Guided Tours in Southern and Central Montenegro
A Guided Day Trip from Lake Skadar to Kotor
The itinerary suggested here is one of the most scenic and successful trips recommended for anyone staying several days around Kotor and Budva. Montenegro is largely mountainous, and therefore the views from the mountain roads are spectacular.
♦ You can book the following full-day tour (11 hours) departing from Kotor on the Viator website:
Great Montenegro Tour-Lovcen NP,Mausoleum Lovcen,River of Crnojevic,Sveti Stefan
For more articles and information on Montenegro: Travel Guide to Montenegro - recommendations for additional excursions, recommended guided tours, hotels, and more.
The following itinerary starts in Budva, known as the Riviera of Montenegro, where it is recommended to stay for a few nights. Below are recommended hotels in Budva:
Lake Skadar
Departure from Budva to the first destination: the town of Rijeka Crnojevića, located at the northwestern end of Lake Skadar, at the mouth of the river bearing the same name as the town that flows into the lake.
The drive follows a winding and narrow mountain road until reaching the town of Rijeka Crnojevića, where riverboat cruises depart towards the great Lake Skadar. Near the boat dock, there are several restaurants catering to travelers.
From Rijeka Crnojevića, continue driving a few kilometers east to arrive at a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the river meandering in a horseshoe curve. Two-thirds of the river surface is covered with aquatic vegetation, which gives it a unique beauty. Only the center of the river remains clear, allowing tourist boats to pass through to the lake. This is one of the most photogenic viewpoints in Montenegro and frequently appears in posters and travel brochures.
Recommended Hotels in Budva:
A high-quality 4-star boutique hotel featuring 8 spacious rooms, most of which offer views of the bay and the sea. The hotel features private parking, a swimming pool, and provides warm, personal service. The hotel is located close to the beach (Bečići) and along a long promenade lined with restaurants, stalls, and shops.
The view from Meridian Hotel over the Budva coastline:
A 4-star hotel in a central location next to Slovenska Beach and the marina, just a short walk from the Old Town. The hotel features a swimming pool, fitness center, spa, bar, and restaurant.
Splendid Conference & Spa Resort
A 5-star resort centrally located on Bečići Beach, featuring a private beach, swimming pool, and a large, lavish spa center with indoor heated pools and jacuzzis. The hotel offers a bar and a restaurant.
Cetinje
From Rijeka Crnojevića, drive to Cetinje, the former royal capital of Montenegro (since 2006, the capital has been Podgorica), where the official residence of the President is still located today. Stop in town and take a walking tour through its streets accompanied by the guide, who explains the fascinating sights of the city. The city once housed all foreign embassy headquarters in impressive, ornate buildings; today, these buildings have been repurposed into museums, public institutions, universities, or private residences. The city boasts a long, lively pedestrian promenade bustling with restaurants and shops. Thanks to the many universities based here, it is a vibrant student town.
The Museum of History and Art in Cetinje:
Mount Lovćen
From Cetinje, proceed to Mount Lovćen located inside Lovćen National Park. At the peak of the mountain stands the mausoleum where one of Montenegro's most significant historical leaders from the early 19th century is buried: Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, who was a Prince-Bishop of Montenegro as well as a celebrated poet and philosopher.
Drive up to the informal parking area near the mountain summit. From there, continue on foot up roughly 460 stairs to reach the summit, home to the leader's mausoleum and an extraordinary panoramic view of the entire region.
Cheese and Prosciutto in Njeguši
Njeguši is a tiny village nestled on the slopes of Mount Lovćen. A modern, relatively fast road connects the summit with the village where Petar II Petrović-Njegoš was born (whose mausoleum was visited atop Mount Lovćen). The village of Njeguši is famous for producing some of the finest prosciutto and cheeses in the country. Everything is still crafted using traditional techniques, and stopping in this small village provides an excellent opportunity for a meal of local cheeses and cured meats in an authentic setting that honors its heritage.
