Montenegro Day Trip from Dubrovnik: Kotor, Perast & Optional Boat

Summary

From Dubrovnik to Montenegro’s bayside towns and island legends

You’ll cross from Dubrovnik into Montenegro by road with a local guide, winding past valleys and along Kotor Bay before exploring Perast’s quiet waterfront and taking an optional boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks island. There’s free time in Kotor Old Town for wandering or coffee breaks — maybe even Budva if you pick the small group tour. It’s a day full of gentle surprises.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left Dubrovnik when the road started twisting through these valleys — Župa Dubrovacka, I think our driver called it — and you could smell pine and something salty on the air. The bus was quiet except for a couple up front chatting softly in German. Crossing into Montenegro felt almost too easy after all the warnings about passports. It was early, that hour where the light is soft and everything’s still waking up. Our guide, Marko, pointed out old stone houses tucked between olive trees as we skirted the Bay of Kotor. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to feel so different just over the border.

Perast came up before I’d really gotten my bearings — tiny, sleepy, with church bells echoing off water that looked almost metallic. There was this option to take a quick boat over to Our Lady of the Rocks island (I did it; worth it just for the breeze). The boatman said something about sailors dropping stones for luck, and I tried to picture that — year after year, building an island out of hope or superstition or both. Inside the church there’s this long painting (ten meters? Marko said so), but honestly I remember more how cool the stone floor felt under my sandals than any art.

Kotor itself is a maze. Narrow streets, laundry strung across alleys, stray cats everywhere like they own the place (maybe they do). We had free time here — enough to get lost once or twice and still find coffee at a café facing St. Tryphon Cathedral. The espresso was strong enough to make me blink twice. A local woman smiled at my attempt to order in Montenegrin; she switched to English without missing a beat. I bought some candied orange peel from her stall just because she laughed at my accent.

If you’re doing the small group option you get Budva too — we did, but by then my head was swimming with new names and sea air. Budva’s got those thick stone walls and beaches right outside them; people sunbathing while church bells ring somewhere behind you. On the way back toward Dubrovnik everyone got quiet again except Marko humming along to old Balkan pop on the radio. I still think about that stretch of road along Boka Kotorska, mountains pressing down on all sides, water flickering silver beside us — it didn’t feel like any place I’d been before.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Montenegro day trip from Dubrovnik

• Start tour in Dubrovnik
• Drive along Bay of Kotor
• Visit Perast town
• Optional boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks
• Free time in Kotor Old Town
• Return to Dubrovnik

Top questions

Do I need my passport for this Montenegro day trip?

Yes, you need a valid passport for border crossing between Croatia and Montenegro.

Is hotel pickup included from Dubrovnik?

Yes, hotel pickup is included within 20 minutes’ drive from Dubrovnik Old Town (small group option); otherwise only for Dubrovnik hotels.

How long does it take to get from Dubrovnik to Kotor?

The drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor takes about two hours each way depending on border crossing times.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No, lunch isn’t included but you’ll have free time in Kotor or Budva for meals at your own pace.

Can I take public transportation instead of joining this tour?

Public transportation options are available nearby but this tour includes transport by air-conditioned vehicle with guide escort.

What is Our Lady of the Rocks island?

It’s a small man-made island near Perast with a church built by sailors who dropped rocks after safe voyages; accessible by short boat ride.

Is there free time during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have free time in both Perast (or on Our Lady of the Rocks) and in Kotor Old Town; Budva stop is included only in small group tours.

I don’t have an EU passport—can I re-enter Croatia after visiting Montenegro?

If you don’t hold an EU passport or resident permit you need a multi-entry visa to re-enter Croatia after this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup (within set areas), air-conditioned transport across borders with your tour escort guiding along scenic routes, plus plenty of free time in Perast and Kotor Old Town — with an optional boat ride out to Our Lady of the Rocks if you want it before returning to Dubrovnik in the evening.