The Full Bay Loop
The full loop is 90 km with the Verige ferry (recommended) or 120 km if you drive around the entire bay. The route runs: Tivat → Kotor → Perast → Risan → (Verige ferry) → Herceg Novi → back to Tivat. Allow a full day at a relaxed pace; a half-day is possible if you're skipping Lovćen.
Must-Stop Spots
These are the stops worth slowing down for. Each adds something different — don't just drive through.
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Kotor Old Town UNESCO World Heritage walled city. Climb the fortress (1,350 steps, 45 min) for the best bay view — it's worth every step.
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Perast Tiny Baroque town. Take the short boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks island (10 min, ~€5) — one of the most photographed spots in Montenegro.
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Risan Roman-era mosaics at the Villa Urbana (free entry, easy to miss — worth the 10 min stop).
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Verige Strait viewpoint Pause before or after the ferry for the narrowest point of the bay — good photos and a sense of the geography.
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Herceg Novi Old Town Relaxed, less touristy than Kotor. Kanli Kula fortress has great sunset views and is rarely crowded.
Optional: Lovćen Serpentine
From Kotor, a road climbs 1,200 m to Lovćen National Park via 25 hairpin bends — one of the most dramatic drives in Europe. Allow 45 minutes up; there are views at every few bends. Njeguši village, halfway up, is the place to stop for local cheese and prosciutto.
At the top, the Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš has sweeping views of the entire bay below. On a clear day you can see the Adriatic coast from Budva to Herceg Novi.
The Lovćen serpentine is paved throughout and perfectly manageable in a standard car. Just take your time on the bends — there is occasional oncoming traffic. The view from the top is worth every hairpin.
Parking in Kotor and Perast
Kotor: the old town is entirely car-free. Use the paid lots outside the walls — €1–1.50/hr. In peak summer, arrive before 9am or the lots fill quickly and you'll be circling.
Perast: tiny village with limited space. Park on the main road (free) or in the small lot at the village entrance. Do not block the coastal lane — it's the only through route and locals need it.