Kotor City Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Montenegro’s Most Popular City
Kotor is an unmissable part of any trip to Montenegro, and for good reason!
Although the city itself is fairly small and compact, there are so many surprises at every turn: From cobblestoned streets winding beneath historic stone buildings to breathtaking views from the Kotor fortress, streetside cafes, and cute locals (ahem, the cats!), Kotor has everything you need for the perfect introduction to Montenegro.
Whether it’s your first time traveling to Kotor or your hundredth, I’m sure there will always be something new for you to uncover!
Let’s explore the city that I affectionately like to call ‘The closest thing you can get to being on the set of Game of Thrones’ with this Kotor travel guide!
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KOTOR, MONTENEGRO TRAVEL GUIDE
Perfect for …
Getting a taste of historical Montenegro 🇲🇪 A home base for day trips 📍 Culture, food, and adventure! ⛰
Kotor is undeniably Montenegro’s most famous city (shh, don’t tell Budva!) and one that should be a must-see on your Montenegro trip.
Whether you’re visiting for the day as part of a cruise ship stop or planning an entire holiday with Kotor as your home base, this city is sure to charm your socks off.
Kotor offers a deep dive into Montenegro’s culture with its museums, cafes, churches, mysterious alleys, and little nooks to get wonderfully lost.
Likewise, it offers an excellent home base if you want to travel to other parts of the country. Thankfully, a good majority of interesting cities (such as Herceg Novi, Cetinje, and Ulcinj) are within an hour or two drive! For more information, I have a special section called “DAY TRIPS FROM KOTOR” if you want to skip ahead. :)
How many days do I need in Kotor?
This really depends on how you plan to travel to Montenegro. If Kotor is just one stop along your itinerary, I would recommend at least 2 or 3 days — one day for taking a city tour or visiting the museums, a second day to hike up Kotor Fortress, and a third day to do a day tour (if you wish).
For super busy itineraries, you can even do Kotor in a day!
However, if you don’t feel like going inland and plan to spend your time along the Bay of Kotor, you can set up base in Kotor for the entire week and do multiple day trips.
Kotor is conveniently located right in the center, with Herceg Novi and Perast to the west, and Budva, Lovcen National Park, and Cetinje to the east. Each of these locations is within an hour’s drive, and if you’re planning to do multiple day trips from Kotor, feel free to scroll down to the bottom of this post for more detailed information.
HOW TO GET TO KOTOR
Kotor’s popularity makes it very easy to access from virtually any part of Montenegro — and even Europe! — no matter if you get here by plane, train, or bus.
BY PLANE: The closest airport is Tivat Airport (TIV) which is about 5 kilometers from Kotor. Although it’s a short distance away, be warned that taxi drivers tend to drive up the price to around 15 EUR. You can get a ride for much cheaper if you book a transfer through your hotel or accommodation.
Alternatively, you can fly into Podgorica (TGD) and take the bus or car to Kotor. It’s a bit far (the journey takes around 1.5 hours) but if you see a deal, go for it!
BY BUS: Because of Montenegro’s small size, you can get to Kotor from any major city for only a couple of EUR. Popular connections include Budva, Herceg Novi, Ulcinj, and so on.
There are also plenty of international busses from neighboring countries. For example, Dubrovnik (Croatia) to Kotor is a popular route that drives along the gorgeous Montenegrin coast and only takes 2 hours. In fact, it can be even cheaper than flying directly to Tivat, since there are more planes that fly to Dubrovnik.
Likewise, if you started your Balkan trip in Albania, you can take a 4-hour bus from Shkodër to Kotor for around 15 EUR and see another country!
BY TRAIN: Kotor doesn’t have a train station, but it’s still well-connected thanks to the Bar to Belgrade route. If you’re traveling from Belgrade (Serbia), you can take the train to Bar and then a 1-hour bus ride to Kotor.
TRANSPORTATION & GETTING AROUND KOTOR
Compared to other popular cities in the Balkans, Kotor is a small city that is very easy to get around. In fact, you can walk from one end of the city to the other in under 15 minutes!
The beauty of Kotor lies in getting lost in the little side streets, plazas, and charming alleys, and the only thing you’ll need to see them are your legs and adventurous spirit.
However, if you need a taxi, there are plenty waiting near Camilija Mall on the northern outskirts of the city. They’re particularly useful when you want to do a day trip, such as to the nearby town of Perast.
