Kotor Travel Guide: 10 Highlights You’ll Love

10 Best Things to Do in Kotor

1. Watch the Sunset from Kotor Fortress ❤️ Must Visit

One of the first things I highly recommend you do the moment you arrive in Kotor is to go and hike to the top of Kotor Fortress, a magnificent structure perched high above the old town of Kotor, and watch the sunset from there.

The history of this fortress goes way back to the 6th Century when the Romans built a fortress right on the same site to deter any invasion attempts, but like all great empires of the world, the Roman empire ended and the fortress was subsequently transformed by the ever-changing rulers of the area until the 16th Century when the Venetians expanded and reinforced the fortress into what we see today.

Despite suffering damage from various sieges and attacks, the Kotor Fortress has stood the test of time and remains one of the town's most significant landmarks to this day.

Due to its strategic location, standing over approximately 260 meters (853 feet) above Kotor Town the fortress offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Bay of Kotor which makes for an incredible vantage point to experience the sunset.

To reach the fortress, you must first climb a steep and winding stone path, which can be challenging at times, especially in the heat, which is why I would recommend you tackle the hike an hour before sunset.

That said, it is well worth the effort as the view is the best in town, and along the way, you will be able to admire the beauty of old medieval gates, towers, and even a small monastery, offering us a glimpse into the fortress's prosperous past.

There are 2 ways you can hike to Kotor Fortress, one is via the usual tourist trail which begins right in the old town. This is the main trail that people often take. It is shorter but you have to pay the entrance fee of around 8 EUR.

If you want to dodge the expensive entrance fee, you can start your hike from outside of town instead. The trailhead is located right by the hydro plant and you can get all the way to the top without having to pay anything.

I don't mind paying for tourist attractions but for 8 EUR and with the trails not being well maintained, I don't think it is worth the price. If you decided to stay for sunset, be sure to be there until the sun goes down and you will be able to hike back down the main way without having to pay for the fee as the ticket guy should have already gone home by then.

It should take about 30 to 40 minutes to hike to the fortress along a rather steep trail that goes straight up all the way to the top but once you are there, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the town with the Bay of Kotor in its entirety, right before you.

You will also be able to see the surrounding mountains and countryside and see the exact reason why the Venetians called this place Montenegro, which translated to "Black Mountain".

Where to Stay in Kotor?

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2. Admire the Beauty of St. Tryphon's Cathedral

Located right in the heart of Kotor's Old Town, you will find St. Tryphon's Cathedral, a stunning Romanesque church, one of the town's most significant landmarks, featuring a beautiful stone facade with 2 striking bell towers flanked on both sides, set against the beautiful mountains of Montenegro.

The cathedral was originally built in the 12th century in honor of St. Tryphon, the patron saint of Kotor, but the current structure you see today was in fact, built in the 17th century when the cathedral was transformed into the beautiful Baroque architectural style.

Inside the church, you will find yourself in the church's striking nave, which is adorned with magnificent frescoes, intricate carvings, and a magnificent altarpiece.

The cathedral also houses a small museum with several impressive relics, including the remains of St. Tryphon himself, which are kept in a silver reliquary, and an observational deck where you can admire the town square from above.

To get inside the church, you will have to pay the entrance fee of around 3 EUR and you will get access to all the places I mentioned previously. The church is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day and if you are looking for a place to start exploring Kotor, this is the best place to begin your journey.

3. Hang Out at the Square of the Arms

If you are looking for a place to hang out, Square of the Arms is a beautiful square located right at the western entrance of Kotor's Old Town and it is home to many beautiful pieces of architecture as well as restaurants and cafes you can enjoy.

The square is connected to the outside via Sea Gate which is a beautiful Venetian-style gate connecting the old town to the sea, creating a gateway for trade, with many goods flowing into the city for centuries.

Right at the center of it all, you will also find Kotor's Clock Tower, an iconic landmark of the city. This impressive tower was built by the Venetians back in the 17th century and it features a distinctive octagonal shape, topped by a domed roof, and a small turret.

The clock tower is also adorned with decorative stonework and carvings, including an elaborate Venetian lion, which serves as a reminder of Kotor's historic ties to Venice and its far-reaching influence during the Renaissance period.

There are also many awesome restaurants and cafes you can enjoy and so if you are looking for a nice place to hang out in Kotor, be sure to check out the Square of the Arms.

4. Shop for Souvenirs at Kotor Bazaar

While you explore the Square of the Arms, be sure to also drop by Kotor Bazaar, a small market full of local shops selling all kinds of items from souvenirs to handicrafts and more.

The bazaar is pretty hidden away near the northern walls of Kotor and you should be able to find it easily as long as you know what to look for. The market is inside an old stone complex with a very small entrance with 2 red banners labeled Kotor Bazaar draped on the outside.

If you are looking for a nice place to shop around for souvenirs in Kotor, there is no better place to be than here.

5. Check Out Saint Nicholas Church

As you explore the northern wall, you should also drop by Saint Nicholas Church, a well-preserved Orthodox church in Kotor that shows the diverse beliefs and faiths of Kotor with Catholic and Orthodox Churches often located just around the corners of one another.

