If you enjoy sightseeing as well as relaxing somewhere warm, a dual-center holiday with Dubrovnik and Kotor Bay can offer the best of both worlds. Dubrovnik has become increasingly popular with tourists, especially since many parts of the hugely popular TV show Game of Thrones were filmed there. However, if you want to spend time relaxing somewhere a bit quieter, Kotor Bay is only around an hour from Dubrovnik by road.
Aerial panoramic view at famous european travel destination, Dubrovnik cityscape on Adriatic Coast, . [+] Croatia.
Dubrovnik airport is 13 miles from the Old Town which takes around 30 minutes in a taxi. Uber is also available here and you can expect to pay around $32 (€30) for the journey. If you plan to hire a car, all the major hire companies are available at the airport.
Views from Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
If you plan to take a short break in the city, it is recommended to stay close to the Old Town as traffic can be heavy around the town during the summer months. Cars are not allowed within in the Old Town so if you don’t want to drag your suitcase over the old stone streets, staying just on the outskirts is the easiest option. Possibly the best-located hotel in Dubrovnik is the Hilton Imperial which is less than a 5-minute walk from the main gate to the Old City - the Pile Gate. It is also a similar distance to Lovrijenac Fort, and Šulić beach and is close to the handy bus stops.
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik bar
While you may think you are familiar with Hilton brand hotels, this one will definitely surprise you. The 1897 building that houses the hotel was formerly the Grand Imperial Hotel, the first proper hotel to open in the city. An aura of understated elegance runs throughout the hotel, and views from the terraces across the old town and fort are simply stunning. If you want to escape the bustle of the old town, shaded terraces are available for meals and drinks as well as breakfast. An indoor pool with glass roof makes this the perfect hotel for the shoulder season too, when Dubrovnik begins to get quieter.
The main attraction is of course the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town with its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. When cruise ships are in port, the Old Town is particularly busy so the best way to see the town is often from the early evening, where you can wander through the streets without the crowds, followed by a delicious dinner in one of the squares or alleyways. For those that want to see the sights of Game of Thrones there are numerous tours taking in the old town and fort with all the major locations. Make time to walk the 13th century city walls with its sixteen towers, three fortresses, three moats, and two drawbridges.
Peacock in Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik, Croatia
A visit to Lokrum is also recommended, both for Game of Thrones fans to see the Iron Throne and also for those looking for some seclusion. The island is easily reached by ferry from the pretty old harbor and is populated with beautiful peacocks freely wandering the ground. There are restaurants and cafes available, along with plenty of swimming spots to cool off, as well as an art gallery.
The best way to see an overview of Dubrovnik is from the cable car which is only a short walk from the old town. If you aren’t keen on the cable car and have a car, there are stunning vistas available along the lower road towards the airport (Ul. Druge Dalmatinske brigade) as well.
Cavtat town near Dubrovnik in Croatia
Cavtat is also worth a visit and can be reached in about 25 minutes by car or ferry from Dubrovnik. Its old town features charming stone houses and a vibrant waterfront promenade, where you can stroll along the seafront admiring the yachts. It is also the perfect location foran al fresco dinner at Bugenvila restaurant, where you can enjoy a spot of people-watching and a delicious local meal with beautifully fresh fish.
The drive to Kotor Bay is relatively straightforward, with the main road from the airport in Dubrovnik leading to the border with Montenegro. There can be a wait at the border as you need to pass through the Croatian exit control as well as enter Montenegro which is not part of the EU. Make sure if you hire a car that you inform the company you plan to take the car to Montenegro so they can supply the appropriate paperwork.
Once in Montenegro, you can either take the scenic drive around the coast or take a short 15-minute ferry from near Herceg Novi to the main part of Kotor Bay and reduce your drive time. You could also choose to stay on the Herceg Novi side with the One & Only Portonovi and Iberostar hotels in the area.
Once off the ferry, it is then only a short drive to the main luxury resorts in the area, such as the Regent Hotel (part of IHG) in the modern Porto Montenegro development and the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay. Be aware that roads in this part are narrow, so a smaller car is recommended.
If you would rather fly into Montengro, Tivat airport is served by Easyjet and only a short drive from Kotor.
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay boat transfer
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay
The Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort offers the best of both worlds between relaxing and exploring. It is situated around a 10-15 minute drive from Kotor town and can be reached by regular bus or taxi. If you want to splash out on a romantic boat trip, you can also book a private boat from the hotel to and from Kotor. The hotel features a spa, two pools, several restaurants and bars as well as a beach. It also still has the original site's wellness center with a variety of programs from weight loss to recovery. This area is known as being particularly beneficial to those with lung conditions.
Pool room at Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay
As well as the standard rooms and suites with balconies you can also book a villa with its own pool or a room with access to a shared pool and private hot tub. Although the hotel has several restaurants, there are also facilities within walking distance of the hotel, such as a traditional Konoba restaurant by the water specializing in fresh fish as well as shops and a cafe.
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay beach
Kotor, Montenegro. Bay of Kotor bay is one of the most beautiful places on Adriatic Sea, it boasts . [+] the preserved Venetian fortress, old tiny villages, medieval towns and scenic mountains.
Once you have had enough relaxation, there is plenty to explore in the area. The Old Town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see, with its labyrinthine streets, Venetian architecture, and fortress. Again, the best time to visit if you don’t plan to visit a museum is often the early evening when the cruise visitors have left. There are plenty of restaurants within the Old Town to enjoy the ambiance and a bit of people-watching.
Close to Kotor is the new cable car, which glides up over 4000 feet in just 11 minutes. Once at the top there are hiking trails, a restaurant, and cafes, as well as other attractions.
Perast, Montenegro - August 27, 2022: Island Our Lady of Rock and Church in Perast on Boka Kotor bay . [+] (Boka Kotorska) of Adriatic Sea in Balkan mountains, Montenegro, Europe. UNESCO World Heritage Site
If you thought you only see fjords in Norway, you may be surprised that Kotor is set on the southern most fjord in Europe. So, a boat tour is a must as it is the easiest way to see the sights of the area. You can choose from the pretty village of Perast with its upmarket boutique shops and restaurants, the Our Lady of the Rocks, which is a church built in the middle of the bay on an island or the more modern Porto Montenegro with its glitzy shops, super yachts and restaurants. If you are more into nature a trip to see the Blue Caves with its perfect turquoise water for snorkeling should be on your list. You can also see the submarine bays that were used in World War II.
Porto Montenegro marina in Tivat
Whichever places you choose to visit in the region, you can't help but be blown away by the sheer beauty of this part of the world with itsw majestic mountains and clear waters. Kotor Bay is gradually becoming more and more well-known, so now is the time to visit before it gets too busy.