After staying in the beautiful town of Kotor for a whole month, it’s clear to me that it’s somewhere special. You’ll find this ancient fortified town tucked away off the Adriatic Coast surrounded by limestone peaks.
Cruise ships may have also discovered Kotor, but Montenegro is still an underrated country. With most still flocking to Croatia, travel to this lesser-visited destination in the Bay of Kotor instead.
There are tonnes of things to do in Kotor from sightseeing to tasting surprisingly delicious cuisine. It’s close to national parks and boasts hidden beaches and medieval architecture. This guide covers my best recommendations for planning a trip to Kotor inspired by my adventures there.
Where to Stay in Kotor
While the historic Old Town is a prime location steeped in medieval charm, it can also be quite expensive due to its popularity and convenience.
For a more budget-friendly yet equally delightful experience, consider staying in the nearby neighbourhoods of Dobrota and Škaljari. Both areas are within approximately 10 minutes’ walking distance from the Old Town. Dobrota stretches along the stunning Bay of Kotor, providing scenic waterfront views and access to peaceful beaches (a visit in itself it’s one of the lovely things to do in Kotor!). On the other hand, Škaljari offers a more local ambience with easy access to nature trails and traditional Montenegrin cuisine.
Things To Do in Kotor
Wander Around the Old Town
Locate your phone and zip it away in a backpack. You won’t be needing it here. The best way to explore Kotor’s famous labyrinth of an Old Town is to get lost in it. Walk down narrow cobblestone lanes and find hidden cafés and other gems you never would have discovered otherwise.
Kotor is widely known for having one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe. The Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It honours the historic structures and how they harmonise with the jagged mountains.
Built between the 9th and 14th centuries by the Illyrians then the Venetians, Kotor’s City Walls still surround the Old Town. Bastions like the Kampana Tower are still intact, and you can see the walls lit up at night from across the harbour.
Inside are four churches including the 12th-century Romanesque St. Tryphon’s Cathedral. This pink sandstone building is full of silver and gold treasures as well as impressive frescoes.
Kotor’s Maritime Museum won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. If you have time and it piques your interest, it’s the town’s main museum. It opened in 1900 and documents the region’s nautical history with model ships, paintings, and other artefacts.
The museum is open early from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Saturdays and Sundays when it opens at 9:00 a.m. Full-price tickets are currently €5.
Relax on Kotor Beach
Kotor Beach is a sliver of coastline a short walk north of the Old Town lined with thick palm trees. You can rent sun loungers with parasols for around €20-25 per day or bring a blanket/towel.
It’s fairly small so it can get crowded and the beaches in the Balkans are pebbled, but it’s a beautiful spot with sweeping views across the bay. Despite the cruise ships, many swim/paddle in the water.
Visit ‘Cat Square’
Yes, it’s exactly what you think it is: a square in Old Town with cats roaming around! Its real name is Pjaca od Drva and you’ll find it near the Church of St. Mary Collegiate and the River Gate.
There are lots of legends about why Kotor has so many stray cats. Some say the city needed to import cats to deal with the rat problem, others say they wandered off ships of their own accord. Either way, this is the town for you if you’re a cat lover!
You can support the cats by buying a souvenir from Danijela’s Shop. She’s a local woman who supports Kotor’s feline population.
Hike to Kotor Fortress
Kotor Fortress was built with local limestone in the 14th century as part of the city wall structure. It sits on a hill overlooking the orange rooftops of the town so you get the most incredible views of the bay!
Everyone who walks up the ‘normal’ route to Kotor Fortress must pay €8 for a ticket to see this spectacular view and explore the ruins. But one of the top things to do in Kotor is to walk along the free, more scenic, alternative route…
The start of the Ladder of Kotor is behind the Old Hydroelectric Power Plant. It snakes up the hill and is usually quiet. It can be steep in parts and fairly rocky, so wear good shoes! You can squeeze through a hole to enter the fortress and walk down the regular route.
Kotor Fortress is open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can visit outside of these hours to avoid the fee too.
