The road above Kotor is one of the most dramatic drives in Montenegro. Twenty-five hairpin bends rising from sea level to over 900 metres, with the Bay of Kotor spreading out below you as you climb. It is breathtaking, a little intimidating, and entirely manageable if you know what to expect.
The Kotor Serpentine is a mountain road connecting the old town of Kotor with the Lovćen National Park and the historic capital of Cetinje. The road has 25 numbered hairpin bends and climbs from sea level to over 900 metres above sea level. It is one of the most photographed roads in the Balkans and a highlight for many visitors to Montenegro.
The surface is generally well maintained but narrow. Passing oncoming traffic at certain points requires patience and care. The road is open year-round but can be icy and difficult in winter months.
For confident drivers, the serpentine is straightforward. Take it slowly, stay on your side of the road, and use your horn at blind bends to warn oncoming traffic. The bends are numbered from the bottom, so you always know how far you have come.
If you are not entirely comfortable with mountain driving, or if you are driving a manual car for the first time on steep terrain, consider whether an automatic vehicle might be a better option. Check our available fleet before you book. Starting from a standstill on a steep hairpin with a manual gearbox is the main challenge for less experienced drivers, and an automatic transmission removes that stress entirely.
Allow 30 to 40 minutes to drive the serpentine at a comfortable pace with stops at the viewpoints along the way. The views back over the Bay of Kotor are extraordinary. There are several pull-off points where you can stop safely and take photographs. Early morning is the best time to drive it, before the tour buses and summer traffic build up.
From the top of the serpentine you can continue to several worthwhile destinations:
Lovćen National Park is a short drive from the top. The mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš sits at the summit of Mount Lovćen and offers panoramic views across Montenegro, and on clear days into Albania and Croatia. The drive to the mausoleum car park takes around 20 minutes from the top of the serpentine, followed by a climb of 461 steps to the entrance.
Njeguši is a small village on the Lovćen plateau, approximately 10 minutes from the top of the serpentine. It is the birthplace of the Petrović Njegoš dynasty and famous throughout Montenegro for its traditionally smoked prosciutto and cheese. Several roadside stops sell local products directly to visitors.
Cetinje is Montenegro's historic royal capital, located approximately 20 minutes beyond Njeguši. The town is home to the National Museum of Montenegro, the Cetinje Monastery, and the former royal palaces. Combined with the serpentine drive, Cetinje makes for a full and rewarding day trip from Kotor or the coast.
Start early. In July and August the road becomes busy with tour groups, motorcyclists, and cyclists by mid-morning. Leaving before 9am gives you the road largely to yourself and the best light for photography.
Take your time. The bends are not sharp at low speed and there is no reason to rush. The road rewards patience.
Watch for cyclists. The serpentine is a popular cycling route and cyclists can appear around blind bends. Give them plenty of space.
Check your brakes before you descend. On the way down, engine braking is more effective than riding the brakes continuously. If you are not familiar with this technique, drop into a low gear and let the engine do the work.
If you are picking up your car at Tivat Airport and planning to drive the serpentine, check our Tivat Airport car hire page for pickup details, or if you are starting from Podgorica Airport, visit our Podgorica Airport page. Review our rental conditions before your trip and book in advance to guarantee your preferred vehicle.
Yes. The Kotor Serpentine is one of those drives that stays with you long after you leave Montenegro. The combination of the medieval bay below, the mountain landscape above, and the engineering of the road itself make it genuinely unforgettable. Take your time, stop at the viewpoints, and enjoy every bend.
The Kotor Serpentine is a mountain road above the old town of Kotor in Montenegro. It has 25 numbered hairpin bends and climbs from sea level to over 900 metres, connecting Kotor with Lovćen National Park and the historic capital Cetinje.
For confident drivers it is straightforward. The road is narrow and requires care at blind bends, but the surface is generally good and the bends are manageable at low speed. Drivers who are uncomfortable with manual transmission on steep terrain should consider renting an automatic car.
Allow 30 to 40 minutes at a comfortable pace with stops at the viewpoints. In summer, starting before 9am avoids the heaviest traffic.
Yes. A standard rental car handles the serpentine without any difficulty. An automatic transmission is more comfortable on the steep sections but a manual car is perfectly capable.
At the top you can continue to Lovćen National Park and the Njegoš Mausoleum, the village of Njeguši, and the historic capital Cetinje. Combined, these destinations make for an excellent full-day road trip from the coast.
The road is open year-round but can be icy and difficult in cold weather. Winter tyres or chains may be necessary in heavy snow conditions. Check local road conditions before driving in winter months.