Kotor, Montenegro: A Cruise Stop That Will Blow You Away!

This past summer, as a port stop on a cruise on the Norwegian Viva, I had the opportunity to visit Montenegro. Let me tell you, this is one of those destinations that completely blew my expectations out of the water. Montenegro is a tiny country that packs a massive punch of history, beauty, and pure travel magic.

Some History about Kotor

Picture this: A medieval city nestled between mountains and the sea, with cobblestone streets holding centuries of architecture and history. That's Kotor for you a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. This picturesque town has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, from the ancient Illyrians to the Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans. The Venetians' influence is particularly evident in the town's architecture, with its narrow, winding streets, squares, and fortified walls. This gives you a little idea of what awaits you.

How to maximize a cruise port stop in Kotor?

To be honest, I didn't have a plan for the day. I'm the kind of guy who goes with the flow, but I was aware of the Kotor Stairs, and that was on my mind. So after taking the tender from the cruise ship to the port, I decided to start walking around the old town and the fortified walls. Soon enough, I was amazed by this place. I had never visited anything like it. Funnily enough, during this cruise, I had plenty of similar experiences, but let's be honest, the first time is always the best. After walking the cobblestone streets, I stopped at the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Its construction began in 1124 and was completed in 1166, making it one of the oldest cathedrals on the Adriatic coast. It's full of liturgical objects, manuscripts, and religious artworks dating from various historical periods. It's like a journey through time as you walk through its halls. This is a must-visit if you're in town. After the Cathedral, I continued my self-guided walking tour, but now on top of the fortified walls, which offer a completely different view of the town. This is when I realized my previous goal of tackling the Kotor Stairs was more challenging than I thought because the summer weather in Kotor can be rough. With clear skies, the sun was radiant, and I was feeling it. So, my plan was no more. This is when you find a blessing in your way. While I was suffering from the heat, a local girl was selling tickets for a speedboat tour, and between climbing stairs or getting in a boat, the decision was obvious. We took it! What started as a casual speedboat tour turned into the most incredible adventure. For just 35 euros and three hours, I had an amazing experience, and not just that, I was supporting the locals, which, by the number of boats I see, seems like a major source of income for them. Let me tell you more about it.

The Highlights of the Local Speedboat Tour:

• World War II Submarine Tunnels: Imagine cruising inside mountain passages where submarines from World War II once hid. Talk about a history lesson you can't get from any textbook!

• Mamula Fortress: located on the island of the same name in the Bay of Kotor. It is a monument with a fascinating history. Built between 1853 and 1855 by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this fortress was designed to protect the entrance to the bay from potential naval attacks. During World War II, Mamula was used as a prison and was known as the Alcatraz of Montenegro

• The Blue Cave: the highlight for me was the stop at the blue cave due to the number of boats inside we could not swing in it but instead our guide took us outside and the experience was as good and refreshing

• Our Lady of the Rocks: the last stop, we went to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. The island was created by local inhabitants by building a reef of stones over centuries, and it houses a church of the same name. The first stone of the church was laid in 1452, and the construction of the church itself was completed in 1632

• Pro Tip if you take this tour be aware they are really fast and my companion had a pinched nerve due to the clashing against the waves it was not the worst situation but just wanna let you know to be aware and be sure you can hold and try to have some type of cushion for your rear area

Why Montenegro Should Be On Your Bucket List

This isn't just another European destination. Montenegro is a testament to how a small country can be packed with extraordinary experiences. From its rich historical sites to its breathtaking natural landscapes, it's a place that doesn't just show you new scenery - it transforms your perspective.

Pro Tips:

1. if you are looking for a less touristy more affordable version of Dubrovnik this is your place to be.

2. When exploring destinations like Montenegro, remember that the best stories aren't about ticking boxes on a tourist checklist. Be flexible and if your time is limited don't be discouraged by having to change your plans last minute

Final Thoughts:

The downside of having a limited amount of hours in a place like Kotor is that you definitely can not see it all but also that’s a positive because I have an excuse to come back and check other parts of town like the stairs I hope you find this information here useful and if you want to see the highlights of my experience in video you can find it right here.

Have you discovered any unexpected travel destinations that completely captured your heart?

Watch my video about Kotor here