Kotor, Montenegro: 15 Awesome Things To Do
If you’re planning a trip to Kotor, Montenegro, you’re in for a treat. You’ll instantly fall in love with this medieval town full of outdoor adventure and history.
Use our guide to plan out your Kotor itinerary so that you can experience all of the amazing things to do in this town.
What Is Kotor, Montenegro Known For?
Kotor, Montenegro is a small town along the shores of Boka Bay in Montenegro.
With sweeping views of the fjords and a historic downtown, this is one of the best towns to visit in Europe.
Kotor, Montenegro is best known for the San Giovanni Fortress. Climb the Fortress Walls and admire the beautiful view of Old Town surrounded by the Bay of Kotor.
Is Kotor, Montenegro Worth Visiting?
As one of the cheapest and most beautiful destinations in Europe, Kotor should be at the top of your itinerary.
There are so many wonderful things to do in this town of 13,000, but nothing beats exploring the Old Town of Kotor, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Whether you visit as a day trip from Dubrovnik or you’re spending a few days in the Bay of Kotor, you’ll wish you could stay in this quaint town longer.
15 Awesome Things To Do In Kotor, Montenegro
After spending over a month in Kotor, we’ve discovered the best things to do in this town.
Here are 15 activities to add to your itinerary:
1. Trek The Ladder Of Kotor
By far, our favorite thing to do in the town of Kotor, Montenegro is to hike the Ladder of Kotor.
The Ladder of Kotor is an 8-mile hike that takes you to the top of Boka Bay. Of all the views in Kotor and the surrounding area, this is one of the best.
The best part of the Ladder of Kotor is that you don’t have to be in tip-top physical condition.
Although the hike is 8 miles out-and-back, you don’t have to hike all the way to the top. You’ll get stunning views of Old Town and the rest of the Bay of Kotor simply by walking 15 minutes up the trail.
Unlike the Fortress Walls (which we talk about next), the Ladder of Kotor doesn’t have an entrance fee.
For more information on this hike, check out our post The Ladder of Kotor: The Best Hike In Kotor Bay.
2. Climb the Fortress Walls
Another one of the best things to do in Kotor, Montenegro is to climb the Fortress Walls.
The San Giovanni Fortress located on the side of the fjord was built in 1518 and it’s a popular tourist attraction in this town.
Not only will you get fantastic views of the San Giovanni Fortress, but you’ll feel like you’re in medieval times.
To enter and climb the Fortress Walls, you’ll need to pay 8 euros per person. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking up quite a few stairs.
3. Stroll Through Old Town
Famously known for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Town is bustling with tourists, locals, stores, and cathedrals.
Whether you’ve come to old town to climb the Fortress Walls or to eat at a local restaurant, you’ve come to the hub of Kotor.
Spend time strolling through the cobblestone streets of Kotor before sitting down for a nice meal.
We ate at the Harbour Pub and although it was good, there are far more authentic places to eat in the area.
4. Find As Many Cats As You Can
Cats are well-respected and plentiful in Kotor.
Although I’m personally not a cat person, it was neat to see how these cats interacted with the locals and ruled the streets.
If you’re a cat person, Kotor, Montenegro will be hard to leave behind.
Note: We never felt threatened by any cats. Even though they are strays, they are cared for by the community.
5. Day Trip To Tivat
We loved Kotor and its charming medieval town, but there is just something so magical about the neighboring harbor town, Tivat.
If you’re in Kotor for more than two days, I highly suggest taking the local bus (costs 2 Euro) to Tivat.
Here, you’ll find beaches, a luxurious port town called Porto, and fancy restaurants.
Since we travel on a budget most of the time, we didn’t spend a lot of money at the fancy restaurants, but we did enjoy Moritz Eis, one of the best ice cream shops I’ve ever been to.
Grab a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream and gawk at the multi-million dollar yachts that fill Porto Bay.
6. Walk Along The Bay
Not only is it fun to walk along the coast in Tivat, but it’s also fun to explore Kotor Bay as well.
You won’t find quite as many yachts as you would in Tivat, but the natural views in Kotor far exceed the views you’ll find in Tivat.
