Mamula Island

A small islet at the outer entrance to the Bay of Kotor, Mamula sits, roughly equidistant from the Herceg Novi and Prevlaka shorelines. The Austro-Hungarian navy built the circular stone fortress that covers most of the island in 1853, intended to anchor the outer defensive line of the bay alongside fortifications at Arza and on the Prevlaka peninsula opposite. The fortress's circular plan, almost perfectly round, 200 metres across, was designed to deliver 360-degree artillery coverage of the bay mouth. During the Second World War the Italian occupation used the island as a prison and internment camp, a period that left a dark local history documented at the museum now operating on the island.

After decades of abandonment following Yugoslav-era military use, the fortress was restored and reopened in 2023 as a luxury hotel, which now controls access to most of the island. Day visits are only available through the boat tours that depart from the Herceg Novi marina and from Rose on the Lustica peninsula. Tours typically pause at Mamula for photography from the water rather than landing. The hotel is private and not open to non-guests.

The exterior silhouette of the fortress is nonetheless one of the most recognised images of the Bay of Kotor. Boat tour pricing from the Herceg Novi marina runs €25 to €45 per person on a shared tour, or €50 to €100 return on a private water taxi. The crossing takes about 30 minutes each way. Visits are weather-dependent.

Strong winds from the south-west close the bay mouth to small boats, typically between November and March.