It is steep and winding with tight hairpins but fully paved and protected by barriers. Drive in daylight, use low gears, and enjoy the views. Nervous drivers should note that the descent is more demanding than the climb.
2-Day Bay of Kotor & Lovćen Road Trip: Tivat to Kotor, Lovćen & Cetinje
Route Overview
A two-day loop from Tivat around Europe's southernmost fjord and up the legendary 25 hairpins of the Lovćen serpentine to the Montenegrin summit and the old royal capital.
Mountain Landscapes
Cultural Sites
Perfect for Couples
Tivat to Kotor and Lovćen: Montenegro's Fjord and Summit Drive
The Bay of Kotor is often called Europe's southernmost fjord, and driving its shores is one of the continent's great coastal experiences. This two-day loop from Tivat follows the bay's winding edge to the UNESCO-listed town of Kotor, climbs the legendary 25 hairpin bends of the Lovćen road to the mountaintop mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš at 1,657 metres, and descends through the limestone karst to Cetinje, Montenegro's historic royal capital. The views from the Lovćen serpentine, with Kotor Bay shrinking below, are among the most dramatic in the Balkans. With an Abbycar rental from Tivat Airport you are on the bay road within five minutes.
View route on map
Starting Station: Tivat Airport
Trip Duration: 2 days
Mileage Distance: 150 km
Perfect For: Nature Lovers, History Enthusiasts, Photography, Couples
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Reddit Reviews
· The Bay of Kotor drive is repeatedly called one of Europe's most scenic coastal roads.
· Kotor's old town impresses with its Venetian walls and intimate scale.
· The 25 hairpins to Lovćen are described as thrilling and supremely scenic.
· Njegoš Mausoleum's summit view is called the best panorama in Montenegro.
· Perast and its island churches are praised as highlights of the bay.
· The Lovćen hairpins demand confident, attentive driving.
· Summer brings cruise-ship crowds to Kotor's old town.
· Parking in Kotor is limited and the one-way system confusing.
· The road from Cetinje back to the coast can be busy at weekends.
Sentiment is overwhelmingly positive; the Kotor-Lovćen combination is rated among the best short drives in Europe.
👍 87 % positive|👎 13 % negative
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Where To Stop
Recommended Stops from Tivat to Cetinje
Five stops from fjord level to mountain summit.
1
First stop
Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks
This baroque village of palazzos and bell towers faces two tiny islands, one natural and one man-made. A five-minute boat ride takes you to Our Lady of the Rocks, a church built on a reef of sunken stones, with a ceiling covered in ex-voto paintings. Perast itself has excellent waterfront restaurants.
Based on 1789 reviews
(4.4/5)
2
Second stop
Kotor Old Town (UNESCO)
Wedged between a cliff and the bay, Kotor's medieval walls zigzag 1,200 metres up to the fortress of San Giovanni. Inside the walls: marble squares, Romanesque churches and cat-friendly lanes. Climb the 1,350 steps to the fortress for the defining view of the bay.
Based on 6295 reviews
(4.6/5)
3
Third stop
Lovćen Serpentine (25 Hairpins)
The old Austrian road from Kotor climbs in 25 signed hairpin bends, each one revealing a wider panorama of the bay below. Pull over at the marked viewpoints; the one near bend 18 is the most photographed. Drive slowly, use low gears, and savour every turn.
4
Fourth stop
Njegoš Mausoleum, Mount Lovćen
At 1,657 metres, 461 steps carved from the rock lead to a dark granite mausoleum housing a monumental sculpture of Montenegro's poet-king. The viewing terrace offers a 360-degree panorama: the bay, the Adriatic, Albania and the mountain interior. Arrive early for clear skies.
Based on 572 reviews
(4.5/5)
5
Fifth stop
Cetinje: The Old Royal Capital
Montenegro's former capital sits on a limestone polje surrounded by mountains. The Royal Palace, now a museum, and the Cetinje Monastery, housing a fragment of the True Cross, give the small town an outsized cultural weight. The cafes around the main square have a friendly, student-town feel.
Practical answers for the Tivat fjord and summit drive
Bay of Kotor & Lovćen FAQs
May-June and September-October avoid cruise-ship peaks. July-August is hot and crowded but lively. Winter is quiet and mild at bay level.
Use the paid lots north of the old town walls. The town itself is pedestrianised. Arrive before 10am in summer for a guaranteed spot.
About 45 minutes of pure driving from Kotor to the mausoleum car park, but you will want to stop at viewpoints, so allow 90 minutes.
Yes. The return from Cetinje to Tivat passes through Budva on the coast road, adding a beach stop to the loop.
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