Montenegro

Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor) is one of the most beautiful bays in the world. This deep bay penetrates 29 km inland and its appearance is reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord. It is backdropped by majestic mountain ranges which, in favourable light conditions, reflect on the sea surface. The bay is named after the city of Kotor and is divided into four smaller bays - Herceg-Novo, Risan, Kotor and Tivat. High mountains rise above the narrow strip of coastline, protecting Boka from the badweather coming from the north and from the bora blowing inland in autumn and winter.

The daily thermals work very well in Boca Kotor. You can look forward to regular strong winds that start blowing in the afternoon. Thanks to its strategic position and favourable natural conditions, the bay has been inhabited since ancient times. In the Middle Ages it provided protection for fishermen, sailors and military vessels and several important towns grew up on its shores with massive walls and forts protecting the entrance to the bay. The most interesting towns and harbours in Boca Kotor are Herceg Novi, Kotor, Perast, Tivat, Risan.

PerastOnce a

maritime city. It is the only one in Montenegro with a baroque character. In the 16th century it was an important port and a naval school (officers from Tsarist Russia were educated here). There were 37 captains, over 400 sailors and 50 ships at anchor. Wealthy captains and sailors built sumptuous palaces, many of which have been preserved to this day. Perast is one of the most valuable monument reserves on the Adriatic and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Perast Museum is definitely worth a visit, with many historical and maritime treasures (trophies, weapons, navigation books, etc.).), the Venetian fortress of St. Anne (with a nice view), the palace of the Bujovic family, the church of St. Nicholas and the church of St. George (St. Dorde). You can anchor at the quay (depth 3 metres). The waterfront of Perast is protected only from the wind from the NE. If it blows, there is a swell and it is either impossible to land at all or very difficult. This village is really beautiful and worth a visit. Climb the bell tower for a nice view.

Also interesting is the neighbouring island of Gospa by Škrpjela (Mary from the cliff), which has a baroque church and monastery (you can moor here at the quay). The island was artificially created from stones brought here by sailors grateful for their return. There are 68 paintings on the walls of the church, among which are gold plates. They were donated by sailors in gratitude for saving them in dangerous situations during long voyages.

Perast is a true architectural gem. The port is still little known and little visited. That's the beauty of it, too. There are ancient monasteries on two islands in front of Perast. The eastern one is St. Dorde (St. George) and the western one is Gospa od Škrpelja (Mary of the Cliff). On this island stands a magnificent pilgrimage church. At the church there is a short pier with sufficient depth. It is not allowed to stand by the pier, but it is not written anywhere. If you land here at night, you can spend a quiet and romantic night in the vicinity of the church.

TivatLocated

Boca Kotor, Tivat is a very lively town. The place has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by archaeological finds under the sea. In the Middle Ages, the town belonged to wealthy seafaring families who built mansions here. Local attractions include the Church of St. Anthony and the Buć family's defensive tower and chapel. The original seaport has been converted into the luxurious marina of Porto Montenegro (link to the marina's official website here

There are many beautiful beaches on the coast of Tivat bay - e.g. Near the Veritage Channel, near the lighthouse there is Opatovo beach (200 meters long sandy beach), near the settlement of Donja Lastava there is about a kilometre long beach with piers and small sandy spots, a rocky and sandy beach at Cape Seljanovo and the sandy beach of Belane. Opposite the town there are several small islands which boast a rich history. On the island of Prevlaka, called the Island of Flowers, are the ruins of the monastery of St. Michael the Archangel. On the islet of Sveti Marco, the French organisation Club Mediterranée has a resort, built in the style of a Polynesian village.

BudvaBudva

is the most popular tourist destination in Montenegro. Budva is situated on the wide Budvan Bay. It is protected from strong winds from the interior by the Lovćen and Pastrovići mountains. The history of the town dates back to 2 600 years ago, when the town was founded by Kadmóm, the son of a Phoenician king, according to legend. The entire peninsula is surrounded by massive 14th century walls. The ramparts protect the citadel and the old town, which can be walked around. Budva has suffered much in its turbulent past, from sieges to the great earthquake of 1979. It doesn't stand out with first-class monuments like Kotor, but it will still impress you with its special atmosphere of a medieval town. Seven castle gates lead into the city. The two most impressive gates are the Fortress Gate (Kopnena Gate) and the Sea Gate(Morska vrata), beyond which begins a tangle of narrow streets, cafes, passages and small squares.

