10 Magical Day Trips from Kotor, Montenegro You’ll Never Forget
So you put Kotor on your travel bucket list for the views, the history, the famous Stari Grad old town, but now you’re wondering: what else is out there? Montenegro may be a small – and lets be honest, underrated – European country, but its beauty is clear to see. And if you’re staying in magical Kotor, you’re perfectly placed to explore fairy tale towns, dramatic mountains, and peaceful national parks – all in a day’s reach. So if you’re looking for the most unforgettable day trips from Kotor, this is the guide for you!
10 Magical Day Trips from Kotor You’ll Never Forget
1. Wander the Dreamy Waterfront of Perast
If Kotor is the heart of Montenegro, Perast Old Town is for sure the soul. When I visited, I hopped on the local bus with zero expectations, in a bid to escape the crowds from the multi-thousand passenger cruise ship just docked along the bay. But I ended up experiencing a Montenegro trip highlight and staying in this little town for hours.
Perast is a tiny town – and the waterfront is home to all of its major attractions – but despite its small size it feels as though you’re stepping back in time into a fairy tale. With quiet churches, exceptional examples of Baroque architecture, lazy waterfront cafes, and an uninterrupted view of the bay, Perast is one of the most relaxing day trips from Kotor.
And here’s a fun fact: Many of the buildings lining the waterfront in Perast were the former palaces of the 12 noble families of Perast, just adding to the grandeur and charm of this already stunning town.
The day trip from Kotor to Perast is one of the easiest and more popular choices among tourists, so don’t expect to be alone in this charming town. But even with a big cruise ship just up the coast and visiting in the afternoon (aka, peak time), when I visited in mid-September it didn’t feel too busy.
Things to do in Perast, Montenegro on a Day Trip From Kotor
- Stroll along the waterfront promenade
- Admire the Baroque palaces: Bujović Palace, Lučić-Kolović-Matikola Palace, Smekja Palace, Brajković-Martinović Palace, Visković Palace, Balović Palace, Šestokrilović Palace and Bronza Palace
- See Perast’s magnificent churches: the Church of St. John the Baptist, St Nicholas’ Catholic Church and Saint Mark’s Church
- Visit the Perast Museum, located in the stunning Bujović Palace
- Make time to enjoy ice-cream, sitting on one of the benches overlooking the bay
- Spend time with the friendly resident cats (yes, Perast has them too!)
How to Get to Perast From Kotor?
There are a few different ways to get to Perast from Kotor, including by bus, car, taxi, ferry and guided tour.
By Car: The drive to Perast is stunning and only takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic. There is parking down the hill from the main road in Perast, although spaces will fill up quickly in peak season.
By Bus: The Blue Line Kotor to Perast bus takes around 30 minutes and stops in front of St. Nicholas’ Church in the centre of Perast. There is no official timetable for the bus, but it runs pretty regularly, even when I visited in September. Make sure you bring cash for the bus fare, which costs just a couple of euros.
By Ferry: During the peak season, you can take a 40 minute scenic ferry ride from Kotor to Perast. Don’t forget your camera as this stretch of the bay is known for its exceptional beauty!
On a Guided Tour: This half day, small group tour combines Perast with Our Lady of the Rocks, with the additional benefit of a local guide sharing their knowledge of the areas’ extensive history.
By Taxi: The final option to reach Perast from Kotor is by taxi. Popular taxi companies in Montenegro include Red Taxi and Dijr Taxi.
Katie’s Top Tip: This is one of the day trips from Kotor that you should try to do early in the day or later in the afternoon. This way, you can beat the tour groups and explore Perast as the locals do, especially if you’re visiting in peak season.
2. Visit Montenegro’s Island Church: Our Lady of the Rocks
Now, technically you will end up combining your visit to Our Lady of the Rocks Church with either a visit to Perast or a Boka Bay boat tour – but I loved this little island so much I just had to give it its own special mention!
Our Lady of the Rocks Church can be found directly opposite the charming town of Perast, on the island of Ostrvo. Ostrvo is the only man-made island in the Adriatic. The only thing on the island is the church – characterised by its beautiful blue roof – but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do during your visit. Aside from the stunning panoramic views of the bay and Perast town, a visit inside the church itself is a must-do. Inside the church you can admire the spectacular interiors and visit the small museum to learn about its fascinating history.
During peak season the church is open from 9am to 6pm (and like with all Montenegro attractions,) the earlier or later you arrive, the less crowded it will be. The fee to enter the church is around 3 euros cash at time of writing.
How to Get to Our Lady of the Rocks From Kotor?
There are two different ways to get to Our Lady of the Rocks from Kotor: by water taxi from Perast or as part of an organised Boka Bay boat tour (more on this later!)
