Kotor is an absolute gem of a place and, in my opinion, a must-visit for anyone making their way to the beautiful country of Montenegro. From the epic bay that it sits beside to the charming UNESCO-protected old town that flaunts its Venetian past, the city is a remarkable contribution to European History.
After missing out on Kotor during my first trip through the Balkans and hearing such high praise about the medieval town from other travelers, I made it a mandatory stop the second time around. And, I was glad I did, because it almost instantly became one of my favorite places along the Mediterranean.
For me, it ticks off all the boxes for a coastal stay along the Adriatic – a well-protected historic center, gorgeous surrounding nature, exciting water activities, and fresh seafood – with a relaxing vibe that turns up the fun in the evenings. Oh, and it has an abundance of friendly cats roaming the cobbled streets for all of you animal lovers!
Here’s a look at some of the top things to do in Kotor, including boat trips around Boka Bay; plus tips on where to stay and what nearby towns are worthy of a day trip.
This is my detailed guide to Kotor, Montenegro.
Get Lost In The Old Town
The Kotor Old Town is a maze of thin cobbled streets and small, lively courtyards. Cats roam freely amongst the historic buildings and people gather at all hours of the day.
I found the best way to explore Venetian architecture and embrace the medieval vibes here is to wander until you feel lost. There is something around every corner; even if you’re feeling disoriented, the small alleyways are all connected. Former palaces and centuries-old churches dominate the interior, while restaurants, boutique shops, and museums fill out the rest.
Here are some places to keep an eye out for when you head through Kotor’s Old Town:
CHURCHES IN OLD TOWN
There are several churches around the old town; some are impossible to miss, while others are so discrete you might walk by without noticing. I’ll hold off saying which ones are the most worthy of seeing, but four specifically caught my eye.
St. Tryphon’s Cathedral | A large 12th-century Catholic Church near the Palace of the Drago Family. It’s picturesque at all hours and houses a small museum on its second floor.
Saint Nicholas Church | The gorgeous, imposing Serbian Orthodox Church has a striking interior and is hard to miss.
Saint Luke’s Church | A small, historic 12th-century church across the courtyard from the Saint Nicholas Church.
Church of St. Mary Collegiate | Located in the northeast corner of the walled old town, this 13th-century church has nicely preserved frescoes and a beautiful bronzed door covered with bas-reliefs. Outside is a shaded courtyard home to at least a dozen cats.
KOTOR’S MARITIME MUSEUM
Located in a historic three-story building, the Maritime Museum tells the story of how Kotor blossomed into an important port town in its heyday. Most of the exhibitions focus on the city’s seafaring ways, with old weapons, wood model boats, and some lovely naval-focused paintings placed around the museum.
You’ll also find an ethnography section with antique furniture, lavish ornaments, and Montenegrin folk costumes. It takes an hour or so to see everything and is especially nice if you’re looking to escape the summer heat. I recommend doing the audio guide tour that is included with the entry price.
Maritime Museum Details:
Cost | €6
Hours of Operation | Summer (9am – 6pm) / Winter (9am – 3pm) / Saturdays & Holidays (9am – 1pm)
GATES INTO THE OLD TOWN
To enter Kotor’s Old Town, you must first pass through one of the gates. If you’re interested in medieval fortifications, then you’ll want to check out each of the three entry points. They all have distinct qualities, date back to the 16th century, and are one of the main reasons that Kotor was designated as a UNESCO heritage site.
River Gate | The northern entrance can be reached by crossing a stone footbridge that crosses the short Scurda River. You’ll find some amazing views of the Kampana Tower and the Kotor City Walls from here.
Sea Gate | This is the main gate that can be entered from just outside the Kotor Marina. Most walking tours start here and there’s a tourist information booth nearby. It’s a simple, elegant entrance that leads to the Square of Arms and the iconic Kotor Clock Tower.
Gurdić Gate | You can enter the southern gate by crossing a small wooden drawbridge. It’s the least busy of the three gates and sits near a shallow, crystal-clear inlet of water. There’s a stairwell a few meters after you enter that leads to nice views from the top of the walls.
Go On A Walking Tour
One of the best ways to see Kotor Old Town and something I’ve grown to enjoy in historical towns, is taking a guided walking tour. This is hands down the easiest way to obtain knowledge about a place in a short amount of time. Plus, the guides tend to be great people who love sharing insights about the place they call home!
