Nestled along the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro is an up-and-coming sailing destination, offering breathtaking landscapes, beautiful coastal towns and a rich history.
At GlobeSailor, our clients are lucky enough to explore this destination on a gulet cruise, visiting a variety of charming towns from the historical Old Town of Kotor to the tranquil fishing village of Bigova. Sailing for one week on the beautiful gulets Kaptan Sevket or Sadri Usta 1, our clients enjoy a week of sailing, sampling the local cuisine, guided tours, and incredible cuisine onboard and onshore alike.
This season, two of our Yacht Charter Advisors, Sophie and Vincent, had the chance to experience the cruise firsthand. Discover their insights and stories from this charming Montenegro gulet cruise:
1. What was your first impression of the gulet?
Sophie: I was immediately blown away by Kaptan Sevket! Gulets are ideal charter boats for larger groups, whether for a family reunion, a getaway with friends, or a new group of friends joining a cruise together. The spacious deck allowed ample room for all 12 of us to gather around the outdoor table, as well as on the foredeck where you’ll find sunbeds and another spacious social area perfect for an evening of cocktails.
Vincent: It was my very first time on a gulet. I had seen them in pictures many times before, but the experience of being on one is very different. These boats are very beautiful, intimate, and having a crew to attend to you throughout is an amazing experience. The boat and its design enable you to share with others on board or to have quiet moments to read or nap.
2. What was your favorite stopover on the itinerary and why?
Sophie: My favorite stop on the itinerary was Perast, a small town in the Bay of Kotor. Upon arrival, we moored in the middle of the Bay, taking in the beautiful 360-degree views of the small seaside towns framed by mountains. This was my favorite swimming stop, and we were able to enjoy a morning paddleboard to the shore and back. Anchoring overnight in the bay, we took the tender in to enjoy dinner in this beautiful town. Most of the restaurants line the waterfront, and you’ll find local residents and tourists alike enjoying apértif along the water.
Vincent: I enjoyed Herceg Novi the most. It was the liveliest stopover with historical sites you could visit, nice bars and restaurants, and an amazing view over the bay. We moored at the marina, conveniently located near the town, making it effortless to come and go as we pleased.
3. How would you describe the food and drink, and what was your favorite dish?
Sophie: Chef Caglur is amazing! He surprised us daily with incredible dishes, from breakfast to dinner. Each morning, we enjoyed an incredible spread of fresh fruit, local jam and bread, omelets, and meats and cheeses. For lunch and dinner, we enjoyed fresh fish, prawns, pasta and for the last dinner he even prepared a roast lamb at the table.
Vincent: I completely agree with Sophie, the Chef was amazing, and the food was excellent throughout. Breakfasts were varied, with both salty and sweet options. There was tea and coffee available throughout the day, and the team was always very quick to attend to us, with a smile and in a pleasant manner. My favorite dish was the kefta lunch, as it was accompanied by a homemade yogurt sauce and delicious sides – a nice way for the Turkish crew to share a piece of their culture with us. All meals came with a wide variety of vegetables and followed a classic Starter-Main-Dessert format.
4. A day in the life onboard?
Sophie: Each morning, we would enjoy a relaxing breakfast onboard, sometimes followed by one last swim in our current stopover. From there, we would embark on a sail to our lunchtime destination where we would spend a few hours snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Each afternoon, we would sail to the evening destination, either anchoring or mooring in a port. We would enjoy strolling in the local town and having a drink or dinner. One of the most memorable experiences for me was in Kotor, where you can climb the 1,426 steps to the ancient fortress of Saint John. This was my favorite activity as the views from the top were unbeatable! The following morning, we also toured Kotor’s beautiful Old Town before continuing to the next stop on the itinerary.
Vincent: Being a late riser, I always made it to breakfast on time at 9:00. Then I would go back to my cabin to get ready for the day. We would usually sail for a short while in the morning, then stop off somewhere for lunch where we would take the opportunity to swim. Lunch was served onboard, offering a chance to recharge before setting off to our afternoon destination. We would then disembark and spend the rest of the day exploring the town, sometimes with a guide organized by the team. Dinner was held onboard every other night, and if onshore, the crew always provided great suggestions for local restaurants.
You can privatize the cruise for your family and friends for a luxurious and intimate experience, on boats Kaptan Sekvet and SADRI USTA 1.
5. Would you recommend this cruise for certain travelers?
Sophie: This is a very unique cruise that caters well to all kinds of travelers: couples, friends, families, and solo travelers. The crew goes above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome and plays a part in bringing the group together. On my cruise, the captain added a memorable touch by diving for sea urchins one afternoon, treating us to a special “urchin happy hour” onboard.
Vincent: Absolutely. I believe privatizing the cruise with some friends is an excellent idea, as meals are taken with all guests together at the table and it could prove to be a great group experience. I personally traveled with my partner, which was also lovely as we met other couples and made friends with some that we met up with after the trip!
Are you ready to explore and cruise in Montenegro? The 2025 season is open for cabin, private cruises and private yacht charter in Montenegro!
Click here to find the cruise details and planning for this cabin cruise in Montenegro. Please send a request or email contact@theglobesailor.com, and Sophie, Vincent, or one of our other cruise advisors would be happy to assist you!
