Bay of Kotor

Find out the correct way to say it: Bay of Kotor or Boka Kotorska? I’ll tell you about the unique climate of the bay, the resorts you’ll find here, where tourists should go, and what activities are available. My goal is to give you a clear understanding of this region in Montenegro, so you can weigh the pros and cons of visiting the Bay of Kotor.

Table of contents:

• What is the correct name for Bay of Kotor?
• Climate in Kotor Bay: How it differs from the coastline
• Resorts in Kotor Bay: Where should tourists go?
• Attractions and activities in the bay
  • Oyster Farms
• Pros and cons of vacationing in the Bay of Kotor

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What is the correct name for Bay of Kotor?

In fact, there are at least five commonly used names:

• Bay of Kotor
• Kotor Bay
• Boka Kotorska – so the inhabitants of Montenegro call the bay
• Boka – it’s just a short one
• Bocche di Cattaro – this is what the Italians call the bay

All of these names are correct, and people will understand you if you use any of them. However, some purists might insist that calling it “Kotor Bay” is incorrect—and technically, they’d be right from an official standpoint.

Interesting to know:

Many people also ask: is it a bay or a gulf? The definitions are quite similar—both refer to a body of water surrounded by land on three sides. However, the key difference is the width of the entrance: a bay has a narrow opening, whereas a gulf’s entrance is wider. In this case, the Bay of Kotor is technically a bay, but within it, there are four distinct sub-bays. Over time, the terminology has blended, so you can use any of the names listed earlier without confusion. However, if you want to specify a particular area within the bay, you can use the names of its individual sub-bays.

Each sub-bay is named after a nearby town:

• Herceg Novi Bay
• Tivat Bay
• Risan Bay
• Kotor Bay

Climate in Kotor Bay: How it differs from the coastline

This is a crucial topic for tourists. At first glance, you might think that since Budva (a major coastal town) is just 30 km away, the climate must be similar. However, there are significant differences that can greatly affect your trip.

Kotor Bay is surrounded by steep mountains on all sides—similar to Norwegian fjords. The key difference is that Norwegian fjords are glacial, while this one is tectonic.

These mountains begin just 100 meters from the shoreline, and all the towns are built on steep slopes.

Due to the surrounding mountains:

• The sun rises an hour later than on the coast and sets about an hour and a half earlier. This is especially noticeable in Kotor, Perast, and Risan.
• The daylight hours are shorter by about 2 to 2.5 hours, meaning the water stays colder than in the open sea.
• The bay is extremely deep, with an average depth of over 30 meters. In many places, it reaches 15 meters just 10 meters from the shore—another reason why the water remains cooler.
• Numerous cold mountain streams flow into the bay, especially in spring near Kotor and Perast, further lowering the water temperature.

The daylight hours are shorter, and the water temperature is 3-4°C cooler than in coastal towns like Budva or Bar throughout the year.

It is important to understand:

There are no long sandy beaches here due to the rocky landscape. Kotor Bay is not ideal for a beach vacation, except for Herceg Novi. Herceg Novi has more sunshine, warmer water, and decent beaches, as it is located near the bay’s entrance to the open sea.

For more details, check out my guide on Montenegro’s weather and the best months to visit.

Resorts in Kotor Bay: Where should tourists go?

I’ll go over the most popular towns for tourists, highlighting their suitability for beach vacations and sightseeing. I’ll also provide links to detailed guides and must-see attractions in each city.

Kotor – The most historic city in the bay

Kotor is packed with medieval fortifications and historical sites. It has almost no beaches, but in terms of medieval architecture, no other city in Montenegro compares.

• Beach rating: 3/10
• Sightseeing rating: 10/10

Kotor is best visited as a day trip to explore the Old Town.

🔗 Complete guide to Kotor

Perast – The most romantic town in Montenegro

Perast is tiny—you can walk through the entire town in about 40 minutes. However, the stunning views, boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks, and charming architecture leave a lasting impression.

• Beach rating: 1/10
• Sightseeing rating: 8/10 (fantastic, but small in scale)

A visit to Perast, including a boat trip to the island, takes about 2-3 hours. The best way to visit is as a stopover while exploring the bay by car.

🔗 Detailed guide to Perast

Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi is the largest city in the Bay of Kotor. Over time, it has expanded so much that it merged with the former fishing village of Igalo, which is now part of the city. Herceg Novi has plenty to see, including an old town and a fortress perched on a hill. It also boasts the best beaches in the entire bay. While Budva, Petrovac, and Ulcinj have undeniably better beaches, Herceg Novi stands out as the best beach destination within Kotor Bay.

• Beach rating: 5/10
• Sightseeing rating: 8/10 (It has a beautiful 9 km-long promenade.)

Herceg Novi is great for a full-week vacation. It offers beaches, more sunshine than Kotor, a variety of cultural attractions, the famous Blue Cave, and yacht tours around the bay. Plus, it’s just 6 km from the Croatian border. If you have a Schengen visa, you can easily take a trip to the world-famous city of Dubrovnik, only 45 km away.

🔗 Detailed guide to Herceg Novi

Tivat

Tivat is another major city in the bay, but I won’t spend much time describing it because it’s the least appealing for regular tourists.

