Pick-up options available from Budva, Tivat & Herceg Novi
The Montenegro Seaside Tour is a unique and highly scenic full-day trip of the Montenegrin coastline. An opportunity to see many different historical sites and natural beauty, beginning with a circuit route around the Bay of Kotor – visiting Perast, Risan, and Herceg Novi (including the famous Savina Monastery). We’ll see and learn some interesting facts about Budva, enjoy views of magnificent St. Stefan, and enjoy a scenic and relaxing southward ride toward the port city of Bar. On our return from the mountain-perched Stari (Old) Bar, you can see a 2,000+-year-old olive tree, one of the top attractions in the area.
 Things to note | |
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED | Entrance fee to Roman mosaics (2€ per person), Old Town of Bar (2€ per person), Olive Tree (1€ per person) food and drinks (breakfast from 3,5€; lunch from 7€) |
| WHAT TO BRING | water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes |
| HIGHLIGHTS | Baroque Town of Perast, Roman mosaics in Risan, Savina Monastery, Fortress of Herceg Novi, drive along the bay, Old Town of Budva, photo stop at St. Stefan, Old Town of Bar, domestic lunch, Olive Tree, ride back along the coast with sunset. |
| Recommended for hotel and hostel guests | |
We start our Montenegro seaside tour from Kotor at 8:30 am.
The little baroque town of Perast, the pearl of Kotor Bay, is 20 minutes from Kotor, at the foot of St. Elijah Hill. What makes this place unique are two jewel-like islands—one natural (St. George) and one man-made (Our Lady of the Rocks). During our 30-minute visit, we enjoyed a short walk along the waterfront, allowing time for photos.
Throughout the centuries, many empires battled for control of the town. The town does not have a defensive wall; instead, it has nine defensive towers, the most important of which, the Holy Cross, gives the impression of a central fortress.
From Perast, we see the most famous and only artificially built island in Montenegro—Our Lady of the Rocks. It was built from 100 shipwrecks filled with solid rock. A legend recounts that it was built upon a rock after two Venetian sailors from Perast found an icon of the Virgin Mary in 1452.
After visiting Perast, we head towards the nearby town of Risan. It is the oldest settlement on the Bay of Kotor – dating from the 4th century BC. The town is known as the main Illyrian state fortress, where Queen Teuta took refuge while hiding from Romans during the Illyrian Wars.
Our main point of interest here is the Roman mosaics, which date from the 2nd century BC and depict a rare image of the god of Hypnos.
Around 10.00 am, we leave Risan and continue our Montenegro seaside tour towards Herceg Novi. Two kilometers before we enter the town, we stop to visit Savina Monastery.
This significant spiritual place consists of three churches built in different periods—two of them are dedicated to the Ascension of the Virgin Mary and one to St. Sava, who built it in the 13th century and for whom the monastery complex was named.
The town of Herceg Novi is a few miminute’side away from the monastery.
Upon arrival, we will have a short coffee and breakfast break.
Herceg Novi is located at the mouth of Kotor Bay, so it is in the most exposed position. Owing to its exposure, it has had a very turbulent past, even though it is one of the youngest settlements on the Adriatic coast.
With 255 sunny days per year, it is known as the sunniest town in Montenegro. It is also an exceptionally flora-rich city with a lush continental and Mediterranean vegetation mix.
The Old Town is distinguished by numerous stairways leading to the seaside promenade and two fortifications—Kanli Kula (Blood Tower) and Forza Mare. We will have one hour to discover its many splendors.
Around 1:00 pm, we depart this beautiful city and continue our tour along the coastline. At Kamenari, we take a short ferry ride across a narrow strait to the other side of the bay.
Our next destination is the famous center of tourism in Montenegro – the city of Budva.
Old Town Budva lies on a prominent peninsula and represents a treasure chest of MoMontenegro’sultural heritage. It is crisscrossed with narrow streets and squares and is home to famous monuments, such as the Church of Holy Trinity and St. John, the oldest dating from 804. AD – Santa Marija in Punta.
After a brief walking tour, we proceed towards MoMontenegro’sirst luxury resort—the Island of St. Stefan, which is artificially connected to the coast by an isthmus. Entrance is not allowed, so we stop for a picturesque photo op.
We continue our Montenegro Seaside tour with a scenic ride to our next location: the Old Town of Bar (Stari Bar).
It’s around 4:00 p.m. – time for a tasty traditional lunch. Montenegro is renowned for its good food and big portions.
We spend the next hour exploring the interesting ruins of the Old Town and then visit a remarkable 2,000-year-old olive tree during our descent.
This place is one of those where different cultures encounter and merge. Modern residents live in the shadow of Turkish streets, Ottoman aqueducts, and a citadel where the first stones were laid over 1,000 years ago. The town’s landmarks include the ruins of King NiNicola’sastle, Haj-Nehaj fortress, and Saint Veneranda church.
Near Bar Old Town is Stara Maslina, one of the world’s oldest olive trees. The tree is reputed to be over 2,000 years old and is a popular tourist attraction in the country. A side of the tree is completely burned. According to popular folklore, a few men were playing cards next to the tree, and one accidentally threw a lit match onto the tree, and it soon went up in flames. Somehow, the tree survived this tragedy and continues to thrive, even bearing fruit.
It is approaching 07.00 pm, and it is time to return to Kotor.
On the return, the burning sun begins its descent into the sea, truly magnificent scenery for the end of the day.
SEE YOU ON THE TOUR!
Unique and highly scenic full day tour of the Montenegrin coastline.
