It was our first full day in Dubrovnik [see post: In and Around the Walls of Dubrovnik]. We were off to explore Montenegro’s historic cities for the day. Prior to arriving in Croatia, I booked the “Best of Montenegro” full-day tour with Josko on ToursByLocals. Given the close proximity, it would have been a shame not to have visited Montenegro, even if just for the day.
Perast. Kotor. Budva.
Josko picked us up early that morning, and we immediately started driving down on the Adriatic Highway (or Jadranska Magistrala) – a coastal road that stretches along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It only took about an hour to get to the Croatia-Montenegro border.
Crossing into Montenegro, we made a quick unplanned stop in Herceg Novi for coffee. Located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, this charming coastal town was our first glimpse into the country’s beauty.
Driving alongside the Bay of Kotor, we made several picture stops to capture the beautiful sceneries of the southernmost fjord in Europe (though, some sources claim it to be a ria – a submerged river canyon).
First stop: Perast – an old town on the Bay of Kotor, and the gateway to the islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks.
Upon arrival, we hopped into a boat and sailed to the church located on the artificial island.
We walked around the tiny islet before returning to explore Perast.
Second stop: Kotor – a fortified coastal town on the UNESCO World Heritage List known for its medieval architecture.
We began the walking tour by visiting the farmers market on the way to the entrance to the Old Town of Kotor.
Strolling through the winding streets, we made it to the entrance of the city walls.
Katie and Maya decided to sit this one out, but I was determined to at least make it halfway up the walls to the church. If we had more time, I would have definitely continued the hike to the Castle of San Giovanni at the very top. Oh well, next time. Nonetheless, the views of Old Town along the route were spectacular.
Third stop: Budva – a medieval town on the sea known for its sandy beaches and nightlife. After lunch, we set out to explore our final stop in Montenegro.
Wandering around Budva’s Old Town, I could not help but notice how similar these medieval towns are to each other.
After we walked around the entire town, we began our way back to Dubrovnik using a different route via ferry across the Bay of Kotor.
If you find yourself with extra time in Dubrovnik, you should definitely consider taking a day trip to Montenegro. Just do not forget to bring your passport, you will need it for crossing the border.
