Private Budva and Kotor

This private tour will give you a great taste of this up and coming region. Departing from the port of Kotor, you will enjoy a drive through the mild landscapes of the valley of Grbalj. Upon reaching the Adriatic coast you will drive to the town of Budva. You will drive through the seaside areas of Becici and Rafailovici, best known for their resorts and small boat marinas. You will also be able to view Sveti Stefan, once a 15th century fortified town on an island, that was acquired by the Yugoslav government and turned into a hotel during the Tito regime. Today it is a exclusive luxury resort. After the photo stop above this island you will visit the oldest settlement on our coast, 2,500 year old Budva.

Departing your transportation, you will begin a walking tour of a town that was first mentioned in the old Greek legend of the grandson of Zeus Cadmus and his wife Harmonia. You will be walking through the narrow streets and small squares of a fortified medieval town, mostly influenced by the ancient republic of Venice.

The layers of the numerous civilizations that have occupied this area show an interesting view into the history of Budva: Romans, Byzantines, Slaves etc. The most important buildings and constructions in the Old Town are the churches of St. John, Holy Trinity, Holy Mary in Punta, St. Sava, the citadel fortress, and the town walls.

Returning back to the inland bay where you started, you will depart your transportation and take a stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kotor. The town was first mentioned in 168 BC, and was settled during Ancient Roman times, when it was known as Acruvium, It has been fortified since the early Middle Ages, The city became part of the Venetian Republic in 1420 and except for two periods of Ottoman rule, it remained under Venice until 1797, It is these four centuries of Venetian domination that have given the city the typical Venetian architecture.

It served as a naval base during World War I and luckily avoided any serious damage from either World War. Kotor has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is home to several sights of interest, including the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (1166), and the ancient walls which stretch for 3 miles on the steep hillside directly above the city.

Your tour ends within the ancient city. From here, your guide can make suggestions for further sightseeing, shopping or the gate that leads to the cruise pier across the street from the Old Town.