Kotor's Hidden Gems: Your Guide to a Transformative Getaway in Montenegro

Beaches

• Igalo Mud Beach: Igalo is a major Mediterranean health tourism destination thanks to its healing and rejuvenating natural sea mud. If you have chronic rheumatic diseases, degenerative changes in joints and muscles or neurological diseases, Igalo beaches will be ideal for you. You can enjoy free spa treatments of this healing mud thanks to the public beaches!

• La Bamba: Party lovers, this is your choice. Music, water activities, the bar, evening parties, you name it. Located in Igalo.

• Sveti Stefan: Considered one of the best beaches in the Adriatic. The islet of Sveti Stefan (Saint Stephen) lies just a few kilometers along Montenegro's Adriatic coast from Budva. With such a stunning backdrop, the beaches here wouldn't have to be up to that much to still get the thumbs up. However, crystal-clear turquoise waters, pink sand and a backdrop of pine forest and mountains make Sveti Stefan a magical beach for spending a day.

• Other beaches: One of the absolute joys of this region is the accessibility you have to picturesque public beaches in every village along the bay. My favorite peaceful, accessible and centrally located beaches are in Herceg Novi, Orahovac and Bijela, but there’s no harm at all in driving along the breathtaking coastal road with zero agenda and discovering your favorites along the way!

Attractions

• Our Lady of the Rocks: A tiny church on a manmade island in the middle of the Bay of Kotor. The island began as a pile of rocks and, according to legend, on July 22, 1452, two fishermen discovered an image of the Virgin Mary there. A tiny Orthodox chapel was built on the site. When the Venetians conquered the area in the 1600s, they built a Catholic chapel in place of the original Orthodox one and decided to further expand the island by piling rocks from the mainland and by sinking the old ships. Every year on July 22 at sunset, citizens of Perast take their boats and throw rocks into the sea. The custom is known as fašinada. The church visible today dates from 1722 and houses a venerable 15th century icon of Virgin Mary now known as Our Lady of the Rocks. Behind the church, there is a small museum dedicated to the history of Perast that is accessible by private boats, boat tours and ferries.

• Kotor Old Town: The most famous part of Kotor, where Kotor's history, culture and traditions are being preserved. The old town has a great number of monuments of medieval architecture — churches, cathedrals, palaces and museums. Its beauty is complemented by the multitude of narrow streets, squares, and daily street markets. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kotor’s Old Town is considered to be the best preserved medieval town in the Mediterranean.

• Kotor-Lovcen Cable Car: Opened in summer 2023, the Kotor-Lovcen Gondola is the newest attraction to the Bay of Kotor. Inspired by the incomparable beauty of the Bay of Kotor and Lovćen National Park, this breathtaking route from Boka Bay to Lovćen takes visitors from the turquoise waters to the stone sea — the very place where the story of Montenegro truly begins. The cable car ride is 11 minutes long and offers visitors stunning, unparalleled views from every angle.

• Herceg Novi Old Town: Herceg Novi’s Old Town undoubtedly has character and soul. Around every corner, there is a pleasant surprise in the form of a picturesque square, a stairway, an art gallery, or a historical building. The old town is a maze of narrow and cozy cobblestone streets, starting from the Forte Mare Fortress on the coastal promenade and going all the way up to the Kanli Kula Fortress built by the Ottomans. And, even though many will groan at the idea of having to climb the almost infinite number of stairs, it is so worth it.

Boat tours

• Blue Cave/Mamula/Zanjice/Rose + Submarine Tunnels/Perast/Our Lady of the Rocks/Kotor /Lustica Peninsula: There are innumerable boat tours available for visitors to explore the bay and its unique sights by sea. The Blue Cave just off the coast of Lustica Peninsula is a must-see. A unique and captivating attraction, the Blue Cave is a natural wonder with shimmering blue waters and sculptural rock formations. You can book group or private boat tours and even have the option to go swimming in the Blue Cave! Other notable sites to see on a boat tour through the bay would be Mamula, Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast, Rose (a fishing village on Lustica Peninsula) and the Yugoslavian submarine bunkers. There are fantastic boat tour companies across the bay, and I’d be happy to recommend my favorites depending on which city you’re planning to depart from.

