Most tourists in Montenegro head straight to Budva, the country’s main resort. But for me, Kotor is the #1 destination. This place is packed with incredible sights — both in the city itself and in its surroundings.
Here’s a list of the best attractions to include in your Montenegro itinerary, no matter if you’re staying in Budva, Kotor, or any other part of this small but stunning country.
💡 Pro tip: Renting a car in Montenegro is super affordable, and it lets you explore way more!
🚤 Boat Trip to the Blue Cave
The Blue Cave (Plava Špilja) is a breathtaking sea cave near Kotor, famous for its glowing blue waters. Sunlight reflects off the cave walls, creating a magical, otherworldly atmosphere.
You can reach the cave by boat from Kotor, usually as part of a tour that also includes other must-see spots like:
✅ A secret submarine tunnel
✅ Our Lady of the Rocks Island (Gospa od Škrpjela)
🔥 Bonus: In summer, you can swim inside the cave!
🏝 Our Lady of the Rocks Island (Gospa od Škrpjela)
This man-made island sits in the middle of Kotor Bay, near the town of Perast. It’s home to a Catholic church and a small museum with fascinating history.
Getting there is easy:
1️⃣ Drive to Perast and park your car.
2️⃣ Take a ferry or a private boat to the island. A round-trip ferry ticket costs €5.
🚢 Kotor Bay Cruise (Boka Kotorska)
Kotor Bay is surrounded by picturesque villages, ancient churches, and tiny islands. A boat tour is one of the best ways to see it all!
A typical day cruise includes stops at:
🌊 Our Lady of the Rocks
🏘 Perast (a charming coastal town)
🌴 Tivat (home to luxury yachts in Porto Montenegro)
🏝 Mamula Island (an abandoned fortress island)
🔵 The Blue Cave
Tickets are available at travel agencies all over Kotor.
⛰ Day Trip to Lovćen National Park
Montenegro has two famous national parks: Durmitor and Skadar Lake. But Lovćen is the easiest to visit from Kotor—and totally worth it!
The park’s highest peak (1,749m) offers insane panoramic views of almost the entire country.
Top tips:
✔ Visit on a clear day for the best views.
✔ Set aside a full day—it’s a road trip you won’t regret!
🌊 Kotor’s Semi-Submarine Adventure
If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss the Kotor semi-submarine tour. This bright red boat has a glass-bottom lower deck, letting you see the underwater world of Kotor Bay!
Tours depart from Kotor’s port and can be booked at various travel agencies around town.
🚗 Driving the Famous Kotor Serpentine Road
This one’s for adventure seekers! Just outside Kotor, you’ll find a legendary 8.3 km mountain road known as the Kotor Serpentine or “25 Turns”.
This narrow, winding road zigzags up a steep mountainside, offering breathtaking views of Kotor Bay at every turn. A bit of adrenaline, a lot of scenery—what’s not to love?
📸 Got a drone? Fly it here for some insane aerial shots!
🚴 If you’re into cycling, this is one of the toughest (and most rewarding) rides in Montenegro. Bike rentals are available in Kotor if you’re up for the challenge!
🌊 Whitewater Rafting on the Tara River
If you’re looking for the most extreme adventure in Montenegro, look no further than rafting on the Tara River!
The Tara Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe (1,333 meters) and the second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon. It’s part of a UNESCO-protected national park and offers jaw-dropping scenery.
🚗 The rafting tour lasts 12 hours (including travel time). You can drive to the starting point yourself, but either way, plan for a full-day trip from Kotor. It’ll be unforgettable!
🌴 Day Trip to Budva
Staying in Kotor but curious about Budva? No problem! Montenegro is tiny, so you can visit Budva and be back the same day.
🚗 Drive time: 30 minutes from Kotor
🏰 What to see in Budva:
✅ Old Town & Fortress – a beautiful medieval quarter
🏖 Beaches & promenades – perfect for a seaside stroll
🎭 Vibrant nightlife – best outside peak summer crowds
If you’re visiting outside the busy summer season, Budva is a charming coastal getaway.
🏘 Exploring Perast
Perast is a tiny, picture-perfect coastal town with a laid-back vibe and no tourist crowds. It’s pure Montenegrin idyll.
🚗 Getting there:
✅ Drive from Kotor in 20 minutes
🚤 Boat from Kotor or the Kotor Bay waterfront
🎟 Things to do in Perast:
🏛 Visit the Perast Museum
🏝 Relax on Pirate Beach – a beautiful sandy beach
🍽 Try local food – prosciutto, cheese, and Montenegrin wine
🌊 Bonus: Perast is the launch point for boat trips to Our Lady of the Rocks. If you don’t have a car, take a Kotor-Perast boat tour (€20 per person, 2.5 hours total). It’s a bit rushed, but great if you’re short on time!
🛠 Exploring Kotor Bay’s Secret Submarine Tunnels
During the Yugoslav era, Kotor Bay was a strategic military base, and secret submarine tunnels were carved into the cliffs to hide naval fleets from enemy aircraft.
Now abandoned, these tunnels have become a must-see for history buffs and explorers.
🚤 How to visit:
✅ Drive to Rose Village and explore on foot
✅ Take a Blue Cave boat tour (most tours stop at a tunnel)
It’s a fascinating piece of Cold War history, now open for travelers to discover!
🌟 The Best View of Kotor’s Old City Walls
At night, Kotor’s medieval city walls light up, creating an epic scene.
📍 Best viewpoints:
✅ Kotor waterfront – a classic view of the illuminated walls
✅ Muo village (across the bay) – the best panoramic view of Kotor at night
If you want that perfect Instagram shot, head to Muo!
🌅 Day Trip to Tivat
Just 15 minutes from Kotor, Tivat is a quiet, stylish coastal town with an upscale marina and chilled-out beach bars.
🌟 What to do in Tivat:
🍽 Dine at seafront restaurants with amazing views
🏖 Relax at luxury beach clubs
🚤 Visit nearby islands
Want even better beaches? Head to Herceg Novi, a bit further along the coast toward Croatia.
🏡 Staying in Muo or Dobrota
Want to stay near Kotor but avoid the crowds? Check out:
📍 Muo Village – A peaceful, historic village right across the bay from Kotor, offering the best sea-view apartments and top-rated restaurants.
📍 Dobrota Village – Another great alternative, perfect for a one-night stay or a quiet getaway.
Both villages have stunning bayfront promenades, perfect for evening walks by the water.
🏡 Where to Stay in Kotor?
The best areas to stay in Kotor:
📍 Kotor Old Town – Stay inside the medieval walls for a historic vibe
📍 Muo – A peaceful area on the west side of Kotor Bay
📍 Dobrota – A quieter, scenic option on the east side of the bay
Top Accommodation Picks for Any Budget
🏨 Luxury: Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort – Stunning bay views & 5-star service
🏡 Mid-Range: Apartmani Art Karampana – Cozy apartments in the heart of Kotor
🛏 Budget: Centrum Hostel – A wallet-friendly option inside the Old Town
✈️ How to Get to Kotor?
The nearest airport is Tivat (TIV), with plenty of flights from major European cities.
💡 Pro tip: We always book flights on Aviasales – super easy to use and reliable for finding the best deals.
🚗 Where to Rent a Car in Montenegro?
From our experience, the best car rental platform is Localrent-Montenegro – great prices, excellent service, and high-quality cars.
🏨 Where to Book Hotels & Apartments?
We recommend Booking-Montenegro – transparent pricing, no surprises, and the widest selection of accommodations for every budget.