My usual method for this is joining a free tip-based walking tour, which Kotor has a few of. However, the hostel I was staying at had a connection with a local travel agency where the cost came out to be cheaper than what I normally tip, so on this trip, I ended up going with them.
The company I used was 360 Monte, which has an office in the old town and does a few more interesting tours around Montenegro. Our guide was fantastic, fun, and experienced, so I can recommend using them.
Most of the walking tours start at the Kotor Info Desk in front of the Sea Gate. If you’re overwhelmed by the options or are unsure how to go about signing up for one, you can always head there in the mornings to find out more information.
Count The Famous Cats Of Kotor
While wandering the streets of Kotor’s walled old town, I had a suspicion that something was watching me, and after some time, those suspicions turned true. While that might sound nefarious, it was anything but that. Instead, I noticed dozens of cats appearing along the cobbled streets, high up on the stone walls, and just about anywhere you could imagine in the narrow alleyways.
At the start of my trip, I began counting their numbers, but after reaching triple digits (and possibly recounting a few) I decided to give up for the sake of sanity. Kotor’s feel is very much like Turkey, with a joyous acceptance of felines by almost all. So, if you’re a fan of cats, you’ll have an absolute blast walking around the historic area.
There are two spots in the old town that are worth keeping in mind if you’re a cat lover:
Kotor Cats Museum | A small, quirky museum with objects, pictures, and paintings dedicated to all things cats related. Don’t expect anything fancy, but with a small fee that goes towards the city’s furry friends, it’s worth the visit.
Entry | €1
Cat Park (maps) | By the Church of St. Mary Collegiate near the River Gate, you’ll find a cat park within the courtyard. I say cat park, not because it’s exclusively for cats, but more because so many of them hang out there. A small wooden “cat house” is here, along with a cat feeding box. There were plenty of kittens there when I visited, lounging on the benches and generally having a playful time.
Hike Up To The Fortress
Behind the Old Town, perched atop the steep mountainside, is the imposing St. Johns Fortress. For those of you hunting out the best sunset spot in the city, look no further.
The scenes of the bay are stunning from here and the intricate maze of palaces inside the historic center doesn’t seem quite as confusing from this perspective.
Fortified since early Illyrian times, the mountainside castle was famously recontructed by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I sometime in the 6th century. However, the structure you currently see can be attributed Venetian rule, although there’s been a series of reworkings throughout the years due to damages through attacks and earthquakes.
The Hike Up
In all likelihood, you’ll be entering the road up to the fortress by way of the Old Town near the River Gate. To gain access to this portion of the trail, you must pass through an archway and a paid kiosk. For whatever reason, maybe a public holiday or just dumb luck, this section was free when I went.
But, this is not usual. The normal price of entry is €15, which is a bit steep (no pun intended), but considering the castle is one of the main reasons for UNESCO status, it’s worth it.
After entering you’ll be treated to a sequence of switchbacks that slowly creep upwards alond the fortified walls. There are a few natural stopping points here, including at the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, which have space for sitting and admiring the views. You’ll also find more than a few stone steps and narrow pathways inbetween the towers.
At the end of the hike, you’ll come to the hulking fortress, where in you’ll most likely be joined by dozens more hikers. During sunset this area is quite busy, and for good reason, the panoramas are sensational and the heat is at least bearable.
If you want to keep exploring, there are connecting trails that head further up the mountain to St. Juraj Church and more vistas.
Alternate Route | Since it was free for me to enter through the official gates during my trip, I didn’t search out any different access routes. However, there’s apparently a trail (Ladder of Kotor) that leads from behind the Old Hydroelectric Power Plant that’s a free alternative to reaching St. Johns Fortress.
Supposedly there’s a guard that stands near the entry point to the castle in the peak season though, so expect to pay the entry if you’re here in spring and summer. You’ll also have to go down the way you came to avoid being charged.
Other Notes | Expect between 1-2 hours roundtrip to finish the hike. Access to the castle is usually open between 8 am and 10 pm.
Take A Stroll Along The Bay
After the first day or two of exploring the old town and fortress, an afternoon stroll along the bay ended up as a normal part of my routine in Kotor. The coastline is beautiful here, with some neat things to see just a short walk north of the city.
