Kotor & Montenegro Cruises
The Adriatic’s most dramatic sail-in, to a walled town at the end of a mountain bay.
Get Kotor Cruise QuotesThe Bay of Kotor: The Adriatic’s Best Sail-In
Few arrivals in Europe match the slow cruise into the Bay of Kotor. The ship winds for well over an hour through narrow straits between mountains that rise steeply from the water, past island churches and stone villages, to the walled town of Kotor at the very end.
The bay is often described as a fjord, though it is technically a drowned river canyon. Be on deck for the sail-in and sail-out; a forward-facing spot or a balcony on either side works well, since there is scenery all around.
Kotor Old Town
Kotor’s compact old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of squares, churches and cats, enclosed by Venetian walls. The defining walk climbs the fortifications behind the town to the Castle of San Giovanni: hundreds of steps, a small fee and a view straight down the bay. Go early, carry water and wear proper shoes.
Tours from Kotor visit Perast and the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, the Lovćen mountain road with its many hairpin bends, and the coastal town of Budva. See Kotor shore excursions.
Montenegro Beyond Kotor
- Perast — a small baroque town on the bay, with boats out to Our Lady of the Rocks.
- Budva and Sveti Stefan — a walled beach town and a famous islet village on the open coast.
- Lovćen National Park — mountain views over the bay and the Njegoš Mausoleum.
- Bar — Montenegro’s other port, used occasionally by cruise ships.
Small ships sometimes overnight in Kotor or call at Tivat, home to a large marina, which lets you see the bay in the evening light after day visitors leave.
Making the Most of a Kotor Day
Kotor is small enough to see on your own, and many travelers do. A good plan is to climb the fortress walls first thing, before the heat, then wander the old town’s squares and churches, and finish with a boat or taxi to Perast in the afternoon. If you prefer a guided day, combine Perast with Budva, or take the Lovćen road for the view back down over the bay. Old town lanes are uneven and the fortress path has many steps, so plan around your mobility.
Kotor Questions
Do ships dock in Kotor or use tenders?
Both happen. Kotor has a berth close to the old town, but on busy days some ships anchor in the bay and bring guests ashore by tender.
Is Montenegro in the EU?
No. Montenegro is not an EU member, but it uses the euro. Cruise passengers on a port call follow the ship’s arrangements; check passport requirements for your nationality.
Sail Into the Bay of Kotor
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