The most beautiful historical monuments can be seen in the southern part of the old town. There are, for example, the Church of St. John the Baptist with its bell tower, the Bishop's Palace and the Church of St. Sava, or the fortress with the Church of the Holy Trinity. One of the oldest buildings is the Church of Our Lady, which was built on the promontory in 840. In the northern part of the city there is a modern gallery and a city museum where you can learn about the history of the city. The city is one of Europe's richest archaeological sites. Extensive remains from ancient and Greek times have been discovered here. Most of these remains were uncovered by the great earthquake of 1979.

Budva is also famous for its beautiful beaches. Right next to the citadel is Mogren beach, which has been awarded the Blue Flag. It consists of two parts, which are connected by a path carved into the rock. The total length of the beach is approximately 400 metres and the surface is made up of coarse sand. In the middle of Budvan Bay there is a long pebble beach called Slovenska beach. About 15 to 20 minutes to the north is another nice beach called Jaz.

Dukley Marina BudvaMarina

Budva is one of the big marinas in Montenegro. It offers 300 moorings with water and electricity connection, showers and toilets. WIFI connection, a grocery store and several cafes and restaurants will make your stay more enjoyable. There is a doctor and a pharmacy in town. Parking here is quite expensive and often occupied in high season (May - end of September). You will pay 66 EUR for a 12m boat, 80 EUR for a 14m boat, 87 EUR for a 15m boat and 107 EUR for a 17m boat.

Navigating to the harbour: the best approach is from the south-west, you will take the island of Sveti Stefan about 250 metres to starboard and enter a channel (fairway) marked by buoys (channel depth 5 metres). Access from the south-east is not recommended. There are shoals and rocks. In the event of a strong buoy, the fairway to the harbour is impassable. Before entering the marina, it is possible to moor at a depth of 8 metres. It is windy in the marina, but the sea is calm. There is a petrol station.

Sveti StefanOn the opposite side

bay

from

Budva lies the island and the beautiful fishing town of Sveti Stefan. It was founded in the 15th century on a rocky peninsula, connected to the mainland by a narrow neck. 12 families of the Pašrovic family built a fishing village here. Each family had a house with food supplies, which served as a shelter in times of danger. The stone houses were surrounded by walls. The whole town was built from the spoils of a Turkish galley raid. Today, it is home to Montenegro's most luxurious resort, visited by politicians, athletes and celebrities from all over the world. This island is worth a visit, it is very photogenic :-) There are beautiful beaches, bordered by chains in summer. It is possible to anchor at a depth of 8-12 meters.

KotorIt is located

in Boka Kotorska. The best preserved medieval town in Montenegro, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Kotor lies at the foot of the 1,749-metre high Lovćen limestone mountain. It is one of the few towns on the Adriatic coast to have preserved the appearance of a medieval town typical of the 12th-14th centuries. The city is surrounded by massive 4.5 km long city walls, in some places up to 20 metres high and 15 metres wide.

Most of the credit for building the fortifications goes to the Venetians, who ruled Kotor for almost four centuries. The city was able to withstand a siege lasting several months. You can climb the walls to high above the bay and to the terraces of the original medieval castle of St. John (Tvrdjava sv. Ivan). The climb takes 30-40 minutes in places, but it is definitely worth it! Along the way, you will enjoy breathtaking views. There is an entrance fee of EUR 3 per person. The staircase leading up to the fortress is reached via a winding alley that leads eastwards from Grbonja Palace. There are three preserved gates in the fortification system, the oldest of which, the southern gate (Gurdić's Gate), dates from the 9th century. The main sea gate (Morska vrata) and the northern gate have been preserved.

The town was an important maritime and commercial centre. The maritime tradition dates back to the 9th century, when the oldest association of sailors on the eastern Adriatic coast (the Brotherhood of Seafarers of Boka Kotor) was founded here. This institution brought together most of the seafarers, built up its own arsenal (ship manufacturing and repair), had an extensive commercialIt supported sailors and the families of those who died at sea, provided for the defence of the city and the safety and health control of ships. Apart from seafaring, other trades, such as goldsmithing, supported the population. There was also a well-known painting school.

The old town is built on a triangular plan. Many historic buildings can be found in the narrow streets and squares of the medieval core. The city's greatest jewels are the vast Square of Arms, the Renaissance clock tower (Gradski Toranj), Liberation Square (Trg Oslobodenja) on which stands the Pima Palace, St. Tryphon (the most famous monument of the city, there are the remains of this martyr), the palace of the Drago family, Gurdić's bastion, the Byzantine Palace (14. The Church of St. Francis, the Church of St. Paul (dating back to the 13th century), the Church of St. It was used as a weapons storehouse and women's prison between the wars), the Church of St. Nicholas, the Church of St. Luke. Also worth a visit is the famous Maritime Museum, where you can see objects from the 15th-18th century. In the 18th and 18th centuries, ship models, old maps and plans, ship parts, weapons, portraits of sailors.

