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If you’re planning a cultural getaway to Europe this fall, but Italy’s overwhelming crowds and Spain’s rising prices are keeping you from visiting, perhaps you should look east, or more specifically: Southeast:
Kotor Bay, a beautiful Mediterranean inlet flanked by jagged mountain peaks and ancient towns, is Montenegro’s pride and joy. one of Europe’s cheapest off-season destinationswhere hotels can be as cheap as $47 per night, and meals an affordable $13.
More on that soon, but before we get into the budget side of things, here’s what makes it The Bay of Kotor so special:
Is Kotor the most beautiful bay in Europe?
Also known locally as Boka, a corrupted spelling of the Italian word for mouth––bocca––Kotor is a bay that starts at the Mediterranean Sea and extends 27 kilometers deep into the Montenegrin interior, with no less than 107 kilometers of coastline on both sides combined.
It is flanked by the towering Orjen and Lovćen mountains, part of the southeastern chain of Europe’s Dinaric Alps, and features the kind exceptional natural beauty that you would normally expect in places like Norway and Switzerland, except this is the sun-drenched Mediterranean.
Epic walks
If you are a nature lover, there are numerous hikes to be had, including the 3-hour Vrmac Ridge Trail, which starts at the historic Fort Vrmac and rises 765 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Although more challenging to climb, Petingrad may be the best viewpoint overlooking the winding baywith a height of 1027 meters ––you can see all the massifs and postcard-perfect waterside towns from here!––the highlight being a rocky peak bearing the flag of Montenegro.
Leaving the town of Kotor, the 45-minute footpath leading up to St. John’s Fort is another must-do for outdoorsmen.
However, it is best to start your climb at sunset, not only because the landscape becomes much more spectacular, but also because it is less warm.
Still Warm In The Fall
Speaking of weather conditions: Montenegro is one of the warmest destinations in Europe in the autumn period The Bay of Kotor is no exceptionbecause it is located in the Mediterranean, where autumn temperatures remain mild to warm.
The waters off the coastline are still warm, averaging around 23°C, and from the compact but picturesque beach of Kotor to the fine pebble beach of Ploce and even lively Trsteno, you should be able to swim comfortably well into October.
As for the weather, you would expect a pleasant high of 79°F in September, while in October the temperature drops only 72°F; As for the evenings, they are only moderately cool, ranging from lows of 66°F to 53°F as it gets darker.
Ancient culture
If you come to the Bay of Kotor mainly for culture, you should know that part of Europe can be found here oldest continuously inhabited settlementsparticularly the city of Kotor itself, which shares its name with the wider region:
It is a typical walled Dalmatian settlement often compared to Dubrovnik. It is crossed by pedestrianized cobbled streets leading to mysterious patios and ornate Romanesque-Baroque churches.
It is exactly the same as its famous Croatian counterpart, except that much quieter in comparison.
Also on the Bay of Kotor, the small, legendary towns of Perast, Risan, Herceg Novi and Tivat date back centuries.
With their narrow stone houses and traditional Mediterranean green shutters along the bayside promenades, they are nothing short of storybook material.
Affordable activities
Besides the epic hikes and charming villages, the Bay of Kotor is famous for the wide range of budget-friendly attractions it offers: one of our favorite activities is this Speedboat ride from $54.76 a visit to Perast, the iconic church ‘Our Lady of the Rock’ on an island, and the Blue Grotto.
Would you like to taste Montenegrin food instead? Montenegrin cuisine is best represented by minced meat ćevapilamb and milk and our personal favorite, Balkan Porridge, and with this best selling Food walkyou can sample some of the best delicacies from the local Farmer’s Market from $164.28.
To all you adventurers, this day trip with small groups goes beyond the Bay of Kotor and visits the majestic Durmitor Mountain, the Tara River, the deepest gorge in Europe and the centuries-old Ostrogo Monastery before returning to Kotor, costs $86.26.
How much does a trip to the Bay of Kotor cost?
Since we are talking about prices, you should know that Montenegro is one of the most affordable Mediterranean destinations: although it has certainly become more expensive over the years as the influx of tourism increased, you can still eat quite well there for between $10 and $35.
Located in the heart of Kotor’s Old Town, vegan friendly Ombra restaurant serves pizza for just $8.74, and a glass of local fruit wine for about $2.73.
For grilled calamari and perhaps the most tender tuna steak you’ll try on your trip, we recommend Caffe Del Mare – moderately higher prices, but the views of the bay are worth it.
Last but not least, Pržun is the place to go for steak – their tenderloin melts in your mouth – and it’s an affordable eatery, with the most expensive dish costing $28.
As far as hotels go, the top rated hotel with the lowest overnight rate Booking.com this fall Old marina villain the sleepy town of Prčanj, just a 10-minute drive from Kotor, from $50.
The cheapest rate is in the center of Kotor ApartHotel Maxim‘s: $74.50 per adult for a double room with a view of the bay.
If you are the luxury type, get a five-star stay at this landmark Boutique Hotel & Spa Casa del Mare – Mediterraneo in Herceg Novi costs $216 per night: it includes an outdoor pool, a wellness spa, a cozy bar and restaurant and access to the private beach.
According to Budget your tripwhat tourists spend on average $794 on a week-long holiday in Montenegro – it’s definitely not Albania, but still a reasonably priced autumn holiday.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
