✘ Kotor, Montenegro • May 23, 2016 | Port: Kotor, Montenegro • Region: Mediterranean Cruises
⌖ Climbing Above the Bay of Kotor
Tour Route: Kotor → Mountain Ascent Road → Scenic Viewpoint → Njeguši Village → Budva → Return to Kotor
Our day began with sun and warm weather as the Brilliance of the Seas entered the Bay of Kotor. From the upper decks we watched the coastline pass by while the ship slowly moved through the narrow waterway surrounded by steep mountains. The bay is often compared to a fjord because of the way the mountains rise sharply from the water, although it is technically a submerged river canyon rather than a glacial fjord.
Two small church islands near Perast sit within the Bay of Kotor and are among the most recognizable landmarks seen when ships enter the harbor.
Small coastal villages appeared along the shoreline as we moved deeper into the bay, and several small church islands could be seen in the distance. The harbor itself sits within a series of winding inland waterways that have served as a natural protected port for centuries. The scenery was expansive and dramatic, reminding me very much of sailing into Alaska’s Tracy Arm.
After the ship dropped anchor in the harbor, Leslee and I boarded one of the ship’s tenders for the short ride into the port of Kotor. Once ashore we met our shore excursion group for the Grand Montenegro Tour and boarded a motor coach waiting near the harbor.
① Scenic Mountain Ascent above Kotor
⚲ Serpentine Mountain Road above Kotor, Montenegro
⧗ Approx. 60–90 minutes
Soon after leaving the port the bus began climbing the mountain road above Kotor. The route quickly transitioned into a steep series of switchbacks carved into the mountainside. The road includes roughly twenty-five tight hairpin turns as it climbs the slopes of Mount Lovćen, connecting the Bay of Kotor with Montenegro’s historic inland regions.
The historic mountain road climbing from Kotor toward Mount Lovćen winds through roughly twenty-five tightly stacked hairpin turns carved into the mountainside.
As the bus worked its way higher above the bay, the town of Kotor and our ship gradually became smaller in the distance. Each turn revealed a wider view of the surrounding landscape. From this height the bay stretched across multiple narrow inlets surrounded by steep mountains, with villages scattered along the shoreline.
② Summit Viewpoint over the Bay of Kotor
⚲ Mountain Overlook above Kotor, Montenegro
⧗ Approx. 15 minutes
Eventually the bus reached a scenic overlook where we stopped to take photographs. A low stone wall marked the edge of the viewpoint, providing a safe place to stand while looking out across the bay.
A low stone wall marks the edge of the overlook where visitors stop to photograph the Bay of Kotor far below.
From this height the entire Bay of Kotor could be seen below, with the town of Kotor and our ship visible in the harbor far beneath us. The view extended across the multiple arms of the bay and into the surrounding mountains. The scale of the landscape was difficult to capture in photographs because the scene covered such a large area of mountains and water.
From the mountain viewpoint high above Kotor, the winding arms of the Bay of Kotor spread through steep limestone mountains.
It was one of those views that is far better appreciated with your own eyes than through a camera lens.
③ Njeguši Village Snack Stop
⚲ Njeguši Village, Montenegro
⧗ Approx. 30 minutes
After leaving the overlook the bus continued across the mountain plateau to the village of Njeguši. This small mountain settlement sits on the slopes of Mount Lovćen and has long been known throughout Montenegro for its traditional smoked prosciutto and regional cheeses, both of which are cured in the cool mountain air.
Small roadside stalls sell handmade textiles and local goods to visitors stopping in the mountain village of Njeguši.
Njeguši also holds an important place in Montenegrin history, as it was the birthplace of several rulers of the Petrović dynasty who governed Montenegro for centuries. Today the village is quiet and rural, with stone houses and red-tiled roofs scattered among the surrounding hills.
The rustic stone interior of Konoba Njeguška Sijela reflects the traditional tavern style where visitors sample local specialties from the Njeguši region.
Our group stopped at a small local restaurant, Konoba Njeguška Sijela, where tables were already set for visiting tour groups. A simple snack was served consisting of fresh bread, traditional Njeguši prosciutto, and locally produced cheese.
Traditional Njeguši prosciutto and regional cheeses are served to visitors in the mountain village where these foods have long been produced.
