Day 3: Risan, Perast, and Kotor

The next day, we set off right after breakfast with our scooter in the direction of Risan, a small town in the Bay of Kotor.

The beginning of the ride was quite exhausting, as we had to take the same road where we had already been stuck in traffic due to construction on our way from the airport. Today, the situation was no better.

But once we had finally left Tivat behind, we reached the coastal road again. Here, the landscape felt very authentic, not touristy. We drove through small, sleepy villages until we eventually reached the car ferry to Risan.

We had no idea we needed to take a ferry, so this was quite the surprise.

The crossing was very pleasant. Feeling the wind on our skin and smelling the sea was wonderfully refreshing after the long, exhaust-filled ride in traffic.

In Risan, we had actually planned to visit the Roman mosaic, but unfortunately, it was closed that day.

So we decided to sit down in a cozy café right by the sea and have something to drink.

Risan is a very small, quiet, charming place that has not yet been discovered by mass tourism.

We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. And, of course, we also wanted to take a quick swim in the sea, which was easy to do on the long beach.

Afterward, we continued toward Perast, following the coastal road.

We stopped at a viewpoint offering a wonderful view of the two monastery islands off Perast. We decided not to visit the islands, as we still had much planned and time was flying by.

In Perast, you must park at the entrance to the town, as it is completely car-free.

Perast is stunning, but that fact is no longer a secret—so the town is flooded with tourists. Is it still worth visiting? I would say: for now, yes. Whether that will still be the case in a few years remains to be seen.

We strolled a bit through this truly picturesque town lying directly by the water.

Then we continued to Kotor, the most famous destination in the region.

Kotor has also long been discovered by tourists. The city is especially famous for its cruise ship visitors. Ocean giants anchor in the bay, and thousands of people pour into the town.

Since we were already very hungry, we first got ourselves a small snack.

 Kotor is touristy, crowded, and more expensive than other places in the area. Despite all that, the town has preserved its original charm and is truly beautiful.

If you search long enough, you can still find quiet corners.

We wandered through the narrow, picturesque streets. Orientation wasn’t easy, as the alleyways were extremely winding.

Eventually, we reached the city walls, where you can walk a small section.

From up there, we had a great view over the bay.

Kotor is also known as the city of cats. They were once brought into the town as rat catchers and eventually became a kind of symbol.

Today, you can find them everywhere in large numbers. The locals care for them lovingly, and you can see that in their appearance.

There is even a cat museum, and numerous shops are dedicated to cats.

After wandering through the town for quite a while, it was time for a short break. We stopped at a cozy café on one of the pretty squares and refreshed ourselves with iced coffee and beer.

We continued through the narrow streets, one more charming than the other.

Kotor is definitely worth a visit, and I hope I can return someday!

Eventually, though, it was time to move on, as we still wanted to take the cable car up Mount Lovcen.

This cable car opened only in 2023 and allows visitors to travel from the sea to the mountains in just a few minutes.

The ride up is spectacular and not for those afraid of heights. The cabins are fully glazed, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view.

At the summit, the experience was even more astonishing. The view down into the Bay of Kotor and out to the sea was absolutely breathtaking.

Near the mountain station, a restaurant invited guests to relax. Numerous hiking trails led through the surrounding area. There were even a few shops, including a Hard Rock Café and a summer toboggan run.

We decided to take one of the shorter circular trails to better enjoy the magnificent nature up here.

The path led across rocks and stones to a spectacular viewpoint. The walk was exhausting, but the panoramic views were more than worth the effort.

Afterward, we tried another path that ended at several picnic tables and benches. We sat down there and enjoyed the view into the valley, bathed in the enchanting light of the now very low sun.

On our way back, we watched the daredevils riding the summer toboggan run for a while.

Then it was time to return to the valley.

On the way down, I sat on the side facing the valley, and I could enjoy the view even more than on the way up. In the light of the setting sun, everything looked even more beautiful!

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at a supermarket and bought some dinner, which we ate in our room. We were far too tired after this long and eventful day to go out again.