Southern (Coastal) Region
Southern (Coastal) Region of Montenegro stretches 293 kilometers along the coast Adriatic sea and consists of 6 municipalities with towns of ancient civilizations, cherishes the spirit of Mediterranean with its stone walkways, botanical gardens, carnival parades and fiestas throughout the whole year and beaches famous for their beauty, for being different, and for their curative effects.
Towns: Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat, Budva, Bar and Ulcinj.
Nature & Landscapes: The mountains rise directly from the sea, providing dramatic scenery, particularly around the Bay of Kotor.
Highlights: Bay of Kotor, Orjen Nature Pakr, Vrmac Nature Park, Old Ulcinj Nature Park, Katic Nature Park and Platamuni Nature Park.
Bay of Kotor
Bay of Kotor, located on the south side of the Adriatic Sea is 105 kilometers long. The bay is naturally divided into four smaller parts – Herceg Novi Bay, Risan Bay, Tivat Bay and Kotor Bay, which are all surrounded by mountains Orjen and Lovcen, rising directly from the water. Depth of the sea in the bay varies from 20 meters up to 60 meters (at its deepest point at Verige strait). A passage between Cape Ostro and Cape Arza is of 2 950 meters width and Verige strait is of only 340 meters.
The Bay of Kotor is natural fiord, one of the 25 most beautiful in the world which consists of picturesque fishing villages and well-preserved medieval towns Herceg Novi, Tivat and Kotor protected from the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Bay of Kotor is famous for its some of the most amazing natural landscape in Europe, beautiful beaches, resorts and historical sites.
The calm cobalt water of the Bay of Kotor is home to seven islands, among which are Vavedenje, Mamula, Prevlaka, St. Marko, Our Lady of Mercy, St. Georg and the Lady of the Rock.
Orjen Nature Park
Orjen Nature Park is a striking protected area located in southwestern Montenegro, situated directly in the mountainous hinterland of Herceg Novi. Established in 2018, the park spans the highest limestone massif in the Dinaric Alps, sitting right on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
It is popular for hiking, off-roading and adrenaline adventure.
Vrmac Nature Park
Vrmac Nature Park is protected peninsula and hill ridge located in the heart of the Bay of Kotor. It naturally separates the inner Kotor Bay from the Tivat Bay, providing some of the most spectacular panoramic viewpoints in the entire coastal region.
It is popular for hiking.
Katic Nature Park
Katic Nature Park (Park prirode Katič) is protected marine and coastal area, it spans the coastal waters and dramatic cliffs between Cape Skocidevojka and Cape Strbina. The park centers around Petrovac, a coastal town located roughly 20 kilometers from both Budva and Bar. Known as a therapeutic “air spa,” the park combines pristine marine biodiversity with dense forests of healing Aleppo pine.
It is popular for coastal exploration:, boat tours, kayaking & snorkeling and swimming.
Old Ulcinj Nature Park
Old Ulcinj Nature Park is protected coastal zone located near the ancient town of Ulcinj. It was established to safeguard specific marine biodiversity, wetlands, and coastal rock formations,
It is popular for coastal exploration.
Platamuni Nature Park
Platamuni Nature Park is Montenegro’s very first protected marine area. Established on Earth Day in 2021, the park spans 1,087 hectares in the Kotor Municipality. The reserve safeguards a pristine vertical coastline stretching from Traste Bay (Cape Zabica) to Cape Platamuni near Ploče Beach.
It is popular for coastal exploration, boat tours, swimming and scuba diving.