Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor

A walled old town at the end of a fjord-like bay.

  • Apr–Oct
  • 2 nights
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Things to do

2 days in Kotor

Day 1

  1. MorningClimb the 1,350 steps of the city walls to St. John's Fortress early, before the heat.
  2. AfternoonWander the old town's squares, churches and cats, then swim at a small beach along the bay.
  3. EveningHave dinner in the old town as the walls light up above you.

Day 2

Drive the 25 hairpin bends up to Lovćen and the Njegoš mausoleum.

What to eat

Njeguški pršut, smoked ham, and cheese from the mountain village of Njeguši.

Local tips

Make the most of Kotor

Beat the crowds

Start the climb up the fortress walls early, before the heat and before the cruise ship crowds. On days with several ships, the old town is busiest around midday.

Best photo spot

The view from the fortress over the old town and the bay is the classic. Halfway up, the little church of Our Lady of Remedy makes a great foreground.

Getting there

Parking near the old town fills up quickly; come early. Buses connect Kotor with Budva, Tivat and Perast.

Don't miss nearby

The serpentine road up to Lovćen, with 25 hairpin bends and incredible views back over the bay.

Good to know

The fortress walk has many steps and little shade: bring water and good shoes. There is a fee for the fortress during the day.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Kotor

Our most hidden places around Kotor: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Kotor to take with you.

82 km away
92 km away
94 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Kotor

Getting there

  • Tivat Airport (TIV)5 km away
  • Podgorica Airport (TGD)40 km away
  • Dubrovnik60 km away
  • Tirana150 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeApr–Oct
TypePopular town
Good forOld towns & architecture, Coast
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryMontenegro

Questions

Kotor: good to know

Is Kotor worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and the coast. A walled old town at the end of a fjord-like bay.

How many days do you need in Kotor?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Kotor?

The best time to visit is Apr to Oct. Start the climb up the fortress walls early, before the heat and before the cruise ship crowds. On days with several ships, the old town is busiest around midday.

How do you get to Kotor?

The nearest airport is Tivat Airport (TIV), about 5 km away. Parking near the old town fills up quickly; come early. Buses connect Kotor with Budva, Tivat and Perast.

What is there to see near Kotor?

Nearby hidden places include Perast (9.1 km), Sveti Stefan (21 km) and Lake Skadar (33 km).

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