Kotor Cable Car Tour: Bay Views, Njegusi, Lovćen Mausoleum

The serpentine road, a mountain village, a granite statue, and an 11-minute cable car ride over the bay

This 5-hour tour from Kotor climbs the historic serpentine road to Njegusi village, visits the Lovćen Mausoleum with its 29-ton granite statue, and ends with an 11-minute cable car ride rising 1,285 meters above the Bay of Kotor. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle with an English or Russian-speaking guide, taste local prosciutto, cheese and wine in Njegusi, and descend by cable car with views of Kotor, Tivat, Perast and Herceg Novi.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kotor, Njeguši, Lovćen, and Cable Car

• Drive old serpentine road from Kotor
• Visit Njeguši village and try local products
• Tour Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš
• Enjoy views of Boka Kotorka
• Ride Kotor Cable Car for panoramic views

The experience

The tour starts with the drive up the serpentine road from Kotor to Trojica, a route built in 1878 with 25 switchbacks that traces the old Kingdom of Montenegro. The road itself carries a story: the engineer Josip Slade-Šilović allegedly shaped an M-shaped moat into the pavement as a secret tribute to Princess Milena. After an hour of climbing, you reach Njegusi, a village that once held the seat of Montenegro's prince-bishops and serdar, the military leader. The most famous Njegušan was Petar II Petrović Njegoš, the Prince-Bishop from 1830 to 1851, and his two-story house, now a museum, shows how the upper-class Montenegrin families lived in the 19th century.

In Njegusi you taste local products: prosciutto, cheese, olives, wine and brandy. Then the tour continues half an hour to the Lovćen Mausoleum, where you climb 441 steps to reach a six-sided chapel. Inside stands a 29-ton granite statue of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, carved by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović from a single piece of stone that originally weighed 50 tons. The ceiling holds 200,000 gold pieces forming a mosaic that weighs 18 kilograms. When you exit on the far side, you face a view of 70 percent of Montenegro's mountainous terrain.

The final twenty minutes lead to the cable car station. The 11-minute ride lifts you from 65 meters to 1,350 meters above sea level, with the Bay of Kotor, the town of Kotor, Tivat, Perast and Herceg Novi spreading below. At the top you can rest, drink coffee or explore before the descent.

What’s included

• National park entrance fee.
• mausoleum entry ticket.
• air-conditioned vehicle with private transportation.
• English or Russian-speaking guide.
• cable car ride.
• local food tasting in Njegusi featuring prosciutto, cheese, olives, wine and brandy.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Child (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Audio guideEnglish and Russian

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Is this one for you?The tour picks you up from Kotor and handles all transport by vehicle and cable car, so you don't need a car or worry about the steep mountain drive: the guide navigates the serpentine road while you take in the views.

Traveler reviews

4.50★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 5).

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.

What is the serpentine road and why does it have 25 switchbacks?

The serpentine road was built in 1878 after the Berlin Congress to connect Kotor to Cetinje by car. The 25 switchbacks climb the mountain in tight loops. The road is famous for an M-shaped moat the engineer allegedly carved as a tribute to Princess Milena.

Who was Petar II Petrović Njegoš and why is his mausoleum on this tour?

Petar II Petrović Njegoš was the Prince-Bishop of Montenegro from 1830 to 1851, a philosopher, poet and cultural leader born in Njegusi village. His mausoleum sits atop Lovćen mountain with a 29-ton granite statue carved by Ivan Meštrović and a ceiling of 200,000 gold pieces.

How high does the cable car go and what can you see from the top?

The cable car rises from 65 meters to 1,350 meters above sea level in 11 minutes. From the top you see the entire Bay of Kotor, the towns of Kotor, Tivat, Perast and Herceg Novi, and 70 percent of Montenegro's mountainous landscape.

What local food do you taste in Njegusi?

In Njegusi village you taste and can buy authentic Montenegrin products: prosciutto, cheese, olives, wine and brandy, all produced locally.

How long is the entire tour and what is included?

The tour runs 5 hours and includes the air-conditioned vehicle, English or Russian-speaking guide, entry to Lovćen National Park and the mausoleum, the cable car ride, and food tasting in Njegusi.