Kotor Bay, Budva & Skadar Lake tour: Coastal drive views

Drive the serpentine above Kotor Bay and walk Kotor's medieval streets in one day

This full-day guided tour from Podgorica covers Montenegro's coast in a single loop: Skadar Lake National Park, the panoramic viewpoint of Sv Stefan island, the old town of Budva, the famous 25-bend serpentine road, and free time in UNESCO-protected Kotor. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Podgorica are included, with a live English guide and stops timed for photos and exploration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Montenegro coast and lake

• Drive from Podgorica to Virpazar
• Panoramic drive on Skadar lake
• Stop at viewpoint on Skadar lake
• Drive mountain road to Adriatic sea
• View panorama of Sveti Stefan island
• Walk and coffee break in Budva old city
• Drive serpentine road above Kotor bay
• Explore Kotor old town and fortress
• Short walk in Cetinje old royal capital

The experience

The drive starts from Podgorica and heads toward Virpazar, skirting Skadar Lake National Park along the panoramic route. The lake sits ringed by mountains and small villages (a protected area for birds and wild nature), and the viewpoint there frames the scale of it before the road climbs into the Pastrovicka mountains. Within a few kilometers, the view shifts from the lake's calm to the open expanse of the Adriatic, a contrast the operator describes as the heart of the day.

Sv Stefan appears next as a panoramic stop: the island connected by a causeway, now a luxury resort, with a history that draws visitors from across the world. Budva follows: a town known for beaches and nightlife, but the tour includes time to walk the charming old city that dates to the 5th century BC. Medieval streets, local energy, and the option to linger over coffee are part of the rhythm here. From Budva, the route climbs inland toward Cetinje on the famous serpentine road: 25 curves engineered in the last century to connect two market towns, each bend revealing a different angle on Kotor Bay below. The operator notes this road produces some of the most photographed views in the country.

Kotor itself is the final stop: a fortified medieval town on the Adriatic with winding streets, Romanesque churches including the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, and UNESCO protection as a cultural-historical site. Free time lets you walk the old town at your own pace or climb the 4.5km staircase to the Church of St Giovanni and the fortress above, where the view of Kotor Bay spans the entire descent. The tour returns to Podgorica by evening. Duration runs 7 to 9 hours depending on traffic and the time of day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Podgorica.
• live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• photo stops at Sv Stefan and Skadar Lake viewpoint.
• the drive across the 25-curve serpentine road above Kotor Bay.
• free time to walk Kotor Old Town and explore Budva's medieval streets.
• start time of your choice.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English06:00, 09:00 and 13:00

Guide in English06:00, 09:00 and 13:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 09:00 and 13:00

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Montenegro Wonders

Is this one for you?Book the full tour if you want to see both the lake and the coast in one day and have time to walk Kotor's old town and fortress. Choose the shorter Budva and Sv Stefan option if you prefer a lighter pace or are starting from Budva or Kotor itself rather than Podgorica.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

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 24h before the start.

What is Skadar Lake and why is it on this tour?

Skadar Lake is Montenegro's largest lake, a protected national park ringed by mountains and small villages, and a sanctuary for birds and wild nature. The tour includes a viewpoint stop there early in the day to show the scale and setting of it before the route descends to the coast.

Can I walk around Kotor Old Town, or is it just a drive-by?

Kotor Old Town is a free-time stop, so you walk it yourself. The medieval streets, churches, and squares are yours to explore at your own pace, and the option to climb to the fortress above takes about 4.5km round-trip if you want the view from the top.

What is the serpentine road and why does it matter?

The serpentine is a 25-curve mountain road built in the last century to connect Cetinje and Kotor. It climbs from the coast and offers panoramic views of Kotor Bay at nearly every bend: the operator calls it one of the best views in the country and a major photo stop on the tour.

Does the tour include Skadar Lake if I start from Kotor or Budva instead of Podgorica?

Skadar Lake is included in the full tour departing from Podgorica. If you book the shorter Budva and Sv Stefan option or start from Kotor or Budva, Skadar Lake is not part of that itinerary. Pricing for alternative start points is available on request.

Is there time for a coffee break or a meal during the day?

Yes, Budva includes a coffee break and free time to walk the old town. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so you'll purchase them yourself at cafés or restaurants along the route.