Villa Mihovila

Oliver's Insight...

The Bay of Kotor is a true jewel in the Montenegrin crown. A region of pretty little harbours and mountainous backdrops, it’s about as idyllic as it gets, making a drive around the coast a thing of beauty. Along the way, there are more than a few fine places to stop.

The town of Tivat is Montenegro’s answer to Monaco – visit the yacht-filled Porto Montenegro marina and the glamour will be evident. The town’s Big City Park is a green oasis where you can relax, while the pretty village of Gornja Lastva, high up in the hills overlooking the bay, is well worth a visit too. Each summer, there’s an open-air jazz concert under the light of a full moon.

On the River Skurda, the fortified old town of Kotor is around 11km from Tivat and certainly a must-see. Many tourists realise this, so it may well be packed during the day, especially at the height of summer – you may notice the huge cruise ships moored near the Old Town. The best time to be there is from late afternoon onwards, when the crowds thin out and you can admire its narrow little streets and charming squares. The town is also known for its many street cats, and even has a Cat Museum in their honour.

Down the coast, you will find Montenegro’s No.1 tourist destination, Budva. As well as a strong nightlife and bar scene, Budva has a charming Old Town of its own. It may be hard to believe that much of it was devastated in a catastrophic earthquake in 1979 – an event which hit the whole of the coast of Montenegro. These days, Budva is perhaps most famous for its beaches, which motivate many to visit the town.

Montenegro has much to enjoy inland too, much of it wonderfully scenic. Lipa Cave and the magnificent Lovcen National Park are among its treasures, the latter stretching up to the fringes of Kotor. On its eastern side lies the former capital, Cetinje – a quiet, cultural hub of old royal palaces and pretty parks.

Some consider the modern-day capital, Podgorica, around 40 minutes east, to be less of a visitor must-see, but ignore the dull rep and try it for yourself. With a huge vineyard and the Skadar Lakes National Park on its doorstep, there’s plenty to see, while kids (and adults) will love the treetop adventures at Gorica Forest Park.

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.

2020 Local Public Holidays

1st January - New Year's Day
2nd January - New Year's Day Holiday
6th January - Orthodox Christmas Eve
7th January - Orthodox Christmas
8th January - Orthodox Christmas Holiday
20th March - March Equinox
10th April - Good Friday
13th April - Easter Monday
17th April - Orthodox Good Friday
19th April - Orthodox Easter Day
20th April - Orthodox Easter Monday
1st May - Labour Day
2nd May - Labour Day Holiday
21st May - Independence Day
22nd May - Independence Day Holiday
13th July - Sovereignty Day of Montenegro
15th July - Sovereignty Day of Montenegro Holiday
31st December - New Year’s Eve

Getting There

Sveti 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.