Historic Kotor & Budva-Kilims Story

Stroll the atmospheric streets in Budva’s medieval Old Town and then visit a shop that specializes in kilims, a style of woolen carpet first produced thousands of years ago.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely drive through the countryside to Budva, one of the oldest settlements in the Balkans. While meandering through the medieval Old Town (known as Stari Grad), you can’t help but be struck by the gorgeous setting. English poet Lord Bryon described it as “the most beautiful meeting of land and sea.”

As you will discover during the guided tour and free time that follows, Budva is still remarkable, especially its idyllic setting on an island-dotted bay. You can expect to see historical churches, the 15th-century ramparts and charming squares lined with boutiques.

Continuing on into the Grbalj plain between Budva and Kotor, you will visit a shop that sells kilim carpets. While “kilim” is a word of Turkish origin, this style of flat-weave carpet is produced in many countries, including Montenegro. The weaving technique favors diagonal and geometrical patterns with wool being the preferred material because of its durability.

Following a presentation on how kilim carpets are produced, you might purchase one. Each carpet comes with a certificate of origin and can be shipped anywhere in the world.

Next you will enjoy a guided tour of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site hailed for its architectural significance.