Bay of Kotor

Bay of Kotor was celebrated by the brave seafarers, skilled masters, builders, many prominent intellectuals. It has a glorious history - from Greek colonies, Illyrians, Roman, Byzantium, Serbian medieval states to Ottoman Empire, Venetia, Russia, France, Austria and finally Montenegro. Everyone had the ambition to rule this area. All of this has influenced the architecture, culture, and food in the region. Abundant architectural and cultural heritage, along with its unique geographical landscape, has made the Bay of Kotor a UNESCO heritage site and officially one of 25 most beautiful bays in the world.

Where is Bay of Kotor located?

Bay of Kotor is located in the Adriatic Sea in Montenegro, deep under the cliffs of Orjen and Lovcen mountains and surrounded by the sea. Bay of Kotor is officially listed as one of the 25 most beautiful bays in the world and it is a UNESCO heritage site. In Montenegrin language we call it Boka Kotorska and it is named after the Italian word "bocca" meaning "mouth". We also call it Boka Bay.

The Bay consists of four smaller bays of the cities Herceg Novi, Tivat, Risan and Kotor.  It starts with the Bay of Herceg Novi,  situated between the capes of Arza and Ostra, as well as the Mamula island, which narrows down into the Kumborska Strait, crosses it into the Tivat bay, and through the strait of Verige (narrowest part of the bay - 300m) enters the Risan bay and at its final end, Kotor bay. The distance from its starting point, - Herceg Novi, and Dubrovnik  is only 50km.

The magical blend of blue, green, terracotta, thousands of details and motives leave no one indifferent. Along the coast you can see charming towns and villages which all have a story to tell. 

"When you go up north (in the mountains), you feel as if you have come to the very end of the world. Here in Kotor Bay, you find yourself at the very en-trance to the world."—Dušan Kostić

How to get to Bay of Kotor?

If you are not on the budget, we would suggest getting a direct flight to Montenegro. Nearest airport to Kotor Bay is Tivat Airport, only 15 minutes away from Kotor, and 1h away from Herceg Novi. The alternative is Podgorica Airport, which is still an hour and a half away from Kotor. The taxi from Podgorica to Kotor costs about 50€ and up.

How to get to Bay of Kotor from Dubrovnik?

If you choose the option of flying to Dubrovnik and arriving to Kotor overland, it is good to know that journey takes about 2 hours by taxi or private transfer. The journey can take longer with the bus, because of the possible lengthier procedures for larger vehicles crossing the border between Montenegro and Croatia.

If you`re still flying to Dubrovnik, we can organize your transfer to Montenegro, or alternatively get a private shuttle from Dubrovnik airport to Kotor, which can be 80€ and above.

What are the most interesting towns and villages of Bay of Kotor?

In the Bay of Kotor, you will find three larger towns - Kotor, Tivat and Herceg Novi. The larger settlements in Boka are: Igalo, Meljine, Zelenika, Kumbor, Bijela, Kamenari, Morinj, Risan, Perast, Stoliv, Prcanj, Dobrota, Lepetane, Krtoli and Rose.

Each village and each own has its own story, sights and attractions. While Kotor is a museum in the open, with many cultural, historical monuments and its impressive walls, Tivat has its advantage in a luxurious Porto Montenegro - a nautical marina, the main feature of Herceg Novi is its natural botanic garden. There are many beaches and swimming areas in the bay, especially in Herceg Novi and Tivat Riviera, while the smaller, more intimate swimming spots are hidden along Kotor Riviera (our favorites!).

Where to stay in Bay of Kotor?

You can find a perfect spot right on the shores of Adriatic for your trip, dependable on what kind of holiday you are looking for. Kotor, Tivat and Herceg Novi towns are more crowded then other smaller settlements we mentioned. Whatever your preferance may be, be assured that everything has its own charm. If you like privacy, more secluded villages, romantic atmosphere, Perast, Prcanj or Stoliv would be your best choice. If you like complete privacy and small, secluded places, we would recommend Rose. If you’re uncertain on where to begin your endeavors through Montenegro, Kotor is probably your number one choice. Alternatively, you may opt to stay outside the bay, in Budva, which is 30 minutes drive from Kotor, with its sandy beaches and lively atmosphere, and take day trips to the Bay of Kotor.

Please feel free to ask for an advice! We are happy to help you choose the best place to stay in Montenegro.

How was the Bay of Kotor formed? Is Bay of Kotor a fjord?

Thanks to its unusual appearance, it is often referred to as the southernmost fjord in Europe, but in fact the Bay of Kotor is submerged canyon of river Skurda, the formation of the Bay has been influenced by fluvial erosion in the Pliocene. Almost vertical, dramatic drop of the mountains straight into the water create absolutely breathtaking views.

