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What You Need to Know About Kotor Montenegro [Updated 2024]

Well, Lonely Planet did not list Kotor as the #1 place to visit in 2016 for nothing!  Their opening line ‘drop dead gorgeous’ certainly sums it up.

Cobblestone streets and high limestone mountains towering over one of the most scenic bays adds up to a stunning beauty! We were in awe! Excellent fish restaurants, cosy bars and much much more! Kotor you won us over too!

We have put together our guide to Kotor that will assist you in planning your visit, where to stay, what to do and where to eat.

If you only have a day and want to cover as much of Kotor as possible why not take a walking tour and learn more about this beautiful town and its history? The tour is only 90 minutes but during that time you will learn so much about this UNESCO-listed fortified city.

Find out more here

 

 

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Where is Montenegro

Montenegro is one of the Balkan countries and is bordered by the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania and Serbia.

If you only have one week to visit Montenegro you can easily see all that Montenegro has to offer during that time.

Map of Montenegro

What you need to know about Kotor
Montenegro Map

Where is Kotor Montenegro

Kotor is located in the south of Montenegro in the Bay of Kotor.

What you need to know about Kotor
Kotor Montenegro Map

 

Where to travel to on the Bay of Kotor Montenegro:

Bay of Kotor – Boat Trip to Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast

One of the most popular tours is the boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks and to the town of Perast.

“Out of many panoramic views, the first one is directly aimed at the islet Our Lady of the Rocks, a site enriched with a mythical legend that goes back more than 5 centuries. Legend has it that it is an artificial island expanded by seamen who discovered the Madonna and Child emblem on a sea rock.

Feeling grateful for safe returns after long journeys, the sailors vowed to honour the Holy Mother, so, little by little and stone by stone, they built it into an island that harbours the Lady of the Rocks church. Visitors can listen to stories about the relics while seeing the chapel’s many frescoes, paintings, votives, tapestries, and other treasures.  The Church houses over 68 important paintings by the Baroque Artist Tripo Kokolja.

This UNESCO heritage site once housed people from the Illyrian, Roman, and Christian periods. The architecture of the nine defensive towers, Baroque palaces from the 17th and 18th centuries, and distinctive Catholic churches demonstrate the city’s affluence during Venetian administration. ”

To find out more click here

 

Kotor Bay Lady of the Rocks Montenegro
Our Lady of The Rocks Kotor Bay Montenegro

 

360Monte Tour Island of St George in Kotor Bay
View of the Island of St George Kotor Bay Montenegro

Sveti Dorde is a natural island, home to the 12th Century St George Benedictine Monastery.  The island houses the graves of priests who once lived there.  Today, there are still Monks living in the Monastery.

Panorama and Semi-Submarine Underwater Experience

Semi submarine adventure in Kotor
Semi-submarine adventure on Kotor with Get Your Guide

 

Spend an eventful hour exploring the Bay of Kotor from both above and below the waterline. Admire the local landscape and discover the underwater world in just 1 hour on an unusual tour sure to delight the whole family.

For more information click here

Montenegro Beaches

Montenegro has some fine beaches.  For in-depth information on which beach to go to, what type of beach it is e.g. rocky or sandy and what to expect read more here.

For the latest reviews on the best Montenegro beaches to visit click here:

Where to hike in Kotor Montenegro:

Fortified Kotor’s City Walls and 1,350 Steps to the Fortress

Heading Back Down The Fort of Kotor
The stairs heading back down

Overlooking the Old Town and 1,350 steps up the mountain is St John’s Fortress.  The view is worth the hike up.

To Travel Too Tip: start early in the morning as soon as the gates open and take plenty of water.

Read our blog post on our climb to the top of St. John’s Fortress.

Popular Montenegro Tours:

We highly recommend that you visit the surrounding country areas of North Montenegro.  River canyons, stunning views, lakes, national parks and the Ostrog Monastery built into the side of a cliff face high up a mountain.  We travelled with 360monte Tours and we saw some of the most beautiful scenery we have seen in this part of Europe.

  • Explore the wild beauty of North Montenegro
  • Take a perfect introduction for first-time visitors
  • Tour with an informative, friendly, and professional tour guide
  • Visit Boka Bay Viewpoint
  • Be amazed by Ostrog Monastery

Read our review here

2.5 Hour Kayak Tour on the Bay of Kotor

“Experience the Bay of Kotor from a unique perspective, get away from the crowds and head into a fun sea adventure. Explore the coastline around Kotor, the nearby fishing villages and beaches on a guided kayak tour. No experience is required.”

  • See medieval villages in the Bay of Kotor from your sea kayak
  • Relax and sunbathe on a beach
  • Swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic sea

For more information click here

More Things To Do Around Kotor

 

Where To Stay in Kotor

Kotor Hotels

Stunning Accommodation right on Kotor Bay – Old Mariner Guest House

What you need to know about Kotor
Entrance to the 400-year-old home

If you want stunning accommodation, right on the bay, in a quiet area outside of Kotor you can’t go further than the Old Mariner Guest House.  It is located 10 minutes by car to the Old Town in the small waterfront village of Prcanj.

A taxi will cost you 5 Euros to the Old Town.  All rooms have amazing sea views over Kotor Bay. We found that the Old Town can be busy and noisy when the cruise ships are in and Prcanj was a lovely area to escape to.

Latest Guest Review: “The owner was extremely friendly and helpful and he explained about the 1000 year history of his family house which had been beautifully restored, with its history and artefacts well preserved. The reception area was very welcoming and full of character. This is the perfect form of Montenegrin tourism, that preserves the character and beauty of this wonderful country. I can’t recommend this place highly enough, and I look forward to returning.”

What you need to know about Kotor

For more Kotor Hotels: (there are 99 in the Old Town)

What you need to know about Kotor

Kotor Restaurants

Kotor Bokeski Gusti
Grilled Fish at Bokeski Gusti

Our favourite restaurant for value and great grilled fish was Bokeski Gusti a 15-minute walk along the waterfront from our accommodation at the Old Mariner Guest House.  There are many restaurants in the Old Town but some can be quite pricey and touristy.

For the top 10 Restaurants in Kotor click here.

Getting to Kotor

The closest airport to Kotor is Tivat (TIV) which is 4.6 km from Kotor and 3 km south of Tivat.

Other alternatives:

Podgorica (TGD) 39.5 km from Kotor

 

Dubrovnik (DVB)  44.3 km from Kotor

 

Tirana (TIA) 136.3 km from Kotor

Bari (BRI) 219.7 km from Kotor

Cheap Flight Deals to Montenegro

Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner our ‘go-to’ when we are researching and booking our flights.

Travel Insurance

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

 

In conclusion

In conclusion, visiting Kotor is a truly unforgettable experience that should be on every traveller’s bucket list. This charming and historic city offers a unique blend of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. From exploring the breathtaking Bay of Kotor to wandering through its labyrinthine streets filled with medieval architecture, there is something for everyone in this hidden gem of Montenegro.

However, it is important to plan your trip carefully by considering the best time to visit, being mindful of the crowds, and respecting the local customs. By doing so, you can ensure that your visit to Kotor will be an enriching and memorable adventure that you will cherish for years to come.

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What you need to know about Kotor

 

 

 

 

 

totraveltoo

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to To Travel Too – Australia’s top Baby Boomer lifestyle and travel blog, with an international worldwide audience in mind, run by the married couple, freelance writers and full-time travellers Jane and Duncan Dempster-Smith. Come with us as we explore the world. Our two mantras that we live by are 'chase time not money' and 'age is no barrier when it comes to travel'.

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