Boka Bay: Fjord of the Mediterranean

Geographical Splendor of Boka Bay

Often heralded as southern Europe’s only submerged river canyon or "fjord," the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) is a winding, UNESCO-inscribed natural harbor carved between towering limestone escarpments. One&Only Portonovi enjoys a strategically privileged placement at the bay's western entrance near Herceg Novi. This position allows visitors easy egress to the open Adriatic Sea while maintaining immediate access to the inner, sheltered waterways of Tivat, Risan, and Kotor.

Key Destinations Along the Bay

1. Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks

Located approximately 25 minutes by motor launch from Portonovi, Perast is a baroque maritime village preserved under international conservation orders. It boasts 16 Venetian palaces and 19 historic churches. Just offshore sit two iconic islets: Saint George (Sveti Đorđe) with its shaded cypress canopy, and Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela), an artificial stone sanctuary erected over centuries by local sailors commemorating miraculous sea returns.

2. Kotor Old Town (Stari Grad Kotor)

Surrounded by 4.5 kilometres of ancient stone ramparts running steeply up Mount Saint John, Kotor’s labyrinth of marble squares, Venetian clock towers, and Romanesque cathedrals (notably Saint Tryphon, consecrated in 1166) offers hours of cultural exploration. Private guides arranged via the resort host team allow visitors to explore historic archival libraries and noble palaces away from mid-day crowds.

3. Herceg Novi & the Old Town Fortresses

Just ten minutes west of Portonovi, Herceg Novi is known as the "City of Sun and Greenery," cascading down terraces filled with mimosa trees, bougainvillea, and palm groves. Notable landmarks include the dramatic sea fortress Forte Mare and the Ottoman citadel Kanli Kula, which hosts outdoor concerts during summer.

Terrestrial Adventures: The Montenegrin Mountains

Montenegro’s dramatic topography means dramatic elevation changes are accessible within minutes of the coastline:

• Mount Lovćen & the Serpentine: Ascend the famous 25-hairpin Austro-Hungarian carriage road offering dizzying views across the entire bay. At the summit sits the monumental Petar II Petrović Njegoš Mausoleum.
• Durmitor National Park & Tara Canyon: For adventurous travelers, helicopter transfers arranged dockside whisk guests to the dramatic glacial lakes (Black Lake) and the UNESCO-listed Tara River Canyon, Europe's deepest river gorge.
• Lake Skadar: The largest freshwater lake in Southern Europe, home to extensive water lily carpets and one of the continent's prime bird sanctuaries, located an easy 90-minute scenic drive southeast.

Seasonal Travel Windows for Portonovi & Montenegro