12 Best Day Trips From Kotor, Montenegro - Updated 2024

day trips from kotor
Shamika
Shamika 
Updated
| 5 min read

Situated on the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic coast of Montenegro, the Balkan town of Kotor is one of the hidden gems. With beautiful vintage cobblestone pathways and Roman Catholic architecture, this town feels like you have been transported back in time to the early 1900s. This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and represents the combination of coastal life with a deep culture and tradition, creating a wonderful mosaic of experiences for the adventurous traveller. Apart from hotels in Kotor, there are also homey Airbnb vacation rentals for tourists to stay.

The surrounding towns and attractions around Kotor are frequented by hundreds of locals and tourists throughout the year, and make for a wonderful road trip destination. Driving down the winding and lovely roads can be a pleasure, and each of these attractions is worth the visit. So read on as we explore the best day trips from Kotor, Montenegro.

1. Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls (from USD 50.0)

Mostar is a beautiful city located approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes drive from Kotor. The city is known for its famous Stari Most bridge and stunning Ottoman-style architecture including the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and traditional Turkish-style houses. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Bosnian food and drink, such as cevapi and rakija, in one of the many cafes and restaurants in the old town.

Kravice Waterfalls is a 1.5-drive from Mostar. The waterfall is a natural phenomenon with a height of around 25 meters (82.02 feet) and a width of over 120 meters (393.70 feet), making it a stunning sight to behold. Visitors can swim in the crystal-clear water or relax in the sun on the surrounding rocks.

Overall, a day trip from Kotor to Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls is a great way to experience the natural beauty and rich history of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tip from Content Creator

Kravice Waterfalls

Photo of Kravice Waterfall shared by content creator from New Zealand, Michaela.

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Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls with Turkish House Full-Day Tour

Duration: 10 hours

652 reviews

2. Ostrog Monastery (from USD 104.0)

Ostrog Monastery is a famous Serbian Orthodox monastery located in Montenegro, about 3 hours drive from Kotor. The monastery is built into a sheer cliff face, and it is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Balkans. The monastery was founded in the 17th century by Metropolitan Bishop Vasilije, and it has been an important center of spirituality and pilgrimage.

Visitors to Ostrog Monastery can explore the two main sections of the monastery: the upper monastery and the lower monastery. Both churches are carved into the cliff face and offer stunning views of the surrounding valley.

Overall, a day trip from Kotor to Ostrog Monastery is a great way to experience the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of Montenegro.

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Private Tour in Ostrog Monastery, Doclea and Nature Park Zeta

Duration: 6 hours

9 reviews

3. Budva

Budva
Source: Photo by user Nicolas Vollmer used under CC BY 2.0

Situated right on the Adriatic coast, Budva is a beautiful beach town located about 22 kilometres (13 miles) away from Kotor. Often known as the tourism centre of Montenegro, this coastal town attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. This town is filled to the brim with a rich culture and traditions from centuries ago, that has been kept alive by the locals. Paved with the classic European cobblestone streets, walking or biking about in the town exploring the popular attractions is pure pleasure. Head over to the beach for a fun-filled day with your family, or check out popular spots like the Stari Grad, which is a small town on the north coast of Hvar Island.

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4. Perast, Our Lady of the Rock (from USD 193.0)

Our Lady of the Rocks is a gorgeous islet that offers some of the best excursions near Kotor. The islet has a quaint little church on it, located in Perast. You can witness absolutely breathtaking panoramic views from here, and pay your respects at the church. You can visit this islet via boat, or opt for an all-inclusive tour that covers the islands. The church itself is magnificent with beautiful fresco decor and religious paintings inside. In addition, there is an adjacent museum displaying various historical and religious artefacts, as well. You can opt for a professional and friendly guide who will show you around the island and explain the significance of the church and its artefacts to you.

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Kotor, Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks private tour

Duration: 4 hours

3 reviews

5. Lovćen National Park

View of Bay of Kotor from Mount Lovcen, Montenegro
Source: Photo by user Jasmine Halki used under CC BY 2.0

Situated in southern Montenegro, the Lovćen National Park is an important national heritage and a must-visit day trip destination. The mountain it is named after, Mount Lovćen, is also responsible for the name of the country, as the name Montenegro came about because of the way the lush green mountain looked like with a blanket of thick forests over it. The views from the top of the mountain are absolutely incredible, making for a truly unforgettable experience. Apart from glorious mountain views for as far as the eye can see, you can even see little ships entering the fjord.

