Montenegro & Dalmatian Coast Sailing – Self-Launched Dubrovnik Loop
8 days · Montenegro & Croatia (Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi, Budva, Kotor, Tivat)
G Adventures charges £1,145
No-markup version: ~£620 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An 8-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Montenegro Sailing – Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik". Rather than paying for a skippered yacht berth, you string together the same bays, walled towns and beaches using Croatia's and Montenegro's cheap intercity buses, local ferries and a couple of shared boat excursions. You'll start in Dubrovnik's old town, hop across the border to Herceg Novi, ride the Budva Riviera, swim at the fishing village of Bigovo, explore UNESCO-listed Kotor and the Bay of Kotor, and relax in Tivat before looping back to Dubrovnik. Budget hostels and guesthouses replace the yacht cabins; a day-sail or shared boat trip from Kotor or Herceg Novi stands in for the multi-day cruise. Costs are realistic backpacker estimates in GBP and will vary by season — July and August are noticeably pricier.
Day-by-day
Arrive Dubrovnik – Old Town & Gruž
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Arrive at Dubrovnik Airport and take the Atlas or Libertas shuttle bus to Pile Gate near the old town (~€10 / £9). Check into a hostel in the old town or Gruž area. In the afternoon walk the city walls if time allows (€35 in high season) or just wander the Stradun, then join a free walking tour (tip ~€5-10) to orient yourself. In the evening grab a seafood dinner in Gruž market area or a cheap takeaway burek and swim at Banje Beach. Sort your onward bus tickets at the Gruž bus station for tomorrow.
🚌Airport shuttle bus to Dubrovnik ~€10 / £9; walkable old town
🛏Hostel in Dubrovnik Old Town or Gruž (dorm bed, £20-30)
- →Old Town & Stradun stroll
- →Dubrovnik city walls (optional, €35)
- →Free walking tour
- →Swim at Banje Beach
Bus across the border to Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi, Montenegro
Take the morning bus from Dubrovnik to Herceg Novi (~2 hrs, €12-15 / £11-13) — the route crosses into Montenegro so keep your passport handy. Check into a guesthouse or hostel near the old town or along the Škver promenade. Spend the afternoon exploring Herceg Novi's stepped old town and fortress, and swim at one of the small pebble coves. Optional local boat trip to the Blue Grotto (Plava Špilja) on the Luštica peninsula (~€20-25). In the evening stroll the long seaside promenade (Pet Danica) lined with cafés.
🚌Intercity bus Dubrovnik–Herceg Novi ~€12-15 / £11-13
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Herceg Novi (£18-28)
- →Herceg Novi old town & fortress
- →Blue Grotto boat trip (optional, €20-25)
- →Pet Danica promenade walk
- →Swim in the bay
Along the coast to the Budva Riviera
Budva, Montenegro
Take the coastal bus from Herceg Novi to Budva (~1.5 hrs, €6-7 / £5-6), which hugs the bay and passes through Tivat and Kotor — sit on the right for the views. Check into a hostel in Budva old town or near Slovenska Beach. Spend the afternoon at Mogren Beach or Jaz Beach, tucked beneath the cliffs of Spas Hill. Explore the walled old town in the evening, then dive into Budva's legendary nightlife along the seaside promenade if you fancy it.
🚌Coastal bus Herceg Novi–Budva ~€6-7 / £5-6
🛏Hostel in Budva old town or Slovenska Beach area (£20-30 in summer)
- →Budva old town walls
- →Mogren Beach or Jaz Beach
- →Seaside promenade nightlife
Swim and snorkel at Bigovo fishing village
Bigovo, Montenegro
Take a local bus or taxi (shared from Budva, ~€10-15 / £9-13) south to the tiny fishing village of Bigovo, tucked into a quiet cove with crystal-clear water. The whole day here is simple: rent snorkel gear if you don't have your own (~€10), float in the bay, and eat fresh grilled fish at one of the village konobas. In the late afternoon return to Budva, or stay overnight in a small guesthouse for a quieter experience. Relaxed evening back in Budva.