Swimming: you won't find sandy beaches on the Kotor Riviera, which are common in other parts of the Montenegrin coast. There are mainly pontoons, piers, pebble beaches and landscaped concrete areas. Swimming is possible at Morinj beach (about 1 km long, sand and shingle beach).beach), Risan beach (between Risan and Strp) and Bajova kula beach (a popular beach, 60 metres long). In high season the sea can be polluted. Much nicer swimming is around Budva.

Port of KotorThis is

year-round customs port, where the harbourmaster and customs office can be found on the waterfront; the police are in town. The port offers muring berths with water and electricity connections. The most pleasant and peaceful mooring is at the mouth of the river next to the harbour office. It is necessary to moor with the bow upstream (if there is a strong current, it is not possible to stand here). It is also possible to stand at the main quay or at anchor in the bay (depth 7 metres) at the end of the bay. The harbour is well protected. The price for standing is about 50 EUR for a 46 meter long boat. You can also anchor in the small marina of Muo. It is located on the west coast of Kotor Bay, less than 1 NM from Kotor. There is water and electricity. There is a regular bus service to Kotor. Warning. The water in the marina is drinkable and not of very good quality.

Kotor is a beautifully situated town at the foot of the 1749m high Lovcen. The ancient town nestled between the walls is truly beautiful. The fortress towering 200m above the harbour is also worth a visit. Take a little better shoes, the climb is not easy in places. There are mooring ropes and electricity on the pier. Kotor is a customs port where you can also check in. I recommend you do your first entry clearance on arrival in Montenegro in Kotor and exit in Zelenica.

RisanThe city

was founded by the Illyrian tribe and ruled by the warrior queen Teuta. In the time of ancient Rome, this city was the most important port in Boca, later Kotor took over its role. The oldest mint on the soil of the South Slavic states operated here. Today, there are several interesting sights to see, such as the excavation of a Roman villa and ancient floor mosaics (150 m from thethe remains of two Turkish fortresses or the palace of the Ivelić family (many famous sailors, merchants and diplomats came from this family).

Risan harbourA small

harbour for yachts. Mooring is possible at the head of the pier (depth 3 metres) or at the quay (depth 2 metres). There is space for 3-4 boats. It is not allowed to stand by the breakwater. The harbour is safe, due to thermals strong north winds can occur at night. It is also possible to anchor here at a depth of 8-10 metres. The anchor holds well. There is no electricity in the harbour. There is a tap at the southeast corner where you can draw water (a long hose is needed). Diesel can be bought in a canister at a garage 200 metres away on the Kotor road. There is a reasonably well-stocked minimarket, restaurant and café with Wi-Fi at the port. There is also a larger supermarket a short distance away.

Risan is a nice ancient port with excavations of a Roman villa. The island of Stradioti is also worth a visit. On the south side of this islet in Boca Kotor there is a nice and quiet anchorage.

UlcinjOnce a

dreaded place and a stone nest of pirates who sailed from Valdanos Bay and raided ships for more than two centuries. The pirates had great power. They built a fortress here and took over much of the territory. Hand in hand with piracy, the slave trade developed here. Pirates brought slaves mainly from Italy and Dalmatia and demanded ransoms. African slaves were also brought here to work in agriculture and at sea. Some made excellent captains. Today, there are many interesting buildings and monuments. In the narrow streets of the old town, which have retained their medieval character, you will find small shops selling handmade products (handmade gold and silver, leather goods and ceramics).

The atmosphere of the town has an oriental flavour. There are mosques and the smell of Turkish specialities wafts from the restaurants. The city is not overlooked by majestic mountains, instead it is surrounded by a hilly landscape with fertile soil. Citrus, pomegranates, apricots, peaches, grapes, melons and organic vegetables are grown here! The locals sell their fruit and vegetables in stalls or wooden booths on every corner. Near the town there is a beautiful beach (Velika plaža) with fine whitem sand, which contains a lot of iodine and other elements and thus has healing properties. The bay offers ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. There is also a sunken shipwreck at a depth of 15 metres a short distance from the beach.

Ulcinj harbourSmall

harbour, can stand sideways on the pier (depth 3 metres). Definitely don't stand on the spot that is reserved for the ferry. When it's windy, the sea at the quay waves. There is no water or electricity. There is no charge for parking. You can also anchor in the middle of the bay at a depth of 4 metres. Ulcinj is much better value for money than Budva. There are good pubs with half the prices and a beautiful view of the sea :-).

