Kotor, Montenegro: Ultimate Guide to Montenegro's Top Destination

Kotor, Montenegro, is one of the most captivating destinations in Europe.

This historic town, nestled in the Bay of Kotor, offers a blend of medieval history and stunning scenery. Despite its boom in popularity with the arrival of cruise ships, Kotor has retained an authentic charm that’s hard to find in today’s tourist hot spots. 

I've lived in the Bay of Kotor since 2008 and explored Kotor's nooks and crannies dozens of times. 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan a fantastic stay in Kotor - whether it be a day or a week.

You'll find information on must-see attractions and hidden gems, the best beaches, where to eat and where to stay. I've also included practical tips like how to get around to help make your visit to Kotor stress free.

Why Visit Kotor?

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kotor is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, ancient walls and 2,000 year old Old Town.

Walking through its narrow, stone-paved streets feels like stepping back in time. You’ll see Gothic and Baroque palaces, centuries-old churches, and lively piazzas.

Today, Kotor is a thriving tourist and local hub that is a must-see in Montenegro. Its well-connected location with an airport just 10 minutes from the town also makes it a great base for a stay in Montenegro.

You'll find a range of things to do here, including wine and food, water sports, boat tours, adventure activities, beaches, a cable car, an aquarium and much more!

Additionally, Kotor sits in the heart of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the world's most beautiful bays. The bay offers authentic seaside villages, gorgeous beaches, historic towns and glittering superyacht marinas.

There are so many reasons to visit Kotor. This page will help you plan the perfect trip.

Kotor Top 3

Top 3 popular things to do in Kotor:

• Kotor Old Town Walking Tours
• Hike to San Giovanni Fortress
• Boat tours in the Bay of Kotor

Top tours to Kotor:

• Montenegro: Medieval Towns & Mountain Views - 6-day fully guided tour of Montenegro by platinum-rated operator G Adventures.
• 8 Days Montenegro Sailing Tour - Relaxed gulet cruise of Kotor Bay and Budva Riviera.
• All About Balkans (4 Star Hotels) Balkan Tour - a great way to explore the top sights in the Balkans including Dubrovnik, Kotor and Athens.
• Eastern Europe, Croatia and the Balkans - a highly-rated tour by G-Adventures that includes highlights in 10 countries.

Top Things to Do In Kotor, Montenegro

1. Kotor Old Town

Kotor’s Old Town is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and lively squares. And it has a fascinating history that goes back over 2,000 years.

I recommend everyone take a walking tour of Kotor. On a tour, you’ll see the town’s top sights and learn about its history in as little as an hour.

Later on, you can visit more highlights of Kotor like St Tryphon Cathedral and the Maritime Museum if they weren’t included on your tour.

You can also explore the alleyways to find quirky bars, handmade crafts and dozens of cats (more on them below!).

>> Click here for the best Kotor Old Town tours

2. San Giovanni Fortress

The hike to San Giovanni Fortress is a challenging, but rewarding hike that starts from Kotor Old Town. It follows an ancient military path up the walls to San Giovanni Fortress, which was used by the Venetians to guard the city below.

The trail climbs over 1,300 steps, rewarding you with breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor from the top.

>> Read this guide before attempting this hike!

3. Kotor Boat Tours

Boat tours are one of the most popular things to do in Kotor. Many trips include stops at Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast, and the Blue Cave.

You’ll find tours from 2 hours to all day cruises. The most popular tours are boat tour to the Blue Cave.

This is a must do in summer when it’s hot!

>> Click here to see the best Kotor boat tours

4. Kotor Cable Car

The newly opened Kotor Cable Car is a great way to get panoramic views of the town and bay below. 

The ride takes you from Kotor up to Lovćen National Park, giving you stunning views of Kotor along the way. 

At the top, there is a restaurant, alpine coaster ride and bike hire. This is a fun activity that’s great for everyone!

5. Kotor Beaches

While there is no beach directly in front of Kotor Old Town, there are several nice beaches nearby for swimming and sunbathing.

You can walk to beaches in Dobrota and Muo, either side of the town. Further away, small hamlets like Orahovac and Morinj offer calm waters and stunning views of the bay.

>> Click here to find your perfect beach in Kotor

6. Kotor’s Cats

Kotor is well-known for its population of cats. Cats are everywhere, lounging on windowsills and wandering the Old Town. 

There’s a large colony in Wood Square, by the River Gate. There are small houses and a feeding station here. Bring your empty plastic bottles for recycling, and you can exchange them for cat food.

To help feed and provide medical care for these essentially stray cats, you can leave a donation at Danijela’s Shop. Danijela takes care of all the cats in the Old Town. You can also donate to Kotor Kitties, Montenegro’s only high-volume sterilisation project.

7. St. Tryphon Cathedral

The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is dedicated to Kotor’s patron saint and is one of Kotor’s most iconic landmarks. 