🚌Local bus/shared taxi Budva–Bigovo ~€10-15 / £9-13 return
🛏Return to Budva hostel, or guesthouse in Bigovo (£20-30)
- →Snorkelling in Bigovo bay
- →Swimming
- →Fresh fish lunch at a konoba
Kotor – UNESCO old town & the bay
Kotor, Montenegro
Bus from Budva to Kotor (~40 mins, €4-5 / £3.5-4.5). Check into a hostel inside or just outside the old town walls. Spend the day exploring Kotor's UNESCO-listed medieval old town, then climb the 1,350 steps up the city walls to the San Giovanni fortress for jaw-dropping views over the submerged river canyon and limestone cliffs (€15 entry). In the afternoon take a local boat or shared tour out to Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast (~€15-20), or simply swim in the bay. Evening: wine and seafood in the old town.
🚌Bus Budva–Kotor ~€4-5 / £3.5-4.5; local boat to Perast ~€15-20
🛏Hostel in or near Kotor old town (£20-30)
- →Kotor old town
- →San Giovanni fortress climb (€15)
- →Our Lady of the Rocks & Perast boat trip (~€18)
- →Bay of Kotor swim
Tivat – beaches and gardens
Tivat, Montenegro
A short bus from Kotor to Tivat (~25 mins, €2-3 / £2-3). Check into a hostel or guesthouse near the waterfront. Explore Tivat's Botanical Gardens and the Buća-Luković Museum & Gallery (small entry fees), wander the swish Porto Montenegro marina, and spend the afternoon on the beaches at Donja Lastva or Seljanovo. A shared day-sail out of Tivat or Kotor (~€50-70 per person) is the closest thing to the yacht experience if you want a taste of life on the water.
🚌Bus Kotor–Tivat ~€2-3 / £2-3
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Tivat (£20-30)
- →Tivat Botanical Gardens
- →Buća-Luković Museum & Gallery
- →Porto Montenegro marina stroll
- →Optional shared day-sail (~€60)
Back to Dubrovnik via the city walls
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Bus from Tivat via Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik (~2.5-3 hrs total, €13-16 / £12-14) — cross back into Croatia with your passport ready. Check into a Dubrovnik hostel for the last night. In the late afternoon do the classic photo op you could only glimpse from the sea: walk the full circuit of the city walls (€35 high season / €15 low season) and take in the red rooftops and Adriatic from above. Finish with a sunset drink at Buža Bar on the cliffs and a final dinner in the old town.
🚌Bus Tivat–Herceg Novi–Dubrovnik ~€13-16 / £12-14
🛏Hostel in Dubrovnik old town or Gruž (£25-35)
- →Dubrovnik city walls walk (€35 high season)
- →Buža Bar sunset drink
- →Old town dinner
Departure
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Breakfast at your hostel or a local bakery, then take the airport shuttle from Pile Gate or Gruž (~€10 / £9) in good time for your flight. If you have a late departure, squeeze in a last swim at Banje Beach or a coffee on the Stradun before heading out. Budget for a 2pm-or-later flight to allow for bus delays.
🚌Airport shuttle ~€10 / £9
🛏None (departure day)
- →Last swim at Banje Beach (optional)
- →Stradun coffee
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£620 | £1,145 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £525 per person (46%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£620
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Montenegro & Dalmatian Coast Sailing – Self-Launched Dubrovnik Loop cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £620 per person for 8 days in Montenegro & Croatia (Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi, Budva, Kotor, Tivat). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,145 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £620 — a saving of roughly £525 (46%) per person.
How long is the Montenegro & Croatia (Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi, Budva, Kotor, Tivat) trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Montenegro & Croatia (Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi, Budva, Kotor, Tivat).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a beaches, adventure, culture trip through Montenegro & Croatia (Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi, Budva, Kotor, Tivat), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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