The church was originally built in the 17th century, during the period of Venetian rule in Kotor. It was built on the site of an earlier church, which had been destroyed in an earthquake.

The new church was designed by a Venetian architect, who blends different architectural styles which include Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic elements, to perfection, resulting in its distinctive design, unlike any other church in the city.

The inside of the church is adorned with ornate carvings, frescoes, and sculptures, including a statue of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, which stands atop the church's bell tower. You can check out the nave area for free but Unfortunately, the bell towers are not accessible to the public. If you are exploring Kotor, be sure to drop by here.

6. Hang Out in the Courtyard of the Church of St. Mary Collegiate

As we continue to make our way along the northern wall, be sure to stop by and check out the Church of St. Mary Collegiate, a typical catholic church with nothing extra special about it except that in its courtyard, you will find a beautiful spacious park full of park benches, beautiful floras and faunas, and a ton of cats!

Cats are the symbol of Kotor and you won't find any place with such a high concentration of cats than here. No matter where you look, may it be under the park benches or the bushes around the park, you will find cats laying around in the sun, playing with each other.

There are so many cats hanging out here, they call the courtyard, Cat Park. The reason why they like to hang out here is not known but from my observation, due to the high mountains surrounding Kotor, the town only gets sunlight later in the day but with this particular area, the sunlight shines a little earlier and they seem to enjoy bathing in it.

The courtyard is already a beautiful place in and of itself with the view of Kotor's fortification walls and the church, set against the beautiful backdrop of the mountains in Kotor. The cats are the icing on the cake.

7. Walk Along Kotor's Medieval Walls

One of my favorite things to do in Kotor is to stroll along its medieval walls and relax by one of the many park benches located atop the wall, with a beautiful view of the Bay of Kotor as well as the surrounding mountains.

From the Cats Park you just visited, you should be able to climb up to the walls from one of the stairs nearby and you can walk along the walls and make your way to Kampana Tower where you can then get down and continue exploring the other parts of the wall like Gurdić Bastion in the southern part of town.

The views are amazing throughout the entire length of the walls and it is a great way to avoid the huge crowds that are often concentrated at the Sea Gate and the Square of Arms while enjoying the views Kotor is known for in solitude.

8. Visit Budva as a Day Trip

Budva is a beautiful coastal town located on the Adriatic Sea known for its quaint historic old town, picturesque beaches, and vibrant seaside area that feels more like Beverly Hills in California than a city in Montenegro.

One of the best things to do in Budva is to explore its charming old town full of beautiful medieval architecture and get lost in its crisscrossing narrow streets filled with all kinds of hidden gems, waiting for you to discover.

Notable attractions you should check out in Budva are the Church of Sveti Ivan, an old medieval basilica with a striking bell tower, the Church of St. Sabba the Sanctified, an ancient orthodox church built on top of a rock by the sea, and the best of all, Budva Citadel, an expansive citadel located right by the coast where you will be able to stroll around in, visit the museums inside, and enjoy an incredible view over Budva's old town and its incredible coastline.

You can also spend the day relaxing by the beautiful beaches of Plaža Ričardova Glava if you are looking for a nice lively place with restaurants and cafes, or you can check out Pizana Beach, a small quiet beach right by the walls of Budva's Old Town.

The town is located not too far from Kotor and you can reach it by taking one of the many buses that connect the 2 cities together from Kotor Bus Station. You can buy the ticket from the bus station or buy one online here. It should cost around 4 EUR and the bus should run between 5:15 AM to 9:12 PM every day.

From Kotor, it should take about 30 minutes to reach Budva Bus Station which is pretty far from Budva's old town but thankfully, there are a few things you can do along the way that should make the walk a little more enjoyable.

You can check out the main street of Mediteranska to see why this place is the Beverly Hills of Montenegro or you can stop by at Adriatic Restaurant to have a quick bite or try their delicious seafood dishes, priced at only around 6 EUR which is quite cheap for what you get!

You can also do these things on the way back as you will have to catch the bus out from the same place as you arrive. There is just no way around it. If you have a day to spare in Kotor, I highly recommend you visit Budva as a day trip.

9. Spend A Day Visiting Lovcen National Park and Visit the Surrounding Tourist Attractions ☀️ Great Day Trip

One of the best places to visit outside of Kotor is Lovcen National Park and its surrounding charming towns like Cetinje, the old capital city, and River Crnojevića, where you will be able to explore the river by boat.

In order to get to all of these places in one day, you are going to have to rely on an organized tour which will take you to all of these places in about 12 hours without you having to worry about the logistics.

One of the first stops you will make with the tour is the famous Kotor Serpentine, a narrow mountain road that snakes its way up the Lovcen mountain behind Kotor. The road is so popular it was considered one of the best roads to drive on by Top Gear.

You will be able to see some of the most stunning viewpoints that overlook the Bay of Kotor along the way as you make your way up to the top of Lovcen where you will be visiting Njegos Mausoleum, one of the most important landmarks in the country.

