Self-Launched SUP, Hike & Kayak: Montenegro's Coast

Fly into Tivat Airport (TIV) — direct flights available from most UK airports. A taxi from the airport to central Tivat costs around £5–8 and takes 10 minutes. Check into your hotel, then head straight to the Bay of Kotor waterfront for an afternoon SUP session. Several local operators offer 2–3 hour SUP hire and introductory lessons directly on the bay. Spend the evening exploring Tivat's marina strip and dining at a konoba (traditional tavern) — try grilled fish with blitva (Swiss chard and potato).

🚌Fly to Tivat Airport (TIV). Taxi to central Tivat ~£5–8. Local walking thereafter.

🛏Hotel Palma Tivat or similar 3-star hotel in central Tivat (approx. £35–50/night twin share, or browse Booking.com for guesthouses from £20pp)

• →SUP hire on the Bay of Kotor — book directly with a local watersports operator on the Tivat waterfront or via GetYourGuide (approx. £20–30pp for a 2–3hr session including equipment)
• →Explore Tivat Marina and Porto Montenegro on foot
• →Dinner at a local konoba — try grilled sea bass or lamb stew (approx. £10–15pp)

Take a local bus or shared taxi from Tivat toward Rijeka Crnojevića (approx. 1.5hrs, ~£5–8). Several local operators based at the river offer guided SUP tours into Skadar Lake, Europe's largest lake and a vital bird sanctuary — look for Dalmatian Pelicans as you paddle through floating water lilies. A support boat is typically available on group tours if you tire. Book in advance via GetYourGuide or directly with operators such as Montenegro SUP. After lunch at a riverside restaurant, return by boat and make your way up to your mountain basecamp in Lovcen National Park for the next two nights.

🚌Local bus or shared taxi from Tivat to Rijeka Crnojevića (~£5–8, approx. 1.5hrs). Boat return included in SUP tour. Taxi or local bus up to Lovcen (~£8–12).

🛏Monte Rosa Hotel or similar guesthouse in Lovcen National Park at ~1,240m elevation (approx. £25–40pp/night, book directly or via Booking.com)

• →SUP tour on the Crnojevica River and Skadar Lake — book via GetYourGuide or direct with a local operator (approx. £35–50pp including equipment and support boat)
• →Spot Dalmatian Pelicans and other rare wetland birds
• →Lunch at a riverside restaurant in Rijeka Crnojevića (approx. £8–12pp)

Set out early for the Wolf Trail (Vučji Put) — a circular 10.9km hike climbing to Babina Glava at 1,447m. The trail is well-marked and manageable independently; download the route on AllTrails or Maps.me before you go. The hike takes around 3.5hrs and passes through rugged karst terrain with panoramic views over the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic. After the hike, reward yourself with a ride on the Alpine Coaster near the Lovcen cable car station (approx. £5) and descend by cable car back toward Kotor. Transfer back to Tivat for your final nights by the coast.

🚌Hiking is self-guided from the hotel. Cable car descent ~£5–8. Shared taxi or local bus back to Tivat (~£8–12).

🛏Monte Rosa Hotel or similar guesthouse in Lovcen National Park (second night, approx. £25–40pp)

• →Self-guided Wolf Trail circular hike to Babina Glava (1,447m) — free, download route on AllTrails
• →Alpine Coaster near the cable car station (~£5)
• →Lovcen cable car descent (~£5–8)
• →Panoramic views over Kotor Bay and the Adriatic

Today is the kayak highlight of the trip. Book a half-day or full-day guided sea kayak tour along the Lustica Peninsula — multiple operators in Tivat and Herceg Novi offer this, or search GetYourGuide for 'Blue Cave kayak Montenegro'. You'll paddle along the rugged Adriatic coastline, ducking into hidden sea caves and coves, snorkelling in crystal-clear water, and paddling into the famous Blue Cave where sunlight creates an electric blue glow. A picnic lunch on a quiet beach is typically included. Book at least 2–3 days ahead in high season.

🚌Local taxi or bus to the kayak departure point (~£5–8). Tour operator typically provides transfers to/from the water.

🛏Hotel Palma Tivat or similar (return to Tivat, approx. £35–50/night twin share)

• →Guided sea kayak tour along Lustica Peninsula including Blue Cave — book via GetYourGuide or direct with local operators (approx. £40–60pp, equipment and guide included)
• →Snorkelling in clear Adriatic waters
• →Picnic lunch on a secluded beach (often included in tour price)
• →Explore hidden sea caves and coves

Take a local taxi or the small passenger ferry from Tivat across the bay to Muo (ferry ~£1–2). From Muo, follow the signed trail up through dense forest via long switchbacks to Fort Vrmac — one of the best-preserved Austro-Hungarian fortifications in the region. The 8km round trip climbs 472m and takes around 4hrs. Views over the Bay of Kotor from the top are spectacular. Descend and catch the ferry across to Kotor for the afternoon — wander the UNESCO-listed walled Old Town, climb the City Walls for sunset views (entrance ~£5), and dine on fresh seafood in the old town. Return by local bus or taxi to Tivat.

🚌Passenger ferry Tivat–Muo (~£1–2). Local bus or taxi Kotor–Tivat (~£5–8).

🛏Hotel Palma Tivat or similar (approx. £35–50/night twin share)

• →Self-guided hike from Muo to Fort Vrmac (8km, 472m ascent) — free, route available on AllTrails
• →Passenger ferry from Tivat to Muo (~£1–2 each way)
• →Explore Kotor UNESCO Old Town — free to enter
• →Climb Kotor City Walls for panoramic sunset views (~£5 entry)
• →Seafood dinner in Kotor Old Town (approx. £12–18pp)

Enjoy a final breakfast and a leisurely morning in Tivat before checking out. If time allows, take a last stroll along the marina or grab a coffee at a seafront café. A taxi from your hotel to Tivat Airport costs around £5–8 and takes 10 minutes — book it the night before. Book flights departing after midday to give yourself a relaxed final morning.

🚌Taxi from hotel to Tivat Airport (TIV) ~£5–8.

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast at your hotel or a local café
• →Last walk along Tivat Marina and Porto Montenegro
• →Taxi to Tivat Airport (~£5–8, 10 mins)