Built in 1166 on the site of an older church, this cathedral has beautiful frescoes and a treasury of religious artifacts. From the treasury, you can walk out onto a terrace for views over the piazza.

>> Find out what to see in St Tryphon Cathedral

8. Maritime Museum

Kotor’s Maritime Museum, located in a former palace in the Old Town, is a great way to experience Kotor’s regal past. 

Kotor was once a wealthy trade port and its noble families made their fortunes in shipping. The exhibits in the museum include model ships, uniforms and weapons.

9. Local Seafood

Kotor’s traditional cuisine is based on fresh seafood. Be sure to try black risotto, made with cuttlefish ink, or seafood buzara, made with wine. 

In the Old Town, head to Konoba Skala Santa or Bastion 3 for traditional-style cuisine.

>> Find the best restaurants in Kotor

10. Local Drinks

Montenegro has a strong wine-making tradition that goes back centuries. Pair your meals with Vranac red wine, a robust Montenegrin variety, or try the local brandy known as rakija. 

Taking a Kotor walking tour that includes a wine and food tasting is a great way to sample local cuisine. You can also take a tour to a local winery.

>> Read more about what to eat and drink in Montenegro

Day Trips From Kotor

There are several day trips you can do from Kotor, or anywhere in the Bay of Kotor. You can do these itineraries with a rental car, or you can book a similar tour with a guide.

Here are my top 3:

The Bay of Kotor

This itinerary includes the Bay of Kotor’s top attractions, like Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks. 

It also takes you to more local haunts, like Herceg Novi and Rose, a quaint village that’s just as pretty as Perast but without the crowds of tourists.

Along the way, you visit some of Montenegro’s top restaurants and Tivat’s glittering Porto Montenegro marina.

>> Click here to see this Bay of Kotor day trip itinerary.

>> Book a similar Kotor Bay guided tour.

The Budva Riviera

This day trip itinerary takes you to buzzing Budva Riviera. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a day on the beach.

The itinerary is relaxed and includes Budva Old Town, Mogren Beach, Sveti Stefan and a sunset dinner. 

>> Click here to see this Budva Riviera day trip itinerary.

>> Book a similar Budva guided tour.

Lovćen National Park and Cetinje

Not far from Kotor, Lovćen National Park offers a combination of Montenegro’s cultural history and mountain culture. 

This itinerary is customisable and is great for anyone, including families, nature lovers and those interested in history and culture.

It includes Njeguši village, famous for its quality prosciutto; the Njegoš Mausoleum, Cetinje and Lipa Cave.

>> Click here to see this Lovćen National Park itinerary.

>> Book a similar Lovćen National Park tour.

Events in Kotor, Montenegro

There’s always something happening in Kotor, some are regular annual events and some are one-offs.

To find out what’s happening while you’re in Kotor check the notice boards around town, especially the one on the outer town wall by Kulturni Centar Nikola Đurković.

Look out for these annual events while you’re there:

• 27th January: Sveti Sava and Tripun festivities, hoisting of the flag at St Tryphon Cathedral at 12pm.
• Carnival: Kotor’s carnival season kicks off mid-January every year and includes parades, music and kids events.
• 26th June: Bokeljska mornarica is the traditional Bay of Kotor navy and every year on 26th June they’re given the keys to Kotor and symbolic control of the town for three days. This tradition has been going on since 1420! Be sure to watch them dance the kolo which dates back to medieval times.
• 22nd July: Fašinada takes place in Perast and celebrates the founding of island church Our Lady of the Rocks in 1452. Watch local families row their decorated boats along Perast’s shore to throw rocks at the base of the island.
• 3rd Saturday in August: Bokeljska noć is a fun, summer event that draws crowds from all over the bay. There’s a decocrated boat competition, music and fireworks.
• August: The annual klapa festival in Perast brings together traditional acapella groups from the Dalmatian coast, including Croatia. A great chance to visit Perast and listen to traditional music.
• 31st December: New Year’s Eve concert in the old town.

Where to Stay in Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor old town's beauty, atmosphere and tourism hub make it a great place to base yourself for a stay in Montenegro. You’ll find restaurants, nightlife and plenty of tours departing from Kotor all on your doorstep. 

There are some excellent hotels in Kotor. And despite it's central location, you'll also find some very budget-friendly options in the old town.

However, staying in Kotor old town can be noisy, especially during the tourist season between April and October. If you prefer somewhere quieter or would like to wake up to sea views, there are lots of beautiful Bay of Kotor hotels lining the shores of the bay.

Budget

Mid-Range

Luxury

Best Times to Visit Kotor

The summer months (July and August) are the busiest in Kotor, with cruise ships and excursions bringing in large crowds. The early morning and evening see fewer crowds in the Old Town.

May, June, September and October are ideal in Kotor. These months offer warm weather, fewer tourists, and lower prices. 