Towns of interest

• Kotor: The most famous city in the Bay of Kotor and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Herceg Novi: Charming medieval fortress city only 30 miles/49 kilometers from Dubrovnik (approximately 30 to 45 minutes by car depending on traffic). Known for its old town consisting of winding alleyways and cobblestone stairs that take you up to Kanli Kula fortress, an old Ottoman tower with breathtaking views of the bay.

Day trips

• Budva: A vibrant coastal town in Montenegro, this is a must-visit for a day trip from the Bay of Kotor. Known for its stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and rich history, Budva offers a delightful contrast to the serene charm of Kotor. Explore the well-preserved Old Town, enjoy fresh seafood at seaside restaurants and bask in the beauty of the Adriatic coast, making it a perfect day trip destination.

• Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik is very easily accessible from the Bay of Kotor, and only 30 to 45 minutes by car from charming towns like Herceg Novi and Risan. A sister city to Kotor, Dubrovnik is a must-visit destination along the Adriatic Coast.

• Lovćen: A mountain with a mausoleum at its peak that contains the remains of ruler Petar Njeguš II, as well as stone figures by Ivan Meštrović, a renowned Croatian sculptor. Lovćen's proximity to the coastal towns of Budva and Kotor also makes it easy to visit the Adriatic after a day of exploring the mountains.

Breakfast

• Peter’s Pie & Coffee - Herceg Novi
  Quaint seaside cafe open for breakfast, lunch and aperitivo hours. Delicious baked goods, wonderful coffee and organic eats. Lots of vegetarian/vegan/GF options!

• Taraca Restobar - Kotor Old Town
  Hip and cozy all-day restaurant located just outside the walls of Kotor’s Old Town. With stunning views of calm Adriatic waters running over rocks and limestone, along with quirky design touches like vintage neon signage and midcentury Yugoslavian relics on the wall, Taraca’s expansive menu caters to every taste, diet and time of day. Heads up that the patio allows smoking, so if you prefer not to sit near the smokers, I’d suggest grabbing a table by the entrance!

• Various pekaras! - Everywhere
  My highest recommendation — if you are a bread lover — is to visit as many pekaras (bakeries) as you can! Bread is baked fresh every morning and is impossibly affordable. Grab a few loaves for your visit, and certainly go early in the day to get the freshest, best loaves. Ask for an espresso to sip at the counter and you’re sure to start your day on the right foot!

Lunch & dinner

• Taraca Restobar

• Konoba Scala Santa - Kotor Old Town
  A quintessentially Montenegrin establishment in the heart of Kotor’s Old Town. Luna Rossa offers authentic Montenegrin and Adriatic/Mediterranean dining in a charming cobblestoned setting.

• Kod Spiro - Herceg Novi
  Located just across the square from St. Michael’s Church in the heart of Herceg Novi’s Old Town, Kod Spiro — or Spiro’s Place — is owned and operated by Spiro, of course! Spiro’s family has lived in Herceg Novi since the 1500s, and his ancestors built much of the old town. Spiro is incredibly proud of his heritage, his city and his restaurant. The food and service are exceptional, and the hospitality is unmatched.

• Restaurant Galion - Kotor
  Galion is a five-star restaurant located at Kotor’s waterfront and only a few minutes' walking distance from the old town. With a stunning view of Kotor’s marina and the exterior walls of the old town, Galion offers a unique blend of modern Mediterranean and local cuisine with a wine list of over 100 labels. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available.

Drinks

• Caffe Bar Sol - Herceg Novi
  Opened in summer of 2023, this adorable outdoor bar along the promenade in Herceg Novi provides an unmatched venue to post up with a cocktail or a coffee and people watch. Open daily from 10 am until long after nightfall, the bar is relaxed and centrally located, and the staff couldn’t be friendlier.