Driving the Scenic "Serpentine Road" to the Bay of Kotor
From Njeguši, continue along a narrow, winding mountain road featuring 26 hairpin bends along its descent (most of it is a single lane shared by both traffic directions! Self-driving is not recommended here, as it requires considerable experience and skill), which overlooks breathtaking vistas of the Bay of Kotor. This road, designated as P1, is the most scenic route in all of Montenegro, offering awe-inspiring angles of Kotor Bay at every turn. At the start of the road (near Njeguši), a zip-line is available for thrill-seekers looking to add some adrenaline to their tour. Stop at an observation point near a new restaurant, where one of the most stunning views over the entire Bay of Kotor unfolds.
This road is very narrow and winding, and numerous tourist buses from cruise ships travel it, frequently leading to major traffic delays along the tight passage.
The tour concludes in beautiful Kotor, which easily warrants an entire additional day of exploration.
A highly recommended company for guided tours is M Tours Montenegro, offering a wide selection of excursions departing from all coastal towns across Montenegro. www.mtours.me
Short video about the tour in southern Montenegro between Budva, Cetinje, Lovćen, and Kotor:
Another popular tour covering several of these destinations alongside charming coastal towns—particularly ideal for passengers arriving on cruise ships to Kotor—is detailed extensively in the article: Trips to Montenegro: Visiting Kotor, Budva, and Perast
Guided Tours in and Around Kotor
Guided Tours from Kotor on the Viator Website:
♦ Booking private airport transfers to Kotor on Viator:
Private Transfer from Tivat airport to Kotor
♦ Private guided walking tour in Kotor Old Town:
Private Kotor Old Town Walking Tour
Guided Hike Above Kotor
A highly recommended and fairly strenuous guided hike by Kotor Bay Tours is called "Kotor Above Clouds." From Kotor's Old Town, you set out on foot ascending the mountain up to the high fortifications that enclose the town along the steep mountainside. The trail leads upward via a switchback path situated outside the city walls, featuring a relatively moderate incline (it is also possible to climb up the internal stone steps directly from the Old Town for a fee, though this is steeper and less recommended).
The view over the town and bay revealed while advancing up the mountain is breathtaking! It is impossible to stop taking pictures! Along the route, stop to rest and refresh at an isolated house on the mountainside—the remnant of an old settlement where a hospitable local family welcomes hikers. The hosts serve a platter of local goat and cow cheeses, fresh bread, pomegranate juice, and homemade spirits. Additional cold drinks are also available for purchase. Guests sit in a shaded patio while the panorama of Kotor Bay is laid out below.
The break is exceptionally refreshing after the physical effort of ascending the mountain. From there, continue toward the fortress wall and enter through an opening into the inner side, where a 15-minute climb up stone stairs leads to the very top of the ramparts. From the peak, the finest view of Kotor Bay, the Old Town, and modern Kotor is revealed.
Descend along the defensive fortifications, this time tackling roughly 1,400 steps down into the Old Town. Throughout the trek, the dedicated private guide shares insights about the fascinating town and the entire bay area.
To finish, it is highly recommended to dine at Bastion, an exquisite seafood restaurant situated right next to the town walls near the trail's end.
Recommended Hotels in Kotor
A 5-star boutique hotel with a private beach located 3 km from the town center.
The hotel features swimming pools, a hammam, a fitness room and spa, a restaurant, a bar, and a mini-market. Free parking and complimentary Wi-Fi are provided for guests.
♦ Hotel Casa del Mare - Amfora
A 4-star hotel featuring a private beach located at the edge of Kotor Bay. Rooms overlook wonderful views of the bay. The hotel includes a restaurant, bar, and a spa with a jacuzzi and sauna. Free Wi-Fi and complimentary parking are included.
A 4-star hotel set within a 600-year-old restored and preserved building, located a 6-minute walk from the beach. The antique furnishings date back roughly 150 years. The property offers a shared guest kitchen, bicycle rentals (for an additional fee), complimentary parking, and free Wi-Fi.
An aparthotel offering one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with living rooms. Each unit features a fully equipped kitchen. The hotel has a private beach area and is located 3 km from the town center. Free Wi-Fi and complimentary parking are provided.
♦ Apartments Residence Portofino
A high-quality, upscale aparthotel offering a swimming pool and complimentary bicycles for its guests. Every apartment features a fully equipped kitchen. The penthouse accommodates up to 6 guests. Free Wi-Fi and complimentary parking are included.