Starting at the Sea Gate, if you head past the old city walls northward you’ll have a nice seaside route for around half an hour walking. The logical ending point is a beautiful church with panoramic views. Here are some stops along the way:
Port of Kotor | Across from Kampana Tower and at the end of the marina, the small port is where you’ll find cruise ships docking. There’s not much else besides that, but if you love boats it’s a place worth spending a few minutes.
Kotor Beach | A couple hundred meters away you’ll come across Kotor’s swimming area. The rocky beach is perfect for cooling off, with a few sunbeds for hire in the summer and clear waters. It’s recommended to wear sea shoes when entering.
Aquarium Boka | A small, but interesting aquarium with smaller sea animals found in the nearby waters. It’s a wonderful place for kids, with friendly staff and they have a free English audio guide.
Price of Entry | €10
Hours | Wednesday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Monday and Tuesday are closed.
St. Matthias Church | The church I mentioned above. It’s painted in a striking coral color and has a single, stone tower. It’s a lovely place to stop before turning around, especially to watch the sunset.
You’ll also find a number of pleasant seaside restaurants and parks to stop at along the way. If you’re riding a bike or want to wander a little longer, the Church of St. Eustachius and Galebova Stijena (Seagull Rock) are a few more kilometers away and have nice scenic views.
Experience Boka Bay With A Boat Tour
Trips to Kotor usually involve a day out on Boka Bay and the best way to do that is by hopping on a full-day or half-day tour. Since this is the thing to do here, tours tend to be very reasonably priced. This was my most memorable experience in Montenegro, so if you can manage the time make sure to get out on the bay!
In general, the boat ride involves various stops at popular stops around the Bay of Kotor, some fun and interesting historical tidbits, quick swim breaks, and sometimes a wee bit of rakija. I went with the same company I did the walking tour with – 360 Monte – but there are dozens of companies that leave from the Kotor Marina.
TYPICAL SITES ON A BOKA BAY TOUR
Our Lady of the Rocks | The man-made island is usually the first stop. It’s home to a picturesque church and tons of traditions. I go into more detail in the next section.
Island of Saint George | This tiny island sits a hundred or so meters away from Our Lady of the Rocks. Tours don’t stop here, but guides usually tell the legend of the island and the history of the church that’s on it.
Submarine Bunker | An old, abandoned submarine bunker that is hidden from sight until the last moment. Boats usually enter and let you hop into the dark waters. If you have goggles, you’ll have a chance to spot the octopuses that like to hang out there.
Blue Cave | A small cave underneath the cliffs at the edge of the bay. Boats stop here and let you swim inside. There is a strange, ethereal beauty when you’re floating inside the almost hypnotic cavern.
Mamula Island | Tours don’t stop on the island-turned-hotel, but make their way past it on the way to the Blue Cave. Guides usually mention its history. Part of the current structure was built in the 19th century as a fortress before turning into a concentration camp during WWII. The Venetian Republic used to call the island Rondina.
Porto Montenegro | The luxurious marina is where many of the full-day tours stop for lunch. If you like seeing extravagant yachts, you’ll enjoy this stop.
If you want to book in advance, here are a few decent tours worth looking into:
- Blue Cave and Bay of Kotor Day Trip by Boat
- Lady of the Rocks and Blue Cave Group Tour
- Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Blue Cave Visit
For more search options or different stops have a look here on GetYourGuide or here on Viator.
Visit Our Lady of The Rocks and the Island of Saint George
The main attraction for most Boka Bay tours are the two closely-located islands off the coast of Perast known as Our Lady of the Rocks and the Island of Saint George.
The more popular Our Lady of the Rocks can be visited by boat, where you can explore the tiny man-made island and domed church. The site slowly evolved into church grounds (years later) after two brothers found an image of the Virgin Mary on what was originally a pile of rocks.
It’s history is filled with historical legends that tour guides and locals are happy to share. One of those is the bringing of treasure to the island, some of which you can see in the compact museum connected to the church.
Entry Into The Church | To enter the church premises, you’ll have to pay €3 in cash. The interior is quite beautiful.
Across the way you’ll notice the similarly-sized Island of Saint George. As far as I know, it’s near impossible to visit, but it’s also steeped in folk tales and quite a pretty sight from the paved shores of Our Lady of the Rocks.
If you’re interested in learning about some of its history, I go into more specifics in my ‘Our Lady Of The Rocks And The Island Of Saint George’ article.
