12 Best Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro

Located in the picturesque Bay of Kotor and surrounded by mountains is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Montenegro: Kotor. If you’re heading to Kotor soon then in this blog post you’ll find some of the best things to do in this beautiful town.

Kotor has a great mix of cobblestone streets and narrow alleys, medieval churches, cathedrals, Venetian palaces, modern cafes, restaurants and many many cats. It is also a great place to be based for incredible road trips around Montenegro, offering very easy day trips. So, it’s not a surprise that the town has become a tourist hotspot over the years.

For reference, we spent an entire week exploring Kotor and its surrounding area. If you’d like to see some of our adventures from Europe, then make sure to check out our YouTube channel.

Introducing Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is a small city that has a super rich historical and cultural heritage. Without going too deep into its history I believe it’s still worth describing it briefly.

It was founded by the ancient Romans in 168 B.C. although the first town was ruled by the Illyrians. In the 10th century (until about 1185) Kotor was ruled by Byzantium. Between 1185 and 1371 it was part of the Medieval Serbian state. It was then Venetian and Hungarian for short periods before it became an independent republic between 1395 and 1420. After this period it became Venetian again until 1797.

Kotor suffered a lot of damage during this time from both the Turks and many devastating earthquakes. Then for a short period between 1797 to 1805 Kotor became part of the Austrian empire before the Russians governed the town for about a year. They were then defeated by the French. This French period was followed by a long Austrian domination until 1918. 

After World War I, Montenegro was integrated into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. During World War II, Kotor was under Nazi occupation. After that, it became a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Montenegro only became independent in 2006.

Due to a devastating earthquake in 1979 UNESCO decided to declare Kotor as a World Heritage Site and also included it in the List of World Heritage’s in Danger.

How to Get to Kotor, Montenegro

By Plane: The closest airport to the town is Tivat Airport located about 8km to the west of Kotor. It’s a tiny airport so if you can’t find direct flights from your destination than you can fly to Podgorica Airport. The airport is about 80km to the east of Kotor and it takes about 2 hours to reach the town from there. 

By Car: If you’re in Montenegro for longer and want to do a road trip around the country then hiring a car at the airport is probably the best mode of transport for you.

By Bus: Depending on where you’re coming from, you can also reach Kotor by bus. There are regular buses to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. You can even reach the town directly from other countries such as Albania and Croatia.

Where to Stay in Kotor, Montenegro

Surprisingly there are quite a few areas you can consider staying in Kotor. 

Obviously, if you’re only in Kotor for a very short time, you’d like to be close to all the attractions. Therefore, staying in Kotor Old Town is probably the best option for you. 

If you’re in Kotor for a bit longer or just after a bit of a quieter experience then you can consider staying in Dobrota. It’s a more residential part of the town stretching for approximately 4km along the bay. It’s still a walkable distance from the old town and has a number of amenities along the way.

On the opposite side to Dobrota is Prcanj where you can also choose to stay if you’re in Kotor for a bit longer. It’s located about 5km from the town centre, so take that into consideration when booking your accommodation.

Best Time to Visit Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor’s popularity has significantly increased in recent years. This means that more and more people are adding this charming town to their bucket list.

The most popular months to visit Kotor are definitely from June to August, during the summer holidays. During this time cruise ships dock at the bay every day. We saw at least two (if not three) cruise ships arriving daily, making the tiny old town very crowded. You can check the cruise timetable here to see how crowded Kotor could be during your visit.

During the summer months the daily temperature is also much higher which means walking around the old town or hiking up to the fort could be less pleasant. Generally speaking, prices are also much higher for accommodation and food during this time.

If you have the chance then I highly recommend visiting Kotor during the shoulder season or off season. The temperatures will be warm enough for water activities but also pleasant enough for hiking in the area. Prices will be lower too and the old town will be less crowded. 

Top Tip – In case you can only visit Kotor during the busier months, I recommend doing some of the hiking activities early in the morning and perhaps walking around the old town in the late afternoon / evening when the temperatures have dropped and the day trippers have left Kotor. Trust me, your experience will be much better.

12 Best Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro

1. Walk Around Kotor’s Old Town

Without doubt the No.1 thing to do in Kotor is visiting the Old Town. It is surrounded by a fortress wall and can be accessed from three gates: Sea Gate, River Gate and Gurdic Gate.

