10 Best Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro
Find out what makes Kotor a must-visit city and start filling out your Kotor itinerary with these 10 best things to do in Kotor.
Kotor is a small coastal city of about 13,500 people in little known Montenegro – a small country just below Croatia. This charming city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and best known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town that is situated deep in a fjord on the stunning Bay of Kotor.
Here you’ll find winding streets, castles on hilltops, sparkling blue water, and stunning mountains surrounding it – a winning combination in my book. Let’s take a look at the best things to do in Kotor, Montenegro to make the most of this beautiful spot on the map.
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1. Explore the Old Town
The Old Town of Kotor is one of the best-preserved medieval towns, which has helped land its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. This walled city dates back to the 14th century, and today still holds many of the same characteristics that you would have found back then.
To visit the Old Town, you’ll have to enter through one of the three main gates where you’ll be greeted with narrow streets that wind through town like a maze. As you follow the roads, you’ll encounter quaint squares, churches, and historical buildings. One of the best parts? The Old Town is pedestrian-only, so you can meander down the roads without concerns of cars zooming around the corner.
As you explore, keep you eyes open for the best sights in Kotor’s Old Town:
- Saint Tryphon Cathedral (Cathedral of Sveti Tripun or St. Tripun): Built in the 12th century, this church is located in the center of the Old Town and features impressive frescoes and a bell tower that offers panoramic views of the bay.
- Church of Saint Luke (Church of Sveti Luka or St. Luke): The only building in Kotor that did not suffer significant damage during the earthquake in 1979.
- Square of Arms (Trg od Oruzja): Known as the biggest city square in Kotor, the Square of Arms was, and still is, the main meeting place in town.
- Maritime Museum: Visit Kotor’s Maritime Museum to learn about the maritime history of the region.
- Medieval Walls Museum: Find insight into the construction, history, and preservation of the city walls.
Want to learn more about the the city? Sign up for a Kotor Old Town Walking Tour or opt for a more inclusive experience with a walking tour with food and wine. It will take you to the top attractions in Kotor as well as allow you to learn about and taste local cuisine.
2. Climb Up to the Castle of San Giovanni
One of the can’t miss activities in Kotor is climbing up to the Castle of San Giovanni (St. John). The castle dates back to the 9th century and is located high on a hill above the Old Town of Kotor. There’s a small fee (8 euros in 2023) to climb it, but you’ll find amazing views of the town and bay below.
This climb is not for the faint of heart as the path up is steep and challenging, taking about an hour round trip. And of course the stairs are not uniform, easy to climb stairs, no, they were rock stairs built ages ago with pieces missing and some irregularity. It gave me flashbacks to the Inca Trail… All in all, I believe it was about 1,400 stairs to the top.
Don’t let the challenge of this Kotor hike deter you – it’s only 1.3 miles roundtrip with 725 ft of elevation gain. The views from the top are well worth the effort. You’ll be able to see the entire Bay of Kotor, the city below, and mountains all around. Not to mention you’ll be able to explore the fortress walls, towers, and gates. View the full Kotor Fortress trail on All Trails.
Pro Tip: Climb the Castle of Giovanni for sunset! It offers a killer view of the sun setting over the bay, and fortunately as the mountains block out the last bit of the sun, you’ll still have daylight to climb down all 1,400 stairs before it gets dark. Alternatively, plan your climb first thing in the morning to avoid mid-day heat.
Pro Tip 2: Don’t want to pay the fee to hike to the Kotor fortress? There’s an alternate route! Start your hike at the trailhead by the Old Hydroelectric Power Plant. Hike up the free trail and then descend down the main route.
3. Book a Boat Ride on the Bay of Kotor
One of the best ways to experience the Bay of Kotor, also called Boka, is to take a boat tour. You can either rent a small boat and explore the bay at your leisure, or you can join a guided tour. The perks of a guided tour is that they know the most scenic spots in the bay and take the planning and worries out of it so you can just relax.
Boat tours typically stop at the Blue Cave, also called the Blue Grotto, a natural sea cave where the water glows neon-blue, the Submarine Tunnel, a Soviet-era submarine base, and the island of Our Lady of the Rocks, an island church. Book your boat tour of Kotor Bay here.
The bay of Kotor is surrounded by steep mountains, and the views from the water are breathtaking. Visitors can see small fishing villages, churches, and monasteries along the coast, as well as the historic city walls and fortifications of Kotor.
4. Walk the Walls of the City
As Kotor is a walled city, you’ll want to get up close and personal with their walls. The Old Town’s City Walls of Kotor were first built back in the 14th century to protect the city from invaders. These walls are still standing today and run almost 4.5 kilometers long. Today, you can walk along the walls and enjoy panoramic views of the town and the Bay or Kotor.
