How To Make The Most Of The Famous Town Of Kotor In Montenegro?

Famous for its tranquil bay and fortified walls, not to mention its cats, Kotor has quickly become a must-see destination for travelers in search for history, relaxation or simply scenic beauty.

Wondering how to spend your time in the city and make the most of your stay? Here’s a guide to my favorite sights!

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Kotor in a few words

Located in the southern part of Montenegro, Kotor has had quite a tumultuous history, having been under the control of numerous countries. First apparently founded by the Romans, it was then ruled by the Venetians, Hungarians, French and Austrians before being liberated during the war, first in 1918, then after another occupation in 1944.

The town, also famous for its fortified walls, unfortunately suffered a massive earthquake in 1979, which took 10 years to restore, making it today one of the best preserved historic cities in the Balkans.

Whether you want to dive in its crystal clear bay, wander along the Adriatic Sea coast, base yourself here to explore Montenegro or just enjoy a piece of history and admire the architecture, here are my favorite things to do in and around Kotor.

My top sights in and around Kotor

1. The Old Town

Of course, a visit to Kotor wouldn’t really be complete without spending at least a few hours exploring the 2,000-year-old Old Town!

Its narrow, cobblestone alleys, filled with quaint cafes, delicious restaurants and walls steeped in history, are a sight not to be missed.

Plus, getting lost in the old town offers a welcome respite from the traffic and bustle of life just outside the fortified walls, well, that is, if you carefully plan your visit, because there’s a little trick you need to know.

If you don’t want to find yourself in the middle of all the tour guides directing their tourists with their little flags, and avoid the madness of all the people in general coming from the cruise ships, it’s best to visit the old town in the morning (before 10am) or later in the afternoon (after 5pm).

Then, and only then, can you be sure of having enough space to enjoy your visit and move around without having to elbow your way through the crowds, because the truth is that there are fewer people staying in Kotor than just passing through.

2. The City Walls

Beware, I’m not talking about the fortress hike (which I’ll come back to later) but simply a walk around the walls of Kotor, which is completely free and will take you less than an hour if you take your time.

If you want to enjoy beautiful views of your surroundings, the bay and the old town from above, as well as the harbor and the mountains, this is the place to be!

3. The beach

There’s no better way to relax than spending a day or half-day at the beach, or at least that’s my idea of doing nothing and enjoying the moment. So if you, too, are that kind of traveler who just likes to cool off and spend your day reading a good book in front of a landscape as scenic as the one that awaits you in Kotor, head to Kotor beach.

But a word of advice: get ready to lie down on a pebble beach or rent a sunlounger. And perhaps you should also bring water shoes if you have sensitive ankles, so you can enter the water more comfortably.

4. The Food

The great thing about Montenegrin cuisine is that it’s influenced both by the Balkans and the Mediterranean, so whether you like fish or meat, you’ll be served.

Head to Konoba Roma for a traditional meal, La Catedral Pasta Bar for delicious, rich pastas, or Primo Pizza for the best pizza in town.

5. Kotor Bay & Sunset

Because nothing beats ending a day of wandering and discovery by admiring the sunset, and because Kotor Bay is as beautiful by day as it’s by night, take time to watch the beauty of its tranquil crystalline waters when there are no cruise ships.

And when the sun begins to slip slowly behind the mountains and the orange, pink colors of the late day are reflected on the bay, what a show!

Go to Park Slobode and sit on one of the benches around the bay, or walk along the shores to Dobrota village for an even better experience!

6. Ladder of Kotor hike

As I’ve previously mentioned in another post, the Ladder of Kotor hike is a must if you want to enjoy a panorama like no other of the city and its bay. But while the hike to the top of the ancient fortress is amazing, there are two ways: one is free and the other isn’t (15€).

If you don’t want to pay the exorbitant fee, you have two options: start early in the morning (before 8am) or late in the afternoon (after 6pm), or take the free path (see map below).

Once you’ve reached a small church where a friendly man is selling cheese, turn right and climb the wooden ladder though the window to enjoy the view!

7. Shopping

From olive oil, honey, snow globes or cute keychains, Kotor being a tourist town, you can be sure to find what you’re looking for here.

