Montenegro by car (Budva - Becici - Sveti Stefan - Petrovac - Sutomore - Bar - Ulcinj) - Part 1. (Kotor - Dobrota - Perast) - is part 2. Herceg Novi and Tivat - this is part 3.
The Bay of Kotor - Boko-Kotor Bay is a unique in its beauty place in the world! In beauty it can be compared with lakes in northern Italy, such as Lake Garda.
If you read the reviews on the Internet you can conclude - no beaches, no place to rest! Because of such information at one time we went to Budva - Becici. We stayed in Kotor for 1 hour...then we packed our bags and moved to Dobrota (one of the villages on the Bay of Kotor) for a week.
The photo "Panorama of Kotor" includes the whole central beach) The rest of the beaches look like concrete piers with sun beds. If you are a connoisseur of a beach with sand or a beach strip in principle), then you should definitely not go to Kotor! But if you like special unique views - Kotor is the perfect place.
Below is a driving route around the Bay of Kotor by car. The drive begins with a ferry ride from the Tivat region to the opposite side. After leaving the ferry, turn right and go clockwise, as indicated on the map below. This is due to the fact that in the villages of Lyuta and Dobrota (exactly on the coast itself) there are one-way sections only in this direction. The track goes everywhere along the water, but in the villages of Perast, Ljuta and Dobrota there are more roads that are below the track and it is mandatory to drive or even walk along them!!!
- Risan is the first village, after leaving the ferry in Kotor Bay, requires your attention. There is a small but still walkable promenade and the village is cozy. But there is not much to see. Below on the map is a panorama of it from the highway to the north of Montenegro. You can stop here on the way to the Lake of Piva and the park Durmitor.
- Perast is a must-visit, with a hike along the waterfront. Parking lots are along the highway on both sides of town. Not all through all of Perast you can also go by car. But it is better to park at the entrance to the city and walk it. Back there - 40 minutes) There are a lot of cozy cafes!
- Orahovac is an even smaller village than Risan, but you can also visit. There is a micro promenade) And there is something cozy...
- Ljuta is a mini replica of Dobrota, the villages are similar, but it's not the same ... Traffic along the water is one-way.
- Dobrota - well, we love this village)))))). It's cozy and beautiful. But the village is only for relaxation and recreation. For life, it is not suitable .... There is no infrastructure and close. The whole village of Dobrota to the center of Kotor you can drive along the embankment, not on the upper road, but there are sections of road as in the village of Lyuta, which are one-way.
- Kotor - the city of the same name with the bay, a chic beauty. There is a promenade for strolls, pier with cruise ships and of course a medieval fortress (with free secret entrance).
- Prcanj and Stoliv - google even has Prcanj wharf with high ratings... In fact, this whole side in the Bay of Kotor is depressing. Although, there's lodgings and cafes here. But it's not cozy here and that's it!
The city of Kotor is a city of a fairy tale - a dream city!
The entrance to the bay is through a long tunnel, leaving the tunnel you enter a fairy tale. Huge mountains approach from all sides. There are huge cruise ships in the harbor. Houses with housing go along the whole promenade - they either have direct access to the beach or a balcony of the second line opens an amazing view. In this town you get a feeling of a smooth measured flow of life, without rush and bustle - a true vacation and relaxation!
Sightseeing in Kotor: the promenade and the fortress. The entrance to the fortress costs symbolic money. The ascent begins in the city center. The fortress itself can be seen from everywhere. The ascent up the stairs is not easy, but nothing difficult. Tip to start climbing after 5 pm. The heat will die down when you climb it will still be light to behold the views. Come down after dark (take a flashlight), which is also a plus - you will see the night glow of the city!
The village of Dobrota - truly does good to others for good!
We advise to settle in this village. There are no crowds. The town of Kotor itself is always quite crowded - excursions come regularly, especially when 2 cruise liners arrive at the same time. Lodging is not very easy to look for on the spot, but you can) You can book a room for the day, and then look for the place that will attract more. The first line is chic that the houses at once exit on "the beach", the second line too is good - a view from a balcony in any way, not worse than the first line! The third and above the line is not a priori, although in some places are beginning to build and there.
The beach in Kotorskaya bay is a ledge - a concrete pier with trestle beds. Place seems a little, but we were in the season (August) and there was enough room absolutely for all holidaymakers. There are special smoothness and transparency of the water! When you look at the water, it's absolutely difficult how many meters deep - it seems that it's shallow, but because of the smoothness of the water the bottom is very well visible. At night there is smoothness right up to the other shore. Evening on the pier in Kotor Bay gives 100% relaxation.
So it was 10 years ago) When we came in 2022 the surprise had no limit! The water had become muddy, all bottom was in yellow plaque and near the shore almost everywhere already disgusting algae on the surface. In Kotor Bay from purity of water nothing remained!