7. Gawk At Saint Tryphon Cathedral
This Roman Catholic cathedral has been standing at the heart of Old Town Kotor since 1166.
The structure is absolutely breathtaking, not to mention the incredible scenery behind it.
You can admire this beautiful building from the cobblestone street or you can pay €2.50 to enter.
8. Boat Trip Around Boka Bay
There are so many hidden gems in Boka Bay and we think it’s important to uncover these magical places during your trip to Kotor.
The best way to see the Bay of Kotor and enjoy all the small towns that hug the coast is by boat.
Hop on a private boat and let a local guide show you the best views of Kotor and the surrounding area.
We personally recommend this boat tour: Best Views of Kotor with Private Speedboat.
9. Hike To Vrmac
Kotor and the surrounding area is full of mind-blowing hiking trails.
Most tourists only know about the Ladder of Kotor, but what if I told you there’s another hike that can rival those views?
Opposite of the Ladder of Kotor sits the Vrmac Ridge; this ridge separates Kotor and Tivat. Hike along this ridge to find the most awe-inspiring views of Kotor Bay, Tivat, and the Adriatic Sea.
For more details about hiking Vrmac Ridge, read our detailed blog post here: Exploring Vrmac.
10. Go To The Maritime Museum
If you’re into history (or even if you aren’t), the Maritime Museum is an awesome place to visit.
You’ll learn all about Montenegro’s naval history through an audio guide (available in several languages).
The entrance fee is 4 euros for adults and 1 euro per child.
Use the Maritime Museum in Kotor to escape the crowds and learn a bit about the history of this old town.
11. Shop, Shop, Shop!
There are so many different shops inside Kotor’s Old Town. Spend the day buying souvenirs, clothes, handbags, and more.
Tivat is also a great place to go shopping, however, Tivat is much more expensive. You’ll find all of the high-end stores along the pier in Tivat, so keep that in mind if you’re looking to shop but you’re also trying to stay on a budget.
12. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks
One of the most popular things to do while visiting Kotor, Montenegro is to visit Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast.
Unlike other churches in the area, Our Lady of the Rocks sits atop an island in the middle of Boka Bay.
You can reach Our Lady of the Rocks by taking the bus or driving to Perast.
They do charge an entrance fee and a boat fee to visit, but you can purchase an all-inclusive boat ticket out to Our Lady of the Rocks for $24.28.
You’ll be picked up in Kotor and brought around Perast, Kotor Bay, and Our Lady of the Rocks; a great tour for a reasonable price.
13. Go Fishing In Kotor Bay
Another fun thing to do in Kotor, Montenegro is fishing!
With tons of charter boats and fishing guides, the Bay of Kotor is an excellent place to cast in a line and catch some seabass.
Not only will you enjoy pulling in the fighters, but you’ll love the sweeping views of the fjords around you.
14. Watch The Sunset
Watching the sunset over the Bay of Kotor was incredible. In fact, it was one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen.
If you’re in the mood for a powerful sunset, hike up the Ladder of Kotor for about 30 minutes. Do this just before sunset.
Sitting above Boka Bay and watching this phenomenon is by far one of the best things to do in Kotor, Montenegro.
Note: You don’t need to hike to the very top of the Ladder of Kotor (that would be way too dangerous to hike back down). I also recommend bringing a flashlight for the trek down.
15. Kayak or SUP In Kotor Bay
What better way to explore Kotor Bay than in a kayak?
Since it’s not advised to swim in the Bay of Kotor, it’s best to rent a kayak and paddle around the fjords while being surrounded by some of the bluest water.
You can rent a kayak for the entire day starting at $12.
Is Kotor, Montenegro Safe?
Montenegro is a very safe country with a low crime rate. As with any location, always be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your valuables.
Where Is Montenegro?
Montenegro is located in the Balkan Peninsula near Serbia, Albania, and Bosnia.
It sits on the Adriatic Sea making for warm summers and beautiful sunsets.
How Many Days To Spend In Kotor, Montenegro
In our opinion, Kotor is one of the best places to visit in Europe.
