Donji Stoliv is a small waterfront settlement on the bay. Three distinct highlights can shape your plans: the water and swimming, cultural heritage in Stoliv, and walking paths to Gornji Stoliv. A five-kilometre route towards Vrdola adds the option of a mountain hike. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first consider which of these highlights you want to shape your stay.
By the water and in the lower village
The lower village is compact and easy to explore on foot. Donji Stoliv lies on the bay’s waterfront and offers direct access to the water for swimming; there is also a small pebble shore. This gives you two distinct options: time for swimming and walks around the village.
Walking to Gornji Stoliv
A stone footpath leads from Donji Stoliv through a chestnut forest to Gornji Stoliv. The walk takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes. From Gornji Stoliv, views stretch towards Perast and its islands, Orahovac, and part of Dobrota. The outing combines a path, forest, and views, while the waterfront in the lower village offers a different kind of stay. If you enjoy exploring places on foot, you can plan Gornji as a separate stop on your itinerary.
Churches and cultural heritage
Crkva Imena Marijinog stands in the central part of Stoliv, right by the sea. It is dedicated to Ime Marijino, the patron saint of Donji Stoliv, and is classified as a Category III cultural asset in Stoliv. The single-nave building is made of finely worked blocks of KorÄŤula stone. Its inscription bears the year 1774; its final completion is dated to 1781. These refer to different points in time: 1774 is the year of the inscription, and 1781 is the date of final completion.
The Church of Saint Elias also shapes nearby Gornji Stoliv: it dominates the village. The inscription above the entrance indicates an extension in 1556; the bell tower was built in 1833. Stoliv and Gornji Stoliv therefore feature distinct church building histories alongside paths and views that can shape a walking itinerary.
The traditional cultural heritage festival Fešta Kamelija takes place in Stoliv in March or April. The dates can change; if you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance.
Planning your hike and travel
The five-kilometre Donji Stoliv–Vrdola route is part of the official local mountain trail network. It is classified as a moderately difficult mountain hiking trail. Allow around 30 to 40 minutes to walk to Gornji; for Vrdola, the distance and difficulty level are specified. This helps distinguish the walk to the nearby village from the moderately difficult mountain hike, without treating them as a single route.
Donji Stoliv is on the bus route between Kotor and Herceg Novi. Since bus routes and frequencies can change, check the local service before planning your arrival or onward travel around it. This allows you to treat exploring on foot and planning a journey between the two cities as separate parts of your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Bigova, Tresnjica, Radanovići, Kovaci, Bratešići, Škaljari, Glavati, Kotor
Go to the main travel overview: Kotor.
