Where should travellers base themselves around the Bay of Kotor?
Kotor is the obvious base, but not the only answer. Perast is prettier and quieter, Tivat is more practical and polished, and Herceg Novi suits travellers who want a lived-in coastal base with less old-town pressure.
Answer
The bay is compact on a map but not in day-to-day feel. For a first stay, the useful choice is whether you want the Old Town on your doorstep, a quieter waterfront you can still walk from, or a separate bay town with its own rhythm. Kotor gives you the postcard version — walls, alleys, boats and the climb above town — but it is also where the crowds concentrate. Lower Dobrota, immediately north along the waterfront, is the useful alternative the map can hide: you trade some old-town atmosphere for quieter nights, swimming and more room, while some addresses remain an easy walk back to the walls. Dobrota stretches a long way, though, so check the exact pin and walking route before treating any “Dobrota” listing as walkable. Perast is smaller and prettier for a slow stay but gives you less choice. Tivat is smoother for modern comforts and logistics but has less of the old-bay feel. Herceg Novi suits travellers who want a lived-in coastal town without making Kotor the centre of every day. For most first visits, Kotor or lower Dobrota are the strongest all-round bases. Choose Perast, Tivat or Herceg Novi because their particular rhythm is what you want, not simply because the room looks better on a booking map.