Kotor Farmers Market
If you’re staying in Kotor for a longer stretch, like I did, head to Kotor Farmers Market. It’s the perfect place to buy local produce as well as Montenegrin wine, preserves, and other treats.
You’ll find Kotor Farmers Market between the Sea Gate and Corner Bastion of the Old Town walls. It’s open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Places To Eat in Kotor
Traditional Montenegrin cuisine hinges on meat and seafood, and lots of it. Plant-based eaters don’t have to worry because Italian dishes are popular here too.
BBQ Tanjga
One of my favourite things to do in Kotor was to tuck into the sharing platters served at BBQ Tanja. It’s a must for any meat-eating visitors in my opinion!
La Catedral Pasta Bar
Dine alfresco with an aperitif or order a box to go. Either way, La Catedral Pasta Bar makes delicious fresh pasta dishes.
Any Bakery (or “Pekara”)
The bakeries in Kotor are plentiful and all are awesome! You absolutely need to get the meat burek as pictured here.
Marenda Steak House
I ate one of the best steaks I’ve ever had at Marenda Steak House! Incredible food, so much choice, and fantastic service.
Cheese Shop
Stop at the Cheese Shop (that’s literally its name) during your hike up to the Fortress. Order some cheese, bread, and fresh lemonade and enjoy them on a terrace overlooking the best view in town.
Day Trips From Kotor
Blue Cave
One of the most popular excursions from Kotor is to the Blue Cave. It’s a huge rock cave with deep hues of blue water directly on the Adriatic. Many tour operators offer three-hour boat tours to Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks island, and a Submarine Bunker.
Perast
Perast is an adorable coastal town on the bay and so easy to reach from Kotor. Head to the public bus stop near the Sea Gate. Blue Line buses depart approximately once an hour (don’t bother looking for a timetable), tickets cost €1, and the journey takes around 20 minutes. If you’re unsure, there’s a Tourist Info booth near the sea gate.
You can visit the 17th-century Old Lady of the Rocks church built on an artificial island off the coast of Perast. Boat rides cost around €5.
Lovćen National Park
This magical mountain peak is the perfect place to hike. Take a ride from Kotor Cable Car up to Lovćen National Park for incredible views across the bay. The mausoleum of Montenegrin leader Petar II Petrovic Njegos is up here too.
Kotor Cable Car is open from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Wednesday to Monday and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays. Full-price round-trip tickets are currently €23.
Budva
Budva is another place on the Adriatic with a very charming old town. It takes around 40 minutes to reach by public bus from Kotor Main Bus Station. You can buy tickets from the ticket office or the driver which cost around €5.
It’s known as one of the best beach destinations in the Balkans but there’s plenty to do in the Old Town. Check out Budva Citadel and walk along the City Walls.
North Montenegro
You will not regret booking a day tour with 360 Monte – it’s such an amazing part of the country! Explore Durmitor National Park (plus the deepest canyon in Europe!), Black Lake, and Ostrog Monastery on this full-day tour.
Essential Kotor Travel Tips
- Cruise Ships: Don’t book your trip without checking the cruise ship schedule first, especially when planning a one or two-day trip. There are resources online like Cruise Timetables to find out when they’re arriving and how many people are onboard. It makes all the difference to crowd levels! If that’s not possible, get up early or stick around later.
- Kotor Currency: Montenegro’s official currency is the Euro (€) and it has been since 2002. Kotor is well-touristed so you should be able to use cards in most places. It’s always useful to carry some cash. Euro is such a common currency that you’ll no doubt spend it elsewhere if you don’t use it here.
- Kotor is Safe: Many people might have old ideas about how safe ‘ex-Yugoslavic’ countries are, but Kotor is no less safe than most touristed towns in Central Europe. However, pickpockets often operate in Kotor, so keep your wits about you.
Don’t Miss the Top Things To Do in Kotor
It’s a small town, but there are many fun things to do in Kotor, Montenegro if you scratch below the surface. It’s a great base to explore other areas along the Adriatic Coast or Northern Montenegro. For anyone on a mission to make feline friends around the world, this might be the best place you’ll ever visit.