BijelaThe

shipyards

were

built here, around which the present town gradually grew. The local boat builders learned their trade from craftsmen coming from Korcula (there was a famous boat building school). The ancient tradition of shipbuilding has been continued by the modern shipyards where small yachts and ocean-going ships are repaired.

Herceg NoviThe youngest

town of Montenegro, founded in 1382 by Bosnian King Tvrtko to improve the control of the entrance to Boka Kotor. The town's inhabitants were mainly engaged in fishing, salt trade and a silk factory (the second in Europe) was established here, which attracted many craftsmen. The old town was protected by walls and fortresses that have been preserved to this day: the Sea Fortress (Forte Mare) stands by the sea and the Upper Castle (Gorni grad) stands towards the inland.

Today, this old port town resembles a blossoming garden. More than 200 species of plants grow here, once brought back by sailors from their voyages. Over the centuries, plants from all continents have come to the town, creating a unique atmosphere. In particular, eucalyptus, pine, cypress, coconut palms, agaves, magnolias, date trees, mimosa trees, etc. grow here. The city is very diverse and hides many historical monuments. Among the most beautiful is the Turkish clock tower Salaat Kula from the 15th century, the Karanja Well, the Spanish Spanjola Fortress, the Kahli Kula (Bloody Tower) from the period of Turkish rule (used as a prison), theCurrently it serves as a theatre), Franciscan monastery with a hospital.

In the centre of the old town there is a nice square with cafes and the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. Also worth a visit are the nearby fortress on Mamula Island (the fortress was considered impregnable, protecting the entrance to Boka Kotor and later serving as a concentration camp) and the Arza fortress, which once guarded the entrance to Boka Kotor. In the city there is the Maritime Museum (Pomorski muzej) with exhibitions of models of old ships and various nautical equipment. The city's riviera is 25 km long, with many nice beaches scattered among the villages and olive groves. Above the town rises the Orjen Mountains (the highest peak is 1 895 metres).

Herceg Novi harbourIn

summer, a fairly busy harbour (music from nearby bars and restaurants, ferries), most of theThere are several moorings, also water and electricity connections for a fee. There is also a petrol station. There is an ATM on the waterfront, several well-stocked supermarkets, a farmers' market with fresh vegetables, fruit and fish, and many cafes and restaurants. There is a doctor and a pharmacy in town. The harbour is well protected against winds from the N, NE and E. The harbour is not protected against winds from the N (picking up swell) and W (dangerous winds). It is also possible to anchor on the west side of the harbour in 4-6 metres of water. It is not allowed to anchor at the eastern side of the breakwater.

BarIndustrial

and port city. The countryside around Bar has a long tradition of olive cultivation. There are extensive olive groves around the town. Near the village of Mirovica is said to be the oldest olive tree in the world, 2 000 years old. According to tradition, no inhabitant of Bar was allowed to marry until he had planted at least 10 olive trees.

Montenegro's only railway line from Podgorica and Belgrade ends in the town. The railway is a unique piece of engineering, as it includes several hundred tunnels and bridges overcoming difficult natural obstacles. There are two beaches: Topolica beach (located near the port) and Red beach (located north of the city). Its name is derived from the unusual colour of the sand and the legend of the mermaid Nereida. A trip to Lake Skadar is also nice (by taxi or train, the ticket is cheap).

Stari Bar (ghost town) is the historical predecessor of Bar and is definitely worth a visit! You will find some nice historical monuments here. There are two marinas in Bar - A.D. marina and OMC marina. It is located inland, a few kilometers from the sea. The town was built at the foot of the Rumija Mountains, which rise to a height of almost 1,600 meters above sea level. The town is protected on three sides by cliffs and on the western side by walls. In 1878 the Turks blew up the gunpowder stores and destroyed this beautiful city. An earthquake in 1979 completed the destruction. This gave the city its nickname of ghost town. Today, several reconstructed buildings can be seen (the Archbishop's Palace, the clock tower, part of the fortifications, the aqueduct and two churches).

A.D. Marina BarA large

marina and year-round customs port (customs pier in the industrial port of OMC). The captain's house (Lučka Kapetania) is behind the park opposite the entrance to the customs pier, next to the garden restaurant). There are 370 berths on the water, water and electricity connections. Near the marina there is a good technical service, a shop with yachting equipment, several supermarkets, farmers' markets with fruit and vegetables, many bars, cafes and restaurants. Bank, post office, hospital, pharmacy.

