If you’re planning a cultural getaway to Europe this fall, but Italy’s overwhelming crowds and Spain’s surging prices put you off visiting, perhaps it’s eastward you should be looking instead, or more specifically, Southeast:
A beautiful Mediterranean inlet lined flanked by jagged peaks and ancient towns, Kotor Bay is Montenegro’s pride and joy and one of Europe’s cheapest off-season destinations, where hotels can cost as cheap as $47 a night, and meals are an affordable $13.
More on that soon enough, but before we get into the budget side of things, here’s what makes Kotor Bay so special:
Is Kotor The Most Beautiful Bay In Europe?
Also known locally as Boka, a bastardized spelling of the Italian word for mouth––bocca––Kotor is a bay starting from the Mediterranean Sea and reaching 17 miles deep into the Montenegrin inland, with a whopping 66.7 miles of shoreline on both sides combined.
It is flanked by the towering Orjen and Lovćen mountains, part of the southeastern chain of Europe’s Dinaric Alps, and it boasts the type of outstanding natural beauty you’d most commonly expect to find in places like Norway and Switzerland instead––except this is the sun-kissed Mediterranean.
Epic Hikes
If you’re a nature enthusiast, there are numerous hikes to conquer, including the 3 hour-long Vrmac Ridge Trail, starting from the historic Fort Vrmac and rising 765 meters above sea level to offer breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery.
Though more challenging to ascend, Pestingrad is arguably the best viewpoint overlooking the winding bay, reaching an elevation of 1027 meters––you can see all the massifs and postcard-perfect waterside towns from up here!––culminating at a rocky summit topped with Montenegro’s flag.
Leaving Kotor Town, the 45-minute footpath leading upward towards St. John’s Fort is yet another must-do for outdoorsy folks.
However, you’re best advised to begin your ascent at sunset hours, not only due to the landscape turning far more spectacular but because it’s less hot.
Still Warm In The Fall
Speaking of weather conditions, Montenegro is one of the warmest destinations in Europe going into the fall period, and Kotor Bay is no exception, as it is located in the Mediterranean, where fall temperatures remain mild to warm.
The waters off the shoreline are still warm, averaging around 78.1°F, and from the compact yet picturesque Kotor Beach to the fine-pebble Ploce and even the lively Trsteno, you should be able to swim comfortably well into October.
Weather-wise, you should expect a pleasant high of 79°F in September, while October sees a drop to 72°F only; as for the evenings, they’re only moderately cool, ranging from lows of 66°F to 53°F as it gets darker.
Ancient Culture
If you’re coming to Kotor Bay primarily for the culture, you should know it is home to some of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements, most notably the town of Kotor itself, which shares its name with the wider region:
A typical walled Dalmatian settlement often compared to Dubrovnik, it is crisscrossed by car-free cobbled lanes that lead to secretive patios and ornate Romanesque-Baroque churches.
It is exactly like its celebrity Croatian counterpart, except it’s much quieter in comparison.
Also on Kotor Bay, the small, storied towns of Perast, Risan, Herceg Novi, and Tivat date back centuries.
With their narrow stone-built houses and traditional Mediterranean green shutters lining bayside promenades, they’re nothing short of storybook material.
Affordable Activities
Besides the epic hikes and charming villages, Kotor Bay is famous for the wide range of budget-friendly attractions it offers: one of our favorite activities is this $54.76 speedboat tour visiting Perast, the iconic ‘Our Lady of the Rock’ church-on-an-islet, and the Blue Cave.
Keen on sampling Montenegrin food instead? Montenegrin cuisine is best represented by minced-meat ćevapi, lamb and milk and our personal favorite, Balkan Porridge, and with this top-selling Food Walking Tour, you’ll get to sample some of the local Farmer’s Market top delicacies from $164.28.
To all you adventure seekers, this small-group day tour goes further than Kotor Bay, visiting the majestic Durmitor Mountain, Tara River, the deepest gorge in Europe, and the centuries-old Ostrogo Monastery before returning to Kotor, costing $86.26.
How Much Does A Trip To Kotor Bay Cost?
Seeing that we’re talking prices, you should know that Montenegro is one of the most affordable Mediterranean destinations: though it’s certainly gotten pricier over the years as the influx of tourism increased, you can still eat reasonably well for between $10 and $35.
Located in the heart of Kotor Old Town, vegan-friendly Ombra Restaurant serves pizza for as cheap as $8.74, and a glass of local fruit wine for around $2.73.
For grilled calamari and possibly the most tender tuna steak you’ll try on your trip, we’d recommend Caffe Del Mare––moderately higher prices, but the bay views are worth it.
Last but not least, Pržun is your go-to spot for steak––their beef fillet is melt-in-your-mouth kind of stuff––and it’s an affordable dining option, with the most expensive dish costing $28.
As for hotels, the best-reviewed hotel with the lowest overnight rate on Booking.com this fall is Old Marina Villa, in the sleepy town of Prčanj, a short 10-minute drive from Kotor, starting from $50.
In the center of Kotor, the cheapest rate is ApartHotel Maxim‘s: $74.50 per adult for a double room facing the bay.
If you’re the splurging type, a five-star stay at the landmark Boutique Hotel & Spa Casa del Mare – Mediterraneo in Herceg Novi will set you back by $216 per night: it includes one outdoor pool, a wellness spa, a cozy bar and restaurant and private beach access.
According to Budget Your Trip, tourists spend on average $794 on a one-week vacation in Montenegro––it’s definitely no Albania, but a reasonably-priced fall escape, nonetheless.
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