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6. Durmitor National Park (from USD 85.62)

day trips from kotor | durmitor national park

If you are a nature lover, Durmitor National Park is another beautiful paradise awaiting you up in the hills. With exceptional panoramic views for as far as the eye can see, a cool temperate breeze as you hike along the national park, and plenty of fun-filled activities for people of all ages, there is really no better place to visit for any nature lover while in Montenegro. Witness the beauty of the Balkan mountains from the top, and climb up to the highest peak in the country: Bobotov Kuk. You can also go on a river rafting excursion or take a canoe trip along the icy cold waters, witness the magnificent Durdevica Tara bridge, or explore the historically important man-made designed stone monuments.

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Montenegro: Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery Day Trip

Duration: 13.0 hour

807 reviews

7. Tara River Canyon (from USD 134.4)

tara river canyon

Are you interested in adventure sports or water sports? If you have never been river rafting with a fun group of people, now is your chance! Check out the incredible all-inclusive tours that take you river rafting down the popular Tara River, enjoying the cool waters splashing about as you careen down the river witnessing spectacular views all around you. This is a memory that can last a lifetime. Once your river rafting adventure is done, you can even enjoy a peaceful swim in the cool waters to relax your sore muscles.

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Montenegro: Tara River Whitewater Rafting

Duration: 12.0 hour

263 reviews

8. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik
Source: Photo by user Michael Gwyther-J... used under CC BY 2.0

Situated in southern Croatia, the exceptionally magnificent city of Dubrovnik is famous for its special old-school European Old Town area with the classic town square and market area, as well as the beautiful rivers and fjords that run through the geography of the city. You can indulge in a kayaking adventure with your spouse, go camping with your family, check out the gorgeous white-sand beaches, or visit historically significant monuments such as the Rector’s Palace.

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9. Ulcinj

Ulcinj
Source: Photo by user Jocelyn Erskine-K... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Head down to the beautiful southern coast in Montenegro, and you will find one of the most popular tourist destinations, Ulcinj. Witness a taste of Albanian culture mixed with Montenegro’s geography to find a wonderful combination of the two. The population here is predominantly Muslim, which means you can explore the gorgeous Islamic architecture with beautiful tall minarets and dome structures on the buildings as you walk through the city streets. The city’s Old Town is a wonderful place to grab a leisurely cup of coffee and just relax by yourself or with your friends or family, and enjoy the world go by.

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10. Sveti Stefan

Sveti Stefan - Beautiful tidal island in Kotor
Source: Photo by user Naval S used under CC BY 2.0

This is one of the must-visit places near Kotor. Often considered as the most beautiful and luxurious place in Montenegro, Sveti Stefan is a cosy little village located on an island connected to the mainland via a narrow stretch of land. The buildings here overlook the long pathway with its white-sand borders and the shimmering blue-green waters, making for a mesmerising sight indeed. The island is owned by a resort, which means you can stay here as well for a couple of nights. The resort, Aman, oozes luxury at every turn and is a great place to stay at.

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11. Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi
Source: Photo by user Nicolas Vollmer used under CC BY 2.0

Plan your beach day in Montenegro by heading over to Herceg Novi for the day, a pretty little beachside town located very close to Kotor. Bring your beach equipment along, and play a game of volleyball with your friends, or take a romantic walk during sunset down the beautiful waterfront promenade with your spouse. The promenade also has little shoppes where you can buy special souvenirs to take back home, as well as local street food to enjoy. While in Herceg Novi, the one thing you cannot miss is the incredible seafood. Freshly caught and prepared lovingly in the traditional Balkan way, the seafood available here is to die for.

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12. Blue Cave (from USD 382.0)

Considered as one of UNESCO’s most popular attractions, the Blue Cave is named so because the reflection of the water on the ceilings of the cave makes the whole cave look blue in colour. Situated on the Lustica Peninsula, it truly is a marvellous natural sight to behold, and you can spend a few hours swimming in the cave and taking extremely photogenic pictures of this magical place. You can even do some snorkelling and witness some of the underwater marine life.

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Kotor - Blue Cave

Duration: 210 to 300 minutes

Embrace the beautiful road trip vibes in Montenegro

The Balkan cities and towns in Europe are true hidden gems. Often disregarded by international tourists in favour of overhyped and often crowded travel destinations, these humble towns make for incredibly beautiful and historically rich places to visit for those who know their secrets. With natural attractions and amazing tours, Kotor is one such example of undiscovered beauty. Book your tickets today, and discover this gorgeous town for yourself!

Frequently asked questions about day trips from Kotor, Montenegro


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Being a military kid, Shamika has lived and travelled all over India, and her nomadic childhood has fueled an immense hunger and fascination for new cultures and languages (she's a polyglot!)...Read more

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