Yacht charter Montenegro and Southern Croatia - Montenegro

Highlights: Perast, Kotor, Sveti Stefan, Budva

When to go: April to October

Suggested tour: Kotor-Perast-Herceg Novi-Budva-Petrovac-Sveti Stefan-Bigovo-Rose-Prcanj-Kotor

Mileage: approx 90nm

Difficulty: low

History and art:
Montenegro has, in all times, been under the power of other nations. You can see that in its architecture: a bit of Turkish here, a lot of Venetian there… The country is predominantly Orthodox, which explains the large number of gorgeous monasteries. But it also has a Catholic minority, and a Muslim one in the south (Ulcinj). This is a good summary of the general diversity of Montenegro…

Gastronomy
In the old town of Kotor as well as in all other major cities (Perast, Budva, Petrovac), you will most probably find more or less the same menus in all restaurants: pizza, pasta, seafood, meat, risottos. In smaller, home-like restaurants, you’ll have more chances to eat typical food: meat specialties (sarma, gulas, paprikas, pune paprike, pljeskavica, cevapi) as well as seafood (grilled of fried squids, in general excellent, bass, dorado, or even clams or shrimps “alla buzzara”, this delicious Dalmatian dressing). For starters restaurants generally offer local olives, cheese and ham (prsut). Fruits and vegetables from the market are homegrown and incredibly tasty compared to what we get back home! In the summer you’ll find, of course, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, paprika, and for the fruits: strawberies and cherries until the end of June (note that “visnje” are sourer than “cesnje”), and then delicious peaches and apricots, in August fresh figs, and in September pomgranates…
As for the drinks, Montenegrin wines are not bad at all, especially the Plantaze  Vranac which offers an excellent quality/price ratio. Vranac “Proc Corde” and Sasso Negro are higher in quality and in price but remain very affordable. Macedonian wines are also worth the try! The local beer is also good, it is called Niksicko Pivo. Besides this, supermarkets offer a large variety of fruit juices!

Recommended restaurants
Kotor: Galion (above the marina), Cezarica (in the old town)
Perast: Conte
Budva: Riblji restoran (in the old town, right after the north gates)
Bigovo: Dobrac (eco-concept, affordable, VIP clientele, accessible by boat only!)

Weather and navigation
The entire area has typical Mediterranean climate - warm and dry summers on one hand and mild and damp winters on the other. The average summer temperature is 15.2° C . The warmest month is July with the average air temperature 24.1° C and sea temperature 23.0° C. The average air temperature in January is 7.7° C and sea temperature 13.1° C. Autumn is on average warmer than spring by 2.9° C. Swimming season therefore takes place from mid May until mid October.
Harbours and marinas
Marina Kotor is located at the steep cliffs of the Gulf of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) and it is not a regular marina because it forms a part of the Kotor harbour. Despite this its position is excellent since it is situated close to the city centre (100 metres), where restaurants, shops and accommodation possibilities are available. It is open throughout the year and it also offers parking area. There are 30 berths for the vessels up to 22m; electricity and fresh water are available. Larger boats can use the berth at the St. Stasija lighthouse that is within the one nautical mile distance. Kotor can be reached by car, bus, ship or plane. The nearest airport is in Tivat 8km away, Dubrovnik airport is 73km away and Podgorica airport 90km.

Anchoring can be tricky in Montenegro, especially in the fjord, where you are never sure of the depth wherever you are. Always double check your nautical maps before even approaching any shore.
Water and diesel
In all marinas you’ll have water and a gas station. However, note that in the summer in case of drought the water can be cut for a couple of hours in Kotor, generally from 11a.m. to 3p.m.

