Yachting itinerary for spending 5 days in Montenegro

Writing this article having in mind that you enter Montenegro from Croatia, as lot of people choose Croatia lately due to their truly amazing coast which can keep you occupied for several season or charters due to thousand islands widely spread.

Cruising in Montenegro is appreciated by people with different tastes - no fans of quiet pastime nor supporters of active leisure will get bored while around. No matter if you are with motor yacht or sailing boat you have plenty of places that might leave you and unforgettable experience.

The coastline of Montenegro is just over 295 km long, there are only 14 islands in the water area of the country, however, the natural beauty of local places and local hospitality is more than offset. From West to East: Herceg Novi as entrance point, Boka bay as central point for everyone while in Montenegro, Porto Montenegro and Portonovi as world class marinas, Kotor as UNESCO world heritage and place widely known around world, Budva and Sveti Stefan, nightlife and events places for all those who love this kind of experiences, Bar as religious and traditional center of coastal area, and Ulcinj with longest sandy beach in the area as place for chill and kitesurfing spot on the border with Albania are all great places to discover for all kind of tourists that are coming to our country. 

1. DAY - ARRIVAL AT BOKA BAY AND STAYING AROUND 

As you come in Montenegro from Dubrovnik, you will have to do your clearance formalities before starting to move around. You can finish formalities in port of Zelenika, Portonovi marina in Kumbor, or in Porto Montenegro marina in Tivat, so it is a great starting point in planning a day in the area. Surely the best marina on our coast is the Marina Porto Montenegro, which is considered the most exclusive marina on the Adriatic. The naval heritage museum is hidden out of the main village in Porto Montenegro, but it is well worth visiting. Porto Montenegro used to be called the Arsenal, one of the largest naval bases on the Adriatic, founded by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1889. The museum now houses over 300 exhibits of the area's naval history. There is even a restored Yugoslav submarine on site. On the other side Portonovi has been recently opened and their marina is managed by DMarin group which has some benefits if you have yearly berth with them anywhere in the throughout world. This year famous One & Only hotel has been opened which greatly improved offer in this part of bay in terms of luxury lifestyle.

In this area, in marina villages you can find such varieties where everyone will find something according to their taste. There are elite restaurants with international and local specialties (Forza Porto, Bloom Portonovi, Adriatica, Al Posto Giusto, Nikki beach, Galliardo, Murano, One), prestigious boutiques (Excelsior, Fashion Gallery, Genny, Heidi Klein, MaxMara, Misahara, Mooi, Perfume Shop, etc.), luxury villas with beautiful sea view and many more to see. 

First day offboard we would recommend to go to Tivat. If you decide to make visit to historical landmark, then we suggest you to visit the Ljetnjikovac Buca(Mansion Bu?a) in center of Tivat, revitalized monument with gallery space and open air theatre where exhibitions concerts took place.

“Holy Archipelago” near Tivat is consisted of three islands – Sveti Marko island, Island of Flowers and Our Lady of Mercy. All of three of these islands are famous for numerous legends, rich history as well as holy places of pilgrimage.

If you are a fan of beautiful views, we suggest a hiking tour to Gornja Lastva. In assistance with our team, you can get professional guides to make this experience unforgettable. 

2. DAY – HEADING TO PERAST AND KOTOR

As you wake up, have a breakfast on board and sail through Boka Bay in the direction of Kotor.

You will go through Verige strait to other part of Boka Bay. Speed limit is set to 10 knots, in Kumbor channel and the strait of Verige to 6 knots.

You can sail through Risan Bay to check out beautiful spots like Kostanjica, Morinj (beautiful restaurant there - ,,Catovica Mlini”) and Risan.

Risan is the oldest settlement in Boka Bay, 6,8 nm from Kotor. It is one of the largest archaeological sites in Montenegro, which contains mosaics from the Roman period, created at the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 3rd century.

At 4 nm from Porto Montenegro, there is a small fishing town Perast.

The main features of this city are the uninhabited islands of Gospa od Skrpjela (Lady of the Rock) and Sveti Djordje, which at first glance leave the impression of floating on the sea surface.

After enjoying in Perast, we advise you to rest and have a lunch in some of the most exclusive restaurants in this area, like ,,Conte” or head to nearby ‘’Stari Mlini’’ where all your senses will be delighted. You can anchor your yacht in the vicinity and come directly to restaurants with their tender (announcement is obligatory keep in touch for organization with our team).  

Arrival in Kotor, UNESCO protected historical town, featuring unspoiled nature and unforgettable scenery. 

If you want to get to know the history of this small town, visit some of the cultural attractions: Cathedral of St. Trifun (XII), St. Nikola Church, St. Luka Church (XII), Sat Kula (VIII). For a fantastic panoramic view of the Bay of Kotor, visit the fortress St. Ivan (ex. San Giovanni). Have a dinner in restaurant Galion with beach above water in front of the Old town Marina or Forza Terra restaurant complex looking at amazing mountains in front of Kotor, or taste something more traditional and Montenegrin in small tavern Ladovina, hidden in the shades of old trees just outside from old town rush.

