The Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor is one of the most beautiful bays in southern Europe, a stunning, deeply indented inlet of the Adriatic that winds far inland between soaring, dramatic mountains, often compared to a Mediterranean fjord. Its calm blue waters are ringed by a string of atmospheric old stone towns and villages, from Kotor to pretty Perast, and dotted with tiny islands and churches, most famously the man-made islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, best explored on a leisurely drive or boat trip around its shores.

What you actually see

• The winding bay - the dramatic fjord-like inlet and mountains.
• Perast - the elegant baroque town on the bay.
• Our Lady of the Rocks - the church on a man-made islet.
• The coastal drive or boat trip - the tour around the bay's shores.

When to go

May to June and September to October for pleasant weather and calmer crowds; the summer is hot and busy. A boat trip on the bay is lovely, and the winding coastal road offers spectacular views, especially the serpentine climb up to the Lovcen heights for a panorama over the whole bay.

Honest expectations

The bay is busiest in summer, especially when cruise ships dock at Kotor, and the narrow coastal road can be slow and congested. The serpentine mountain roads, while spectacular, are winding and demand careful driving. It is genuinely one of the most beautiful bays in Europe, best enjoyed by combining the towns, a boat trip and the mountain viewpoints.

Nearby

Kotor, Perast, Budva and the Lovcen mountain are around the bay.