If you’re looking for a perfect 5-day itinerary for Montenegro, the Bay of Kotor is a perfect choice. With medieval towns, Adriatic views, and scenic coastline, this region offers something for everyone. So, if you have 5 days in Montenegro, read on for all you need ot know.
We recently explored this beautiful place as a family, and it was one of our favourite travel destinations! While this itinerary is family-friendly, it isn’t specifically kid-focused, so whether you’re visiting as a couple, solo, or with kids in tow, this 5-day route will help you make the most of your time on Montenegro’s stunning coast.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
OUR 2-WEEK MONTENEGRO ITINERARY
OR MORE DETAILS ABOUT ALL THE PLACES IN MONTENEGRO WE VISITED:
TIVAT – KOTOR – BUDVA – LAKE SKADAR – NIKSIC – TARA CANYON – DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK
Why Choose the Bay of Kotor for a 5-Day Montenegro Trip?
If you only have 4 or 5 days in Montenegro, the bay of Kotor area is a great choice for you. It’s beautiful, and there is plenty to do to fill 5 days. You’ll be able to explore all the main highlights without feeling rushed.
It’s also easy to get to with Montenegro’s main airport being located in Tivat (one of the towns in the Bay of Kotor).
We actually spent nearly 2 weeks in Montenegro before going on to Dubrovnik, Croatia. If you can spend more than 5 days in Montenegro, then I would highly recommend it!
READ MORE: OUR 2-WEEK MONTENEGRO ITINERARY
Where to Stay in the Bay of Kotor Area
There are lots of great areas to stay in Montenegro’s bay of Kotor area, which I will go into more detail about below. I would recommend choosing one and doing day trips to the others. Of course, you have the option of moving accommodation halfway through your trip if you wish.
I would choose one of the following towns as your base:
- Tivat
- Kotor
- Budva
- Perast
Kotor is the most popular choice for tourists, and while it is a great, central location for exploring the area, it can also get very crowded due to its being a cruise ship port.
We chose to stay in Tivat instead. This was perfect for us as the town is only a short drive from the airport, and cutting down travel time after a flight with kids is a win!
Kotor, Budva, and Perast all have a similar style, being traditional, historic old towns. Tivat is quite different; it has a more modern, luxury vibe. You can choose which of these is right for you based on your personal preference!
Your Itinerary for Montenegro – 5 Days in the Bay of Kotor
Below is the perfect way to spend 5 days in Montenegro. This is a great itinerary for your first trip to Montenegro and is also family-friendly.
You can amend it slightly depending on where you choose to stay. For example, if you stay in Kotor, take a day trip to Tivat on your second day in Montenegro.
Day 1: Arrive and Explore Tivat
As I mentioned, Tivat town centre is just a short drive from the airport, and we also passed a supermarket en route to our accommodation. Note: almost all supermarkets in Montenegro close on Sundays.
I would advise spending your first day exploring/ relaxing in the town you’re staying in. Walk the waterfront, stop for a drink or ice cream.
If you have time, explore Tivat’s submarine, a really cool hidden gem! It’s a disused submarine that you’re able to go inside and explore. This is a great activity for kids or any history lovers!
READ MORE: EXPLORING TIVAT’S SUBMARINE
FIRST STOP ON THE PERFECT ITINERARY FOR MONTENEGRO: TIVAT’S WATERFRONT AND SUBMARINE
Day 2: A Day Trip to Kotor
On day two of your Montenegro itinerary, take a day trip to Kotor. Ideally, you will need a car to explore, as public transport is limited; There is a bus that runs between Tivat and Kotor, but it only departs once every two hours. So, plan your timings if you plan to take this option!
I’d advise you to arrive in Kotor early to beat the crowds. Going early will also help you avoid the traffic and make sure you get a parking space. We parked at “Paid Parking Kotor CQG9+MXG, E80, Kotor”. This car park is in a great location and only costs €0.80 per hour (I believe the price goes up in peak season).
Spend the morning exploring the beautiful old town of Kotor, and if you want to, walk the city walls. We actually opted against this as carrying a clingy 15-month-old up 1300 steps in hot weather didn’t sound fun to me! If you decide to walk the walls, it costs €15 per person (under 12s go free), which you pay at the entrance by cash or card.
Walking the walls takes about 1.5 – 2 hours (or longer with kids) and you’ll be treated to fabulous views!