By Water Taxi: To reach Our Lady of the Rocks by water taxi, you must first get from Kotor to Perast by one of the options mentioned above: car, bus, taxi, ferry or tour. You can then get a water taxi from Perast waterfront for around 10 euros. The journey will take just a few minutes.
By Organised Boka Bay Boat Tour: A lot of the full day boat trips also include both transport to and entrance into Our Lady of the Rocks church, alongside other attractions along the Boka Bay. This is the tour I recommend, and you’ll be reading a lot more about it later in this guide!
3. Get Lost in Budva’s Old Town Charm
Buzzing yet beautiful – the popular Montenegrin town of Budva mixes spectacular beaches with those cobblestone vibes Montenegro is famous for. Furthermore, Mogren Beach near Budva’s old town is the most beautiful beach in Budva (and arguably in the whole of Montenegro,) and is well worth a visit. Just make sure you arrive early enough to get a spot though – it gets crowded in peak season!
If Kotor hasn’t delivered enough old town charm (or you’re eager to see more,) leave the beaches behind and head into Budva’s old town. Just a few steps from the hustle and bustle of the seafront, you’ll get lost down charming cobbled alleyways, come across old stone churches, and stumble into gorgeous town squares.
If a checklist is more your vibe, these are the best things to do in Budva (that you absolutely should not miss):
- Visit the Citadela Fortress
- Marvel at the Church of the Holy Trinity
- Admire the City Walls
- See the Budva Ballerina
Katie’s Top Tip: If you have a car, head up to a secret(ish!) spot on google maps called ‘Budva Lookout’ in the late afternoon to enjoy the most spectacular sunset. It’s free to pull in and watch the spectacle. I’ll let a photo do the talking here. Need I say more?!:
How to Get to Budva From Kotor?
By Car: By car, the drive to Budva from Kotor takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
By Bus: The bus journey to Budva takes approximately 45 minutes and is very scenic. There are plenty of daily departures from Kotor bus station, which is a short 10 minute walk from Kotor’s main gate. In Budva, the bus stops at Budva’s bus station, which is a 20 minute walk to Budva old town.
On a Guided Tour: If you’re in the mood to splurge, this private tour makes a 75 minute stop in Budva, with free time to explore the old town. The tour also includes Lovcen National Park, including Njegos Mausoleum and Cetinje.
4. Chase Views in Lovćen National Park
Lovcen National Park is one of the best day trips from Kotor because the national park and its surrounding areas are home to some of Montenegro’s top tourist destinations. These include Mount Lovcen and Njegos Mausoleum, Kotor’s Serpentine Road, and the beautiful town of Cetinje. 1.5 hours outside of Lovcen National Park, you will also find the famous Lake Skadar National Park.
For many visitors, the highlight of a trip to Lovcen National Park is the view from Njegos Mausoleum, which is reachable by climbing 461 steps! In Lake Skadar National Park, the best way to admire the beauty is a lot more relaxing than Lovcen – from the water! Boat tours leave from the small town of Rijeka Crnojevića, and on your way there you can’t miss a photo stop at Pavlova Strana Rijeka Crnojeviča Viewpoint to see the postcard-worthy bend in the river Crnojević.
How to Get to Lovcen National Park From Kotor?
There are a two different ways to get to Lovcen National Park from Kotor: with a private car or by taking a guided tour.
By Car: By car, the drive to Lovcen National Park’s Njegos Mausoleum takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic. This drive also takes you via the famous Serpentine Road with viewpoints looking out across the bay and Kotor. The drive to Lake Skadar National Park then takes around 1.5 hours. And the town of Cetinje will take a further 50 minutes to get to. The journey back to Kotor from Cetinje will take around 1 hour.
On a Guided Tour: A combined guided tour of both Lovcen and Skadar Lake National Park is what I would recommend, as there is a lot of driving involved in this trip and the Serpentine Road is narrow and steep, with 16 hairpin turns. During my visit, I chose this full day tour that covers all of the key sites of both national parks and also includes a boat trip!
5. Get Back to Nature in Lake Skadar National Park
Hidden in Montenegro’s interior is a lake so peaceful it feels like a secret: welcome to Lake Skadar National Park!
By now you know that you can combine Lake Skadar and Lovcen National Parks into one jam-packed day trip from Kotor, either in your own car or with a group excursion. But if you are in the mood for hiking, boating, wildlife spotting or other outdoor activities, you may want to consider doing them as two separate day trips.
Regardless of which transport you choose, enjoying a boat trip on Lake Skadar should be an essential part of any day trip here. Tours leave daily from the small towns of Rijeka Crnojevića or Virpazar, and you can typically go up to one of the boat drivers on the day and negotiate the terms.