Guided Tour of Kotor Old Town
♦ Private guided walking tour in Kotor Old Town available for booking on Viator:
Private Kotor Old Town Walking Tour
A walking tour of about one hour in the Old Town of Kotor with a guide fluent in clear, excellent English, also with Kotor Bay Tours. You start at the main city gate, where the guide provides a brief historical background about Kotor.
The Old Town of Kotor is enclosed by fortified walls built during the Venetian era between the 15th and 17th centuries. The historic quarter and its harbor border steep mountains on the eastern side, and to protect it, defense walls were constructed high up along the mountain slopes as well.
In 1979, a major earthquake struck Montenegro, destroying many buildings throughout the town. Thanks to UNESCO declaring the Old Town a World Heritage Site, international funding was contributed to reconstruct and preserve many of these landmarks.
The walking tour visits various historical residences, originally private palaces belonging to the city's wealthiest families. These multi-story, expansive mansions feature family crests and inscriptions indicating the family name and dates of residency. Some buildings remain empty, while others have been acquired by private buyers as vacation homes or converted into boutique hotels.
The tour passes several historic churches (viewed from outside). The oldest and largest cathedral is St. Tryphon Cathedral, founded in 1166, which was damaged in the earthquake and subsequently rebuilt; due to budget shortages, however, its bell towers were never completed identically to the originals and differ in design from each other.
Another ancient, smaller church dating back to 1195, St. Luke’s Church, survived the earthquake intact.
Another prominent church, relatively new compared to the others and built in 1909, is the Church of St. Nicholas.
The route passes through squares filled with lively restaurants and visitors, through narrow lanes lined with boutique shops, and near several museums, such as the Maritime Museum and the quirky Cats Museum (featuring cat-themed artwork, stamps, postcards, and memorabilia across different eras).
In recent years, tourism here has surged, with numerous cruise ships calling at the port—sometimes up to five vessels a day—bringing thousands of passengers who fill the town center, many in large guided groups. The guided walking tour is highly suited for cruise travelers arriving in Kotor who wish to receive an informative overview and orient themselves before exploring the alleys independently.
Guided Boat Tour in the Bay of Kotor
A diverse and enjoyable private boat trip offered by Kotor Bay Tours with a private skipper aboard a lovely motorboat departs from Kotor Harbor, cruising through scenic bay landscapes with three scenic stops along the way.
The cruise lasts approximately three hours including all stops and comes highly recommended. The skipper/guide speaks fluent English and is extremely knowledgeable.
The bay scenery evokes comparisons to the Norwegian fjords. Towering mountains ring the bay, with picturesque villages along the shoreline. One of these is the coastal town of Perast, visited during the trip. The town features a seaside promenade lined with restaurants, hotels, and local shops.
♦ A similar private tour available for booking on Viator:
Montenegro Private Tour: Kotor, Perast,Our Lady Of The Rock,Budva
Facing the town are two small islets: one is privately owned and not open to the public, while the other is known as "Our Lady of the Rocks."
This island can be visited and welcomes many excursion boats. It features a unique church where sailors once prayed; upon returning safely from treacherous sea voyages, they would donate silver votive gifts, paintings, and various offerings to the sanctuary. During a guided visit inside the church—which also functions as a museum displaying this remarkable votive collection—the guide shares stories and details about the most exceptional artifacts.
Offerings presented by sailors to the church:
Oyster Farm:
Later in the boat trip, there is a stop at a local oyster and mussel farm. The shellfish are cultivated along submerged ropes suspended from buoys close to the shore. The setting is ideal for shellfish farming due to underwater freshwater springs blending with the marine saltwater, producing an optimal brackish balance for shell growth.
The tour includes a generous serving of freshly harvested, locally prepared mussels and oysters, served with a bottle of white wine, sparkling water, and bread rolls. Those who prefer not to eat shellfish can request a fish dish instead (preferably arranged in advance). Guests may also enjoy a swim along the lovely beach with crystalline water, either before or after the meal.
Short video of tours in Kotor and its surroundings: