Kotor Shore Excursion: Bay, Old Town & Island Church

Drive the Bay of Kotor, then walk through narrow streets lined with noble palaces

A private shore excursion from Kotor port takes cruise passengers through the Bay of Kotor by air-conditioned minivan, stopping at Perast and the 15th-century Church of Our Lady of the Rocks built on an artificial island. The tour ends with a guided 45-minute walk through Kotor Old Town, passing St. Tryphon Cathedral (built in 1166) and the Maritime Museum, with a professional English-speaking guide included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bay of Kotor20m
2. Our Lady of the Rocks15m · entry included
3. Kotor Old Town1h · entry included

Explore Montenegro's Coastal Highlights

• Visit hill above Jaz beach
• Visit old town of Budva and coffee break
• Short stop at Sv. Stefan for panoramic view
• Drive around Bay of Kotor
• Visit baroque town of Perast
• Visit Church of Our Lady of the Rock
• Walk through Kotor Old Town

The experience

The tour departs from your cruise ship and moves through the Bay of Kotor by minivan, a route that frames the Adriatic landscape and the cultural monuments scattered along the coast. You'll stop at Jaz beach overlook, then Budva (a town 3,500 years old) for a coffee break, followed by a short halt at Sv. Stefan for its panoramic view. The drive itself is the first half of the day: the guide narrates the history and geography as the minivan traces the water's edge.

Perast, a baroque town on the East Adriatic coast, comes next, and then the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, which sits on an artificial island created in the 15th century by depositing stones around a reef. This stop is the visual anchor of the excursion. From there, the minivan returns to Kotor port, where you'll spend 45 minutes on foot through the Old Town's narrow streets and squares. The guide walks you past the palaces of wealthy families built between the 15th and 19th centuries, stops at St. Tryphon Cathedral (1166, older than Notre-Dame in Paris by 179 years), and points out the Maritime Museum, which documents over 1,000 years of local seafaring tradition.

Port pickup and drop-off are included, as is the air-conditioned minivan and the professional guide. The pace is set by the operator, not by you, so the timing works around your ship's schedule. You'll need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at booking.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• private minivan transport with air conditioning.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• access to all stops including Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, and Kotor Old Town.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (7 to 85 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Celsus Travel

Is this one for you?Five to six hours leaves room for a meal or rest before re-boarding, but not for a second major stop in Kotor. Book this if your ship's schedule gives you that window and you want the Bay and the Old Town covered in one excursion with a guide who knows the history.

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Top questions

What is the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks and how did it get built on an island?

The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks sits on an artificial island in the Bay of Kotor that was created in the 15th century by depositing stones around a small reef. The island and its church are one of the tour's main stops.

How much time do I spend walking in Kotor Old Town?

The Old Town walk lasts 45 minutes and takes you through narrow streets and squares past 15th- to 19th-century palaces, St. Tryphon Cathedral and the Maritime Museum.

What is St. Tryphon Cathedral and why is it significant?

St. Tryphon Cathedral was built in 1166, making it 179 years older than Notre-Dame in Paris and 460 years older than St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It stands in the heart of Kotor Old Town.

Will I have time for a coffee break during the tour?

Yes, the tour includes a coffee break in Budva, a town 3,500 years old, before continuing to Perast and the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks.

Does the tour include food and drinks?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. The coffee break in Budva is your opportunity to purchase refreshments on your own.