How to Get to Lake Skadar National Park From Kotor?
There are a two main ways to get to Lake Skadar National Park from Kotor, but it is only really viable to separate Lake Skadar from Lovcen National Park if you have a private car.
By Car: By car, the drive from Kotor to Rijeka Crnojevića takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Alternatively, the drive from Kotor to Virpazar will take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
On a Guided Tour: During my visit to Montenegro, I chose this full day tour that covers all of the key sites of both Lake Skadar and Lovcen National Parks and also includes a boat trip!
Katie’s Top Tip: The summer season is the best time to see the stunning water lilies in full bloom from your boat trip on Lake Skadar.
6. Take the Scenic Route to Durmitor National Park
The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durmitor National Park, can get a bad rap as a day trip from Kotor because it is so vast. And yes, if you want to hike or try one of the other sports available in the area, you should probably dedicate a few days to this area. But as a solo female traveller exploring Montenegro without a car and with only 7 days in the country, I took a popular day tour from Kotor to this stunning corner of the country, witnessed epic lakes, old cities, and raw natural beauty – and never regretted it for a second.
Durmitor National Park has a stunning, natural beauty unlike anywhere else in Europe. My favourite place to visit in this spectacular national park is the famous Black Lake – still a photographer and walkers dream despite the hype! Another top attraction is Tara Canyon Bridge, where you can walk the length of the bridge or, for thrill seekers, even take a zipline over the canyon. And if you fancy a detour from the national park, don’t skip Ostrog Monastery, built high into the mountainside. It is still a very popular religious site for pilgrims to this day.
How to Get to Durmitor National Park From Kotor?
There are two viable ways to get to Durmitor National Park on a day trip from Kotor: with a private car or by taking a guided tour.
By Car: By car, the drive to Durmitor National Park’s Black Lake takes around 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. The drive to Tara Canyon Bridge then takes around 45 minutes. And the Ostrog Monastery will take a further 2.5 hours to get to. The journey back to Kotor will take around 2 hours.
On a Guided Tour: A guided tour of the Durmitor National Park is what I would recommend, as there is a lot of driving involved in this trip and some of the roads are narrow and steep. During my own visit to Montenegro, I chose this top-rated tour, which includes the free time at the Black Lake, Tara Canyon Bridge and the Ostrog Monastery.
Katie’s Top Tip: This is the longest day trip from Kotor (or could even be an overnight adventure, if you have your own car and want it to be,) so pack plenty of snacks and drink and ideally schedule some quieter day trips either side of this one. And if you’re doing a self-drive from Kotor to Durmitor National Park, be sure to leave early enough to fit in the full itinerary so you’re not rushing.
7. Hop Over the Border to Dubrovnik
Fancy visiting a whole other country for the day? Then you have to cross into Croatia for a day of Game of Thrones magic and loads more old town charm!
Most tourists will visit Kotor from Dubrovnik, rather than the other way around, which is good news for you as it usually means that the border crossing will take a lot less time. Quick disclaimer though, before we get into the guide: Dubrovnik is a stunning city in its own right and cannot be truly appreciated and enjoyed in just one day. So while it is absolutely doable (and I would recommend it if you don’t plan to visit the city separately,) I ultimately think that this Croatian city deserves a trip of its own.
Disclaimer out of the way, let’s get on with planning your Dubrovnik day trip! Your next question is probably: how should I spend my limited time? Well, in my opinion, all of your time should be spent in Dubrovnik old town – including walking the famous Dubrovnik city walls for spectacular views across the rooftops and the sea. (Yes, they are worth it!)
These are the best places to see in Dubrovnik Old Town in one day:
- Dubrovnik City Walls
- Dubrovnik Cathedral
- Dubrovnik Old Port
- Jesuits stairs & Saint Ignatius Church
- Sponza Palace & St. Blaise Church in Luza Square
- Stradun
- Onofrio Fountain
How to Get to Dubrovnik From Kotor?
There are a few ways to get to Dubrovnik on a day trip from Kotor: with a private car, by bus, or with a private transfer.
By Car: By car, the drive from Kotor to Dubrovnik takes around two hours – although this is heavily dependent on traffic and waiting times at the border crossing. Leave early and allow plenty of time. You will find parking next to both of Dubrovnik’s main gates.
By Bus: The bus from Kotor to Dubrovnik leaves from Kotor bus station and takes around 2.5 hours (although you should again factor in extra time for the border crossing.) The bus will drop you at Dubrovnik bus station, 2 miles from the old town. From there you need to get a taxi or local bus 1, 1a or 1b to Pile (Dubrovnik Old Town.) You can purchase tickets for this local bus from the kiosk outside the bus station. The price of is currently €1.73 in cash and you must validate your ticket in the machine when boarding the bus. You can also buy a ticket from the driver but these tickets cost €1.99.
