Kotor Cable Car ~ A Must Do In Montenegro

Take a ride on the Kotor Cable Car when you are visiting the beautiful country of Montenegro.

Located  just outside the city of Kotor, this is a brand new tourist attraction that you should not miss out on.

What made it so appealing to us was the opportunity to take in spectacular views of the mountains and sea.

Just a few days earlier we had driven the crazy winding mountain roads from Podgorica to Kotor. We had already gotten a taste of the incredibly beautiful scenery and were ready for more.

Ideally you will want visit on a clear, sunny day. I would also suggest you consider an evening ride so that you can take in the sunsets. I’ve only seen photos but they were stunning.

The lower station of the Kotor Cable Car location is easily reached from the city of Kotor, as well as Tivat and Budva.

It officially opened in the summer of 2024, and everything about it is truly spanking new. You can also see that it’s still evolving, with new additions of restaurants, shops and activities in the works.

It’s going to be fabulous.

Actually, it already is.

GETTING TO THE TOP

Honestly, the whole process was very easy and well organized. From parking the car, to buying the tickets and riding up.

There were no crowds at all which made it that much more enjoyable. Summer visits will likely be busier.

The cabins slow down a lot as they approach the platform, so getting inside was very easy. Unlike some ski gondolas where you literally throw yourself into the cabin so you don’t miss it.

Step inside the fully enclosed gondola cabin and settle in, quickly, for a smooth, 11 minute ride to the top. The cabin had seating for 10, however passengers were all sharing only with their perspective groups, and we had one to ourselves, which was extra nice. Perhaps in busier months you would need to share with strangers.

Gliding blissfully along, enjoying the views that get progressively more spectacular as you ascend, makes you temporarily forget that you are suspended in in mid air, in a metal box, hanging on a wire.

Oops, sorry, you probably didn’t want to be reminded of that. LOL

The ride felt longer than just 11 minutes, but in a good way, it was an absolute pleasure and not scary in the least.

A bird’s eye view of the area is what you came for, and this cable car ride does not disappoint.

The scenery is breathtaking. And pictures never do justice, you need to experience it for yourself.

AT THE TOP

Now that you’ve reached the upper station, also referred to as KUK, what do you do up here?

First and foremost, take in the fact that you are now standing at a height of over 1300 metres above sea level, with scenic vistas as far as the eye can see.

Once outside the platform,  you are free to wander at your leisure.

We noticed other visitors taking in the views from some rather precarious edges, and the fools that we are, we immediately set out to reach those same vantage points.

There were a couple of somewhat marked paths, and we chose one that seemed short and easy.

Fools we were indeed.

Nothing about the trail was short or easy.

Take heed. This is not a leisurely walk. The ground is very rocky and uneven. You absolutely need to be very careful with each step you take.

One could break an ankle here…but we saved that for something much more basic on another day. Oh yes, freak accidents do happen.

But seriously, good shoes are a must!

Your effort will be rewarded with some outstanding views of the Bay of Kotor, the Lovcen Mountains and in the distance the Adriatic Sea.

From the upper station you also have access to beautiful Lovcen National Park with its own hiking and cycling trails to keep you exploring and enjoying the stunning views.

BREAK TIME

When it’s time for a break I highly recommend a stop at the Forza KUK Restaurant.

Located close to the arrival station, it is also clearly very new. This establishment has more of an upscale, fine dining vibe, especially on the inside. For a casual break, choose a table on the large outdoor patio.

The menu offered a varied selection of Montenegrin specialties as well as Italian fare. It is on the expensive side, but hey….location, location, location.

We decided to just stop for a drink on the patio, because we really wanted to continue enjoying those stunning views.

Be warned, it’s significantly chillier up here, and if the wind picks up even a little, you will need a light jacket or sweater. Come prepared.

My little group was in the mood for some rajkija or rakia, and there were several varieties on the menu. In the end due to some language barriers we’re not quite sure which ones we actually ordered,  but I can assure you they all burned going down.

What is Rajkia? Well, it is the national drink of Montenegro, as well as most of the Balkans. It’s a very strong brandy that is served neat, and the most common variety is the plum-flavoured šljivovica.

Also, we discovered that this powerful drink goes surprisingly well with French fries.

Up here it does anyways.

THE ALPINE COASTER

Looking for some extra thrills?

