Montenegro Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Kotor and Perast
Overview
This day trip takes you from Dubrovnik across the border into Montenegro to see the Bay of Kotor: the baroque waterfront of Perast and the walled medieval town of Kotor. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and a local tour escort, with hotel pickup in Dubrovnik, and you spend most of the day exploring the towns at your own pace. Choose a standard or small group, or the small-group option that adds a stop in Budva.
Highlights
- Explore the walled old town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Stroll along the baroque waterfront of Perast in the Bay of Kotor
- Scenic drive along the Adriatic coast and around Europe's southernmost fjord-like bay
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik, with air-conditioned transport
- Choose a standard group, a small group, or a small group with a stop in Budva
- Free time in each town to walk, photograph and eat
Full Description
Kotor Old Town
Kotor is a walled medieval town at the head of the Bay of Kotor, with mountains rising steeply behind it and a maze of stone lanes and squares inside. The old town is listed by UNESCO, and its main sights include the Cathedral of St Tryphon from 1166, the clock tower and the city gate, and you will meet plenty of the town's famous cats.
You have around three hours of free time, which is enough to wander, have lunch and, if you feel fit, climb the city walls toward the fortress of St John for wide views. Ask your escort where to meet before you set off. Opening hours of the cathedral and the walls change by season, so it is better not to plan too tightly.
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
Perast is a tiny waterfront town of baroque palaces and churches, once the base of a powerful seafaring community. Its promenade looks out over two small islands, and the more famous of them, Our Lady of the Rocks, is an artificial island built over centuries by sinking rocks and old ships, and it carries a church with a rich interior.
You can walk around Perast at your own pace and take photos of the bay. A short boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks is optional and is not included, so ask your escort about the price on the day. The stop lasts about an hour and a half.
The Bay of Kotor drive
The Bay of Kotor is often called the southernmost fjord in Europe, though it is technically a drowned river canyon. The road hugs the water for long stretches and passes small villages, old stone houses and views back toward the mountains, and the drive is a big part of the day.
The trip from Dubrovnik to Kotor takes around two and a half hours including the border, and the escort talks about Montenegro's history and culture on the way. You cross the border into Montenegro and back, so bring your passport. Non-EU visitors should check that their visa allows re-entry to Croatia.
Budva and the group options
One option adds Budva, a coastal resort with a small walled old town on a peninsula and a long line of beaches. It is a good addition if you want a beach-town atmosphere to balance the historic stops.
The standard group option visits Perast and Kotor, the small-group option does the same with fewer people, and the small-group option with Budva adds the coastal town. Pickup points differ, with about twenty-six in Dubrovnik for the standard group and hotel pickup in the wider Dubrovnik area for the small groups, so check the option before you book.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in DubrovnikPickup at your hotel or a pickup point, with the exact time confirmed after booking.
- Crossing into MontenegroDrive through the coastal region and cross the border with your passport.
- PerastAbout an hour and a half to walk the waterfront and, optionally, take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks.
- KotorAbout three hours of free time in the old town, for lunch and the city walls.
- Budva (one option)In the small-group option with Budva, a stop of about two hours in the coastal town.
- Return to DubrovnikDrive around the Bay of Kotor and back across the border to your hotel.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Driver and local tour escort
Not included
- Lunch
- Panoramic boat ride in Perast
- Boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, including the island and church entrance
- Local tax in Montenegro
Not suitable for
- Travellers without a passport or the visa required to enter Montenegro and re-enter Croatia
- People who cannot sit in a vehicle for long stretches
- Anyone who wants a guided walking tour of Kotor with in-depth commentary
Meeting point
Pickup is at your hotel or one of about twenty-six pickup points in Dubrovnik for the standard group option, and in the Dubrovnik area for the small-group options. The pickup time may differ from the start time and is confirmed after booking.
Important information
- Bring your passport or valid ID for both border crossings.
- Non-EU visitors may need a multiple-entry visa to re-enter Croatia; check before you travel.
- Lunch, the boat to Our Lady of the Rocks and the Montenegro local tax are not included.
- Wear comfortable shoes for cobbled streets and stairs, and bring a hat and water.
- The Budva stop is only in the small-group option that names it.
- This is a return tour from Dubrovnik and cannot be used as a one-way transfer.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Montenegro day trip from Dubrovnik cost?
The price depends on the option: standard group, small group, or small group with Budva. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, in every option: pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik. The pickup points and time are confirmed after booking.
How long is the tour?
Plan for about eleven hours, including the drive and border crossings.
Is the Montenegro tour suitable for children?
Yes for children who can manage a long day in a vehicle and some walking. Child prices are shown in the booking panel.
Do I need a passport or visa?
Yes, you need a passport or valid ID, depending on your nationality. Non-EU visitors should check whether they need a multiple-entry visa to return to Croatia.
What is the difference between the options?
The standard and small groups both visit Perast and Kotor, but the small group has fewer people. The third option adds Budva.
Is Kotor worth visiting on a day trip?
Yes. Kotor and Perast are among the most attractive towns on the Adriatic, and a day trip is enough to see the highlights.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes if there is space. Because the pickup is arranged in advance, book the day before whenever you can.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included, and there is free time in Kotor or Perast to eat where you like.