By Private Transfer: If you’re nervous about the border crossing, you can also pay a premium for a private transfer, where the driver will help you through the process (although it is typically just as straightforward as showing your passport.) This option works out most cost effective for large groups, but anyone can book.
Katie’s Top Tip: Don’t forget your passport and travel documents as you are crossing into another country (and back again) for this day trip.
8. Visit Charming Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is a town close to the border with Croatia and has many sights to see, including climbing the Kanli Kula Fortress, strolling along the waterfront, and of course exploring its old town. If more churches are on your bucket list, be sure to visit the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Church of Saint Jerome.
Herceg Novi is the only day trip on this list that I haven’t personally visited – and I was gutted to have missed it! It came highly recommended to me as one of the best day trips from Kotor, so it’s definitely on the list for my next trip to Montenegro.
How to Get to Herceg Novi From Kotor?
There are two ways to get to Herceg Novi on a day trip from Kotor: with a private car or by bus.
By Car: By car, the drive from Kotor to Herceg Novi takes around one hour.
By Bus: The bus to Herceg Novi also takes around one hour and there are plenty of departures daily.
9. Join the Super-Rich in Porto Montenegro
Porto Montenegro is home to Montenegro’s most luxurious marina, as well as high-end shops and luxury cafes, bars and restaurants. If you’re happy to splurge, a visit to this luxury waterfront town is perfect for buying gifts and souvenirs, or treating yourself to a meal with a view. If you’re on a budget, Porto Montenegro is still a fascinating place to visit: marvel at the yachts in the marina, people watch from one of the plentiful waterfront benches or enjoy a walk along the promenade.
How to Get to Porto Montenegro From Kotor?
There are three ways to get to Porto Montenegro on a day trip from Kotor: with a private car, by taxi or as part of a day cruise around Boka Bay.
By Car: By car, the drive from Kotor to Porto Montenegro takes just 15 minutes. There is parking available near Porto Montenegro’s seafront.
By Taxi: If you don’t have a car or don’t want the trouble of parking, getting to Porto Montenegro from Kotor by taxi will also take just 15 minutes. Popular local taxi companies include Red Taxi and Dijr Taxi.
By Organised Tour: This full day boat tour around Boka Bay includes a stop around lunchtime, with plenty of free time to enjoy all that Porto Montenegro has to offer.
10. Cruise the Boka Bay on a Boat Tour
The best way to experience the Bay of Kotor? From the water. On the last full day of my trip, I splurged on a small group boat tour, swam off the boat, visited stunning locations across the bay, and honestly felt a bit like royalty for a day. This tour was truly the highlight of my trip to Kotor!
I specifically chose this tour because it offered a small group, small boat experience, and took us to all of the top sights along the bay. This included a detour to see the former fortified prison and concentration camp, Mamula, a visit inside the famous Blue Cave, a stop with free time in luxurious Porto Montenegro, and a stop at Our Lady of the Rocks Church – with entrance fees included. I loved that everything was taken care of and I didn’t have to carry cash or think about any logistics for the day!
As well as the named attractions, be prepared to take A LOT of photos – of absolutely everything! The scenery is unmatched throughout the bay and there is always a new photo opportunity to be found. There is also a guide on board to answer questions, point out the very best photo ops and offer commentary when required – although this wasn’t overbearing like on some boat trips, so there is plenty of time to relax too!
Katie’s Top Tip: This is a full day tour, which in September included arriving back to Kotor at golden hour. For my fellow photography lovers, this is when you’ll get the dreamiest light (and softest photos) so have your camera ready on the way back.
Let’s Wrap This List of Day Trips From Kotor Up
You came to Kotor for something beautiful – and now you know that you can find it not just within the ancient walls of the old town, but in the endlessly spectacular places that surround it. From mountain escapes and beach days to breath taking boat trips and island churches, these day trips from Kotor don’t just give you plenty of epic photo ops – they also give you memories that will last a lifetime.
Which of these magical day trips from Kotor would you do first? Or do you have a hidden gem of your own to add? Let’s swap stories in the comments!
Discover More of Beautiful Montenegro:
- How to Plan the Perfect Montenegro Day Trip from Dubrovnik
- 10 Magical Day Trips from Kotor, Montenegro You’ll Never Forget
- 14 Best Things To Do in Kotor, Montenegro (Don’t Miss These!)
- Perfect 7-Day Montenegro Itinerary Without a Car
