From kayaking through tranquil bays to exploring century-old sites, you won’t want to miss these amazing tours in Kotor, Montenegro.
Nestled along the Adriatic coast, this small Balkan town is a hidden gem, boasting rugged mountains, serene bays, and offers a tranquil retreat away from the bustling tourist hotspots that dominate much of Europe.
After spending two months visiting Kotor and taking part in many tours including kayaking tours in Kotor Bay, private boat trips to the Blue Cave, and full day trips to Lovcen National Park, I’ve compiled the perfect must-do tour list for your next trip to Kotor.
My Top 3 Tour Picks for Those in a Hurry!
If you're in a hurry and looking for a tour in Kotor to fill your pockets with adventure check out my top picks below.
I found these tours to give the most bang-for-buck experiences and allow you to experience the natural landscapes conveniently.
1. Tour to Lovcen National Park Popular
Discover Montenegro's rich history and stunning landscapes on a full-day tour to Lovcen National Park, featuring ancient sites like Njegusi village.
2. Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula & Blue Cave Boat Tour Top-Pick
Embark on a 3-hour Kotor speedboat tour to explore Boka Bay's gems, including the man-made Our Lady of the Rocks, a historic WWII prison on Mamula Island, and the famous Blue Cave.
3. 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour in Kotor Bay Adventure
Paddle through the stunning Bay of Kotor on a 2.5-hour kayak tour, joined by an expert local guide, offering a unique and exhilarating way to explore the beauty of the area.
The Best 9 Kotor Tours that You Can Book Today!
1. Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula & Blue Cave Boat Tour
If the combination of a speed boat tour along with famous Montenegro attractions sounds like fun, you are going to love this Kotor sea-style tour.
This features a 3-hour tour and speedboat ride which visits all of the best places around the beautiful Boka Bay.
The first stop is directly to the artificial island known as Our Lady On The Rocks. This island features a church that was built in the exact location where an iconic painting was found.
The interesting historical elements are among the best reasons for taking this Kotor boat tour. Especially considering it includes sights such as Mamula Island which was a prison during World War 2.
The tour ends with the incredible Blue Cave which offers perfect photo opportunities with its turquoise-colored water.
2. Semi-Submarine: Kotor Bay Panorama & Underwater Experience
Have you ever taken a tour on a semi-submarine before?
If not, here is your chance with this Kotor Bay tour which is hosted on a quirky semi-submarine. There is more than one deck on this submarine, with the lower decks allowing you to observe marine life directly from underwater.
In addition to this, plenty of panoramic views of Kotor Bay are offered. So much so that the tour is named Kotor Bay Panorama!
I found the best time to do this tour was around 11 am as the sun had risen over the mountains and the marine life was easier to see underwater.
This is one of the best ways of using an hour of your free time, and for an affordable price, it is hard to go wrong with it!
3. Tara River Whitewater Rafting from Kotor
Are you searching for an action-packed day tour from Kotor?
If so, this guided white water rafting tour is full of energy and a great tour for you.
For the price of around $150 US, you will get to raft along Tara River Canyon which is famous for being the deepest river canyon in Europe.
Not only this, but the tour includes free breakfast and lunch as well as transportation from the cities of Budva, Herceg Novi, Tivat, and Kotor.
When it comes to fun activities from Kotor, white water rafting is a solid choice.
4. Full-Day Tour to Lovcen National Park
One of the best ways of learning about the beautiful country of Montenegro is by taking a historical tour. For this reason, I would recommend going on this full day tour to Lovcen National Park and more.
There are many ancient destinations featured in this tour such as Njegusi village, with its fair share of marvelous baroque architecture.
Furthermore, the historical town of Cetinje has a beautiful monastery that is awarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During this tour, I was taken aback by just how incredible the landscapes were from the viewpoints within Lovcen National Park.
This is a truly epic option for those wishing to learn more about Kotor and Montenegro.
5. Kotor Old Town Walking Tour
Seeing Kotor Old Town quickly and conveniently isn't always easy. However, this short one-hour and ten-minute tour covers a majority of this fascinating town.
During this Kotor walking tour, you will visit St. Tryphon's Cathedral and Maritime Museum as well as plenty of other attractions.
Although I'm not a huge fan of museums, I would highly recommend exploring the Maritime Museum in Kotor Old Town. This is because of the years of historical experiences that the town has been through, making the museum one of the best things to do in the town.
Besides the interesting tourist attractions mentioned, Kotor Old Town is a beautiful place to take a short walk around.
