Well, Lonely Planet did not list Kotor as the #1 place to visit in 2016 for nothing! Their opening line ‘drop dead gorgeous’ certainly sums it up.
Cobblestone streets and high limestone mountains towering over one of the most scenic bays adds up to a stunning beauty! We were in awe! Excellent fish restaurants, cosy bars and much much more! Kotor you won us over too!
We have put together our guide to Kotor that will assist you in planning your visit, where to stay, what to do and where to eat.
If you only have a day and want to cover as much of Kotor as possible why not take a walking tour and learn more about this beautiful town and its history? The tour is only 90 minutes but during that time you will learn so much about this UNESCO-listed fortified city.
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Where is Montenegro
Montenegro is one of the Balkan countries and is bordered by the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania and Serbia.
If you only have one week to visit Montenegro you can easily see all that Montenegro has to offer during that time.
Map of Montenegro
Where is Kotor Montenegro
Kotor is located in the south of Montenegro in the Bay of Kotor.
Where to travel to on the Bay of Kotor Montenegro:
Bay of Kotor – Boat Trip to Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast
One of the most popular tours is the boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks and to the town of Perast.
“Out of many panoramic views, the first one is directly aimed at the islet Our Lady of the Rocks, a site enriched with a mythical legend that goes back more than 5 centuries. Legend has it that it is an artificial island expanded by seamen who discovered the Madonna and Child emblem on a sea rock.
Feeling grateful for safe returns after long journeys, the sailors vowed to honour the Holy Mother, so, little by little and stone by stone, they built it into an island that harbours the Lady of the Rocks church. Visitors can listen to stories about the relics while seeing the chapel’s many frescoes, paintings, votives, tapestries, and other treasures. The Church houses over 68 important paintings by the Baroque Artist Tripo Kokolja.
This UNESCO heritage site once housed people from the Illyrian, Roman, and Christian periods. The architecture of the nine defensive towers, Baroque palaces from the 17th and 18th centuries, and distinctive Catholic churches demonstrate the city’s affluence during Venetian administration. ”
Sveti Dorde is a natural island, home to the 12th Century St George Benedictine Monastery. The island houses the graves of priests who once lived there. Today, there are still Monks living in the Monastery.
Panorama and Semi-Submarine Underwater Experience
Spend an eventful hour exploring the Bay of Kotor from both above and below the waterline. Admire the local landscape and discover the underwater world in just 1 hour on an unusual tour sure to delight the whole family.
For more information click here
Montenegro Beaches
Montenegro has some fine beaches. For in-depth information on which beach to go to, what type of beach it is e.g. rocky or sandy and what to expect read more here.
For the latest reviews on the best Montenegro beaches to visit click here:
Where to hike in Kotor Montenegro:
Fortified Kotor’s City Walls and 1,350 Steps to the Fortress
Overlooking the Old Town and 1,350 steps up the mountain is St John’s Fortress. The view is worth the hike up.
To Travel Too Tip: start early in the morning as soon as the gates open and take plenty of water.
Read our blog post on our climb to the top of St. John’s Fortress.
Popular Montenegro Tours:
We highly recommend that you visit the surrounding country areas of North Montenegro. River canyons, stunning views, lakes, national parks and the Ostrog Monastery built into the side of a cliff face high up a mountain. We travelled with 360monte Tours and we saw some of the most beautiful scenery we have seen in this part of Europe.
- Explore the wild beauty of North Montenegro
- Take a perfect introduction for first-time visitors
- Tour with an informative, friendly, and professional tour guide
- Visit Boka Bay Viewpoint
- Be amazed by Ostrog Monastery
2.5 Hour Kayak Tour on the Bay of Kotor
“Experience the Bay of Kotor from a unique perspective, get away from the crowds and head into a fun sea adventure. Explore the coastline around Kotor, the nearby fishing villages and beaches on a guided kayak tour. No experience is required.”
- See medieval villages in the Bay of Kotor from your sea kayak
- Relax and sunbathe on a beach
- Swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic sea
For more information click here
More Things To Do Around Kotor
Where To Stay in Kotor
Kotor Hotels
Stunning Accommodation right on Kotor Bay – Old Mariner Guest House
If you want stunning accommodation, right on the bay, in a quiet area outside of Kotor you can’t go further than the Old Mariner Guest House. It is located 10 minutes by car to the Old Town in the small waterfront village of Prcanj.
A taxi will cost you 5 Euros to the Old Town. All rooms have amazing sea views over Kotor Bay. We found that the Old Town can be busy and noisy when the cruise ships are in and Prcanj was a lovely area to escape to.
