Boka Kotorska bay in Montenegro – photo, description, excursions, map
Among the Montenegrin natural treasures, the Boka Kotorska Bay occupies a worthy place. Indented shores, azure sea surface and mountain ranges form an amazingly beautiful landscape masterpiece of the Adriatic. The coastal lines at the foot of the high mountains are built up with ancient cities, the atmospheric streets of which are buried in thickets of Mediterranean flora. In addition to natural attractions, the local lands are famous for their cultural heritage. Boka Kotorska Bay in Montenegro is one of the 25 most beautiful bays in the world. This amazing corner of the Mediterranean outwardly resembles the Norwegian fjords, which is of great interest to many tourists.
Geography
The Bay of Kotor is a unique, fascinating natural ensemble. A magnificent unique corner of the Adriatic coast has a second proud name – the Southernmost fjord of Europe. Scientists have come to the conclusion that the bay is a former river canyon. As a result of tectonic and karst processes that occurred many millions of years ago, the riverbed dissolved in the embrace of sea waters. The shape of the bay gave its name to the bay.
The ancient Italian word “boccha” is translated as mouth. Emerald sea bays are washed by rocky shores curved at various angles. Mountain ranges majestically rise above the blue water surface, sometimes covered with dark green lush thickets of plants. The water area of the bay literally cuts deep into the mainland for 30 kilometers.
It consists of several basins connected by straits. Sheer cliffs and hills create picturesque landscapes. The depth of the bays reaches more than 40 meters. The majestic harbor is sheltered from winds and strong currents, making it ideal for large cruise liners. The width of the bay in the narrowest part is 300 meters.
Story
Picturesque natural landscapes are combined with an eventful history. According to the chronicles, the first settlement along the coastline of the bay was founded by the Illyrians in 229 BC. Due to its special geographical position, the local region has attracted Romans, Greeks, Slavs, Ottomans, Venetians, Austrians, French and many other representatives of European countries for two millennia.
In the past, fierce fighting took place between empires and states for the possession of this tidbit of the Adriatic coast. The regular change of governments has left its cultural, spiritual and architectural mark on the history of the development of the coastal cities of the bay. The bay was of great political and strategic importance for the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, which sought to establish its hegemony in the Balkan Peninsula.
The natural harbor served as a powerful naval base and the extreme defensive line of the southeastern border of the Habsburg Empire. Hundreds of fortifications were erected in the vicinity of the bay. After the end of the First World War, the territory became part of Yugoslavia. After the division of the united state, the region became part of the independent Republic of Montenegro.
Resorts
On the shore of the bay, like pearls, ancient small Montenegrin cities and towns stretch one after another. They offer their guests a meaningful and varied holiday for every taste. Popular places are Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor, Perast and Risan. Ancient settlements are located at the foot of bewitching majestic mountains and green hills.
Local resorts are famous for their preserved architectural monuments, picturesque embankments and original streets with narrow winding lanes, where you can feel the flavor of the Middle Ages. A decent level of development of tourism infrastructure will be a pleasant addition to the recreation program. Hotel complexes, cozy cafes, markets, souvenir shops and shops are always looking forward to their visitors. The lush vegetation of the subtropics, combined with mountain air and sea breeze, creates a special microclimate.
In the Tivat and Hercegnovskaya parts, there are well-equipped sandy and pebble beaches. Here you can enjoy swimming in the emerald calm bays, water sports, fishing and diving. The resort town of Igalo is widely known as a sanatorium and medical tourist center. Numerous health resorts offer programs using therapeutic mud and mineral spring water.
One of the recommended places to visit is the Blue Cave. This is one of the most beautiful and fascinating natural formations of the bay. Sea water has carved two entrances into the impregnable rock, where boats with tourists moor. The height of the arches of the cave reaches 25 meters. Particularly vivid impressions fall on the lot of tourists who want to swim in the aquamarine waters of the grotto.
sights
The bay abounds in places, a walk along which will bring aesthetic pleasure and a lot of pleasant impressions. In the coastal cities of the bay, tourists will see ancient fortifications and palaces, temples and monasteries, bell and watchtowers, modern villas and plain houses with orange tile roofs, spacious squares and narrow streets.
The ancient port city of Kotor, founded in 476, perched on the slope of the Lovcen mountain range. This is the main tourist place of the bay, attracting the attention of tourists with its unique sights. The city of numerous bas-relief Venetian winged lions on the facades of houses offers its guests the opportunity to feel the breath of past centuries.