OMC MarinaIndustrial

marina with customs pier. There are 300 berths on the shore and little space on the water. It is recommended to stay rather in A.D. Marina. Caution! The captain's office in the Bar cannot collect the stamp (vignette) fee. You must purchase one at the post office or bank, but these are closed from Saturday noon to Monday morning.

ZelenikaA year-round

customs port, due to customs formalities it is necessary to disembark at the quay, on which large black fenders hang. To avoid soiling the hull, it is better to moor with the bow or stern, not the side. You can also anchor at the pier overnight (toe to anchor about 10 metres, two ropes aft). When sailing it is better to complete customs formalities in Kotor.

This mountainous peninsula separates Boka Kotorska from the open sea. Especially the southern part of the peninsula is very popular. There are beautiful bays and beaches. There is also a beautiful blue cave (Plava Špilja). In sunny weather, the refraction of light creates interesting lighting effects. You can also swim and sunbathe on Žanjica beach, or on Pržna beach and Rosa beach (a nice rocky beach).

A new, modern marina, Monte Negro, has been built in Tivat. The marina is architecturally well suited to the local architecture and has turned an old, unsightly military harbour into the centre of Boka's yachting life. Thanks to the gradual reconstruction, the old town itself is awakening to its original beauty.

As for the food, you will definitely enjoy it. The cuisine may not be too varied, but you can be sure that the food is always made from fresh ingredients and in organic quality! The basic ingredients are fresh fish, olive oil, cereals and vegetables in the form of salads. There are also crayfish, octopus, mussels, clams and other seafood. Fish is most often prepared grilled with aromatic herbs and garlic, fried or as a thick fish soup (brodet).

Traditional Montenegrin specialties include: lamb in milk (lamb in mljek), Burek (little bags filled with cheese or meat), Kacamak (a kind of mashed potatoes made of wheat and corn flour, served with cheese and cornmeal), andcheese made from goat's, cow's and sheep's milk, sausages from the Cetinje region, Rastan (made from cabbage and potatoes), Kajmak (ripe cheeser), hearty soups made from meat and vegetables, fish soup (riblja čorba) or nettle soup (čorba from nettles), Popeci (crispy and juicy pork fillets), goulash octopus goulash, grilled squid (grilled squid), grilled fish (grilled fish), seafood risotto, kebabs, pljeskavica (beef or lamb meatballs) or cevabcici. The famous delicacy and symbol of the local cuisine is Njeguški pršut. Montenegrin wines also have a long tradition. The most famous and best red wine is Vranac and the white Krstac.

The coastal region of Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The average summer temperature is 27 °C, the average sea temperature 25 °C. Maximum air temperatures can approach 40 °C. Autumn is pleasant and sunny until the end of October, sometimes until mid-November. The wind in this area is strongly influenced by the diurnal thermals (i.e. regular strong winds that pick up in the afternoon and die down towards evening) and the high mountains. The most frequent winds are from the NW and SE. The daytime breeze cannot overcome the high mountains and the prevailing NW wind can increase from 3 Bf to 5 Bf in the afternoon. Northeast bores (strong cold gusty winds falling from the mountains) and south to southeast jugo winds are also found in this area. Both the bura and the yugo lift large waves. The dangerous bora blows mainly in winter, but can also be encountered in summer. It blows most often in Boca Kotor in the bay of Risan. In the area around Bar, the bora almost never blows.

Upon arrival in Montenegro, all visitors are required to check in at the relevant police department within 24 hours. If you arrive by boat, you are obliged to arrive at the nearest customs port, register your vessel at the port authority, apply for a permit and pay the fee for a stamp or a vignette. The vignette must be stuck on a visible place (e.g. mast or window). The price for the vignette is determined by the length of the vessel and the length of stay (one week to one year). The fee for a boat 7-12 metres long is EUR 40/7 days or EUR 95/month. For a boat of 12-17 metres you will pay 120 EUR/7 days or 220 EUR/month.

To register your boat you will need your passport, boat documents, captain's licence, boat insurance, crew list and confirmation that you haveyou own the boat (if you are the owner), the authorisation to use the boat (notarised power of attorney) or the charter agreement with the charter company. The check-in process will take approximately 20-30 minutes. If you are sailing from Croatia, the first customs port is Zelenika, but it is usually tolerated if you sail as far as Kotor, where customs clearance will take place. Those who want to be absolutely sure can apply for a Zelenika customs port permit by calling +38 23 16 78 27 60. The major customs ports are in the towns of Zelenika, Kotor, Bar and Budva. Warning. The Captain's Office in Bar cannot collect the fee for the stamp (vignette). You have to buy it at the post office or bank, but these are closed from Saturday noon to Monday morning. Otherwise the vignette will be issued by the harbour office.