Getting There | On my visit, the marina was full of boat taxis that went directly to Our Lady of the Rocks without any other stops. These were priced at €10 round-trip. If you’re joining a tour of the bay, you don’t have to worry as you’ll likely stop here. However, if that’s not in your plans, one of these taxis is the best and easiest option to see the church. You can also catch a boat taxi from Perast for a bit cheaper.
Spend A Half Day Exploring Perast
A short trip to Perast is the best way to escape the crowds and see a smaller town along the shores of the Bay of Kotor. The quaint, picturesque town is only a 20-minute drive from Kotor and boasts wonderful views of the sparkling water and the small islands home to Our Lady of the Rocks Church and Saint George Monastery.
Here are some things to keep you busy on a trip to Perast:
- Stop by some lovely churches in town, like the Church of Saint Nicholas and its iconic bell tower. A handful more line the streets and offer a quick history lesson and some gorgeous panoramas of Boka Bay.
- Other Churches Worth Visiting | Church of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Mark’s Church, St. Antony’s Monastery, Our Lady of the Rosary Church
- Take a peek at the fanciful palaces that make up a large portion of the small town. A few have been restored and turned into luxury hotels, while others have been left in disarray. However, they all have a similar, beautiful architecture that adds to the uniform look of Perast.
- Palaces Worth Visiting | Smekja Palace, Viskovic Palace, Brajković-Martinović palace, Zmajević Palace, Lucic-Kolovic-Matikola Palace, Bronza Palace, Bujović Palace
- Pop into Perast City Museum located inside the Bujović Palace. The complex consists of hundreds of items collected from around the region that display the naval prowess and treasures from 15th to 20th-century Perast and Kotor Bay. For more details like ticket prices, opening hours, and tours you can check out the museum website.
- Spend some time near the water. Walk along the Perast Promenade and enjoy the cool breeze, have a quick dip in the water at Perast Beach, or enjoy some fresh seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Tour Options | If you can, I recommend the do-it-yourself approach to visiting Perast. However, if you want a quick stop to see what’s there you can look into a combination tour like this Our Lady of the Rocks one or this Cable Car one. They stop for a quick photo opportunity and allow 20 to 30 minutes for you to walk around.
Feel Fancy In Tivat
I’ll start by saying places like Tivat aren’t usually my cup of tea. The town is home to the fanciful Porto Montenegro with its larger-than-life yachts and luxury boutique shops, which isn’t my typical choice of a good time. But, I ended up really enjoying my brief time wandering around the streets.
There are lovely historic buildings around, as well as some neat little museums like the Naval Heritage Collection Museum. The marina is a wonderful place for a walk and even better if you love any sort of high-end shopping. Plus, there are dozens of nice restaurants scattered along the shores.
Outside of the busy area, you’ll find some more spots worth exploring like the abandoned park at Complex Bizanti, the calming Belane Beach, the rocky peninsula beach at Plaža Ponta, and some well-maintained parks scattered around the historic area. If you enjoy a good hike with some views, you can also head up to one of the hilltop churches that overlook the town.
Getting There By Bus | There are about a dozen buses that leave throughout the day from Kotor to Tivat during high season. You can purchase tickets at the Kotor Bus Station for a few euros each way. I found this site to be pretty accurate for bus schedules, however, I never purchased through them, so I’m not sure how reliable it is to buy through them.
Embrace The Nightlife Within The Walls
If you’re staying within the walls of Old Town, there’s no escaping the nightlife.
Reminiscent of some other popular fortified cities in the Balkans, like the nearby Budva and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Kotor becomes a giant social gathering after sunset. Tables pop up within the narrow alleys and music hangs in the air until late.
While my party days are most definitely in the rearview mirror (although I flip a U-turn on occasion), something about the city’s buzzing energy brought me out in the evenings. Perhaps it was the European summer vibes that enticed me to explore the cobbled streets after dark.
The historical center can become particularly boisterous in the tightly packed streets. However, if you’re willing to wander around for a while, there shouldn’t be a problem finding a place with an energy that fits your style.
For a lively atmosphere, especially the later it gets, Pub Old Town Kotor is a great choice. Expect prices closer to Western European standards, but that can be said with just about every place near the center.
Around the corner from there, you’ll find the Old Winery Wine Bar. It is on the pricier side but has a relaxing atmosphere and a wide selection of Montenegrin wines. The tasting platter and cheese board are the go-to menu items here.
