Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, in a bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovćen. Characterized by winding streets and squares, its medieval old town has several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral. It's also home to the Maritime Museum, which explores local seafaring history. Sveti Đorđe, one of 2 tiny islands off the ancient town of Perast, features a centuries-old church

I added Kotor to my Balkans trip a bit last minute and my “plan” was really just to wander around, take in some views and historic sites and be on my way to Bosnia. I was immediately in awe of this stunning town, with its incredible views and incredible history and architecture.

I only spent 2 days here, and while I could absolutely return and spend more time exploring the town and surrounding area, I felt that was enough for me and I was able to see quite a bit of Kotor in a short period.

Kotor was the most expensive location on my Balkans trip, and I almost skipped it due to the cost, but since it was technically “on my way” and I really wanted to go, I decided it was worth making work for an overnight. I found several compromises to make the best out of my two days in Kotor without feeling like I missed out on anything.

🚌Bus

Uljinc to Kotor: 8.50€ + 1.50 “station fee” to print ticket = 10€

Kotor to Mostar 27€ + 2.20 “station fee” (payable only in cash) + 1.50€ “luggage fee” = 30.70€

🛏️Accommodations

1 night hostel stay (4 bunk room) €36.50

Hostel Pupa was great for a 1 night stay (and would have been comfortable longer)

🎟️Fees and Activities

Entry to hike to Kotor Fortress 15€

Boat Tour (1.5 hours) 20€

🍲Food and Drinks

I mostly ate on the go and quick bites/snacks or things grabbed from the grocery store due to my limited time frame, budget and interest in local options. My total food and beverage cost for 2 days was about 40€.

Some examples:

Breakfast in the Old Town (eggs, toast, espresso) 9€

Ice Cream 2€

Kebab plate 8€

Grocery store picnic (baguette, hummus, olives, cheese) + beer 10€

The official currency of Montenegro is the Euro.

In Kotor, I found that credit cards were very widely accepted, even for small purchases.

I booked a last minute, on the spot boat tour and that was cash only (when booking in an office or in advance on-line, credit cards are accepted).

The bus station leaving Kotor also required a 2.20€, cash only, “station fee” so if you are taking a bus out of Kotor, be prepare to pay this (even with a printed advance ticket).

My visit to Kotor in the first week of September (2024) was amazing, but had pros and cons.

Some of the pros: Heading into shoulder season, there were slightly lower rates for accommodation, crowds on my first day were minimal, no need to pre-book tours, make reservations, or pre-plan too much.

Some of the cons: It was still very hot (“boiling” at mid-day, as my hostel hostess said), my second day 3 cruise ships came in and it was VERY crowded, prices were on the downswing - but still not “cheap”.

Here is some info (courtesy of Google) to help you decide when the best time for your visit might be:

Spring (April to June)

• Weather: Mild and pleasant with blooming landscapes.

• Pros: Fewer tourists, ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and outdoor activities.

• Cons: The sea might still be a bit cool for swimming early in the season.

Summer (July to August)

• Weather: Hot and sunny, perfect for beachgoers.

• Pros: Vibrant atmosphere, lively festivals, and ideal conditions for swimming and boating.

• Cons: Crowded tourist spots, higher prices, and hot temperatures can be uncomfortable for some.

Autumn (September to October)

• Weather: Warm and comfortable with less humidity.

• Pros: Fewer crowds, beautiful fall colors, and still pleasant for swimming and outdoor activities.

• Cons: Some tourist services may start to wind down by late October.

Winter (November to March)

• Weather: Mild winters compared to other parts of Europe, but can be chilly and wet.

• Pros: Lower prices, fewer tourists, and a peaceful atmosphere.

• Cons: Limited activities, many restaurants and hotels may be closed, and not suitable for beach activities.

So, when might be the best time for you to visit?

• Best Overall: Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to early October) offer comfortable weather, fewer tourists, and a good balance of activities.

• Beach Lovers: Summer (July to August) for the best beach experience, but be prepared for crowds and higher prices.

• Budget Travelers: Winter (November to March) for lower prices and fewer tourists, but expect limited activities and services.

While there is much to do in the surrounding area, and many day trips to take from Kotor, the city itself is quite compact and easy to cover quite a bit in a short period of time.

In the approximately 30 hours I spent in Kotor, I felt I was able to cover a lot of ground and see quite a bit.

Explore the Old Town

Characterized by winding streets and squares, Kotor’s medieval old town has several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral.

Old Town Kotor is like taking a step back in time. It is filled with incredible architecture, history, cathedrals, cafes and shops. It is filled with narrow and winding streets and walkways and is the perfect place to just wander around organically discover all the little pockets of beauty and history old town has to offer.

Churches and Cathedrals

Amongst the incredible architecture and buildings in Kotor’s Old Town are several impressive churches and cathedrals. These are some of the most famous/visit worthy

Church of Blazena Ozana

Beautiful 13th Century church, well worth popping in to. The interior is quite small, so it can feel a bit crowded with only a few visitors, but since most people only step in for a few minutes, you can have the space to yourself with just a bit of patience.

Church of St Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas is a Serbian Orthodox church built from 1902 to 1909 in the city of Kotor. On that place the Orthodox Church existed from 1810 to the Christmas Eve in 1896, when it was burnt down in fire.

Said to be “the most important orthodox religious site in Kotor”, The church of St. Nicholas is striking from both the inside and out.

Cathedral of St. Tryphon

The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in Kotor, Montenegro is one of two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotor, which covers the entire Bay of Kotor and Municipality of Budva.

