Southern Montenegro self-drive experience

Kotor

Day 1: Drive to Magnificent Kotor

After your arrival at the Tivat or Podgorica airport, you will pick up your car and drive to your hotel in Kotor. Over the next couple of days, you will explore Kotor’s splendid attractions. Located in the Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic coast, Kotor’s fortified Old Town is a fascinating place with a rich history.

Kotor

Day 2: See Medieval Sites and Superb Landscapes

Wake up at your charming hotel in the Old Town and enjoy a good breakfast. In the morning, you can go on optional tours of the Old Town of Kotor as well as the Kotor City Walls. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Kotor is tucked away in a secluded section of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Bay). In this stunning landscape, you will see vestiges of various empires and rulers including Byzantine, Serbian, Venetian and Austrian. Go along the narrow streets dotted with lovely old buildings, churches, and restaurants. See the well-preserved medieval architecture, soak in the culture, and visit the impressive city walls set against the backdrop of rocky mountains. Armed with a bottle of water and a protective hat, you can climb up to the San Giovanni Fortress for spectacular views of the Bay of Kotor including the bay, mountains and the town with its red roofs.

Overnight in Kotor.

Kotor - Perast - Tivat

Day 3: Visit the Beautiful Town of Perast

Take a look at the Kotor Old Town with the Jewels of Boka Bay optional tour. On this tour, visit the Square of Arms with its Clock Tower. Explore Fluor Square with Pima and Buca Palaces, and the lovely 12th century St Tryphon Cathedral. Also, discover the Bokelian Navy Square with Karampana Well, St Luke Square with St Nikola and St Luke churches, the Church of St Mary of the River, and the Northern Gate with Skurda River.

From Kotor, you can take a boat ride towards the pretty baroque town of Perast. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks islet and then go for a short walk through the tiny town. See the sites, including the Bujovic Palace–Town Museum, Smekja Palace, and St Nikola church. You can also enjoy lunch at the waterfront restaurant Conte.

Sveti Stefan Island - Ulcinj

Day 4: Drive to Ulcinj with a Stop at Sveti Stefan Islet

After enjoying breakfast, check out of your hotel. Continue your Montenegro journey by driving to the coastal town of Ulcinj.

We recommend a short stop at Sveti Stefan, which is located along the route to Ulcinj. A gorgeous small islet, Sveti Stefan is surrounded by pristine waters and connected to the mainland by a narrow strip. It is a favorite with photographers due to its breathtaking setting. Sveti Stefan is now home to a luxurious hotel resort. So, while it is accessible only to guests of the hotel, you can enjoy captivating views of the rocky islet and the blue waters from the public pink pebble beach. Afterwards, continue to Ulcinj and spend at the night at your hotel.

Ulcinj

Day 5: Relax at the Beaches in Coastal Ulcinj

Spend the day at your leisure in the town of Ulcinj. After breakfast, you can set out to see some of the beaches. Explore the beaches situated in and around the town and along the pine forest. You can also visit Ada Bojana, a triangular isle by the river. If you wish to, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the restaurants here.

Overnight in Ulcinj.

National Park Skadar Lake - Budva

Day 6: Take a Boat Ride on Scenic Lake Skadar

Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Drive towards Virpazar for an optional tour: a boat ride in the picturesque Lake Skadar, one of the most visited national parks in Montenegro. This is the largest lake in Southern Europe, take some time to explore this relatively undiscovered gem of the Balkans. Feel the tranquility of the exquisite landscape, see the lovely water lilies, and spot birds flying around.

A highlight of this tour is a visit to the fisherman’s village Karuc with one of the prettiest beaches on the lake. Stroll along to see the quaint houses and enjoy the fabulous views all around. After your boat tour, drive from Virpazar to Budva.

Overnight at your hotel in Budva.

Budva

Day 7: Set Out on a Tour of Old Royal Montenegro

After your morning meal at your Budva hotel, you can go for an optional Old Royal Montenegro tour. Please note that you can begin this tour from Kotor as well.

Highlights include an Old Town of Budva Walking Tour. One of the main attractions of the Old Royal Montenegro tour is a visit to Cetinje – the former capital of Montenegro. There, you will visit King Nikola’s museum and hear the stories about the most famous Montenegrin royal family.

Later, head to the top of the mountain Lovcen to visit the mausoleum dedicated to the famous poet and ruler of Montenegro – Petar II Petrovic Njegos. From the top, on a perfect sunny day you will be able to see the whole Boka Bay.

On the Kotor part of the tour, you will travel along the famous 25 serpentine or hairpin bends from where you can see stunning views of the Kotor Bay and San Giovanni fortress.

Overnight in Budva.

Budva

Day 8: Goodbye, Montenegro!

After spending all these delightful days in Montenegro, you will drive to the airport, drop off your car and proceed to your intended destination.