Browse the many shops and market stalls before finding your little treasure to take home for yourself, your loved ones or both.

8. Day trip to Perast

If you want to escape the busy Kotor during the day, your best bet is to take a day trip, and what better than the quiet and uncrowded town of Perast, just 30 minutes away by bus?

Beautiful Venetian architecture and charming scenery await you in this little town well worth a visit!

Remember to carefully check the bus timetable before you leave, though, as buses to and from Perast only run once an hour!

9. Walk or Cycle to Dobrota & Orahovac

Want to get some exercise and chase unique discoveries around the city? Take a walk to the nearest villages of Dobrota or Orahovac, which seem frozen in time and still enjoy the peacefulness of old villages untouched by tourism.

You can also rent a bike at your hostel/hotel or in one of the city’s shops, pack a picnic and enjoy your day on one of the nearby beaches.

10. Boat trip

Whether you’d like to see the striking blue waters surrounding the famous Blue Cave or get up close to blue dome of the Lady of the Rocks, a boat trip of a few hours with the wind in your hair and a cool breeze on your face sounds like a great way to start a day of fun and exploration!

11. Hike to Fort Vrmac

Looking for a lesser-known and less-frequented trail than the Ladder of Kotor? Head to Fort Vrmac to admire magnificent views of both sides of the bay and Tivat!

The start of the hike is just a 25-minute walk from the bus station via the Franz Joseph Stairs!

12. Day trip to Budva

If you miss sandy beaches, the dance floor or just want to eat delicious seafood, Budva, a 45-minute bus ride from Kotor, is probably the best solution for you!

Traveling to Budva often means enjoying its lively atmosphere and nightclubs, that’s for sure, but you can always find some peace and quiet by venturing in the old town’s narrow streets or dip your toes in the Adriatic Sea!

Best time to go to Kotor

It really depends on what you prefer, although, as I’ve previouly mentioned, Kotor isn’t the least touristy town in Montenegro, so if you want to avoid the crowds of tourists while enjoying pleasant weather, your best bet is to visit during the off-season (May-June or September-November).

Not to mention you’ll also benefit from lower prices and a wider range of accommodation options!

Where to stay in Kotor

If you’re looking for a comfortable, clean stay, surrounded by knowledgeable, friendly staff, there’s no better place than Centrum Hostel Kotor.

Located right in the heart of the Old Town, it’s the kind of stay where you feel at home away from home. And if you’re traveling alone, don’t worry, it’s very easy to make friends here!

I have to admit this is definitely the kind of hostel where I felt a twinge of sadness when I left.

How to get to Kotor

You mainly have two options! If you’re coming from abroad, the nearest airport is Tivat airport, 7km away, or if you’re already in the country and on a budget, you can take the bus.

Depending on where you are in Montenegro, you may have to take several buses or spend the night elsewhere before reaching Kotor, but traveling by bus in Montenegro is efficient, cheap and comfortable enough.

You can even check bus timetables and ticket prices on a dedicated website!

How to get around Kotor

As Kotor is quite small, you won’t need a car, unless you want to get stuck in traffic jams and lose your temper in the middle of your trip.

You can get around the city by foot or by public transport. Cheap and practical, it’s also the best way to save money on vacation!

Useful links & Apps

Bus timetable and tickets: busticket4.me

Map: maps.me (sometimes works better than Google Maps)

If you know me at all, you’ll know that I’m not really a fan of touristy places, although sometimes I let myself be convinced by what I hear on the road or simply by my curiosity for the hype of the place and I want to see for myself whether it’s justified or not. That’s what happened with Kotor!

Although Montenegro was originally just a spur of the moment destination, I have to admit that the country has charmed me more than once (especially the North), and that Kotor, while touristy, still has a certain appeal that I get, although I’m not sure it will last long if the city suffers too much overtourism! But if you choose to stay a few days and explore not only Kotor (preferably in the morning) but also the surrounding area, I’d say the town is worth at least a short visit!

Want a glimpse of what you can do in 10 days in Montenegro? Here’s my itinerary!

Interested in another historic town? Why not visit Stari Bar?