WHAT TO DO IN KOTOR
Kotor’s laidback charm lies in the fact that you could fill your days with activities, or just chill out on the beach or cafe in the Old Town… and either option would be absolutely blissful. Here are some things to do in Kotor for inspiration:
Hike Kotor Fortress
St John’s Fortress, Sveti Ivan Fortress, San Giovanni Fortress, or simply the Fortress of Kotor… No matter what you call it, climbing up to the top is a must-do when in Kotor!
Some 280 meters above sea level, Kotor Fortress offers a great workout and amazing views packed into one fun activity. To get to the start, follow the signs to the fortress in Kotor’s Old Town. The ticket gate is open between 8am to 8pm, and costs 8 EUR per person.
NOTE: Be sure to ask the ticket person for identification, and if they don’t give you a ticket/receipt — it’s a scam. When we did the hike, there was a ‘fake’ ticket seller who took our money and disappeared by the time we came back down. We asked the tourist desk and they’re aware of the problem, but there’s not much they can do. :\
I recommend doing the journey as early as possible since it can get very hot by the afternoon. If you start around 8 or 9 in the morning, the side of the mountain offers shade on the way up.
The journey takes between 2 to 3 hours (round trip), but it feels like it flies by when you’re treated to gorgeous views of Kotor Bay at every single step. Feel free to enjoy a picnic, explore the ruins near the top, or take a quick break.
At the top, you’ll be treated to a panoramic scene of the entire bay, along with an old fortress to climb and explore (if you wish!).
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Get lost in Kotor’s Old Town
Although Kotor is only about 300 by 350 meters, you’ll be surprised at how many charming alleys, secluded plazas, and hidden gems are just waiting to be uncovered!
If you have an hour or two, I highly recommend turning off your phone, ditching the map or guidebook, and take the time to get lost in Kotor’s streets. Let your nose guide you to the delicious smells coming out of a local bakery, follow a local cat and see what treasures it’ll lead you to, or just go with the flow! Who knows what you’ll find?
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Walk Along the Old City Walls
If walls could talk, I’m sure Kotor’s old city walls would have a loooot of interesting gossip ;)
The oldest walls of Kotor date back to the 9th century and have plenty of history. Once you’re done walking around the Old Town, I recommend getting a bird’s eye view and seeing the city from the top! There are multiple places where you can go up to the wall towers (via stairs, of course) to get a good look at Kotor.
One of my favorite viewpoints is Kampana Tower, which can be accessed by the stairs near the North Gate. There are often interesting art installations nearby — when we visited, there was a dragon made entirely out of plastic bottles that was ‘climbing’ up the tower!
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Hang out in the plazas
Thanks to its historical layout, Kotor has a handful of distinct and interesting plazas with their own personality. Be sure to check out each one to get a sense of the city:
Trg od Oružja (Arms Square) — Arms Square will most likely be your first impression of the city, since it’s located at the very entrance of the city. Famous for being the biggest square in Kotor, Trg od Oružja has famous sites like the Sea Gate, Clock Tower, and the giant lamp statue.
Pjaca od Drva (Wood Plaza) — Although not the most popular square in Kotor, Pjaca od Drva’s charm lies in the fact that it’s the most popular hangout spot for cats! Located near the Northern Gate, this is the perfect place to sit on a bench, relax, and do a bit of people watching (or pet the cats).
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Sit in a cafe and listen to live music
Once the sun goes down, Kotor’s Old Town really comes alive. It feels as if evenings were made to sit al fresco, enjoy some appetizers, and listen to the live music that can be heard from virtually every cafe.
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Pet all the Kotor kitties
Of course, how could I forget about Kotor’s most famous locals?
Kotor is known as the city of cats – in fact, there’s a joke that, although Kotor’s coat of arms has two lions, they’re actually two cats in disguise. 
You don’t need to go far to do this activity – just step outside of your hostel/hotel and you’re bound to find a kitty soaking up the sunlight or chilling out on a windowsill.
For those who want to bump it up a notch, check out the Cat Museum in Kotor. The entrance fee is only 1 EUR and goes towards local charities that take care of Kotor’s many cats. There’s also a souvenir store that exclusively sells cat-themed goods.
Finally, I challenge you to count how many cats you see throughout your day. On our last day we counted around 20!
WHERE TO STAY IN KOTOR
ACCOMMODATIONS IN KOTOR
KOTOR HOSTELS
Hostel Pupa — Located a short walk to both the Kotor bus station, Old Town, and the farmer’s markets, Hostel Pupa is modern, clean, and comfortable. The hostel has two kitchens, spacious rooms (with privacy curtains on the bunk beds), and clean bathrooms.
