Kotor, Montenegro
Just 92 km (57 mi) from Dubrovnik is the Bay of Kotor, one of the most stunning natural sites in Montenegro. Discover the old city of Kotor and its history, a must-see in the Balkans.
Montenegro is a new country, formed in 2006 after separating from Serbia, home to some of the most dreamy landscapes and a fascinating history. The Bay of Kotor is one of the most beautiful destinations along the coast of Montenegro. Just over 90 km (57 miles) from Dubrovnik, it's an ideal place to visit on a day trip.
Bay of Kotor
Bordering the Bay of Kotor is Perast, the Venice of Montenegro. This small town in the valley is full of residential palaces. From Perast, small boats regularly leave to Our Lady of the Rocks Church, a religious temple erected on an artificial island in the 15th century. According to legend, some fishermen witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary and chose to build a church in her honor.
After a century of gathering rocks, stones, and even bones, the locals were finally able to build Our Lady of the Rocks, a Catholic Church with striking Islamic-style elements, a deliberate choice to help protect it from Ottoman attacks. Inside, you'll find a small treasure trove: an image of the Virgin suspended by golden threads, Eastern silver artifacts, and even a strand of hair from the woman who spent 25 years completing her embroidery work.
All around the Bay of Kotor, you can find small towns that appear to have been frozen in time. What's more, as you drive along the road that takes you to Kotor, you'll have dreamy views of the whole bay.
Things to Do in Kotor
The ancient city of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a pretty labyrinth of stone streets surrounded by a medieval wall. Among the things to do in Kotor, Saint Nicholas' Orthodox Cathedral, the Venetian-style Ducal Palace, the Maritime Museum and the Clock Tower from the 17th century which still works, are just some worth visiting.
As you stroll through the ancient city, you'll feel like you're travelling back in time. Among the old stone palaces, you can find local handmade shops that work with ceramics and metals. Although today the city is full of tourists, souvenir shops and restaurants, Kotor has managed to maintain its medieval essence and continues to be a real gem in Montenegro.
If you have time and are fit, we recommend exploring its impressive walls, which climb the side of a mountain and arrive at Saint John's Fortress. The panoramic views of Kotor from the highest point of the walls are unique... but you have to climb 2,000 steps for them!
How to Get to Kotor from Dubrovnik
Just a short 92 km (57 miles) separate Kotor from Dubrovnik, so there are several options for how to arrival to this city in Montenegro:
- If you've rented a car, you only have to take the D8 road and drive about 90 minutes. Remember that you have to cross the border in Montenegro and the queues in high season can be very chaotic. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time and having your passport ready to hand.
- You can also take a bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor. The journey is a little longer and you can spend longer crossing the border, but it's the cheapest option. If you want to save time on the return, we recommend catching a ferry that connects Tivat and Herceg Novi, two towns on the shore of Kotor Bay. The journey takes around 15 minutes and a single ticket costs € 4.50 (US$ 5.02)
- The most comfortable way of getting to Kotor is by booking a tour from Dubrovnik. This way, you don't have to worry about transport and you'll have an English-speaking guide to discover the history of this region of the Balkans. You can reserve the tour in advance on our website: Kotor Bay Tour from Dubrovnik.