Kotor
The coastal town Kotor is located on the spot where the sea has fought its way deep into the sheer Lovčen and Orijena massifs. There are many legends about the foundation of Kotor. One of them says that the Greek fairy Alkima who lived in the Vilnica cliff that rises above the town advised the settlers not to build the town on top of the hill as some wanted at that time. She said: "The shore should be your home as there is no life without water. Up on the hill there is no port for a ship or home for a horse."
Kotor is one of the few towns that have kept numerous traditional events that attract many spectators with its originality, folklore and the number of performers. Let’s just mention the carnival, the event dedicated to the St. Tripun, the city's patron, the camellia flower day, the maritime film festival, the children theatre festival, the fashion festival and, last but not least the famous "Fašinada" regatta that takes place each year on July, 21st and 22nd, starting from Perast to the brand-new marina Porto Montenegro, and back to finish in between the Islands.
Perast
Perast is a sleepy baroque place near Kotor. The most beautiful buildings of this small city were built in the 17th and 18th centuries. At that time seafaring was growing and captains built magnificent villas that even today capture you with their beauty. Perast is a quiet and peaceful place. It abounds in sacred monuments, such as the Church of Saint Nicola (Sveti Nikola) built between the 15th and 17th centuries, the Parish church build in 1740, the island in front of Perast where the church Saint George (Sveti Djordje) from the 12th century is located, and the Church of Our Lady of the Rock (Gospa od Skrpjela) build in 1630, a church built in the baroque style on top of an artificial island.
Source: http://www.visit-montenegro.com/cities-kotor.htm
Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is recognisable by the abundance of mimosa trees and its numerous flights of stairs. It is a 'city of the sun', thanks to the large number of sunny days all year round. The centre of Herceg Novi is Stari Grad, decorated by buildings dating back to the epochs of Sahat – Kula (1667) and Kanli – Kula (1483). Fortress Spanjola (1538) and Fortress Forte Mare (1687) are only a part of the cultural heritage of this renowned town. Full of thick greenery, Herceg Novi hides numerous kinds of tropical flowers. Towards the end of January the town becomes scented with the subtle fragrance of yellow and green mimosas and the festival of Praznik Mimosa is dedicated to this flower. During the summer months many festivals are organised to further enrich the tourist offer of this enchanted town.
Source: http://www.visit-montenegro.com/cities-hnovi.htm
Budva
Budva is the metropolis of Montenegrin tourism thanks to the great number of beaches that make this a most desirable tourist destination. Apart from its natural beauty, its bay islands and beaches for example, Budva is rich in historic monuments. The Old town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of culture heritage. Crossed with narrow streets and squares are famous buildings, the Church Sv. Trojica, housing the tomb of the exquisite writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubisa, the Churches of Sv. Ivan, Sv. Bogorodica and Sv. Sava. During the summer months it turns into a City Theatre with numerous local performances and shows from abroad. In the Stari Grad (Old town) you can also visit many shops, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Monasteries Stanjevici, Podostrog, Rezevici and Gradiste are important historic and religious monuments of Budva.
The Budva coast is 21 km long with 17 beaches. It is among the most beautiful coasts in the world and its beauty will not leave you indifferent.
Petrovac
Petrovac is a little settlement near the town – hotel of Sveti Stefan. Its beaches Perazica Do, Lucice, Sveta Nedjelja and Buljarice are among the finest of the Riviera of Budva. Its cultural and historic monuments include mosaics dating to the III century and Fortress Kastelo, built by the Venetians in the XVI century. For diving enthusiasts the two small islands Katic and Sveta Nedjelja are a real attraction.
Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan, a town – hotel, is located on an island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip that has two red colored sandy beaches. Originally built by traders and fishermen in the XV century, it became a town – hotel in 1960 thanks to our famous painters Lubarda and Milunovic, who recognized this old place as a potential tourist attraction.
Milocer, located close to Sveti Stefan, was once famous as a summer residence of the Karadjordjevic Royal Family. The great number of rare plants, beautiful beaches and top service hotels and villas at Milocer guarantee a wonderful holiday.
Source: http://www.visit-montenegro.com/cities-budva.htm
Bigovo
This small fisherman’s village is adorable because it is typical, it is peaceful, and it is still preserved from mass tourism. Stop there before it’s too late!
Stoliv/Prcanj
Along the fjord you’ll see the villages of Prcanj and Stoliv, with their hundreds of stone houses, nicely renovated and giving the place an enchanting aspect. You can easily berth there, jump to a small restaurant with a “feet in the water” terrace, have some grilled fish, and go back to your boat… Isn’t it paradise?
Gornji Stoliv
If you need some action, you can even try the hiking path to Gornji Stoliv (“Upper Stoliv”, 40 minutes walk from the shore on) and discover this small, almost deserted village (only one family is still living there!) where people first settled to enjoy the day light longer than down on the shore…