Are there islands in Bay of Kotor?

There are 9 islands in the Bay of Kotor: Prevlaka, Mamula, Island of Vavedenje at the entrance to Boka Kotorska, Our Lady of Grace, St. Marko and Island of Flowers, Zanovetni Školjic in the Tivat bay, and Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George in Risan bay.

We suggest you not to miss Our Lady of the rocks and St. George islands just across Perast!

Interesting facts about the Bay of Kotor

• The length of the coast is 106 km.

• The maximum depth is 60m., and the average depth is 27,3m.

• The bay stretches 28km into the mainland.

• The sea surface is 88km² and the volume of water is 2,5 billion km³.

• The narrowest point is Verige (300 m).

When is the best time to visit Bay of Kotor?

The best time would depend on your holiday type preference.

• If you are planning a swimming holiday — travel from mid-May to mid-October.

• If you are after museums and heritage travel — April, May, June and late August until mid-October.

• If you are looking for hiking holiday — April, May, June, September until mid-October are the best months.

Bay of Kotor weather

The weather in Bay of Kotor is just as in any Mediterranean country. April can be rainy, but the temperatures keep rising, from the beginning of April 10 Celsius and more. By the end of April the temperatures are 20+ Celsius. May is dry, with mild temperatures and Mediterranean nature in bloom. June is the best month to visit, with temperatures in the high 20s, low rainfall and off-peak prices. July and August are the hottest and driest months – but also the busiest and most expensive. September temperatures are usually in the high 20s range, with the declining temperatures in the beginning of October. However, swimming season is still active until mid-October.

The Bay has the most rainy days in late autumn, from November and partly during the winter, especially in the inner part of the bay, where high mountains are blocking way of the clouds that come from the south and bring rain. Often, in wintertime, rain don’t stop for weeks, and even months.

Can you swim in Bay of Kotor?

Of course! It is absolutely amazing to swim here. The best places for swimming are Rose, Perast and Stoliv.

The sea in Montenegro is perfect for swimming from June to September, while it is a bit cooler in May and October, but we still swim in these months.

In the period from mid-May to early October, the temperature of the water is above 18 ° C, which allows a long swimming season (as much as 144 days a year).

Bay of Kotor things to do

There are a lot of things you can do in Boka. These are the highlights:

1. Drive on Kotor serpentine road from Kotor to Njegusi or vice versa. You will be taking one of the most dangerous and breathtaking roads in the world.

2. One of the "must-do" things is to visit the baroque town of Perast and its glorious palaces and churches. While there, visit the island of Our Lady of the Rocks and admire St. George island.

3. Try a typical Mediterranean lunch – fish and boiled potatoes with bleet and marinada!(we suggest freshly caught sea bass, gilthead sea bream or a grouper fish)

4. Visit Kotor old town – one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean, and climb 1350 steps to St. John Fortress. The views are absolutely amazing at 280 m above sea level.

5. Visit Tivat and glamorous Porto Montenegro

6. Get lost among olive groves in Lustica peninsula and visit some of the best beaches in Montenegro.

7. Hike one of the amazing trails in surrounding mountains.

8. Take a cruise in Boka Bay, and if you can, make it a private one with a smaller boat

Hiking in Bay of Kotor

So far, you`ve probably heard that Montenegro is hiker`s paradise.  At the territory of 13.812 km2, around 80% of Montenegro is covered in mountains. We have 5 national parks, 186 peeks above 2000 meters and absolutely stunning nature.

Did you know you can also hike in Bay of Kotor? This is one of our favorite things to do in the Bay. Imagine having an unforgettable summer holiday in Montenegro, surrounded by the breathtaking mountains and spending one day at the beach and the other conquering mountain peaks.

The Bay of Kotor is riddled with the ruins of Austro-Hungarian fortifications situated mostly on peaks of the mountains surrounding it. Did you know there are more than 100 Austro-Hungarian fortifications in the Bay alone? One of our favorite hiking trails is the trail to Sveti Andrija Fortress above Perast.

The trail from Perast to the fortress Sveti Andrija was originally made for horses and offers stunning views of the Bay of Kotor. Part of the trail goes through the beech forest, where the only sounds are birds chirping and insects buzzing. Along the way, the views of islands of Our Lady of the rocks and St. George are incredible. At the top of the hill, at the fortress Sveti Andrija, it opens up to a spectacular view where the fortress overlooks the bay. The view from the Sveti Andrija shows the Bay of Kotor , Mount Vrmac and the Verige Strait. The fortress ruins are fascinating and you can even see the original stone inscriptions in German.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us via email info@caelitravel.com or telephone +38267032340 & +38267885751, Whatsapp and Viber as well.