After lunch, we took a boat tour to the blue caves. This was a lovely, relaxing trip that the whole family could enjoy and was one of the highlights of our trip to Montenegro. I would highly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
READ MORE: OUR FULL KOTOR GUIDE or OUR FULL KOTOR BOAT TOUR REVIEW
EXPLORING KOTOR’S OLD TOWN AND OUR BOAT TOUR ROUTE
Day 3: Day Trip to Budva
Budva is another Medieval old town located approximately an hour’s drive from Tivat. It has a similar vibe to Kotor, and although it’s small, it’s a lovely place to spend a day! Or even a half day would probably be enough to see the main highlights.
We visited Budva after leaving Tivat before arriving at Lake Skadar (which was part of our longer Montenegro itinerary). We had planned to spend a full day in Budva, but it was pouring with rain, which cut it short.
Visiting the Budva Citadel was our favourite thing to do in Budva. It was a nice alternative to the city walls in Kotor as it has fewer steps, so it is more family-friendly. The Citadel cost €5 for each adult and was cash only.
If you get better weather than us, there is a beach just outside the city walls which would be great to spend the afternoon on. Alternatively, there is a short cliff-top hike you can do called the Mogren Beach Footway. This was closed when we visited. I’m not sure if it was due to the weather or because it wasn’t peak season.
READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO BUDVA or TIPS FOR VISITING THE BUDVA CITADEL
THE VIEW FROM THE BUDVA CITADEL & BUDVA BEACH, PERFECT FOR A SUMMER MONTENEGRO ITINERARY
Day 4: Optional Day Trip to Perast
Perast is another small town and a popular destination for people planning their itinerary for a Montenegro trip. I’ve described this day as optional, as you can decide based on how full you want your schedule to be. If your fifth day in Montenegro isn’t a full day, then I would skip this and spend this day exploring more of Tivat instead. Alternatively, if you’re happy to have a busy schedule, then it is possible to visit both Budva and Perast in one day.
Unfortunately, we didnt make it to Perast as we made a conscious decision not to try to fit too much in this trip! If you’re travelling with young children, I would advise you to go at a slower pace than if you’re travelling as a couple or solo traveller!
Day 5: Final Day in Tivat
Tivat is possibly my favourite town in the Bay of Kotor (although it is hard to choose!) We spent a lovely day walking the coastline from Tivat to a small town called Donja Lastva, stopping at a beach along the way. The beach is opposite a restaurant called Big Ben and has stunning mountain views in the background.
Our kids loved playing on the beach. Alternatively, there are many cafes and restaurants along the Tivat waterfront and around the Porto Montenegro area, which would be lovely if you’re toddler-free! There are also lots of luxury shops around Porto Montenegro.
READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO TIVAT
TIVAT’S WATERFRONT AND VIEWS FROM TIVAT BEACH
Travel Tips for Planning Your Itinerary for Montenegro
Above is my ideal 5 day Bay of Kotor, Montenegro Itinerary. However, I also wanted to share some additional tips or alternative options, which I will do below.
Hire a Car
I’ve already mentioned this, but hiring a car is the best way to get around Montenegro. There are lots of little towns to explore, and public transport is limited. Be sure to compare rental car prices for this trip; we used Enterprise.
Check The Weather Forecast
The weather in Montenegro is unpredictable. It often showers unexpectedly, so be sure to pack umbrellas and jackets/ coats, especially for children!
You may also want to switch days around on the itinerary to allow any beach days to be on the warmest days!
Alternative Day Trips
There are two places we visited as part of our 2 week Montenegro itinerary that it is possible to visit as a day trip. Lake Skadar and The Durmitor National Park. You can book an organised tour, departing from multiple locations in the Kotor Bay, including Kotor, Budva and Tivat, if you’d like ot explore some of Montenegro’s off-the-beaten-path destinations.
One of these tours is also a great option if you decide against hiring a car.
BOOK: LAKE SKADAR EXCURSION or A DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIP
Note: these are both long days with a lot of travelling, I wouldn’t advise trying to cram these in if you’re visiting with young children.
HIKING THE BLACK LAKE IN THE DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK & ENJOYING A BOAT TOUR ON LAKE SKADAR
Thank you for reading about our perfect itinerary for a Montenegro vacation. We hope we’ve helped you plan your trip, and you have a great time in Montenegro!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
OUR 2-WEEK MONTENEGRO ITINERARY
OR MORE DETAILS ABOUT ALL THE PLACES IN MONTENEGRO WE VISITED:
TIVAT – KOTOR – BUDVA – LAKE SKADAR – NIKSIC – TARA CANYON – DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK
Happy Exploring,