The 16th century Sea Gate is basically the main entrance where most tourists will enter the Old Town. The Old Town itself was built by the Venetians and since 1979 it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Whilst the Old Town is small, there are many interesting sights you shouldn’t miss out on when wondering around:

Clock Tower

Probably the first thing you’ll see when you enter the Old Town via the main gate is the Clock Tower. What’s interesting about this 17th century Clock Tower is that it was built partly in the Baroque style whilst its eastern and northern façades were built in the Gothic style.

Kotor Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Tryphon)

Kotor Cathedral is actually one of only two Roman Catholic cathedrals in the whole of Montenegro. It was built in honour of the patron and protector of the city: Saint Tryphon. The cathedral was seriously damaged in both the 1667 and the 1979 earthquakes, however it’s since been restored.

Church of St. Nicholas

Another impressive religious structure you should see in Kotor is St. Nicholas Church. It is a Serbian Orthodox Church which was built between 1902 and 1909.

Church of St. Luke

This tiny but picture perfect church is located next to St. Nicholas Church. It was built in 1195 in the Byzantine and Gothic styles. Whilst the exterior itself is worth stopping by for, don’t forget to take a look at the inside of the church too.

Cats Museum

As soon as you set foot in Kotor, you’ll notice a huge amount of cats. They can literally be everywhere in the town sleeping, chasing something or just looking for some love from tourists.

These cats might be stray cats, but they look healthy and well kept. This is because both locals and even visitors take care of them. 

Other than a massive amount of creative cat souvenirs, you can also visit Kotor’s Cat Museum. It has a lot of paintings and more cat-inspired souvenirs. 

Entry Fee – 1EUR per person which then goes to supporting the town’s stray cats.

2. Check Out Kotor’s Souvenir Shops

Apart from cafés and restaurants, you can find plenty of souvenir shops in the Old Town too. They sell many beautiful handmade items and also some of your standard tokens such as postcards and magnets. We also noticed a huge amount of cat related products such as tote bags and purses, Turkish lamps and handmade jewelleries. 

If you’re someone who likes to buy a memento then I’m sure you’ll find something in one of these shops. Even if you don’t want to buy anything I think it’s always fun to walk around these shops and see the local products.

3. Visit Kotor’s Farmers’ Market

If you’re a regular reader, you must know by now that I can’t visit a place without seeing its market.

Just outside the walls of the Old Town (between the Sea Gate and Gurdic gate) is Kotor’s Farmers’ Market. It opens onto the waterfront and has an open-air and an indoor section. I recommend coming here early in the morning and looking for some fresh fruit and vegetables, olives, cheese, dried fruits, wine and of course home made rakija.

It’s a great place to buy something you can snack on during the day or to take home as a souvenir. It also supports the locals so for me checking out the market is a must do activity anywhere we go.

4. Walk the Old City Walls

For a different point of view of Kotor’s Old Town and the surrounding area don’t forget to walk along the Old City Walls.

Most of the wall that you see today was built by the Venetians in the 16th and 17th centuries to protect the city. The wall is about 4.5km long and runs in a triangular shape around the city and San Giovanni hill. 

You can get onto the wall from multiple places inside the Old Town. Whilst you can’t walk along the entire wall, the sections where you can will provide you with some great views of the Old Town as well as the waterfront. 

Note – The wall is free to enter and walk along up to a certain point where you’ll be required to pay 8EUR per person. The path will eventually lead you up to Kotor’s Fortress.

5. Hike Up to Kotor’s Fortress

If you’re walking along the city walls then you must also walk all the way up to Kotor’s Fortress. Now there’s actually two ways you can enter the fortress. One leaves from inside the Old Town and follows the Old City Wall. If you access the fortress this way then you’ll be required to pay 8EUR per person for entry. This route will take you up to 280m above sea level via 1400 steps. Yes, you’ll have to climb a lot of steps to get to the fortress via this route. 

However, if you’d like to avoid the steps, there’s another way called the Ladder of Kotor from where you can actually visit San Giovanni fortress for free.

Top Tip – Start your hike early or later in the afternoon especially if you’re visiting during the hottest months. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes with good grip. We took the steps on the way down and they were super slippery. Also bring plenty of water with you to stay hydrated especially during the hot summer months.

