Kotor Bay tour with Cetinje & cable car: Cruise-friendly schedule

Six and a half hours across Montenegro's coast, mountains and a former royal capital

A private tour from Kotor designed around cruise ship schedules, taking you through Budva Old Town, up to Cetinje (Montenegro's historic former capital), down the famous Kotor Serpentine Road, and past photo stops at Sveti Stefan and the Bay of Kotor. Your guide is a licensed professional who speaks English. You choose between the standard route or an upgrade that swaps Budva for a cable car ride to Monte Bar 1350 with two and a half hours at the mountain station to explore and rest.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Bay of Kotor40m
2. Our Lady of the Rocks1h · entry included

Explore Montenegro's coastal and historic sites

• Visit Budva Old Town
• Photo stop above Sveti Stefan island
• Enjoy panoramic views from Brajci pass
• Explore Cetinje historic royal capital
• Optional visit to Cetinje Monastery
• Taste local specialties in Njeguši village
• Descend Kotor Serpentine Road with views
• Drive via Jaz Beach to end tour

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your cruise ship port or hotel in Kotor, Budva, Tivat or the surrounding region, timed so you're back before your ship departs. The route climbs inland first to Cetinje, Montenegro's former royal capital, where the architecture and layout still reflect its 18th-century role. You'll see the Cetinje Monastery, built in 1701 and now the center of Montenegrin Orthodox spirituality, and pass through Njeguši, a mountain village where you can taste local smoked ham and cheese if you arrange it in advance. The descent follows the Kotor Serpentine Road, a winding Austro-Hungarian engineering feat that opens onto views of the entire Bay of Kotor: the deep water framed by rugged mountains and coastal towns below.

Option 1 includes a stop in Budva Old Town, one of the Adriatic's oldest settlements, where you get free time to walk the narrow stone streets, photograph the medieval walls and squares, or sit at a seaside café. Option 2 replaces Budva with a drive through Lovćen National Park and a ride on the Kotor Cable Car to Monte Bar 1350, where you have roughly two and a half hours to relax, have a drink, and take in the panoramic views without rushing. Both routes include photo stops at Sveti Stefan (the exclusive island resort) and the Brajci pass, which frames the Budva Riviera and the Adriatic beyond. The tour ends with a drive past Jaz Beach on the return to your starting point.

Your guide is a licensed professional who speaks English throughout. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included, and the schedule is built to fit cruise passengers: no waiting for group departures or worrying about missing your ship.

What’s included

• Photo stops at the Bay of Kotor, Sveti Stefan, and the Brajci pass above the Budva Riviera.
• private tour with a licensed English-speaking guide.
• hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• the choice to visit Budva Old Town or upgrade to the cable car at Monte Bar 1350 with time to explore the mountain station.

Options for this experience

2 options

Best of Montenegro optionGuide in English · 19 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00Lasts 6 hours, or 6 to 7 hours during the season. Perast is not visited on this option. Pickup is included.

Option 2: includes the Cable CarGuide in English · 19 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00Lasts 8 hours, though 7 to 8 hours depending on traffic. Budva Old Town is not visited on this option. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day19 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 98 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 12

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Mont Travelers Montenegro FIT & Bespoke Travel Experience

Is this one for you?Book Option 1 if you want to walk a historic coastal town and taste local food in a mountain village. Choose Option 2 if you'd rather spend time at a high viewpoint above the bay and prefer a more relaxed pace without the walking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How does the cable car option change the day?

Option 2 replaces the Budva Old Town stop with a cable car ride to Monte Bar 1350 and adds two and a half hours at the mountain station, giving you time to explore the views, have a drink, and relax without the pace of a walking tour. The total tour length stays the same because you skip Budva's free time instead.

What is Cetinje like, and why is it on this tour?

Cetinje is Montenegro's former royal capital, with well-preserved 18th-century architecture and a strong cultural identity. The Cetinje Monastery, built in 1701, is the country's most important Orthodox sanctuary and still the center of Montenegrin spirituality. The town sits in the mountains inland from the coast, so the route up and back down the Serpentine Road frames the contrast between the interior and the bay.

Can I eat during the tour, or do I need to bring my own food?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. In Njeguši, you can arrange to taste local smoked ham and cheese by messaging the operator before you book. In Budva Old Town (Option 1), you have free time to eat at a seaside café or shop. On Option 2, the mountain station at Monte Bar 1350 has a café where you can order drinks and food during your two and a half hours there.

What if I'm arriving on a cruise ship? How does the pickup work?

The tour is designed for cruise passengers and timed with ship schedules. Pickup happens at the Kotor cruise port or at your hotel if you're staying in the region. You'll be back in time for your ship's departure. Let the operator know your ship's name and departure time when you book so they can confirm the exact timing.

Is the Serpentine Road safe to drive, and will I get carsick?

The Kotor Serpentine Road is a famous winding route built by Austro-Hungarians in the 18th century and is a standard part of regional tours. It has many curves as it climbs and descends the mountain, but it's a maintained public road. If you're sensitive to winding roads, let the operator know when you book. They may be able to adjust the pace or offer tips.