Each part of the Bay of Kotor holds its own history:
- Kotor – an ancient town and UNESCO World Heritage site, with narrow streets, medieval churches, and fortress walls climbing into the mountains.
- Perast – a Baroque gem, known for its captains' palaces and the islands of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks.
- Herceg Novi – a fortress town at the bay’s entrance, famous for its citadels, stairways, and botanical gardens.
- Tivat – the most modern town in the bay, home to Porto Montenegro, a luxury marina attracting yacht owners from all over the world.
- Risan – the oldest town in Boka, where Roman mosaics from the 2nd century AD have been preserved.
- Kumbor – Porto Novi – a new luxury resort featuring high-end hotels, villas, and a yacht marina.
Today, the Bay of Kotor is a major center for tourism and yachting in Montenegro. It hosts sailing regattas, cultural festivals, and traditional events, such as the Fasinada in Perast—a ritual where locals strengthen the island of Our Lady of the Rocks by throwing stones into the sea.