Monday, April 1, 2024

12 BEST Kotor Shore Excursions: Things to Do, Cruise Day Tour & Reviews 2024

kotor montenegro cruise port

Kotor had passed hands to the French during Napoleonic rule and back to Italy, and then to Austria by the time of World War I. This national park is filled with the immense beauty of towering green mountains, making it the perfect place to enjoy scenic hikes and spend some time outdoors. Kotor Montenegro is a fortified town located on the Kotor Bay, also referred to as the Boka Bay. The city of Kotor is known for its narrow streets, historic monuments, steep cliffs, Medieval architecture, and spectacular views.

Private Montenegro Highlights Tour

Budva, known as the “Montenegrin Miami,” offers a mix of history and seaside charm with its narrow streets, Venetian walls, and beautiful beaches. Kotor Old Town is a maze of winding streets and picturesque squares, surrounded by ancient city walls that provide panoramic views of the town and its breathtaking surroundings. As you explore the town on foot, you’ll come across historic landmarks such as St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, a stunning Romanesque church that dates back to the 12th century. On a Kotor, Montenegro cruise, you’ll find taxis lined outside the port gate to pick you up and take you into the center of town.

Featured Shore Excursions

On our visit we were docked in Kotor cruise port in the morning, but the ship moved about 1pm out into the water and we had to use the tender boat to get back on. The actual tender journey can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes depending on how busy it is and where your ship is anchored. Kotor is a coastal town, situated at the foot of Mt. Lovcen, at the end of the Boka Kotorska Bay, in a fiord which is, by its beauty and appearance, unique in the whole of the Mediterranean. It's one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean.

Kotor Shore Excursions

Now we’ll begin by saying that this isn’t for the faint hearted, because we’ve climbed a number of trails and this one was a toughie, especially in the heat. To begin hiking the St John’s Fortress you will need to make your way through the old town of Kotor, because the start of it is towards the back of the town. You’ll find signposts as you wander through, but locals will also kindly help. Be prepared, because depending on how busy the town is, the hike can be pretty busy; more so if you’re there from a cruise ship.

It is located in the very heart of the old town, and you will easily recognize its entrance with visible cannons in front of the palace doors. For those of you who are just looking to relax and maybe get some souvenirs, Kotor Beach is located 8 minutes walk (550 m) from the exit of the port and so is the shopping mall “Kamelija“. They are super easy to find – Upon exiting the port turn to your left, and the first thing you will see is a little bridge and a park right after it.

How to Get to From Kotor Cruise Port to City Centre

One of the best things about having acruise stop in Kotor is how close the port of Kotor is to the city centre. Thecruise port in Kotor is just 200m (650ft) from Kotor old town, which is thecity centre and main attraction in Kotor, and you can walk there from yourship. Yes, cruise ships can dock in Kotor and there are usually between 1 and 3 ships in port at a time. The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines.

Tips for a Memorable Cruise Experience at Port of Kotor

kotor montenegro cruise port

Along the way, stop at Njeguši village, where, you can try traditional Montenegrin specialties like smoked ham, locally produced wine, cheese, and fruit brandy. As you drive you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor which only get better the higher you go. The best beaches to visit in Kotor are Kotor Beach, Kotor Natural Beach, and Bajova Kula Beach.

Must-See Attractions near Port of Kotor

This allows you to learn about the city’s history, culture, and architecture from a local expert. It’s a beautiful site situated on the Lustica Peninsula and a popular destination for boat tours, snorkeling, and swimming. This short but steep hike takes minutes each way, but it’s absolutely worth it for the incredible views. From the top you’ll be able to explore the old fortress and get viewsout over Kotor old town and the Bay of Kotor.

Beach & Shopping

You can stay on the bus for as long as you like and complete a full circle of the route. Or you can use it to jump on and off and see the different towns we’ll explore below. How long it takes to visit the old city walls and bastions, will depend on how much of it you want to see and how busy it is. We ended up being quite limited on time so sadly didn’t explore the walls very much.

Kotor cruise port guide - The Telegraph

Kotor cruise port guide.

Posted: Thu, 12 Jul 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]

You can hire a sun lounger and relax whilst taking in the spectacular scenery. There is a swimming area which is cordoned off to protect people from boats and cruise ships. The medieval old town Kotor has maintained many of its original 12th to 14th century features. It combines quaint narrow streets with the atypical European squares adorned with monuments and fountains. There are no cars within the walls which makes it the ideal place to stroll around and take in the scenery. Because it is a coastal town you can enjoy the best of both worlds and see why UNESCO have added it to their World Heritage Site list.

Budva Old Town is over 2,500 years old, and has beautiful sea views, although I think it’s not as interesting as Kotor Old Town. The old town has pretty stone streets and buildings, but it doesn’t have the historic churches and palaces that you’ll find in Kotor. Another popular popular thing to do in Perast is taking a boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks. This unique island church dates back to 1452 and is one of the Bay of Kotor’s top attractions. This makes it an ideal spot for you to explore right after disembarking from your cruise ship. The walled old town is pedestrian-only, so you can comfortably wander its charming streets on foot.

Follow signs throughout the Old Town to find the trail head, or simply ask a friendly local. The Forza Mare Hotel contains this upscale restaurant, and it’s a good spot for dessert, specifically. Dinner here is made of luxe seafood dishes like lobster and sea bass, while the desserts range from classic ice cream sundaes to traditional baklava. You can walk the small island, surrounded by cypress trees, rather quickly, then head back to Old Town for lunch. Abby is a seasoned travel blogger and freelance writer, passionate about seeing the world and writing about her experiences.

On your cruise to Kotor, Montenegro, take a tour of the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, whose imposing Romanesque structure both contrast and complement the rocky cliff sides just beyond it. Built in 1166, take a climb to the top of the church for views of Kotor, or check out the museum in the upper floor which features religious artifacts from the 12th century. This charming hotel is located in Kotor’s Old Town near St. Tryphon Cathedral, countless cafes, restaurants, and shops. The hotel itself is known for its delicious breakfast, excellent bar, friendly staff, and unique interior. Another fabulous option to stay near the Kotor Montenegro Cruise Port is the Boutique Hotel Astoria, which is a 4-minute walk from the cruise port.

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