay of Kotor, but it does make things easier if you want to visit several towns in two days and go at your own pace. Kotor, Perast, Tivat, and Herceg Novi can be linked by bus, taxi, or boat trips, depending on the season, but a car gives you more flexibility.
The downside of having your own car is that parking in Kotor and Perast can be tricky, especially in summer, and you may need to use paid car parks outside the old town areas. In my experience, however, you’ll always be able to find a space somewhere. I relied on Google Maps to find parking spots, and never had too many problems. Sometimes it was easier to park in free spaces further away and walk a little further to get into town.
Top Tip: Always remember to check whether your accommodation has parking before booking.
If you are nervous about narrow roads or parking, you could base yourself in Kotor and use taxis, buses, or organised trips instead.
Best Time to Visit the Bay of Kotor
The best time to visit the Bay of Kotor is late spring to early summer or early autumn. You still get warm weather, but the crowds are usually more manageable than in July and August. This matters a lot in Kotor, where cruise ship crowds and summer heat can make the Old Town feel much less enjoyable.
Summer is still beautiful, but also has busier roads and higher accommodation prices.
Winter is quieter, but some tours, restaurants, or transport options may be more limited, so be aware of that before booking.
I visited in the first half of June and couldn’t have been happier. The weather was hot but not unbearably so, so I enjoyed both swimming and hiking, and the crowds were not too bad.
Top Tip: If you really want to avoid crowds, make sure to check cruise ship schedules before heading to Kotor, and plan your trip around them (they don’t dock there every day).
Is a Weekend Enough for the Bay of Kotor?
Yes, a weekend is enough to see the main highlights of the Bay of Kotor. In two days, you can explore Kotor, climb to the fortress, visit Perast, see Our Lady of the Rocks, walk around Tivat, and spend time in Herceg Novi, and even take a cable car up Mt Lovćen.
You can always spend more time here, of course, but if a weekend is what you have, the Bay of Kotor is compact enough to make it work without feeling like you’ve spent the whole trip in transit. If you do have more time, check out my one-week Montenegro itinerary, which takes you on a loop around the country from coast to mountains and everything in between.