Are you interested in taking a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik? This guide will cover everything you need to know!
Day Trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik may be the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” but the Bay of Kotor deserves to be the Sapphire among the gems along that stunning coastline. Just a few miles from Croatia’s walled city is one of the most naturally beautiful places along the Mediterranean that you can reach with a car. And in contrast to Dubrovnik’s tourist-filled streets, Montenegro still feels a bit, though not totally, undiscovered by the masses. Here are tiny fishing villages, ancient monasteries perched on cliffs, and imposing mountains that both dazzle and intimidate.
It’s an enchanting place, and if you’ve just spent a day in Dubrovnik, it offers a welcome change of pace. On our 10-day trip to Croatia, our day spent in neighboring Montenegro was an absolute highlight.
Here is everything you need to know to take a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik.
Table of Contents
Why Visit Montenegro
Aside from the ability to easily check off one more country while visiting Croatia, Montenegro is stunning. The Bay of Kotor is one of the most magnificent locations on the Mediterranean coast. The entire drive from Dubrovnik is filled with jaw-dropping scenery.
But despite its beauty, Montenegro is far less crowded than Dubrovnik, providing a nice break from the tourists. It does get cruise ship traffic, but nothing like the nearby Croatian city.
Old Town Kotor is compact, safe, and very historic, offering something for everyone on a day trip. There’s even the opportunity to take a hike up to a fortress for incredible views of the bay.
Bay of Kotor
Best Ways to Get to Montenegro from Dubrovnik
Car
What my mom and I did, and what I recommend, is to drive a rental car from Dubrovnik to Montenegro. Although you do have to cross a border, the border crossing is simple. The drive is roughly 2 hours from Dubrovnik to Kotor (plus time for the border crossing) and is beautiful the entire way. Having a car gives you the flexibility to stop where you want to and for however long you want to. I use Discovercars.com to find the best prices for international car rentals.
Cross Border Card
When driving from Croatia into Montenegro and vice versa, you will need what’s called a Cross Border Card. When you rent a car, your rental car place will ask you if you plan on driving across any borders and if you need one of these cards. They will then offer to sell you one; it cost us roughly €40. Some people online say you don’t need one, that they don’t always ask for it at the border. But when we drove to Montenegro, the border guards did indeed ask to see our card, so I am really glad we had gotten one.
Bus
If you don’t want to rent a car but also don’t want to take a guided tour, you can take a public bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor. This is certainly the cheapest option, but it is also the slowest. The bus ride can take 2.5-3.5 hours, plus buses take much longer to get through the border crossing.
There are several departures per day from Dubrovnik’s main bus station; just be sure to book the earliest departure to allow for the most time in case of delays.
Tour
If you don’t want to have to worry about any of the logistics and have a tour guide give you information, guided tours are a very popular way to take a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik. Look for tours that stop at the three main towns along the Bay of Kotor (Perast and Kotor). I recommend this one, which also gives you the opportunity to take a boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks.
What to Expect at the Border Crossing
If you are driving a rental car, you will need to be prepared for the border crossing. But it’s not anything to be nervous about as long as you have your paperwork!
The main border crossing between Dubrovnik and Kotor only has two car lanes and one for buses. That means that it can become very backed up. The busiest times are from 9-11 AM and 4-6 PM, and the busiest months are July and August. When we crossed the border in April, we only had about a 20-minute wait in the morning and a 40-minute wait in the afternoon, but I have heard that the line can be hours long.
For that reason, you should plan to leave Dubrovnik no later than 7 AM. The earlier in the morning you cross the border, the less likely that you’ll get stuck in a long line. Likewise, try to leave Kotor later in the afternoon to avoid a line when you head back to Dubrovnik.
Crossing from Montenegro back to Croatia
Once you reach the guard booth, you will need your passport, rental car papers, and cross-border card (they did ask us for all three, so have them ready!). Once they look them over, they’ll stamp your passport and send you on your way. Easy!
Montenegro Day Trip from Dubrovnik Itinerary
Dubrovnik to Montenegro
Plan to leave Dubrovnik by 7 am in order to get to the border crossing before it’s really busy. It’s about an hour from the Old City to the border crossing, with the road traveling along the coast most of the way.
Once you reach the border crossing, it’s another hour to the town of Kotor, but with entirely different scenery. The drive along the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, is jaw-dropping. The mountains appear to rise directly out of the water, with the winding road being the only thing between the Bay and those towering stone giants. There aren’t a ton of places to pull over for pictures, so when you see one, take the opportunity to stop and enjoy the views.
