Cheap holiday Tivat
Tivat is the perfect base for the Bay of Kotor: UNESCO heritage surrounded by mountain cliffs, the enchanting village of Perast and the lively resort of Budva. TUI fly flies direct from Schiphol May to September. 7 days including flights from around EUR 600 per person.
✈️ Plan your trip to Tivat →When is the best time to visit?
June and September are the sweet spots: 26 to 30 degrees, sea temperatures of 21 to 25 degrees, and noticeably quieter than the peak of August. In July and August, cruise ships bring thousands of passengers to Kotor daily, so the narrow lanes of the Old Town are best before 09:00 or after 17:30. October is ideal for hikers: the coastal landscape turns golden and the sun still shines. Avoid the first two weeks of August if heat and crowds concern you.
Best bases around the Bay
- Kotor (Old Town) The UNESCO-protected historic heart of the bay. Medieval walls, narrow lanes and the best day-trip connections. Arrive before 09:00 or after 17:30 to avoid the cruise crowds.
- Tivat Quiet and modern, dominated by the Porto Montenegro superyacht marina. Close to the airport and centrally positioned for trips to Kotor (20 min) and Budva (30 min).
- Perast A tiny, almost car-free village of Venetian palaces directly on the water. Perfect for a night or two. The island church of Our Lady of the Rocks is 10 minutes by boat.
- Budva Montenegro's most developed resort with sandy beaches, a modest walled old town and lively nightlife. More touristy than the rest of the bay.
- Herceg Novi Authentic and less visited. The best beaches of the bay, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian fortresses, and lower prices than Kotor.
Top 5 attractions
- Bay of Kotor (UNESCO) A fjord-like bay surrounded by limestone mountains, best explored on boat tours from around EUR 15 per person. The scenery is most dramatic in the evening light.
- Kotor City Walls and Fort of St John Around 1,350 steps up through the fortifications with spectacular views over the bay. Entry around EUR 8-15, cash only.
- Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast Legendary island church near Perast. Boat trip return around EUR 5-10, church entry around EUR 3. Full visit around EUR 8-13 per person.
- Sveti Stefan The iconic pink-stone island village. The public beach (mainland side) is completely free, sun loungers around EUR 10-20 per day. Heritage island tour: around EUR 25.
- Ostrog Monastery Montenegro's holiest monastery, carved into a vertical cliff at 900m altitude. Entrance free. About 2.5 hours by car from Kotor or Budva, or book a day trip from around EUR 25-40.
Flights and transport from the Netherlands
TUI fly flies direct from Schiphol (AMS) to Tivat (TIV) in about 2h40, twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday). The season runs from mid-May to end of September 2026. Return from around EUR 160. From Eindhoven, there is no direct connection to Tivat in 2026 so travelling via Schiphol is best. Taxi from the airport to Kotor: around EUR 30-40 (20 min). Bus Kotor to Budva: around EUR 3.50-4, 40-45 min (up to 44 services daily). Bus Kotor to Perast: around EUR 2, 35 min (Blue Line). Tip: for the less accessible beaches and Ostrog Monastery, a hire car is useful. Book via DiscoverCars for a hire car at Tivat Airport.
How much does a holiday in Tivat and Kotor cost?
Hotels (2026): budget guesthouse around EUR 25-50 per night, mid-range hotel EUR 70-120. Local lunch in a konoba: EUR 8-14. Dinner with wine: EUR 20-35. Coffee: EUR 1.50-2.50. Kotor walls entry: EUR 8-15. Sveti Stefan heritage tour: EUR 25. Ostrog Monastery free. For 7 days (excluding flights), a budget traveller should expect around EUR 400-550, mid-range EUR 750-1100.
Plan smarter with our guides
Practical tips to get more travel value for the same spend:
Frequently asked questions about Tivat and the Bay of Kotor
When is the best time to visit Tivat and the Bay of Kotor?
June and September are ideal: 26-30 degrees, sea at 21-25 degrees and noticeably less crowded than August. Cruise ships visit Kotor daily in August. Be there before 09:00 or after 17:30 for the best experience.
How do I get from the Netherlands to Tivat?
TUI fly flies direct from Schiphol (AMS) to Tivat (TIV) in about 2h40, twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday). The season runs from mid-May to end of September 2026. From Eindhoven, travel via Schiphol is best.
Which base is best for the Bay of Kotor?
Kotor Old Town is the most central and historic. Tivat is quiet and close to the airport. Perast is magical for short stays. Budva has the best beaches and nightlife.
How much does a 7-day holiday in Montenegro cost?
Budget travellers pay around EUR 400 to 550 excluding flights for 7 days. Mid-range expect EUR 750 to 1100. Add return flights from around EUR 160. Total 7 days: around EUR 600 to 850 per person.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay around the Bay of Kotor?
Hotels, holiday rentals and hostels in Tivat, Kotor and Budva on the map. Click a pin for live prices.
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