🕰️ Daily 9a-6p

It is nearly impossible to miss this striking cathedral, as it is in the middle of old town and looms high into the landscape. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to go inside, but if the pictures do it even a tiny bit of justice, it is stunning.

St John’s Fortress

Castel St. John (St. John's Castle) is a medieval castle that is perched on a mountaintop overlooking the town of Kotor Montenegro.  It, along with a number of towers, ramparts and citadels collectively constitute the Kotor fortification.

The original fortification in Kotor was built during the Illyrian period.  It was reconstructed  by Emperor Justinan I in the 6th century.

🗺️St John Fortress, Rd to the Fort of St. Ivan, Špiljari, Montenegro

🕰️Seasonal Hours:

March 1- April 30th, Daily 8a-6p

May 1st-Sept 30th, Daily 7a-8p

Oct 1-Nov 30th, Daily 8a-5p

💶15€ during opening hours

The climb to Kotor Fortress is a 1.3 mile (2.1km) out and back hike consisting mostly of a twisting stairway. Depending on who you ask, the trek takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2+ hours, depending on fitness level, water breaks and picture stops.

The views along the way and from the top are unbeatable and justify every step. In the hotter months, it is recommended to go early in the morning or later in the evening, especially because there is no shade cover.

This is considered a moderate climb and may not be suitable for all fitness levels.

⭐How to get to Kotor Fortress for free

Your first option is to climb the above trail, but outside of open hours or during the off season. Getting a (very) early or late start can allow you to avoid the 15€ fee. From what I was told, you must complete the out and back prior to opening or you will be charged on your way out.

If you want to ascend for free during opening hours, take the alternative route. The 'Ladder of Kotor trail' is a zig-zag uphill path located behind the old town walls (unlike the normal path up, with the entrance up located within the town walls). To find the free way up, you need to exit the old town from the connecting bridge on the north side. The trail is named for its 70 hairpin bends that resemble a ladder as it climbs Mount Lovćen and takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on pace of the hiker.

Church of Our Lady of Remedy

The Church of Our Lady of Remedy is a Roman Catholic church located in Kotor, Montenegro, belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotor. The church is perched on the slope of St. John Mountain. It was completed in 1518. Visitors can only reach the church on foot by climbing up stairs with over 650 steps

Kotor Beach

While there are many beautiful, sandy beaches located around Kotor, this is the most convenient within the city.

Even with very limited time: if there is a beach, I am going to be on it.

While Kotor beach is not expansive or, in my opinion; especially nice, the views from this stone beach are amazing and the water is clear and refreshing - especially after climbing the Kotor Fortress in the summer heat.

I came to the beach in the later afternoon with a picnic and enjoyed the view and a swim. The free public beach is a bit crowded, but had a great vibe and fun, casual feel. There are also lounge chairs and umbrellas available to rent.

Kotor Bay coastline offers some of the most majestic and breathtaking views I have ever seen, and the best way to really take them in is by boat. A boat tour also offers access to sites that are not accessible by land such as Our Lady of the Rock.

Due to limited time (and, honestly, lack of planning and funds) I opted for the shortest boat tour that visited Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks. This tour was 90 minutes and cost 20€.

While it was a great experience, and I am glad I got to see the bay from the water, as well as visit Perast, I wouldn’t necessarily consider my experience a “tour”. There was no information provided and very little interaction with the “guide”, who was really just a driver who took us place to place and told us what time to come back to the boat.

There are multiple tours available, ranging from 90 minutes to full day, and come at price points ranging from 15€ to 100€+, as well as water taxis.

This is what I saw on my 90 minutes, 20€ tour:

Perast

Perast is a town in Coastal region of Montenegro. It is situated a few kilometres northwest of Kotor and is noted for its proximity to the islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks.

This UNESCO recognized village can be reached by car, bus, or boat from Kotor and is included on nearly all boat tours from Kotor. My tour allowed about 45 minutes to roam around on our own. Much like Kotor, Perast offers stunning views and is packed with beautiful architecture and history.

A day trip, or basing yourself here for a stay would afford time to visit more of the city and enjoy some of the many restaurants and beaches along the coast.

Our Lady of the Rock

Our Lady of the Rocks is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It is an artificial island created by bulwark of rocks and by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks.

Included on most boat tours, and reachable by water taxi, Our Lady of the Rock is a stunning manmade island off of Perast. It is remarkable both from a distance and up close.

To enter the church and museum will cost you 2€. I opted not to enter the church due to the long line and only having a few euro left on this trip. I greatly enjoyed just being in the islet and taking advantage of the 360 views and don’t feel I missed anything by not going inside.

The greatest perk to being on Our Lady of the Rock, in my opinion, is the view of St. George Island.

St George Island

Sveti Đorđe Island is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. Unlike Gospa od Škrpjela, it is a natural island. A small action took place during the Siege of Cattaro on 14 October 1813 when the French-held island was captured by a British and Sicilian naval force.

It is not possible to visit St. George Island, but the views from afar are probably a better way to see it anyway. The island itself is beautiful, but the setting, mountain backdrop and afternoon lighting make it truly spectacular.

Bakery

🗺️CQC7+J6V, Muo, Montenegro

🕰️Daily 6am-12am

💶€

If you are like me and LOVE burek, or are looking to try some this Balkan stable, head to Pekara Vrmac. A bit away from the city center, this bakery is renowned for having the best burek in Kotor, along with many other incredible bakery items.

As a serious burek connoisseur, I can confidently attest, this is one of the best ones I have ever had.

If you are like me, and are contemplating skipping Kotor, I am here to say: Don’t. Even if it is just a 30 hour stop over on your way through the Balkans, Kotor is absolutely worth visiting.