Montenegro is where the Adriatic meets the Alps — a country the size of Connecticut with more variety of landscape than most countries ten times its size. Kotor Bay is extraordinary, the mountains are wild, and it's significantly cheaper than Croatia next door.
Kotor: The Medieval City
Kotor's old city is a UNESCO-listed medieval settlement surrounded by walls that climb impossibly steep mountains behind the town. The walls are a 2–3 hour hike to the top fortress — one of the best walks in the Balkans, and the views over the bay are among Europe's finest. Entry to the walls: $8.
The old town itself is a maze of marble streets, Romanesque churches, and squares. Free to wander. The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (12th century) charges $3 entry and is worth it.
Getting There
The easiest approaches: bus from Dubrovnik ($15, 2.5 hours), bus from Sarajevo ($20, 5 hours), or fly into Tivat airport (literally inside the bay — one of Europe's most dramatic landings). Ferries cross the bay from Lepetane to Kamenari ($2.50, 5 minutes) if you're coming from the Herceg Novi direction.
Eating on a Budget
Restaurants inside Kotor's old walls charge tourist prices — $10–15 for a main. Cross the walls to the local residential area or head to nearby Dobrota and Muo for family-run konobas (tavernas) where fresh fish is $6–8 and pizza is $4–5. The bread and olive oil here is exceptional.
The Rest of Montenegro
Budva: The party capital — busy, loud, and significantly more expensive in summer. Worth a night for the old town. Durmitor National Park: Spectacular mountain scenery, ski resort in winter, hiking and rafting in summer. Lake Skadar: Shared with Albania, Europe's largest bird reserve and extremely cheap to explore by rowing boat ($5/hour).
Daily Budget in Kotor
- Accommodation: $15–18 (hostel dorm or private room outside walls)
- Food: $10–12
- Transport: $2
- Activities: $5
- Total: $32–37/day