• It has very few beaches.
• It lacks medieval architecture since it’s a relatively young city.
• However, it does have one of Montenegro’s two international airports, which brings in a steady flow of tourists.
• Beach rating: 3/10
• Sightseeing rating: 3/10

There’s not much to do in Tivat. The main attraction is Porto Montenegro—a luxury marina with upscale residences.

🔗 Detailed guide to Tivat and its attractions

Kotor Bay isn’t just about the four cities mentioned above. It’s also home to dozens of small waterfront villages like Donji Orahovac, Risan, Bijela, and Zelenika. These villages are tiny—if you don’t slow down while driving, you can pass through them in just 20–30 seconds without even noticing.

Top Attractions and Activities in Kotor Bay

A complete list of the best places and attractions in the bay can be found in the individual city guides linked above. However, below are the absolute must-visit spots for any tourist.

Important:

I won’t include the Old Towns of Kotor, Perast, and Herceg Novi here, as it’s already obvious that these are must-see locations for lovers of medieval architecture. Instead, I’ll highlight attractions and activities outside these cities.

• Blue Cave
  • 📍 Coordinates: 42.37430886960603, 18.59608322517365
  • Boats depart from the beaches of Herceg Novi and Žanjice.
• Yugoslav Submarine Base
  • 📍 Coordinates: 42.42380614238821, 18.548990252093436
• Žanjice Beach.One of the best beaches near the entrance to the bay.
• Mamula Island Fortress
  • 📍 Coordinates: 42.39528213506137, 18.55835192354204
  • Mamula is now a private hotel, so visits are not allowed, but you can pass by it during a Blue Cave tour.
• Panoramic Viewpoint Over Kotor Bay
  • 📍 Coordinates: 42.40941983741295, 18.78632819762087
  • Located next to the Horizon restaurant, which offers breathtaking views over the entire bay.
• Other Activities:
  • Countless boat tours, ranging from one-hour trips to full-day excursions around the bay.
  • Fishing trips in the bay or open sea, targeting tuna, barracuda, or moray eel.
  • Visits to oyster farms to try fresh seafood.

Oyster Farms

One of the unique attractions of Kotor Bay is its oyster farms, where oysters and mussels are cultivated. Each farm has its own small restaurant—some with just a couple of tables, others with up to 20—where you’ll be served beautifully prepared fresh seafood. The menu always includes fresh oysters and mussels in a creamy or wine sauce. You’ll also find grilled sea bass, squid, octopus, and tuna, all sourced from local fishermen. And, of course, there’s always homemade wine available.

There are about 10 oyster farms in Montenegro, with most of them located in Kotor Bay. There’s one more on Piva Lake, but it’s far away, and the atmosphere there isn’t the same.

You can visit an oyster farm by boat (most have docks) or by car while traveling along the coast.

Typical Oyster Farm Prices:

• Oysters: €2–4 per piece
• Mussels: €10–15 per kg
• Tiger prawns: €20 for 10 pieces
• Grilled fish: €15–20 per 500g
• Homemade wine: €12–15 per liter (€2 per glass)

Oysters and mussels are taken fresh from the water right in front of you.
A meal for two, including wine, 10 oysters, and half a kilo of mussels, will cost around €40.

Important:

Oyster farms close for the winter. By late October, most of them stop operating. You won’t find oyster farms anywhere else along the Montenegrin coast, as only the cold waters of Kotor Bay are ideal for oyster cultivation.

📍 Coordinates of verified oyster farms:

• 42.49701018662883, 18.69121551431413
• 42.50016418602959, 18.692435057448982
• 42.50605616056362, 18.676930032567505
• 42.459316257903396, 18.67236683341345
• 42.48438720214112, 18.728097514515735

Pros and Cons of a Vacation in Kotor Bay

Let’s sum it up. These key points will help you decide whether Kotor Bay is the right destination for you.

Cons of Kotor Bay for Tourists:

• Very few beaches. The only decent ones are in Herceg Novi.
• Cold water and deep shores.
• Short daylight hours.
• No sunsets! You won’t see the sunset here like you would in Budva.
• Cities are built on mountain slopes.
  • Walking to the beach, store, or Old Town always involves steps and uphill climbs.
  • The streets are paved with cobblestones.
  • If you’re traveling with a baby stroller, Kotor Bay’s cities might be challenging—Budva is much more stroller-friendly since it’s on flat land.

Pros of Kotor Bay:

✅ Breathtaking mountain views everywhere.
✅ A paradise for medieval town lovers—the architecture is stunning.
✅ Countless boat excursions to explore the bay and its islands (far more than on the coastline).
✅ Amazing panoramic viewpoints on nearly every mountain—great for hiking lovers.
✅ Unbeatable oyster farms—a true highlight of the region.

Final Thoughts:

Kotor Bay is a unique part of Montenegro, completely different from the coastal towns.

• Most tourists stay in Budva or Bečići (which are less than 30 km from Kotor) and visit Kotor Bay on a day trip—either on their own or with a guide.
• If you want to stay in the bay and don’t care much about beaches, stay in Kotor.
• If you need a beach, stay in Herceg Novi or Igalo.

Let me know if you need any refinements!

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