Promenade in the evening - along the promenade you can walk to the town of Kotor. The promenade is very cozy! Cafes not a lot, but where to sit you can easily find. - So also was 10 hotels ago) In the settlement of Dobrota can and not much, but all the same have added a cafe, and here in Kotor the whole coast has turned into a diner ... Even visually there are few good, cozy places (But Dobrotu is still the coziest in Montenegro)))). The village of Lyuta, although very close, but it is depressing. The village Orahovac, and that would be better.
St. Joan's Fortress in Kotor - attraction number 1
The number of steps in the fortress of Kotor is either 1350 or 1450))) The information is from the Internet, I did not want to count them myself! The fortress (Tvrđava Svetog Ivana) is located on a mountain and there are two roads of steps and serpentine road. The stairs start from the old city of Kotor and the entrance costs 8-9 euro/person, and the free way to the fortress is a serpentine that leads straight to the village of Negushi. You just need not pass the turn to the fortress and just climb into the hole in the fortress wall) The map below shows the routes of ascent.
The ideal route to visit the fortress of Kotor is to climb up the serpentine to Negushi, descend the steps to the old town. The serpentine path is easy to climb, free and in some places with shade from the fortress walls! The descent down the steps is very scenic and easy too)
The beginning of the free trail to Kotor fortress is just behind the old town, across the river. At the top there will be a fork, near the fortress itself and you need to go right, left is Negushi. Turning on the right after a while you will see the walls of the fortress very close, here is a landmark on the right hole in the wall of the fortress and a wooden ladder attached to it) This information is May 2022. After climbing through the hole, you will not yet be in the fortress, but on the steps. You will have to climb some more steps up to the fortress itself. The ascent route is marked by red arrows on the map. The starting point is the "VODOVOD" building, you should go around it on the right side behind the fence along the path to the right. Descent - yellow arrows. You are not asked for a ticket on the way down.
Kotor Old Town is the best old town not only in Montenegro!
Visiting St. Ivan's Fortress, you will definitely visit the old town. Kotor old town is a beautiful, clean and cozy town. It is a must visit! You have to walk its streets, see all the local cats), sit in a cafe for coffee and not only... Time of relaxation about 1 hour. Time to visit the fortress about 2 hours.
Mount Lovcen is a must-see attraction from any locality in the Bay of Kotor and Montenegro)
There are two options for visiting - excursions with a driver or on your own by car. All have their own nuances. The tour, as always, will show you everything at a glance and overview. The self-guided visit will allow you to enjoy the views and the nature as much as possible. The road, however, is not easy, a novice driver will be difficult. Not only that the entire road is serpentine, but it is almost all single lane! The one who gives way is the one at the bottom. In one place, we and a few other cars had to "back up" about 1km to miss the bus with the tour. There are pockets for separation, but not enough. And despite this, if you ask - is it worth the trip? The answer is - Yes, of course! The views of Boko-Kotor Bay in its beauty can enter the top 10 beautiful places in the world! - This text was written 10 years ago) In 2022, a little update info. In the first road depends on the experience of the driver, because now it seemed absolutely normal road, well, sometimes only a half and a half, and that's all)) Secondly, added observation decks, mandatory to visit. About everything in detail.
Last time we went up to the park Lovcen from Kotor, directly on serpentine. And we drove up to the mausoleum. But there is no special sense in the ascent to the mausoleum. The main goal is the serpentine and a few special panoramic points, which will be indicated on the map below. This time we drove from Budva to Cetinje, there we turned to Lovcen and drove as indicated on the map. The letter P is the payment point, but only for those who want to go to the mausoleum. And by the way, in April the barrier is open and the passage is free. The views from Cetinje to the checkpoint are completely the same as from the top, where the mausoleum is located. The road is all easy and gentle, even without serpentines. There is not much to see. Especially in April, when all the trees are still bald. After the checkpoint, turning in the direction of Kotor serpentine and begins the best part of the scenic road. Here, next to each other, there are two identical viewpoints)
The map below shows the best viewpoints on Kotor Bay. The serpentine itself with each turn gives a new perspective on Kotor and the photo can be endless) You can take a photo on Kotor at the beginning of the serpentine turns, then Kotor itself will be seen in detail on the photo, then stops at the top/end of the serpentine turns. Special attention to the restaurant "Horizon". In April, it is closed, but the observation deck is free for all! In season, you should definitely eat at this place with views, maybe they also cook delicious food there!!! In season, the observation deck of the restaurant is accessible only to visitors. Then the road goes to the fork in the road with a turn to Negushi, and we have to go higher to Lovcen. There are two viewpoints waiting for us: one with tables and drinks (open even in April), the other in the form of a ledge. The views from them are the same in principle - deliciously abaldny!!! Views of Kotor and Tivat bay. A must to visit. After these panoramas, in principle, you can turn and drive back along the same serpentine. In April there are not many cars on the serpentine, we met no more than 20 pieces, but in the summer it is chaos, remember that)
Fort Gorazda - Montenegrin must-see attraction, along with the serpentine at Lovcen!