As a cherry on top, old town of Kotor where you can settle yourself for night in marina Kotor, visit old fortress and walkthrough beautiful old town.

3.DAY - HERCEG NOVI - BUDVA 

In the early morning after breakfast, set sail from the port of Kotor and head to the exit from the Bay to visit Budva riviera – a center for Montenegrin beach tourism. As you go on you will reach Herceg Novi, city of sun and salt with 100001 stairs . The city abounds with many historical, cultural and religious buildings, of which the most visited are Savina monastery, Sahat kula, Kanli kula, Citadela, Church of the Sveti Arhangel Mihailo, Spanjola. 

If you spend more time there then you planned to and ,,stuck” for the lunch timeyou can go to beautiful fisherman village to have a lunch in restaurant ,,Ribarsko selo”(directly from anchor you can go to their small dock, or they can pick you up with their tender) which is looking on the most beautiful beaches on the entrance to Boka Bay-Miriste and Zanjice. At about 5.7 nm from Herceg Novi, on the peninsula Lustica is one of the most attractive caves, Blue Cave. 

As you sail ahead check out Lu?tica Bay- a dreamy spot uniting old-world charm with upscale facilities, designed to reflect the tenor of traditional fishing villages of Montenegro. It offers stunning, expansive views of the surrounding landscape, nurturing a carefree ambience.

When you pass all this beauty, you will come to riviera of Budva, one of the most famous touristic places in region. You can anchor near Budva or find your berth in Dukley marina for night. Visit Old town and have a casual dinner in one of the nearby restaurants and taste some of traditional dishes with a glass of wine. Budva is famous for its nightlife in whole Adriatic region but in preseason you will enjoy in walks and beautiful landscapes.  

4.DAY - FROM BUDVA TO BAR

When you wake up and finish breakfast you will find yourself starring at the island Saint Nikola - the biggest island on the Montenegrin coast, located 1km away from Old Town Budva. The Island is also well known as Hawaii, because of the water around it, which has got that tropical blue color, and crystal clearness. The locals also call it ?kolj (it. scoglio - rock).

On the Island, there is a little church Saint Nikola which was built at the end of the XI century, and the Island got its name from Saint Nikola who was considered as a protector of sailors. Island has got 3 beaches, which have a total length of 800 meters also you can find many places, like little coves in the rock when you can enjoy the Island all by yourself.

When you continue you will see the peninsula of Sveti Stefan, old fisherman village that became one of the most luxurious places in Montenegro and truly yachting hotspot as you can see may yacht around it, as Aman rebuilt it to a hotel and villa complex.

From this point on your way toward Bar area you can go on to the historic little town of Petrovac, famous for mosaics dated from the Roman period. 

Upon the departure of Petrovac you will arrive on Queen's Beach (Kraljicina plaza), a small, secluded beach that can be approached only by boat. Sandy beach, and perfectly clear water in this natural bay shows Montenegro in its true beauty. Since it is not overcrowded it is the perfect place to rest, swim and enjoy for a couple of hours. 

After, you will enter the municipality of Bar. Berth in marina Bar (up to 40 meters) or anchor in front of town and do not miss the unique experience of a sunset above horizon.

Hint! Drink cocktails (there are domestic juices for your kids) by the sea in beautiful restaurant - café Le Petit Chateau which is in part of King Nikola Palace on the Bar promenade, or if you prefer crowd and nightlife rush take a short walk to city center and have a beer and snack in Perbacco pizzeria.

5.DAY - BAR AND CHECK OUT  

As you spent your night in the marina Bar, early morning you can go to visit the Old Town Bar or Skadar Lake. Old Town Bar is located 4km away from the seashore and the center of the Bar. In the immediate vicinity there is a famous olive, over 2000 years old, which is a true tourist attraction. Everything around is still traditional, so you can have vegetarian snack or traditionally prepared lunch in restaurant Kaldrma, one of the oldest taverns with authentic ambient on the rocky road beneath old town, old fashioned grilled meat at Dino Cevabdzinica, or have dry-aged superb quality meat at newly built Stara Carsija hotel and spa complex.

The second option, Skadar Lake. Discover authentic experiences, jaw-dropping natural beauty and the wildlife mecca that is Lake Skadar National Park, Europe's largest bird reserve. It is one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro and it is also a chance to experience authentic Montenegrin culture that you don't find in the tourist hotspots. After visiting Old Town Bar or Skadar Lake you can leave further on your journey with feeling that every moment spent in Montenegro was perfect.

You can refuel duty free fuel in marina Bar, if your yacht is up to 40 meter in LoA or at bunkering station in Port of Bar for any size of yachts.

For anything addition that you might need you can contact us anytime, follow COVID19 measures updated on our news section or on our social media profiles.

Stay safe and hope to see you all soon!