On Kotor’s famous narrow street, Jazz Club Evergreen offers open terrace seating and a range of tasty cocktails. There is a nice ambiance, with live music often playing and funky jazz-related art pieces inside.
For a more local feel, with arguably the most reasonable prices, check out Klub Invalida. Of course, you can always go to the previously mentioned Bandiera Authentic Pub as well.
Head Inland For The Day
Most of your trip to Kotor will revolve around the Bay of Kotor and its surrounding coastline, but if your time permits it, I suggest heading inland. There are a few places within an hour or so of the city that are worth the journey.
Fortress Gorazda | A creepy, but interesting abandoned fortress with spectacular views. It’s quite the hike from Kotor without a car, yet it’s doable if you’re motivated. It’s borderline essential for those looking to do some urban exploring in the area.
Some other deserted fortresses nearby are Fort Vrmac and Fort Trojica. Fort Vrmac is the easiest to get to and has stunning views and spooky vibes. Fort Trojica can be visited on the way to Fortress Gorazda.
Lovćen National Park | It’s not as popular as Durmitor National Park in the north of the country, but Lovćen is spectacular in its own right. The scenic views of the rocky mountainside are breathtaking and the mountaintop mausoleum is truly unique. It’s possible to take the Kotor-Lovćen Cable Car from just outside the city to reach the national park. For pricing and timetables have a look at their website.
Tickets into Lovćen National Park are €3 and the Mausoleum of Peter II Petrović Njegoš an extra €8.
Njeguši & Cetinje | Two well-loved spots on the outskirts of the national park. Njeguši is a small village revered for its production of rich sheep cheese and renowned specialty prosciutto. Cetinje on the other hand is a common overnight spot, that can be done as a day trip. As the former royal capital of Montenegro, you’ll find no shortage of elegant palaces and charming churches. Some other highlights are the 18th-century Cetinje Monastery, the historic National Museum of Montenegro, and the accessible Lipa Cave.
Here are some tours of the area around Lovćen National Park worth checking out:
Spend The Day In Budva
Kotor is an ideal base in western Montenegro, especially if you want to explore the towns around Boka Bay. However, the most popular day trip destination is a short ride south to the coastal town of Budva.
Those of you on the backpacking route will most likely have heard of the former Venetian city. It’s often brought up in tandem with Kotor as one of the can’t-miss places in the Balkans.
I go back and forth about whether or not it’s a place worth staying a few nights, mostly because of its resort-style feel in the peak summer season. However, I can confidently say it’s a quintessential stop on a Montenegro coastal itinerary, especially if you’re coming over for a day from Kotor.
It mostly comes down to the wonderful sights in and around the city, most of which can be combined in a single visit.
Here are some of my recommendations for a thorough visit to Budva:
- Wander around the iconic Budva Old Town, a zigzag of narrow cobbled streets similar to the Kotor. The walled medieval city has a ton to see and do, with charming cafes, an interesting museum, and a few photogenic churches. You can check out my ‘Guide to Budva Old Town’ for a more detailed look.
- Hit one of the many beaches along Budva’s coast. My favorites are the picturesque Mogren Beach, which gets crowded but is tucked away amongst sky-high cliffs, and Ričardova Glava Beach just outside the walled city. A ferry ride to Sveti Nikola Island to see Hawaii Beach is also pretty special.
- Take a bus to Sveti Stefan and relax on the nearby beach for the day. If you’ve seen images of Budva, you’ve most likely seen this iconic island that connects to the land by a narrow bridge and a small strip of sand.
WHERE TO STAY IN KOTOR
If you want to be in the heart of things, I recommend staying in the Kotor Old Town. It’s a very magical feeling, although it can stay loud until the later hours when the city is busy. For a more romantic feel, anywhere near the waterfront is a good shout, while the new town has a mix of modern accommodations within walking distance of all the sights.
Here are some great options:
Old Town Hostel | I stayed in a private room for about a week here and really enjoyed it. It’s super social, so if that’s not your thing then it might be worth looking into somewhere else. It’s part of the I Travel Balkans group of hostels (which I’ve mentioned quite a bit on the Sandal Tan Man Blog) and it’s right in the midst of the old town.
Apartments Grgurević | The simple, clean apartments are a great mid-range accommodation in the newer part of town.
Hotel Monte Cristo | A gorgeous, higher-end hotel located in one of the historic buildings in Old Town.
For more hostel stays check here. For everything else have a look here.