After the tour, I recommend hiking the Ladder of Kotor for sunset which offers wonderful views.
6. Kotor Boat Tour: Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast
This Kotor Boat Tour is perfect for budget travel and includes trips to several exciting destinations.
Not only will you visit Our Lady of the Rocks, but also both Kotor Old City and Perast Museum during a walking tour of Perast Town. You will be stunned by the unique architecture of this museum, and it does make for a breathtaking view to look at.
For the value provided, this day trip is worth every penny in my opinion.
7. Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery Day Trip
The aspect I love about this tour is the fact that it visits many of Montenegro's stunning natural attractions. Although learning about history in a new country is important, I would say exploring its natural wonders is equally important.
The highlights of this tour include a trip to Durmitor National Park providing wonderful pine tree views and the mesmerizing Mount Durmitor. You will get to see this 2,523-meter-high mountain up close in all of its beauty.
While in Durmitor National Park, you will also see the black lake which is the largest glacier lake in the park.
8. 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour in The Bay of Kotor
Looking for a unique way to explore Kotor Bay?
In this two-and-a-half-hour Kotor kayaking tour, you will get to do exactly that while simultaneously enjoying breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor.
If you enjoy kayaking, this tour is bound to satisfy all of your needs. The tour includes all of the equipment you need from top-quality kayaks and paddles to life jackets, and an experienced local guide.
Seeing the Bay of Kotor is one thing, but seeing it this way adds to the experience!
Looking For Something More Private?
9. Private Kotor Tour by Speed Boat
It is difficult to go wrong with a private tour while in Kotor, Montenegro, and especially when it is a private speedboat tour.
This makes for smooth sailing, and it certainly makes things relaxing knowing you aren't sharing the tour with crowds of tourists.
In this private tour, you will visit the Blue Cave and Our Lady On The Rocks, as well as Tivat Municipality and the Bay of Kotor.
If privacy is on your list, this will float your boat.
My Tour Selection Process
- Tour Criteria: I only choose high-value tours run by experienced local guides with high safety & sustainability standards. In Kotor, I look for price, inclusions, & customer reviews.
- My Experience: I spent over 2 months staying in Kotor & went on numerous tours. I've handpicked guided trips that visit my favorite locations in & around the city & the tours I liked best.
- Top Reviews: All tours on this list have earned a high customer rating of at least 4/5 stars on the booking sites of Viator & GetYourGuide. I constantly check my recommendations and update accordingly.
- Local Insights: I selected this tour list based on recommendations from my experiences and feedback from other travelers, tour guides, and locals in Kotor.
Read more about how I review & select tours & experiences.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler for the past 5 years. Each tour in this guide is handpicked by me. Read my travel review ethics statement.
FAQs About Booking Tours in Kotor
Are there any other types of tours you would recommend?
Besides those I've mentioned above, I would have to say that taking a food tour is worth your time. The locals in Kotor are known for enjoying fish-based dishes in particular the Black risotto which is made from squid ink.
How long should I spend in Kotor?
2-3 days is a great amount of time to explore Kotor and experience its tours. You can see plenty of places during this time, including national parks and all the historical attractions, and even take a hike to Fort Vrmac. For Montenegro as a whole, it will definitely take longer to see everything. For this reason, 7 to 10 days will be sufficient for seeing as much as you can.
Is a day trip to Kotor enough?
A day trip to Kotor allows enough time to explore the town's key attractions, enjoy the Bay of Kotor, and sample local cuisine, However, I suggest a longer stay as it allows you to explore more of the best things to do in Kotor and its surrounding National Parks and hidden gems.
More Montenegro Travel & Kotor Adventure Guides
Did you enjoy this guide post on tours in Kotor, Montenegro?
If so, check out more posts below!
- Things to do in Kotor - My comprehensive guide to the best 25+ things to do in Kotor.
- Things to do in Budva - Explore the Budva Riviera, famous for its postcard-perfect beaches, historical Old Town & bustling nightlife!
- Blue Cave Montenegro Guide - Discover the incredible Blue Cave of Montenegro.
- Ladder of Kotor Hike - Complete hiking guide to the Ladder of Kotor.
- Fort Vrmac Hike - Discover the lesser-known Fort Vrmac Hike for sunset.
- Lovcen National Park - Everything you need to know for visiting Lovcen National Park.
- Accommodation: Find out where to stay in Kotor or where to stay in Budva for great deals!