After the tasting, a small glass of homemade brandy was offered — a customary gesture of hospitality in Montenegrin villages and family homes.
④ Budva Waterfront Dinner and Old Town Walk
⚲ Budva Old Town and Marina, Budva, Montenegro
⧗ Approx. 60 minutes
After leaving the village the bus began the descent back down the mountain road toward the coast. The return drive proved slower than expected because the narrow road was not well suited for large tour buses. The tight switchbacks and limited passing space made it difficult for vehicles traveling in opposite directions to maneuver, and several times our driver had to carefully negotiate oncoming traffic along the steep mountainside.
As a result, the descent took considerably longer than planned and much of the afternoon was spent navigating the winding road back toward the Adriatic coast.
By the time we reached Budva it was already late in the afternoon. Budva is one of the oldest coastal settlements along the Adriatic, with a history that stretches back more than two thousand years through Greek, Roman, and later Venetian periods of control. Today the town combines a lively marina and modern resort district with a compact medieval old town preserved behind fortified stone walls.
Small boats and yachts fill Budva’s marina beside the historic Old Town along Montenegro’s Adriatic coast.
Our group stopped at a busy waterfront restaurant overlooking the marina where dinner was served to several visiting tour groups. The meal included a fresh vegetable salad, vegetable soup, a plate of mixed meats with vegetables, and baklava for dessert.
Tour groups dine inside a busy waterfront restaurant in Budva before exploring the nearby medieval Old Town.
After dinner we had about thirty minutes of free time to explore Budva’s Old Town. Inside the medieval walls, narrow stone streets weave through tightly packed buildings connected by archways and small squares.
Visitors walk through one of the narrow limestone streets inside Budva’s fortified medieval Old Town.
Many of the historic structures have been converted into cafés, restaurants, and small shops that now line the interior lanes. We wandered through several of the narrow alleyways before returning to the bus for the drive back toward the port of Kotor.
Return to Kotor
From Budva the tour returned to Kotor where our ship was anchored in the harbor. Because of the delays during the mountain descent there was no time remaining to explore the town of Kotor itself before returning to the ship.
Most of the day had been spent on the bus traveling between locations, so our step count for the day was minimal.
☑ Who Is This Tour Best For?
- Scenery-focused travelers — Visitors interested in experiencing the dramatic mountain geography surrounding the Bay of Kotor, including panoramic overlooks high above the harbor.
- Cruise passengers wanting a broad Montenegro overview — Guests who want to see both the coastal towns and the inland mountain villages during a single excursion.
- Travelers curious about traditional Montenegrin foods — Visitors interested in tasting local products such as Njeguši prosciutto, regional cheeses, and homemade brandy.
- Passengers comfortable with extended bus travel — This tour involves significant time on narrow mountain roads and is best suited for travelers who do not mind long coach segments between stops.
⊞ Tour Summary
- Tour Name: Grand Montenegro Tour
- Port: Kotor, Montenegro
- Ship: Brilliance of the Seas
- Total Duration: ~6–7 hours (estimate based on tour flow)
- Primary Focus: Bay of Kotor mountain scenery, Njeguši village, Budva Old Town
- Main Stops: Mountain ascent above Kotor, scenic overlook, Njeguši village snack stop, Budva Old Town visit
- Meal Included: Yes (dinner in Budva)
- Drive-By Highlights: Bay of Kotor shoreline villages, serpentine mountain road above Kotor, coastal scenery approaching Budva
▣ Activity Summary
- Walking Distance: Minimal
- Terrain: Short walks on paved surfaces and historic stone streets in Budva
- Accessibility: Generally accessible, though boarding the coach and navigating uneven stone streets in Budva may present minor challenges
- Pacing: Mostly coach travel with brief scenic and village stops
- Group Size: Large coach group
- Restrooms: Available at restaurant stop and village locations
- Meals Included: Snack in Njeguši (bread, cheese, prosciutto, brandy) and dinner in Budva
- Return Drive to Port Area: Approximately 45–60 minutes depending on traffic conditions
Related Mediterranean Travel: Explore more Mediterranean cruise ports and shore excursions in our complete regional guide.
→ Mediterranean Cruises & Shore Excursions Guide
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