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com
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Old Town Youth Hostel — Perhaps the most popular hostel in Kotor, Old Town Youth Hostel has absolutely everything you need in order to enjoy the city to the fullest. For example, what other hostel has a swimming pool? That’s right!
Besides awesome amenities, Old Town Youth Hostel organizes tours all around Montenegro, has an on-site cafe/lounge, and offers both dorm rooms and private rooms.
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com
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KOTOR HOTELS
Historic Boutique Hotel Cattaro – To really get into the historical atmosphere of Kotor, Boutique Hotel Cattaro will do just the trick. Luxurious touches in each room, friendly staff, and a 9.5/10 rating make this one of the best hotels in Kotor.
Travel tip: The hotel sometimes holds special offers, like a complimentary dinner – you can see their current offerings on Booking.com
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com || Hotels.com
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Hotel Vardar — Centrally located in the Square of Arms (the first square after entering through the old walls), Vardar has everything you need for a comfortable trip to Kotor including a fitness center, al fresco dining, and parking. I recommend asking if they have the rooms with a view of the Kotor Bay available, as they’re truly magnificent!
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com || Hotels.com
Palazzo Drusko— Located in the heart of Kotor’s Old Town, Palazzo Drusko is a boutique hotel in the truest sense. With only seven rooms, you’ll get the royal treatment from check-in to check out.
Each of the seven rooms in the 600-year old building are decorated after typical characters of Kotor’s past, such as The Monk’s Room, The Merchant’s Room, The Captain’s Room, and so on. Try to find all of the portraits of local aristocrats!
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com
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Hotel Forza Mare – If you’re looking for a modern oasis, Forza Mare is it. Located in Dobrota (just north of Kotor), this boutique hotel has its own private beach, an upscale restaurant, and gorgeous rooms. Speaking of which — each of the rooms have their own theme based on different countries around the world, like Japan, the UAE, and India.
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com || Hotels.com
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KOTOR APARTMENTS
Apartments Sirena— We stayed here for our anniversary and it was an amazing experience across the board! The apartment is a quick 7-minute walk to Kotor and is located in a very peaceful area. The view can’t be described in words— we spent the entire day picnicking on the balcony and looking at the beautiful reflections in the Bay of Kotor. Finally, the host, Jovanna, is so wonderful and hospitable and made us feel at home. :)
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com
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Old Town Clock Tower Apartment — If you want to be in the center of all the action, this location can’t be beaten — it’s located right in the center of Kotor’s Old Town! The apartment features modern renovations yet still keeps its historical charm, especially with the balcony that opens up to the plaza below.
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com
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Kotor Nest — Modern and colorful decor plus convenient amenities will make you never want to fly from this nest! Kotor Nest is a modern oasis in the middle of the historical city center. Bonus: there are complimentary guide books (such as Lonely Planet and Fodor’s) available for guests to browse. What a sweet touch, right? :)
Check Availability & Book @ Agoda || Booking.com
WHERE TO EAT IN KOTOR
Tanjga BBQ — Meat is fairly common in Montenegrin cuisine, and the best way to try Balkan BBQ is a meal at Tanjga BBQ! Located a short walk from Kotor’s city walls, Tanjga is run by a friendly local family that really knows how to grill. We tried the mixed meat platter and were blown away by how tender, juicy, and flavorful each meat was… just writing about it is making me drool.
The Balkan pop music added a nice touch to the atmosphere — and a few songs were added to my Spotify collection. 
Ombra Caffe — After a day of exploring Kotor, Ombra is a great spot to grab some lunch and do a bit of people-watching. There’s a nice shaded outdoor area as well as a few tables inside. As a bonus, they have vegan options!
Konoba Akustik – If there was an award for the most stylish cafe, it would probably be Konoba Akustik. The moment you walk into their patio, it feels as if you’re transported to Bora Bora thanks to the thatched umbrellas and seaside location. Speaking of which: this cafe has its own private beach!
Bakery Mamma Mia – This unassuming little bakery saved our life twice: once when we ran out of food and it was Sunday (when none of the grocery stores work) and the second time when we stocked up on sandwiches before our early morning hike up Kotor Fortress (when grocery stores also didn’t work… because it was too early). 
Reasonably priced, nice selection, and tasty food.
Street Food Athos – Right in the middle of Kotor’s Old Town, Athos makes delicious and budget-friendly street food like gyros and burgers. However, note that it’s cash only!