Be forewarned that the walk along the walls can be challenging in places. There are narrow passageways, steep stairs, and of course some height to deal with for those with fears of height. However, the views from the top of the Kotor walls make it a rewarding experience – not to mention you’ll also gain an understanding of the town’s rich history.
5. Admire the Church of Our Lady of Remedy
Located just above Kotor on your way to San Giovanni’s Fortress on Saint John’s Mountain is the Church of Our Lady of Remedy. This 16th century church is a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics in Montenegro and can only be reached by foot.
Inside you’ll find impressive frescoes and artwork as well as a bell tower that offers fabulous panoramic views of the bay and Kotor. This church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and inside the church you’ll see a statue of Mary that is said to have healing powers. Go see it for yourself.
6. Relax at the Beach
Kotor is located right on the bay and as such is home to several beaches. Walk along the bay to find the beach of your choosing and settle in to enjoy the sunshine and the views of the surrounding mountains. The most popular beaches near Kotor include Morinj, Bajova Kula, Orahovac, Trsteno, and Plavi Horizonti.
Want to be a bit more active? Try your hand at water sports along the coast. You’ll find places offering everything from kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing. Tourists and locals alike find the beaches are the best way to cool off on a hot day while enjoying the natural beauty of this relatively untouched region.
7. Head to the Cetinje Monastery
One of the most religiously significant sites in Montenegro sits just outside of Kotor: the Cetinje Monastery. This monastery dates back to the 15th century and holds the remainders of St. Peter of Cetinje, the patron saint of Montenegro. features impressive architecture and artwork. Visitors can explore the monastery and see the relics of St. Peter of Cetinje, who is the patron saint of Montenegro.
When visiting the monastery, you’ll find the building offers impressive architecture and art as well as housing a museum that showcases the history and culture of Montenegro, including traditional costumes, weapons, and religious icons.
8. Hike or Bike the Surrounding Mountains
Since the town of Kotor is quite small, you’ll have ample time to explore the surrounding mountains which offer amazing opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. Venture out on your own or book a tour that will guide you to some of the most beautiful places outside of Kotor.
One of the most popular hikes in Kotor is the trail to the Vrmac Fortress. It starts out of Muo, just opposite of Kotor’s Old Town and offers awe-inspiring views of the bay and the surrounding mountains as well as the opportunity to see the old fortress. The hike is about 5.2 miles roundtrip and takes two – three hours to complete.
Another option is to do a scenic downhill bike ride known as the “25 Turns”. Unfortunately, for this option, you’ll probably need to do it as a tour so that you have transportation to the beginning of the ride and a bike and helmet rental. This option provides amazing scenery and views of three countries, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia, on your decent. Check out this epic biking tour!
9. Go Whitewater Rafting on the Tara River
Really want to cash in on the natural beauty of the area? Sign up to go whitewater rafting on the famous Tara River! This opportunity takes you through the deepest canyon in Europe (1,333 meters deep!) and the second deepest canyon in the world – after the Grand Canyon in the US.
Enjoy beautiful views as you navigate the rapids on the river and cool down from the heat of Montenegro. The river is 146 km long and is mostly protected as a UNESCO site. All this combined helps this come in as one of the best things to do in Kotor!
Pro Tip: Make sure to pack your sunscreen as you’ll need it as you sit out on the open river!
10. Do a Tour around Montenegro
Get out of the city and explore the other highlights of Montenegro with a tour from Kotor. There are two awesome options to see different parts of the country. Let’s take a look at both.
- Full-Day Tour to Lovcen National Park & More: This 12 hour tour takes you to some of the best places in Montenegro including incredible view points, historic monuments, and beautiful places. You’ll get to experience Njegusi village, Lovcen National Park with its mausoleum, Cetinje, Crnojevic River and Sveti Stefan. Check availability for this tour.
- The Great Montenegro Tour from Kotor: This 6 hour tour of Montenegro takes you to Njegusi Centar where you’ll meet a local family and try national snacks and wine, to Lovcen National Park, Buda City Walls, Sveti Stefan, and then back to the Kotor Old City. It’s a great way to see some o the highlights of Montenegro in just one day. Check availability for this tour.
Explore More of this Region
Kotor, Montenegro is a unique and fascinating city with rich history and stunning natural beauty. Use these top Kotor attractions to help you plan your itinerary and ensure you know what to do in Kotor. You won’t regreat spending a few days in this pretty part of the world.
Looking for more natural beauty? Check out the amazing waterfalls in Croatia with these two posts:
- The Ultimate Travel Guide for Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
- How to Take a Magical Day Trip to Krka National Park
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Sounds beautiful! We will add to our list…
It’s definitely worth putting on your list! Especially before it gets too tourist heavy.