Overview
Montenegro's coastline is only 293km long but it contains one of the most spectacular sailing environments in Europe. The Bay of Kotor — technically the Mediterranean's southernmost fjord — is a series of interconnected bays enclosed by 1,700-metre limestone mountains. The effect, especially arriving under sail, is breathtaking: the mountains seem to drop directly into the water, the medieval city of Kotor appears at the innermost bay, and the whole scene looks like something from a film set.
Bay of Kotor
The Bay of Kotor divides into four interconnected bays: the Bay of Herceg Novi (entrance), Bay of Tivat, Bay of Risan, and the innermost Bay of Kotor. Sailing through the narrow Verige Strait between Tivat and Kotor bays (just 300m wide) is one of the great moments in Adriatic sailing. The towns of Perast (Baroque palaces on the waterfront, two church islands), Risan (Roman-era mosaics), and Prčanj are all worth stops.
Kotor old town
Kotor is one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in the Mediterranean — a UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by 4.5km of Venetian walls. The town marina is right at the old city gate. Walk the walls at sunset for spectacular views over the bay. The narrow limestone streets, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, and the cats (Kotor has an extraordinary feline population) make this an unmissable stop.
The Montenegrin Riviera
South of the Bay of Kotor, the Budva Riviera runs to the Albanian border with sandy beaches, the medieval old town of Budva, and the spectacular island village of Sveti Stefan (a pink-tinted causeway island visible from miles at sea). The Ada Bojana river island near Ulcinj is one of the Adriatic's most unusual anchorages.
Combining with Croatia
Montenegro is the natural extension of a Croatian charter from Dubrovnik — just 50nm south. Most Croatian charter operators allow one-way charters ending in Montenegro, or include the Bay of Kotor as an add-on to a Dubrovnik-based itinerary. Customs clearance is required on entry (carry crew list and ship's papers) but the process is straightforward at Herceg Novi or Bar.