The mausoleum is located at an altitude of 1,657 meters, and you must climb 461 steps to reach the entrance. Right at the top, you will be rewarded with an expansive view of almost the entirety of Montenegro.

You can see the surrounding countryside, the Bay of Kotor, and on a clear day, Albania, Croatia, and beyond. The view is pretty incredible up here and it is one of my favorite activities out of all.

After Lovcen National Park, you will then be taken to Cetinje, the old capital city of Montenegro and you will be guided around town as you visit some of the most notable attractions there like the beautiful Cetinje Monastery, Billiard Palace, and its lovely town square.

After exploring Cetinje, you will be then taken to River Crnojevića where you will be able to cruise along the beautiful river and enjoy a nice sunset surrounded by nature before the tour will take you back to Kotor.

It is a full-day trip and you should be back in town by 7 - 8 PM. If you are interested in seeing some of the best tourist attractions outside of Kotor, I highly recommend you go with the Best of Montenegro tour. The guide is awesome and everything was professionally organized throughout the trip.

10. Explore the North of Montenegro with a Day Trip ☀️ Great Day Trip

Now, if you want to travel across Montenegro and see the northern part of Montenegro without having to stay spend a night elsewhere, I highly recommend you go on the Northern Montenegro organized tour.

The tour will take you to the harder-to-reach places in the Northern part of Montenegro like Đurđevića Tara Bridge, a bridge that crosses the Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe, with the deepest point at around 1300 meters high.

With the tour, you will have around an hour or 2 to explore the area, zipline across the Tara Canyon, and immerse yourself in the beautiful sceneries before you move on to the highlight of the trip, the Durmitor National Park, home to snow-capped peaks, hiking trails, and beautiful untouched lakes, gorges, and forests.

After you arrive in Durmitor National Park, you will have time to enjoy a nice stroll around Crno Jezero (Black Lake), a picturesque glacial lake offering plenty of hiking opportunities, swimming, and kayaking while being surrounded by lush green forests and the beautiful mountain peaks of Northern Montenegro.

It is a beautiful place to visit and you will have around an hour or 2 to hike around, take photos, and absorb the sceneries before you move on and visit one of the most sacred monasteries in the Balkans, Ostrog Monastery.

This 17th Century monastery, built right inside a cliff of a mountain is so sacred that you will find pilgrims from across the region, trekking all the way up to the top to camp at the monastery. Seeing the monastery and all the people camping outside was surreal!

It is one of the most unique places you can visit in Montenegro and it would be difficult for you to travel to the monastery independently as it is located deep inside the mountain and it takes forever to get there.

This is one of the longest tours you can take in Montenegro, taking around 13 hours, and covering large distances and it would not have been possible to do so without this organized tour.

With this tour together with the Best of Montenegro tour I recommended previously, you are essentially traveling to almost all the highlights of the entire country in 2 days without having to worry about the logistics of it all which is extremely convenient and great for those who do not have a lot of time here. If you want to see the Northern part of Montenegro in a day, be sure to reserve the tour here.

I met a lot of great people doing these tours with many of them doing both tours together back to back as I did which allow us to hang out together as a group as we explore the rest of Montenegro all in 2 days. It was awesome. If you want to see the highlights of Montenegro in 2 days, I highly recommend you do both the Best of Montenegro tour and the Northern Montenegro organized tour. Definitely some of the best things to do in Kotor.

What to Eat and Drink in Kotor?

1. Try Out Local Meat Dishes at BBQ Tanjga

If you want to try some delicious Balkan-style meat dishes in Kotor, I highly recommend you check out BBQ Tanjga, a local bbq restaurant serving all kinds of dishes ranging from a cheap and delicious cevapi to a full-blown meat platter with all kinds of deliciously cooked meat, grilled vegetables, and more.

I tried both their small dishes and a mixed meat platter and they were all delicious and surprisingly affordable with cevapi costing as low as 5 EUR and a platter at 8.50 EUR. A pretty good deal for the amount you get.

The place is extremely popular among both locals and tourists and they have a pretty limited seats so if you wish to avoid a long queue, I highly recommend you visit the restaurant outside of meal time. The restaurant is open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day.

2. Enjoy a Cup of Coffee at Ombra Caffe & Louge Bar

If you are looking for a nice quiet place to sit and relax with a cup of coffee as you are surrounded by the beautiful medieval buildings, in a hidden corner of town, I highly recommend you check out Ombra Caffe & Louge Bar.

I stumbled upon the cafe accidentally as I was exploring the quiet corners of Kotor and I found the settings, the atmosphere, and the surroundings to be perfect for a nice morning/afternoon coffee away from the crowds.

They serve coffee, drinks, and all-day breakfasts which I love. If you are looking for a nice cafe to visit while you are in Kotor, be sure to check out Ombra Caffe & Louge Bar. The cafe is open from 8 AM to 12 AM every day.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Kotor, Montenegro while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Montenegro

I hope you found this Montenegro travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Montenegro, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• First time visiting Montenegro but not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Places to Visit in Montenegro.
• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Montenegro? Check out: 4 Days Backpacking Montenegro Itinerary.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Montenegro, visit the Montenegro Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.