Take a ride on the Alpine Coaster, a rollercoaster type track that starts up here at the top and winds down the mountain side, offering a fun experience for both kids and adults.

The starting point is located nearby the arrival platform at the top.

We did not partake in this activity, so I cannot comment on how thrilling or scary, or lame it might be.

Trip advisor comments are both positive and negative, with some complaints about riders stopping too often on the track, slowing down the thrill of a fast ride. That’s definitely a drawback, but somehow I have a feeling it would still be a fun experience. Maybe next time.

Tickets can be purchased in conjunction with your Cable Car Ride.

AT THE BOTTOM

And when you finally return to the bottom, I have a tip for you.

Stop in at the ice cream bar and treat yourself to some delicious, locally produced ice cream at Booka Gelato. We really enjoyed ours.

  

Or stop in at La Parisienne Boulangerie, a French style bakery, for a coffee and delicious baked goods, both savoury and sweet. Try one of their delicious Bureks.

We actually had breakfast here before we started our ride up to the top and grabbed some takeaway snacks too.

There is also a fabulous looking wine bar on the side, Tasting Bar Stanica. It seemed to be set up for groups to come in and do some tastings, but there was no other information available. It sure looked inviting though, worth exploring if wine tastings are something you enjoy.

THINGS TO KNOW

As I mentioned several times, this attraction is very new.

But everything appeared to be running very smoothly, and safely.

It’s important to know that the cable car will not operate in bad weather, especially if there are strong winds. Therefore, always check their official website to make sure the attraction is open.

I imagine that it will offer much more in the future, and I venture to guess the walking trails will also improve. In the meantime, it’s already at a point where there’s lots to enjoy, with all amenities that a visitor might need, including places to eat, bathrooms both at the bottom and at the top, as well as souvenir shopping.

How to get here

This attraction is actually not in Kotor, despite the name. However, it’s only about 8 km outside of the city.

If you have a rental car, driving here is very easy. However, despite the proximity make sure to give yourself time, as the traffic in and out of the city is very heavy during the day. It took us about 25 min to arrive. Parking is available.

Taking a taxi is another option.

And apparently there are now some shuttle buses from the cruise port that will take you directly to the cable car.

As of this write up there were no local buses that reach the attraction, however they are apparently in the works, so definitely check online for the most up to date information.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, you will likely have been offered this activity as an excursion option.

Parking

The parking is large, with plenty of spaces, and surprisingly inexpensive at only 1 euro per hour (pay at the exit).

Tickets

You can purchase your tickets at the booth onsite, or you can purchase them online, either ahead of time or once you arrive.

We found that tickets were a bit cheaper online, so we chose that option once we arrived at the Kotor Cable Car.

Prices differ depending on the season you are visiting, therefore I highly recommend you check their website for the most up to date information.

You can also purchase one way or return tickets, which begs the question, how does one get up or down without the cable car?

Apparently some visitors opt to hike the Kotor Ladder trail back down, which I’m certain is a spectacular experience, perhaps worth looking into if hiking is something you enjoy.

It’s also possible to start your journey from the top, by getting dropped off nearby, and ride the cable car down, enjoy some of the offerings at the bottom and then take the cable car ride back up, needed.

Visit the official Kotor Cable Car website HERE for more information.

What to wear

Do not come here wearing your fancy heels, unless you plan on going directly to the beautiful restaurant for a special evening out. Which, by the way, based on what I saw would actually make for an amazing date night.

Comfortable, rubber soled shoes or running shoes is a must for this activity. The trail ground is very uneven and rocky once you venture outside of the arrival area.

If you plan to explore some of the trails and the National Park, then  you may want to consider wearing proper hiking boots.

Take a light jacket or sweater with you, even if the temperatures are in the 20s Celsius. It’s surprising how much cooler it feels up at the top.

Our Visit

When: end of april

Time of visit: 1030 am

Weather: sunny with clear skies and low 20 C temperatures

Transportation used: drove in from Kotor, with our rental car and used allotted parking lot

Ticket purchase: online on our cell phones, but done day of visit at the attraction, cost 14 euros per person, it was a seasonal special

FINAL WORDS

Montenegro’s beauty needs to be seen and appreciated from a vantage point such as this one.

I encourage you to visit the Kotor Cable Car and take this most worthwhile ride.

You will not be dissapointed.

 

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