During the off-season (November to April), the Old Town has a more local feel. Most tour companies and many restaurants will be closed over winter, but you will experience a calm and quiet town. Kotor is especially pretty over the holiday period, when the town is decorated with lights.

>> Click here to find out more about the best times to visit Montenegro

Kotor Travel Itineraries

One-Day Kotor Itinerary

If you’re in Kotor for just one day, start early with a hike up to San Giovanni Fotress before lingering over coffee with the locals in a cafe in one of the piazzas. 

Take a walking tour through the Old Town to soak in its medieval charm. Visit key landmarks like the Cathedral of St. Tryphon and the Maritime Museum. 

Next, enjoy lunch at a local konoba like Scala Santa and try a dish like black risotto. 

In the afternoon, take a boat tour to Perast or the Blue Cave. End your day with a leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade and dinner at Galion with a view of the town walls.

>> Find out more about how to spend one day in Kotor

Three-Day Kotor Itinerary

Day 1: Spend your first day like the one-day itinerary above. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and a boat tour in the afternoon.

Stay in atmospheric accommodation in the Old Town.

Day 2: Take a full day tour to see some of Montenegro’s best landscapes and cultural monuments outside Kotor. I recommend the Montenegro Full-Day Tour to Lovćen and More, but you could also do the Durmitor and Ostrog Monastery tour or go white water rafting in the Tara Canyon.

End the day with a hearty meal of Balkan grill at Tanjga restaurant, near the Old Town.

Day 3: Explore some of Montenegro’s best beaches by taking a day trip to the Budva Riviera. Head to Budva to visit the Old Town and walk the seaside path to beautiful Mogren Beach. 

Then, continue south to stunning Sveti Stefan to see the iconic island and its incredible beaches.

End your day watching the sun set over the sea at Adrović Restaurant or upscale Dukley Seafront Restaurant.

Three-Day Kotor Itinerary For Adventure Lovers

Day 1: Start with the challenging hike up to San Giovanni Fortress. Spend the rest of the day exploring the Old Town.

In the afternoon, take a kayak tour along the rugged Luštica Peninsula coast to the Blue Cave.

Have dinner at a waterside restaurant like Conte in Perast.

Day 2: Head out early to Lovćen National Park for hiking and a visit to the Njegoš Mausoleum. Add in a short stop at the traditional mountain village of Njeguši for local cheese and prosciutto.

Try Balkan grill at Tanjga restaurant, near the Old Town, for dinner.

Day 3: End your stay with one of these thrilling activities:

• Canyoning
• White water rafting
• Coasteering
• Via ferrata

Getting to Kotor

Plane

Kotor is easy to get to with three international airports within easy driving distance:

• Tivat Airport: 8km/5mi
• Podgorica Airport: 86km/53mi
• Dubrovnik Airport (Croatia): 71km/44mi

You can rent a car with Localrent.com at any of these airports and drive to Kotor.

Airport transfers are also a convenient and cost-effective way to get to Kotor if you prefer not to hire a car. I recommend Kiwitaxi for transfers in Montenegro because of their professionalism and affordability.

Whatever you do, don't get an unmetered private driver at the airport. You'll pay 4-5x the amount you would if you book a transfer in advance!

Car

It's easy to drive to Kotor from wherever you're staying. By car it's just 15 minutes from Tivat, 30 minutes from Budva, 60 minutes from Herceg Novi and 90 minutes form Podgorica.

There are two parking lots for the old town – one directly in front of the marina and one at the north end. Parking is relatively cheap at about €0.80 an hour.

Bus

Kotor's bus station is a 600m or 5 minute walk from the town centre. There are several buses from other Montenegrin cities and towns daily. You'll also find bus links to destinations in neighbouring countries. The best places to find bus timetables are Busbud, Busticket4.me and Balkan Viator.

Train

Kotor doesn't have a direct rail connection. You can get a train from Belgrade to Bar, on the southern coast of Montenegro and catch a bus from Bar to Kotor.

This train journey has some stunning scenery, especially once you cross into Montenegro and has been called "one of Europe's best train journeys".

There are two departures daily and you can find timetables on the Serbian Railways website (choose BEOGRAD CENTAR for Belgrade Central Station).

Getting Around Kotor

Getting around Kotor, Montenegro is relatively easy and convenient, as the town is compact and walkable.

Kotor also has a good bus system that connects the town with neighboring towns and villages, which is convenient if you want to explore the wider area but don’t want to hire a car. Taxis are also widely available for a reasonable price.

If you’re looking venture beyond Kotor, renting a car (I recommend Localrent.com for the best choice and prices) or hiring a private driver can give you more flexibility and independence. However, it's important to note that the old town of Kotor is pedestrian-only, so cars are not allowed within its walls. 

Overall, Kotor is a town that is easily navigable, with a range of transportation options that cater to every traveller.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kotor, Montenegro

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