Fjords of Kotor

Gulf of Kotor or Boka Kotorska as they call it, is one of the few places in Europe where you can see fjords, outside Norway. If you want to see other beautiful fjords, you’ll have to go to Norway.

The port of Kotor appears in the time of the Roman Empire and was some time later under the direct rule of the Republic of Venice, from 1420 to 1797. So, the architecture of Kotor was much influenced by Venice and nowadays there are efforts to restore the streets and buildings inside the walled citadel.

Though I am sure you have seen other medieval towns and citadels, what is really unique here is this combination of a small medieval town, with fortifications that go up on the mountain behind and the incredible view of the fjords, especially when they are seen from above, from the St. Ivan Fortress.

Everything seems to be ready for a play in this large theatre and to complete this show, you’ll have to visit Kotor in the evening (or in the night), when the fortified walls above the city are flooded with light. From a distance you may think time stopped, the medieval town is called again Cattaro and Venice is still the queen of the Mediterranean Sea.

After that, turn your back to Kotor and look at the gulf and the little fishing villages that reflect their lights in the waters around.
With this image in front of your eyes, in a summer evening, after a few glasses of wine, the distance between reality and dreaming is difficult to perceive, especially since the wine in Montenegro is so good.

How do I get to Boka Kotorska?

Now, I assume you come from Serbia and arrive at Podgorica. The easy and classic route is to go to Cetinje, then Budva and then Kotor.

But, I recommend a different way and before reading farther, a piece of warning:

If you don’t have good brakes and some experience as a driver, avoid this route!

Now, assuming you come from Serbia and arrive at Podgorica, go to Cetinje, and then „turn right” and cross over the Lovcen mountains to the Gulf of Kotor. You will have to face a few tight curves and it is quite dangerous here because on the way down to Kotor, you will have the wonderful views of the Gulf that may distract your attention.

Though the road is a bit more complicated than the classic one and more difficult, I promise you won’t regret your choice when the Gulf of Kotor will appear in front of your eyes with all its fjords.