Kotor is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which certainly adds interest to history buffs. In the labyrinths of cobbled streets, stone buildings are closely pressed to each other. Here the ancient is harmoniously combined with the present. Among the architectural ensembles, the Catholic Cathedral of St. Tryphon, consecrated in 1166, stands out. Its facade is decorated with two majestic bell towers connected by a wide arch. It will be interesting to get acquainted with the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, the Church of St. Luke, the clock tower and Fort St. John.
The picturesque green and shady town of Herceg Novi is a large botanical garden. Its hilly terrain is planted with relic trees, palm, cypress and citrus groves. Everywhere flowers are fragrant, painted in all shades of the rainbow. Here, tourists can see churches built in the 18th-19th centuries, as well as a Venetian bastion, a Turkish fortress and many other ancient buildings. A notable local attraction is the Savina Orthodox Monastery. The oldest buildings of the monastery date back to the 11th century.
observation decks
Breathtaking panoramas of the Bay of Kotor and coastal cities open from the observation platforms. Most of them are organized on the territory of the Lovcen National Park, located at an altitude of more than 1600 meters above sea level. Travelers who want to enjoy stunning and unforgettable views of natural landscapes can expect a road along a winding mountain serpentine, consisting of 25 turns. From a bird's eye view, emerald bays surrounded by huge rocks, and a scattering of various villages will appear in all their glory.
No less popular observation deck is the top of the fortress of St. John, dominating over Kotor. A paved path with steps leads to it. The fortification is located at an altitude of about 300 meters. The hike takes over one hour. From the observation deck, tourists can contemplate an amazing natural location: blue calm lagoons, impregnable mountains, evergreen forests, rugged coastlines. Berths with yachts and cruise liners are clearly visible, as well as the buildings of the Old Town, which are located outside the fortress walls apart from the modern quarter.
Excursions
Vacationers can visit this unique place together with professional guides. Erudite guides who thoroughly know all Montenegrin sights offer tourists to go on a tour of picturesque places. Tourists will get acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage of the region. The mountain landscape, the turquoise bay and the architectural appearance of the ancient coastal cities will not leave anyone indifferent.
The tour program provides for acquaintance with such cozy and small settlements as Kotor, Perast, Herceg Novi and Risan. These are real open-air museums. On the way the group will meet temples and monasteries, palaces and mansions of the aristocratic nobility, fortress walls and white-stone embankments, paved narrow lanes and intricate labyrinths of quarters. The guides will tell you about the monuments of architecture and ancient buildings in a fascinating and informative way, as well as reveal the secrets of Old Herzegovina.
Where is it located and how to get there
The largest bay of the Adriatic Sea is a visiting card of Montenegro, located in the south-west of the country near the Croatian border. To see the beauty of natural landscapes and the charm of the coastal towns of the Bay of Kotor, tourists can use several modes of transport.
Most vacationers arrive from Tivat International Airport. The air harbor is located 10 kilometers from the city of Kotor. Comfortable buses run regularly to this ancient and original settlement. It will not be difficult to get to the popular Montenegrin resort of Budva. Bus services are at the disposal of vacationers. The journey takes about one hour.
Independent tourists who prefer to travel by their own or rented car will like a trip along the picturesque Budva-Kotor highway. The distance between cities is 20 kilometers. From Kotor you can drive along the bay with a breeze.
If tourists take a boat trip on a yacht or cruise liner, they will be able to see especially attractive natural beauties. Ships set sail from the piers of Montenegrin resorts, including from the water area of the port of Budva.
Where to stay
Coastal cities and towns offer tourists all sorts of hotel accommodation options. The region is replete with hotels for every taste and budget. Regardless of the star categories of hotel complexes, visitors to this amazing corner of Montenegro will be welcomed by polite staff and comfortable rooms.
A wide selection of luxury apartments is presented in the cities of Herzen Novi and Tivat. The coastal quarters of Kotor attract vacationers with Venetian buildings that have been converted into cozy original hotels. Many of the 18th-century palaces have retained historic interiors that blend harmoniously with modern amenities. Decor items create a cozy atmosphere.
Best time to travel
The tourist season lasts from May to October. This is an ideal time that favors beach and contemplative relaxation. A mild Mediterranean climate prevails on the territory of the bay. In the summer months, the average air temperature is +26 degrees. Sea bays warm up to +25 °С. Warm emerald waters and fresh mountain air make for a wonderful family pastime. The maximum flow of tourists occurs in August, when annual festivals, exhibitions, carnival processions and other colorful events take place here.