Most people only spend one day walking around the streets of Old Town, but we recommend spending as many days here as you can.
If you’re into hiking or jaw-dropping views, this will be your paradise destination.
But overall, we feel that you should spend at least two full days in Kotor. You won’t get to experience everything in just two days, but you’ll get a good feel for Montenegro.
How To Get To Kotor, Montenegro
There are several ways to get to Kotor, Montenegro. Here are all of the options you can consider for your trip:
By Plane
If you fly to Kotor, Montenegro by plane, you’ll want to book a plane ticket to Tivat.
Tivat is approximately 8 minutes by car from Kotor, so it’s very convenient to fly into this small town.
Note: From Tivat to Kotor, you can take the public bus. It’s ridiculously cheap!
You can also choose to fly into Dubrovnik or Podgorica. Both of these cities are within 2 hours of Kotor.
By Car
If you’re in the Balkans, it’s really simple to get to Montenegro via car. Unlike the United States or Canada, Eastern Europe is a small area, so driving from one country to the next is easy.
Car rentals in Eastern Europe are very cheap, so don’t hesitate to rent one and drive yourself to Kotor.
From Dubrovnik
Many tourists choose to drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor as a day trip.
If you are planning on doing this, I recommend renting a car or hiring a driver.
During our time in the Balkans, a friend came to visit us and when she left, she took a taxi from Kotor to Dubrovnik using Talixo.
It was fairly priced and easy to use. We highly recommend doing this if you want to hire a driver.
Note: If you are visiting both Dubrovnik and Kotor, we recommend spending more time in Kotor than in Dubrovnik. There are far more things to do in Kotor than in Dubrovnik.
Where To Stay In Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is an affordable town full of beautiful hotels, Airbnbs, and homestays.
Whether you’re looking to spend as little as possible on accommodation or you’re wiling to splurge, this is what you need to know:
Budget Stay
Traveling to Kotor, Montenegro is perfect for those looking to stay on a budget. This is one of the most affordable tourist towns in Europe.
If you’re traveling on a budget, consider staying at Hostel Pupa. You’ll spend about $19 per night for a dorm-style bunk.
Another excellent budget option is to stay in an Airbnb for an entire month. You’ll save heaps of money by renting by the month because many Airbnb owners give large monthly discounts.
Note: If you’ve never used Airbnb, you can sign up for a free account using our referral link and get $40 off your first stay.
Mid-Range Stay
If hostels aren’t your thing, we recommend the Guest House Forza Lux.
This boutique hotel will run you about $55 per night. It’s beautifully decorated and sits in the middle of Old Town Kotor.
Luxury Option
Planning to spend a bit more during your trip to Kotor? Then you might like the Blue Kotor Bay Premium Spa Resort.
Basic rooms start at $129, but you can opt for an upgrade that will include a private hot tub. This will run you $350+ per night.
How To Prepare For Montenegro Weather
Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate meaning that summers are hot and winters are mild.
The rainy season reaches a high in November, so keep this in mind while you prepare for your trip.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Kotor, Montenegro
To avoid the intense summer heat and the chilly winters, we recommend visiting Kotor, Montenegro in April to early May or September to mid-October.
Not only will you get the best weather during these months, but you’ll miss the crowds that flock to the Adriatic Sea during the summer months.
What Language Do They Speak In Montenegro?
Thanks to its close proximity to other European countries, many languages are spoken in Montenegro.
Montenegrin is typically considered the main language of Montenegro, but if you are looking to use Google Translate during your trip, you can use Serbian.
Where To Visit Next?
After visiting Kotor, Montenegro, we strongly suggest traveling to other Montenegrin towns including Tivat, Budva, Bar, and Zabljak.
Turn your holiday to Montenegro into a road trip and start creating your itinerary with this post: Montenegro Road Trip – 7 Day Itinerary.
The Wrap-Up: 15 Things To Do In Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro flies under the radar in comparison to other cities in Europe. But its beauty rivals that of any other destination in the world.
See for yourself how amazing this medieval town is and add the 15 best things to do in Kotor to your itinerary. Following our suggestions, you won’t miss a thing.
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