The Bay of Kotor looks its best from above. The mountains rise straight from the water, and only from a height can you see how the inner bays, the villages and the islands fit together. Here are five places to see it from, and how to get to each one.
1. Kotor fortress (St John)
The classic view. A path climbs from Kotor's old town along the city walls to the fortress of St John (San Giovanni), high above the town, with more than a thousand steps on the way. From the top you look down on the old town's roofs and out over the inner bay. The old town and the bay are part of the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
How to get there: on foot from the old town. When: early morning or near sunset, to avoid the midday heat.
2. Saint Ilija on Vrmac
Saint Ilija is the highest point of Vrmac, the ridge between Kotor Bay and Tivat Bay. Because it stands in the middle of the bay, the view goes both ways: toward Kotor on one side, toward Tivat, Luštica and the open sea on the other.
How to get there: on our Vrmac – Saint Ilija tour, by quad or by buggy, along old military roads and through forest. When: any time of day; for the bay lit up at night, take Vrmac Night.
3. Gornji Stoliv
A quieter view. The old stone village of Gornji Stoliv sits on the slopes of Vrmac, across the water from Perast. From the village you look over the bay to Perast and the two small islands in front of it, with the mountains around Boka behind.
How to get there: on our private Gornji Stoliv tour by buggy, through olive groves and the Stoliv chestnut forest. When: morning light is softest on this side of the bay.
4. The Luštica Peninsula
From Luštica you see the bay from the outside: the entrance to Boka, Herceg Novi across the water, the island fortress of Mamula, and the open Adriatic to the south. It is the view that shows why so many forts were built here.
How to get there: on our Luštica Peninsula tour, 4 to 4.5 hours by quad or buggy. Read more in our Luštica guide.
5. The road above Kotor
The old road from Kotor up toward Njeguši and Lovćen climbs the mountain behind the town in a long series of hairpin bends. Several bends have room to stop, and the view down over the inner bay grows with every turn.
How to get there: by car or on an organised trip; drive carefully, as the road is narrow. When: clear mornings.
Which viewpoint suits you?
- You like to walk: Kotor fortress.
- You want the widest view of the whole bay: Saint Ilija on Vrmac.
- You prefer quiet places and old villages: Gornji Stoliv.
- You want sea and history: Luštica.
Planning a quad or buggy tour to one of them? Start with what to know before you ride.
