Montenegro - Cruise Stories

~Montenegro~

A long time ago, the tiny country of Montenegro won the title of one of the most popular tourist destinations. Many consider this beautiful corner of the planet a wonderful place to visit, retire and live. Some people who have been to Montenegro once return for the second and third time. And no wonder why.

There are not so many places in the world where you can find so many natural beauties being so close to each other. Mountains, sea, forests, glacier lakes, and canyons – Montenegro has it all.

I have been to this Balkan country many times, and then last year, together with my husband, we decided to go and live there as digital nomads. In this post, I would love to share some fascinating and, at the same time, useful facts about Montenegro that should help all travelers to get the best out of their trip.

The most popular is Kotor a Mediterranean city and port in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. The bay is also nicknamed the southernmost fjord because of its shape and natural characteristics. The port is located directly in front of the main gate of the old town and large tourist cruise ships dock in it.

The international airport in Tivat is 5 km from Kotor.

The city port in Kotor was built during the Venetian rule (15th-18th century) and is very well preserved. It is protected by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage.

The early history of the city is related to the Roman Empire when Kotor was part of the Roman province of Dalmatia. The city shared the fate of other cities in this part of the Mediterranean, which means that its history is stormy and its masters are numerous. However, the Venetian rule left the deepest mark. The influence of the Republic of Venice is visible, especially in the architecture of the old town. The entire old town of Kotor is a cultural and historical monument under the protection of UNESCO. The city is surrounded by high walls and is a rounded whole.

Three gates in the walls lead to the old town and they are monuments in themselves. The most monumental and significant building in the old town is the 12th-century St. Trypun Cathedral. The cathedral is among the oldest Christian sanctuaries in Europe. In the 12th century, the church of St. Luke was built, which was a Catholic temple until the 17th century, and later became an Orthodox church. It is interesting that the Catholics had their own altar in this church until the 19th century.

The most important of Kotor’s trading companies is the Square of Arms, a favorite place for tourists and locals alike. The city tower with the clock and the pillar of shame in front, the Prince’s Palace, and Napoleon’s theater are only part of Kotor’s historical reading room in stone.

The sea coast with a Mediterranean climate is green for 12 months a year! Sure, you won’t be able to swim in Winter (brr, way too cold), but the surroundings are warm and green. There are flowers all year round. Snow falls very rarely, and if it does, it usually melts immediately in Montenegro.

The depth of Boka Kotor Bay reaches 60 meters. That is why cruise ships sail and park here. They need a draft of 9-12 meters, and Kotor Bay offers that. In winter, in calm weather, the water in the bay becomes a mirror surface, which you will not see in hot summers.

The transparency of the Adriatic Sea in the region where Montenegro is located reaches up to 56 meters. In summer, the sea temperature is usually between +23 and +27, and in winter about +12. But under the influence of cyclones from the Atlantic Ocean, the sea can become surprisingly cold even on a hot day in August, and if there are no winds, it can warm up in May to +25.