Bay of Kotor
Kotor
Once you arrive in Kotor, there are several public car parks. Online, you’ll find 5 main ones listed as places you can park (like the Riva or Benovo car parks). But there are actually dozens of options. We ended up in a lot near the Gurdic Gate, which was within walking distance of town and not that expensive considering how close we were to town.
Things to Do in Kotor
Climb the Fortress
The first thing we did when we got to Kotor was begin climbing up to the fortress. Yeah, that fortress that you can see perched high above town with the crazy stone wall snaking its way up the mountain? Hiking up to the top is one of the most popular things to do in Kotor! Partly for the bragging rights, but mostly for the incredible views of the bay.
Kotor’s Fortress
Though it is a LOT of steps to the top, you don’t need to go all the way for the views. About halfway up, my mom decided she’d gone far enough. I finished the hike, but honestly the view from the top is not very different from the one my mom got at the halfway mark. So even if you don’t want to go all the way to the top, it’s definitely worth it to at least do part of it! Plan for 1.5-2 hours for the hike.
View from the trail to Kotor Fortress
Wander Around Old Town Kotor
Wandering around Kotor is a must-do part of any day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik. Old Town Kotor is a beautifully preserved UNESCO site and is filled with centuries-old palaces and historic churches dating back to the 12th century. It’s also the perfect place for a post-hike lunch. We stopped at Pescaria Dekaderon, which is right across from St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, for a meal of olives, hummus, mussels, and Montenegrin white wine.
St. Tryphon’s Cathedral
While wandering around Kotor, don’t skip the beautiful St. Tryphon’s Cathedral. With its twin spires against a backdrop of mountains, it’s the most photographed building in Kotor. Built in 1166, it is one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe. It costs 4 euros to go inside, where you’ll find historic frescoes of Biblical scenes and interesting artifacts.
St. Tryphon’s Cathedral
Walk Kotor’s Walls
Like Dubrovnik, Kotor has walls that you can walk along the top of. But unlike Dubrovnik, you can’t make a full lap as part of the walls are damaged. However, the walls offer lovely views of the town and the bay and have sitting areas where you can enjoy a moment of peace and quiet away from other tourists.
Budva
From Kotor, if you have a rental car, you have the option of continuing along the bay to the town of Budva. My mom and I had originally planned on doing this, but ultimately chose to head back to Croatia. However, Budva is famous for its sandy beaches and the Budva Riviera. So definitely consider it if you have the time!
Perast
If you leave Kotor around 2 or 3 PM, you’ll have time to stop in the quaint town of Perast on your way back to Dubrovnik. Perast sits directly on the Bay of Kotor, and its waterfront is lined with old Venetian palaces.
From here, you can take a quick boat ride out to Our Lady of the Rocks, the church in the middle of the bay that you likely noticed on your drive earlier. If you are planning on taking a guided tour to Kotor from Dubrovnik, I highly recommend this one, which includes a visit to Perast and its island church.
If you haven’t had mussels yet, Perast is also a great place to have a seafood dinner, as it’s home to numerous mussel and oyster farms. You’ll see the nets and buoys all over the place as you drive along the bay!
Back to Dubrovnik
After exploring Perast, start heading back to Croatia after a successful day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik.
Bye, Montenegro!
Tips for an Easy Dubrovnik to Kotor Day Trip
When is the best time to visit the Bay of Kotor?
For the best weather, June-August have long summer days and warm temperatures. However, that’s also peak tourist season. And because Kotor is a cruise port, it can get very busy.
For decent weather and fewer crowds, April-May or September-October are the best times to visit.
What time should I leave Dubrovnik to get to Kotor?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – leave Dubrovnik early, at least by 7 AM in the spring and summer. You don’t want to have your day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik ruined simply because you got stuck in a long line at the border crossing
What Currency Do I Need in Montenegro?
Croatia and Montenegro both use the Euro, so no need to exchange money. Plus, credit cards are widely accepted around the Bay of Kotor. As long as you have a few euros in cash just in case, you’ll be fine.
If I have a rental car, where should I get gas?
Gas is cheaper in Montenegro than it is around Dubrovnik, so I recommend filling up your car while you’re there. There is a gas station near a supermarket just inside Montenegro, a few miles from the border crossing.
Any thoughts or questions about how to take a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik? Let me know in the comments or send me a message!
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Such a thorough breakdown, especially the Cross Border Card detail! We almost skipped it thinking it wasn’t necessary, glad we didn’t risk it. Perast was our favorite stop too, that boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks was so peaceful compared to busier Kotor. Great guide for planning this trip!