The fort is described in few places in Montenegro, as few people really know about it)
Vrmac Peak (mountain between Tivat and Kotor) - beautiful nature and gorgeous views!
All write about the adrenaline while driving on Lovcen... And what do you say for the ride on Vrmac))) This is solid ride with a lot of adrenaline! However, you should consider the road is not for the faint-hearted and is not for cars with low clearance or a large body. In short, a crossover will pass here. Low-powered car with low clearance simply can not enter here or will not move out) And the jeep with dimensions will collect all prickly and sharp branches... Almost to the peak you can reach by car! At the very peak will pass only jeeps for safari) Many reach the fort / fortress, there park and go on foot. Up to the fort there is an asphalt serpentine in one lane, then dirt track first as a pebble, and then from the cobblestones... From Budva we drove through the fort and went to the very peak, almost at the foot of the peak is a fork, with signs to Tivat. Here it is exactly necessary to park and walk. From this point, you can walk uphill along the road, or you can walk uphill "like a goat" to a small house in the tower - it is Vrmac peak - the top of the overlook of the entire Bay of Kotor! Walking back there is about 30 minutes. From the fort to walk at least 1 hour one way... This road is passable, but the road from the peak to Tivat - more like a river bed with boulders! This route is not recommended. The road is one-lane, there is little traffic, as it is in the season ... It's hard to imagine) That's why people write that it's better to walk... Time of visit: drive from Kotor to almost the peak, walk from Tivat fork to the peak there and back, descend through Tivat - took about 4 hours!
Lifehack on Vrmac Peak - best drive from Kotor (about 1.5 hours one way), not from Tivat. The road to Vrmac Fort is asphalted completely. Both roads from Tivat and Kotor at the foot of Vrmac Peak merge.
Bay of Kotor - from the town of Kotor to Herceg Novi is a picturesque road
Be sure to drive along the indicated route. It is one of those roads that acts as a goal and not just a path. The Kotor - Herceg Novi route is small villages (like Dobrota) and a small ancient town of Perast. After the sign "Perast" we suggest you just park in a pocket (you'll understand where, everyone parks there). You will have to go down the steps to the town on foot. Down there is a small very cozy promenade, absolutely no parking spaces) In the city go by all means. It is even possible to settle in, it is cozy and beautiful. We reached Herceg Novi at lunch time. We walked along the quay in the heat and went back to Dobrota. The town of Herceg Novi is already a big city with a very long promenade that connects several settlements. It is also possible to settle there for vacation, but it is not so magical as Kotor.
Special food in Montenegro - cheese and meat (prsut) from the village of Negusa - a special and unique taste
Be sure to try these delicacies. Near the town of Kotor, before the turn to the tunnel there is a supermarket (on the right, on the route Budva - Kotor) - you can buy it all there. Try all kinds of cheese and meat. The cheese is like layered bryndza, the meat is like raw. Take home prschut in a big piece, sealed with clingfilm. It will survive for a couple of weeks without a fridge.
When to visit Montenegro?
Ideally from the middle of May to the end of June - at the beginning of the season, and from early September to mid-October - at the end of the season! The second half of May and early June is good for exploring the coast, mid to late June is ideal for exploring northern Montenegro. In the fall, it is inversely proportional to the beginning of September - vacation in the real mountains (mountain lakes and river canyons), late September and early October - vacation at the seaside.
Tourist tax in Montenegro
This time we accidentally learned that there is a registration of tourists in Montenegro. There are special lodges for this in each city. When registering you need your passport and the address of the rental accommodation with the correctly written name. It is necessary to register for the entire period of stay. Payment is about 1 euro per day, but if you pay for 30 days at a time further stay (ie, another 60 days) is free. That is, if you come for 3 months, you have to register for 90 days, and pay 30 euros. This is on the condition that you live in the same place. If you change your place of residence, you have to register again in the new city. But if you pay for 29 days and then move, you have to pay for all the days of stay there again (up to 30 euros). If you rent a hotel, they do it all for you. If you rent from private individuals, find out if they did the registration and tax payment for you. In fact, we have already been to Montenegro 3 times and crossed the border by car and by plane. Not once did they ask for that "pink paper" that they give at registration and tax payment. Now we went to the registration, we were registered, but they said that due to the situation in 2022...Ukrainians are exempt from paying tax. Thank you Montenegrins! To register and pay the tax? - It is up to you to decide. We have been three times and did NOT KNOW about it and checked out / checked in normally.
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