Although Kotor has lots to do and explore, part of the convenience of its location is the ability to access other parts of the Montenegrin coastline and inland. During our trip we visited Perast and Budva, as well as attempting to visit Lipa Cave. We also utilised our proximity to the Bay to book a boat trip around the bay and out to the Blue Cave.

Perast

We planned a day trip across the Montenegro/Croatia borders to visit Dubrovnik. However, with a packed itinerary, the weather put pay to this! Visiting in September takes you into the ‘shoulder’ season and as a result, the weather can be a touch unpredictable. We were very lucky for the majority of our trip. However, on this particular day, we experienced the craziest thunderstorms, which would have made the drive far too dangerous. Instead, once the weather had cleared (or so we thought), we drove the short distance North along the coast road to Perast.

Perast is an ensemble of old medieval houses and steep cobbled streets. It has a smattering of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. To be honest, we just enjoyed soaking up the atmospheric scenery! On a sunnier day, it would have been very pleasant to grab a coffee and sit quietly by the water’s edge. Free parking is available in lay-by’s off the main road and we were able to get a space. The walk into town was not far either.

The main road runs along the top of the town and you can follow the cobbled streets up to the top to get a great view of the bay. It’s definitely worth it, but be conscious that the steps up are steep.

After recovering from getting a bit of a drenching during our Perast trip, we planned a trip up to Lipa Cave and then to Budva on the way back. When we eventually reached the cave, which took about 1hour 40mins, we were unfortunately informed that it has become flooded during the thunderstorms! The trip was still very pleasant and there are no shortage of amazing views in Montenegro.

On a positive note, this gave us plenty more time in Budva, so we headed back down to the coast. We loved the town and felt it probably offers a bit more than Kotor, whilst also being a bit less chaotic. We managed to get a space in the TQ Plaza, which was not unreasonably expensive, considering its location.

On very full stomachs, we headed into the old town, which is very similar to Kotor with its medieval feel. After the compulsory fridge magnet purchase and a wander through the maze of narrow streets, we agreed that down time on the beach was in order. Mogren Beach is a short walk around the headland from the Old Town and has the bonus of being sandy. A small beach like that so close to the town was understandably busy, but there was still space to set up base for a couple of hours.

A swim in the clear warm water was a must and it was certainly needed after another hot September day!

The Blue Cave boat trip

Our last trip out from Kotor was an impromptu boat tour to some of the Bay’s highlights that are only accessible by sea. The first stop on this half-day excursion was to Our Lady of the Rocks, a chapel built on a manmade island in the Bay. This was an ideal spot for some 360° views and exploring the quirky little chapel, but to be honest we spent more time doing the former, as it was quite busy!

The next leg of the tour was the longest, and we watched the views transform as the mouth of Kotor Bay and the Croatian border came into view. We were headed for the Blue Cave, which was where we planned to stop for some relaxation on deck and a spot of swimming in the beautiful Adriatic Sea.

We approached the Blue Cave through one of the natural openings. There is room inside for at least a couple of boats and there was strictly no swimming allowed inside the cave due to the busy boat traffic. It really is stunning inside, watching the blue light dancing off the limestone. Once outside the cave and a safe distance away from the boats, it was time for a swim. The sea was an amazing shade of turquoise and too inviting not too! Being September, the sea was close to its warmest temperatures and was extremely pleasant on another hot day.

The Blue Cave was the furthest destination from the starting point of our tour. On the way bay, we had the unusual treat of visiting an abandoned Yugoslavian submarine base, which had that eerie feel of having been left mostly undisturbed since a very different period of Montenegro’s history. Our boat was steered right inside the bunker and it certainly left you with a sense of reflection as you left.

Swimming in Kotor Bay

A trip to the Balkan coastline would not be complete without making the most of the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea. Our quick dip during the Blue Cave boat tour gave us a taste of this. The difference between the sea at the Kotor end of the bay is is how much calmer the water is, with very few waves and fairly minimal boat traffic. The water can appear almost glassy! We chose Galebova stijena, as it was only a short walk from our Airbnb and away from the crowds closer to Kotor itself.

The beaches around the bay are generally stony, so make sure to bring a cosy towel to sit on. Don’t let that take away from just how stunning the backdrop is for a cool off on a warm day!