Things to do in  Adriatic Coast

Perched on one of two small islands in the Bay of Kotor, just off the coast of Perast, the 17th-century Our Lady of the Rocks church is a majestic sight. Framed by mountain peaks and cobalt blue waters, the church appears to float on the water’s surface, and has fast become one of Montenegro’s most photographed landmarks.

Carving inland from Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast, the UNESCO–listed Bay of Kotor is nature at its grandest. This roughly 17-mile (28-kilometer) fjord-like channel is hemmed by limestone peaks, scattered with grottoes and islands, and lined with stone settlements. Attractions range from the UNESCO–protected, fortified town of Kotor to the picturesque Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Skrpjela). Here, you can enjoy boat trips, water sports, and mountain ascents, all backed by phenomenal bay views.

Nestled into Montenegro’s steep Bay of Kotor, Kotor Old Town is one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved gems. Ringed by stone walls that climb the limestone cliffs behind it, its knot of streets hosts centuries-old architecture, quirky museums, and countless shops and alfresco eateries, making it a magnet for sightseers and cruise liners.

St. Tryphon Cathedral is an impressive sight sandwiched between Montenegro’s UNESCO-listed walled city of Kotor and the mountains behind it. Rebuilt several times between the 12th and 17th centuries, this remarkable church is known for its original Romanesque architecture and sacred treasures and as a religious and cultural cornerstone of this history-steeped old town.

Built in 1602, the Kotor Clock Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kotor Old Town. Dominating Kotor’s largest square—the Square of the Arms—its plain stonework and clock faces match the stark mountains behind it and are the first things you see as you emerge from the Sea Gate entrance in the town walls.

Hidden away in the northeastern fringes of Kotor Old Town, the Church of St. Luke is one of the city’s oldest churches. Dating from 1195, this tiny and modest-looking Romanesque church hides a shimmering interior and an unexpected feature: Christian and Orthodox altars sitting side by side.

Snaking around Kotor Old Town and the mountain behind it, Kotor’s UNESCO-protected walls have guarded this well-preserved city since the Middle Ages. Mainly built between the 4th and 14th centuries, tourists walk along them to see the mountainside St. John’s Fortress and spectacular panoramas over Kotor and the Bay of Kotor beyond.