How to Hike to Kotor’s Fortress for Free via the Ladder of Kotor

If you’d like to visit Kotor’s Fortress via a much quieter route then make sure to hike via the Ladder of Kotor. The hiking route starts here and the trail will take you to the same place as the stairs would eventually. Once you’re at the trailhead the path itself will be easy to follow because there’s only one route you can take.

Although the trail zig-zags up the mountain, which makes it somewhat easier in my opinion compared to the nearly 1400 steps, you’ll still gain elevation quickly. Whilst it’ll be hard going at the start, at least you’ll be treated with stunning views very quickly into your hike.

Hiking Tip – Bear in mind that the path is uneven and rocky so I highly recommend wearing supportive shoes.

You’ll soon reach a fork in the path from where you should go right – towards the Cheese Shop – to reach the fortress. Follow the path that will pass an old church (Sveti Juraj) before it carries on towards the wall of the fortress. There will be a small ladder and a small window you’ll have to climb through. It’s not so tiny but not a huge opening either.

Note – I’ve read a few blog posts that stated that this access point has been guarded and security turn people around to enter the fortress via the Old Town and purchase a ticket. We went in the height of August and we could enter through this opening without any issues. Our main reason for going via this route was to hike higher up to a viewpoint first, then to enter the fortress and come back down via the steps for a circular route. However, if you’re main intention is to visit the fortress then this could be a risk as you could have to hike back down, just to climb up again via the steps!

6. Hike to a Stunning Viewpoint of Kotor Bay

As an outdoor lover I cannot say no to a hike. Especially if at the end I can enjoy some epic views of my surroundings. So, if you’d like to enjoy some extra time in nature then put on your hiking shoes and let’s get climbing.

For this hike, you’ll basically walk along the Ladder of Kotor as you would to reach the fortress. Instead of taking the right fork in the path towards the fortress (at the Cheese Shop), you’ll just carry on along the zig-zagging trail.

This trail will climb higher above the fortress, providing you with some amazing views of the area and the fortress itself. We stopped at a place marked as ‘Top Of The Old Kotor Fort Trail’ on Google Maps. From there you can just head back the way you came and visit Kotor’s Fortress and head back to the Old Town via the steps.

Top Tip – If you have the time and the energy, you can easily walk even further to reach Restaurant Nevjesta Jadrana along the P1 Road. From there you’re actually not too far from entering Lovcen National Park. 

7. Relax on the Beach

Nothing is better than going for a refreshing dip into the water on a hot summer day right?

There are many pebble beaches along the Bay of Kotor you can go and relax on for a few hours or for an entire day.

Note – You won’t find any sandy beaches in Kotor.

There are many public beaches, but there are also plenty of private ones where you can rent a sunbed for the day and have a much more comfortable experience.

There are also many beach clubs right next to these places, so you can enjoy some food and cocktails without going too far. The prices can differ significantly, so make sure to ask around to find the best one for your budget.

Top Tip – Some hotels have their own private beach area that offers free beds for their guests. Make sure to book the right hotel if you’re planning on having a few relaxing beach days. 

8. Walk to Dobrota

If you decide to stay in Dobrota, then you’ll have to walk through this beautiful spot to reach Kotor Old Town. However, even if you’re staying somewhere else, I highly recommend a visit to Dobrota for multiple reasons.

It’s located only a short walking distance from the Old Town. You can walk along the waterfront which will provide you with amazing views of Kotor Bay. You’ll quickly notice that the crowds will disappear as soon as you leave the main area of Kotor. Therefore, if you’re after a quieter experience, Dobrota will offer you that. You’ll also find some of the best beaches here. The water is so clear and inviting here, so if you’d like a beach day then Dobrota is the place you want head to. It also has amazing restaurants and bars plus bike and kayak rental places. You can also see many old churches as you walk around such as St. Eustachius – built  in 1773 – or the 12th century St. Ilija.

9. Hire a Kayak or a Paddleboard

If you’d like to do a slightly different water activity then you can consider hiring a kayak or a paddleboard for a few hours. 

This will provide you with different views of Kotor Bay and also allow you to do something a bit more adventurous than just swimming around or lying on the beach.

