Perast & the inner bay
Perast is a small historic town on the inner part of the bay, opposite the islets of Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George. The inner bay, around Perast and Kotor, is the more enclosed, scenic part of Boka.
Boka Kotorska · Montenegro
Bay of Kotor Travel Guide: Where to Stay & Explore
A practical guide to the wider Bay of Kotor, and where Herceg Novi and Savina fit into it.
Bay of Kotor at a glance
The Bay of Kotor (Boka kotorska, often called Boka Bay) is a bay on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, known for its fjord-like setting and its well-preserved historic towns. The towns around the bay include Herceg Novi, Kotor, Perast, Tivat, Risan and Prčanj.
Is the Bay of Kotor the same as Kotor town?
No. Kotor is one town within the wider Bay of Kotor. The bay itself is a larger destination made up of several towns, including Herceg Novi, Kotor, Perast and Tivat.
Is Herceg Novi part of the Bay of Kotor?
Yes. Herceg Novi is at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, on the seaward side of the bay.
Where to stay around the Bay of Kotor
The bay contains several different places to stay rather than one single accommodation area, so the best choice depends on the kind of stay you want.
- Herceg NoviAt the bay’s entrance, with a long promenade, beaches and a quieter residential side in Savina.
- KotorA fortified town at the inner end of the bay, within a UNESCO-listed historic region.
- PerastA small historic town on the inner bay, close to the islets of Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George.
- TivatTivat is a modern and charming coastal town and one of the most luxurious tourist destinations on the Adriatic.
Where should I stay in the Bay of Kotor?
It depends on the base you prefer. Herceg Novi suits visitors who want a coastal town at the bay’s entrance with a promenade, beaches and a quieter side in Savina. Kotor is a compact fortified town, Perast a small historic inner-bay town, and Tivat a modern and charming town, one of the most luxurious destinations on the Adriatic.
Can I stay outside Kotor town and still explore the bay?
Yes. The bay contains several towns, so staying outside Kotor town, for example in Herceg Novi, still gives you access to the wider Bay of Kotor.
Herceg Novi as a base for Boka Bay
Herceg Novi sits at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, on the seaward side of the bay. It is a practical base for exploring the wider bay: it has a long promenade, beaches, a fortified Old Town and the quieter Savina area, and it is within reach of the inner bay.
Is Herceg Novi a good base for exploring Boka Bay?
Yes, for visitors who want a coastal base at the entrance to the bay. From Herceg Novi you can reach the inner bay, and the town itself has a promenade, beaches and the Savina area a short walk from the sea.
Destinations around the Bay of Kotor
Kotor
Kotor is a fortified town at the inner end of the bay, within the UNESCO-listed Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. Kotor town is one destination within the wider Bay of Kotor. The bay is not a synonym for Kotor town.
Tivat
Tivat is a modern and charming coastal town in the heart of the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Once a quiet fishing village and naval harbour, Tivat has become one of the most luxurious tourist destinations on the Adriatic, largely thanks to the Porto Montenegro marina.
Exploring the bay
The Bay of Kotor is best understood as a chain of connected towns and smaller bays rather than one single place. From Herceg Novi you can reach the inner bay, and many visitors also see the bay from the water.
See private boat experiencesStaying on the Herceg Novi side of the bay
On the Herceg Novi side of the bay, Savina is a quieter area close to the promenade and the beaches. Aria Herceg Novi is a 4-star accommodation property in Savina, with rooms and suites, sea-view accommodation and free guest parking. It has 17 accommodation units in total, about 97 m from the Pet Danica promenade, about 150 m from the beach and about 1 km from Herceg Novi Old Town.