Husband and I late 40s, love hiking, beaches and good food. Don’t like huge crowds or museums have 3 unaccounted days in our month long trip to Croatia and Slovenia. I have 3 nights at the beginning of our trip flying into Dubrovnik September 4th but have to be back there on the 7th to pick up friends. I was going to use this time for Mostar and Sarajevo but rethinking on going to Kotor or someplace closer as we get in around 6pm on the 4th after flying from Seattle. Would love to get everyone opinions. Already have all the highlights of Croatia booked!
Posted by
Virginia
293 posts
Your instinct is correct that that is not enough time for Sarajevo and Mostar. Sarajevo is quite far from Dubrovnik and I think you need at least two full days to see it. That is enough time though for an overnight to either Mostar or Kotor (or either is in long daytrip range). Both are very worthwhile destinations. The bay of Kotor is lovely and the town is like a smaller version of Dubrovnik. As you love hiking, there is a lung buster of a staircase trail up behind the town to the city walls on the crest of a mountain -- I did not have time or energy to do that when visiting on a hot day around the same time of year you will be there, but I think the view from up there would be great. Kotor, like Dubrovnik, can get crowded with cruise ship visitors but if you stay overnight they will likely be gone by late afternoon. With Mostar, you get the very Turkish ambiance, with minarets, mosques, bazaar-like shopping streets, and the famous rebuilt bridge over the Neretva River. Mostar is more culturally different compared to Croatia and Slovenia, whereas Kotor is more like coastal Croatia. Food-wise, Kotor is like Dubrovnik, in Mostar the specialties are kebabs and grilled meat platters.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20087 posts
Too bad you have your flights because you could have flown into Podgorica or Sarajevo and then traveled to Dubrovnik.
Kotor is a let down after Dubrovnik so unless you just want to climb the stairs .... Perast on the other hand is good for a night or two.
Posted by
TX, USA
4777 posts
Hmmm, I might choose Mostar or Budva for all 3 nights (only 2 days), especially if you have a car. Mostar is very interesting itself for at least a day (the “free” walking tour was very interesting) and you can day trip to Kravice Waterfalls and/or Vrelo Bune if you want. Budva has an interesting old town and boat trips from the beach to other gorgeous beaches - or if you want to just relax, Perast is gorgeous (but hard to park in). I haven’t spent any time in Kotor other than driving through so can’t give you any advice there.
However if you are flying in from the U.S., I would do none of these things unless you get a driver to pick you up. These are definitely not roads to drive after a long flight.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20087 posts
TTM do you know anyone that can̈ get her a driver