Note – Since there are a lot of boats coming in and out of the bay, the water can feel a bit choppy which could result in feeling a bit seasick.

Where to find kayak rental places – Everywhere along the bay.

Cost of kayak hire – Varies. We rented them for 4EUR per person per hour from here.

10. Rent a Bike and Cycle Around Kotor Bay

Renting a bike and cycling around Kotor Bay is also a fantastic activity. This way, you can easily visit many nearby towns and get a view of the bay from different angles. 

If you hire a bike around the waterfront, I recommend cycling along the left side of the bay towards places like Mou and Prčanj. I suggest cycling all the way to Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church sitting right across from Perast. From here you’ll have some fantastic views of Perast, the Our Lady of the Rocks Church sitting on a tiny islet and the other side of Kotor Bay. 

Along the way you can stop for a dip in the inviting water, have a few refreshments, and take lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants along the way.

Of course you can also cycle towards Dobrota and Perast, however the lovely waterfront road ends in Dobrota, so from there you would need to cycle on the main road.

Note – There’s no dedicated cycle lane along the left side of Kotor Bay. You’ll have to cycle on the small waterfront road (Jadranska Magistrala) which can feel a bit busy with traffic at times. 

Where to find bike rental places – Everywhere along the bay.

Cost of bike hire – Varies. We rented them for 10EUR per person per day from here.

11. Take a Boat Tour Around Kotor Bay

No trip to Kotor in Montenegro is complete without going on a speed boat tour that takes you all around the stunning Kotor Bay. Plus, a speed boat ride is also a great way to keep cool for a few hours in the crazy summer heat.

We’ve taken some incredible boat rides during our backpacking trip across Mexico and South America. All of them gave us the chance to enjoy our surroundings from a different point of view. Therefore, we couldn’t say no to going on a boat tour around Kotor Bay either.

There are so many tour operators you can book a tour with. They are pretty similarly priced and offer different lengths of tour. We picked this tour in the end and it included the following:

• A visit to Our Lady of the Rocks church sitting on a tiny islet;
• Panoramic views of Kotor, Perast, Tivat and Herceg Novi;
• A short stop at the ex-submarine military base;
• We also passed the infamous Mamula island which was once a concentration camp in World War II;
• A refreshing dip in the Blue Cave which you can only access by boat.

Top Tip – I highly recommend picking a tour that lasts at least 3 hours. I think anything less will feel very rushed.

12. Take a Day Trip

If you’re spending a bit longer in Kotor, then I highly recommend taking a day trip to somewhere in the area. Since Montenegro isn’t a huge country, you can easily reach other beautiful towns or natural gems.

Here are some day trip ideas that are totally doable from Kotor:

• Perast: The small coastal town is only about 30 minutes from Kotor. It has similar features to Kotor such as tiny cobblestone streets and old churches. However, it’s not walled.
• Herceg Novi: Located about an hour’s bus ride away, Herceg Novi is a much quieter town to visit but still has plenty of attractions.
• Budva: About a 45 minute bus ride away is Budva, another picture perfect town you can visit as a day trip.
• Lovcen National Park: For the outdoor lovers, I highly recommend planning a day trip to Lovcen National Park. If you don’t have your own car, you can reach the national park by hiking, although you would need to start your day very early.
• Lake Skadar National Park: Another national park you can visit from Kotor. Lake Skadar is actually the largest lake in southeast Europe and it stretches between Montenegro and Albania.

There are plenty of organised tours you can choose from if you’d like to visit any of the above locations and you don’t have a car.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor has been on our bucket list for years now. So we were super excited that we could finally see this stunning area in Montenegro. Although we visited the town in the height of the summer holidays, we still enjoyed our stay very much. Since we stayed outside of the busy central area, we only really noticed the crowds when walking around the Old Town. We were surprised just how much there was to see and do in and around Kotor so for that reason I highly recommend spending as long as you possibly can in the area. 

We only wish that we’d had a little longer in Montenegro itself to visit other areas of this stunning country such as Durmitor National Park. However, as I often say, there’s always a next time and at least we have a very good reason to return to Montenegro in the near future.

Have you ever been to Kotor in Montenegro before? If so, how much of Montenegro did you manage to explore? If not, would you visit this beautiful place? Let me know in the comments below.