Latest Guest Review: “The owner was extremely friendly and helpful and he explained about the 1000 year history of his family house which had been beautifully restored, with its history and artefacts well preserved. The reception area was very welcoming and full of character. This is the perfect form of Montenegrin tourism, that preserves the character and beauty of this wonderful country. I can’t recommend this place highly enough, and I look forward to returning.”
For more Kotor Hotels: (there are 99 in the Old Town)
Kotor Restaurants
Our favourite restaurant for value and great grilled fish was Bokeski Gusti a 15-minute walk along the waterfront from our accommodation at the Old Mariner Guest House. There are many restaurants in the Old Town but some can be quite pricey and touristy.
For the top 10 Restaurants in Kotor click here.
Getting to Kotor
The closest airport to Kotor is Tivat (TIV) which is 4.6 km from Kotor and 3 km south of Tivat.
Other alternatives:
Podgorica (TGD) 39.5 km from Kotor
Dubrovnik (DVB) 44.3 km from Kotor
Tirana (TIA) 136.3 km from Kotor
Bari (BRI) 219.7 km from Kotor
Cheap Flight Deals to Montenegro
Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner our ‘go-to’ when we are researching and booking our flights.
Travel Insurance
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In conclusion
In conclusion, visiting Kotor is a truly unforgettable experience that should be on every traveller’s bucket list. This charming and historic city offers a unique blend of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. From exploring the breathtaking Bay of Kotor to wandering through its labyrinthine streets filled with medieval architecture, there is something for everyone in this hidden gem of Montenegro.
However, it is important to plan your trip carefully by considering the best time to visit, being mindful of the crowds, and respecting the local customs. By doing so, you can ensure that your visit to Kotor will be an enriching and memorable adventure that you will cherish for years to come.
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I love this. Montenegro isn’t a country we often hear a lot about. It’s so often overshadowed by its neighbors. It looks so beautiful with tons of outdoor activities. A hike (or multiple) would be amazing to see the entire coast. Taking a boat trip looks like it would definitely be something I’d love to do. That grilled fish looks delish!
Hi Rachelle
Thank you for your comments. Just thinking about the grilled fish makes me want to return.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Montenegro is a very beautiful country. Kotor is surely a lovely place with so many things to do there. The Old Town will be the best place for me, I am sure. I would like to visit the St. Nikola Church in Perast. So I will be sailing to the Our Lady of the Rocks too.
Hi Shreya
Thank you for your comments. You will enjoy every moment of your time in Kotor.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
This was such a lovely post with great pictures! I really liked how organized everything was, and as a visual person, the maps at the beginning were super helpful. The view from St. John’s Fortress was incredible. And Prcanj sounds like a great area to stay in – your accommodations looked like a private artists retreat!
Hi Lauren
Thank you for your comments. Actually come to think of it our accommodation did look like a private artists retreat.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
This is the most comprehensive guide to Kotor that I have seen. So much so that I have book marked this for future reference. Thank you!
Hi Naomi
Thank you for your comments. I hope you get a chance to visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Reading this post is killing me because my sister and I were supposed to go to Kotor during our roadtrip down the Adriatic Coast a couple of summers ago, but we just got way too tired at the end of our trip and decided to stay an extra day in Dubrovnik instead. Kotor looks absolutely stunning. I would be most excited about doing some hikes there and having some fresh seafood along the water! One day I will make it back there…
Hi Diana
Such a shame to have missed it. Have fun planning your next visit there, you will love it.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Montenegro is one of the most underestimated Balkan countries in my opinion. I have never heard of Kotor though, so that was a nice new experience. I’ll check it out next time in the country!
Hi Per
Thank you for your comments. Montenegro is a scenic country and Kotor on the bay is stunning. I do hope you can visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Kotor was one of the first places I traveled to outside my country as a child. Montenegro as a whole is a beautiful country and Kotor is amazing too. You sure gave the city a lovely introduction. Thank you for this post, it brought back so many nice memories. Keep up the great work 🙂
Hi Daniel
Thank you for your comments.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I can see why Montenegro is becoming more popular as a travel destination. Kotor sounds like a great town to see history preserved. I like visiting UNESCO sites and the Cathedral and monastery have a great story too. This guide is really comprehensive and includes everything a visitor needs from where to stay and eat to what to see.
Hi Annick
Thank you for your comments. Hope you can visit one day.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I have been intrigued by this fort ever since someone mentioned the fort of kotor. The entire balkan area is so beautiful and so less represented in the tourist map. This is a perfect post for anyone planning to visit montenegro soon. The lady of the rocks cathedral looks absolutely stunning.
Hi Sinjana
Thanks for your comments. Montenegro is indeed a beautiful country.
Cheers Jane and Duncan