DAY TRIPS FROM KOTOR
If you’re staying longer and have some free time, consider adding a day trip from Kotor to your itinerary! Here are a few options to get you started:
Perast (pictured above)— A sweet seaside town just 15 minutes from Kotor, Perast exudes charm and a carefree spirit. If you have a free day (or even a few hours!), this is my top pick for a day trip from Kotor. You can take a taxi (about 10 EUR) or hop on a bus to get here. Check out my detailed guide to Perast here!
All Montenegro Tour — If you only have one day and want to see (almost) all of Montenegro in a single tour, let it be this one! The All Montenegro tour visits the must-see attractions around the country, including Lovcen National Park and the Njegos Mausoleum, the old capital of Cetinje, the glamorous half-island of Sveti Stefan, and more. Check availability and book here
Boat trip around Kotor Bay — Get to know Kotor Bay in a few hours with a boat tour that includes the most popular spots, such as Our Lady of the Rocks, the Blue Cave, and Budva.
Check out some popular Kotor day trips here:
WHERE TO GO AFTER KOTOR
Herceg Novi – Herceg Novi is famous for many things– it’s the sunniest city in Montenegro (it averages around 200 days of sunshine a year!), has a popular mimosa festival every year, and is well-known for its historical fortresses.
Located at the western end of the country, Herceg Novi is the perfect continuation of your Montenegro trip if you’re planning to head to Croatia, or as a weekend getaway from Kotor. Learn more about Herceg Novi with my travel guide.
Kotor to Herceg Novi is about 1 hour (44 km) away.
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Cetinje – Although it has less than 15,000 inhabitants, Cetinje actually had a huge influence in shaping Montenegro into what it is today — that’s because it was the first capital of Montenegro! Although Podgorica took that title after World War II, Cetinje is still fondly called ‘The Old Royal Capital’ to this day.
A trip to Cetinje means you’ll experience authentic Montenegrin culture that you might not find in Kotor. Thanks to its museums and local charm, you’ll also have a chance to delve into the country’s interesting history and relax as the locals do. Cetinje, as I like to say, is a small town with a big history. Learn more about Cetinje with my travel guide.
Kotor to Cetinje is about 40 mins (38 km) away.
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Budva – With no less than a dozen nightclubs and home to a popular summer music festival, it’s no surprise why Budva is known as the “Montenegrin Miami.” If you love to be the life of the party and plan your trips around nightlife, then Budva is definitely calling your name. Learn more about Budva with my travel guide.
Kotor to Budva is about 30 mins (23 km) away.
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Ulcinj – Off the beaten path and hidden beneath the sands of south Montenegro, Ulcinj is famous for having the longest beach in Montenegro (more than 14 kilometers!) as well as being crowned New York Times’ Best Destination back in 2010.
In short, Ulcinj is an absolute paradise that you have to visit at least once in your life — and thankfully, it isn’t too far from Kotor! Learn more about Ulcinj with my travel guide.
Kotor to Ulcinj is about 1.5 hours (85 km) away.
USEFUL REFERENCES FOR TRAVELING TO MONTENEGRO
Looking for more information before your trip to Montenegro? I recommend the following websites that I personally used:
🛂 Need a visa to Montenegro? Check out iVisa for more information.
✈️ Once you have your visa all set, it’s time to book airline tickets! I use both CheapOAir and SkyScanner to book flights.
🛏 Book accommodations on Booking or Hotels. These two offer fantastic options for every traveler, from hostels to hotels, apartments to penthouses, local guesthouses, and everything in between!
✨ Speaking of amazing accommodations… I have an entire blog post dedicated to the best guesthouses, apartments, and Airbnbs in Montenegro!
📷 Find tours, day trips, or sightseeing activities at Get Your Guide or Viator.
❗️One of the most popular day trips is the All Montenegro Tour. This 12-hour tour gives you a taste of Montenegro as you enjoy breakfast at a local village, tour the Old Royal Capital, visit the birthplace of the Petrović dynasty, enjoy a boat ride through River Crnojevica, and finish the day with a panoramic view of the famous Sveti Stefan.
🚗 Prefer to carve out your own itinerary? Rent a car through RentalCars.com, which has the biggest selection of car rentals and the company that I use whenever I rent a car.
🧳 Not sure what to pack? I have an entire blog post that details what to pack for a trip to Montenegro for all four seasons!
🇲🇪 Looking for even more information before traveling to Montenegro? Check out my Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide for everything you need to know before your trip OR 17 Montenegro Travel Tips for some bite-sized tips…
🇲🇪 … Or check out all of my blog posts on Montenegro here! Happy travels :)
Wooow, Kotor looks as interesting and pretty like this blog :)
Aw shucks, thank you! 😁