Most travelers have heard of the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, but know very little about it. At least that’s the position we were in before our visit! So if you’re considering a trip to the historic city of Kotor Montenegro there’s some things you should definitely know. We’ve prepared a Kotor travel guide to share the best things to do, including day trip ideas to neighboring towns like Perast, and hiking to the Castle of San Giovanni. Come explore the unique streets of Kotor Old Town to see why it’s one of the few UNESCO world heritage sites in Montenegro. It’s time to Get Familiar with the Bay of Kotor!

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Bay of Kotor Travel Guide Information

Location: Kotor Montenegro

Official Language: Montenegrin

Currency: Euros

How Long to Visit: 2+ Days

Airport: Tivat (TIV) OR Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)

Best Time to Visit: June and September During Shoulder Season

Kotor Travel Guide Honest First Impression: When our bus pulled into Kotor Montenegro we had literally no clue what to expect. Our experience in the budding city of Budva had given us a small taste of Montenegrin culture, and we were excited for more! As we walked through Kotor’s old town on our way to the hotel we got a sense of why this place was so special. It had the winding streets and architecture of other old cities, but with a twist you’d only get in this part of Europe.

Arrive in the Bay of Kotor… By Bus

There are many ways to get to Kotor Montenegro. We took a bus from Budva, and actually stopped in the ocean side town of Hercig Novi for two days after before leaving the country. Once you arrive in the Bay of Kotor the main bus station is a quick walk from Kotor Old Town which was also our favorite area to visit. This small and charming town is the heart of the bay, and where we based all our best things to do out of in this Kotor travel guide.

Stay… Close to Kotor Old Town

The best advice we can give you is to stay as close to old town as possible. This is the center of everything and where you’ll spend most of your time in Kotor. We chose to stay just outside of town walls to save money, but it was still only a 10 minute stroll into the center. Check out the bottom of this post for hotel recommendations to fit every budget!

Eat… At Tanjga

Also just outside of Kotor’s Old Town you’ll find the best restaurant in the city! We first spotted Tanjga when walking from the bus station into town. The sweet smell of roasting chickens and potatoes pulled us in, and we ended up going back every day. If you’re looking for all the great traditional food of Montenegro be sure to stop into Tanjga on your visit.

Best Food in Montenegro: 7 Must Try Dishes

Drink… Traditional Beer

The most popular beer in Montenegro is the Nikšićko Lager, and no Kotor travel guide would be complete without it! This traditional beer can be found everywhere in the Bay of Kotor. It’s great to enjoy on a hot summer day and especially after exploring this historic city.

Get Around the Bay of Kotor Montenegro… By Boat

Just like the giant cruise ships you’ll inevitably see in port, you can also hire a boat to take you around. Jumping on one of the many boat tours available is a great way to experience not only the Bay of Kotor, but the surrounding coastline of Montenegro. Take a trip to the beautiful islands just outside of town, and visit beaches that can only be accessed by boat!

Book a Kotor Boat Tour and Visit Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula and Blue Cave

Explore… Kotor Old Town

Kotor’s old town is the reason everyone comes to this part of Montenegro, and is filled with history and amazing architecture that dates back to the Roman Era. I mean it’s literally like walking through a live museum if you think about it!

We knew Kotor Montenegro would be exciting, but we were shocked by the amount of great restaurants and bars old town in particular had to offer. Soak in all the music, food, and Montenegrin culture as you walk through one the worlds oldest cities.

Book a Small Group 1-Hour Walking Tour of Old Town

Walk… The Kotor Walls

The main section of the city is fortified by walls that surround Kotor old town. Keep an eye out for what seem like randomly placed staircases going up onto the walls to get a birds eye view just above the city center. Sure they’re not as big or jaw dropping as the nearby walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia, but it’s awesome to be able to look down on old town and the turquoise colored Scurda River below.

Relax… At a Bay of Kotor Cafe

The cafes and bars spill out into the colorful streets of Kotor, and draw you in with their sweet smells and aromas. Start your day off with an ultra strong Turkish coffee, and watch the many people pass by into old town. Looking for where to start? Head to the always lively Square of the Arms in the center of Kotor Old Town!

Find Nature… In the Bay of Kotor Mountains

Kotor Montenegro is blessed with an abundance of beautiful nature and hikes to enjoy. While most people go to see Kotor’s old town, the bay and surrounding mountains should not be missed! Just looking around the Bay of Kotor you’ll be amazed by the sheer magnitude of the limestone rocks towering above. Kotor itself is located on a slender plateau at the base of Lovcen Mountain.

Take in History… At the Castle Of San Giovanni

So now that you know about the nature of Kotor Montenegro, how about a hike to see some history? The Castle of San Giovanni sits high above the walls, and has since before the 6th century. Also referred to as the Castle of St. John, this piece of history will take you about an hour to hike up to.

However, it won’t be the easiest of hikes as you’ll twist and turn through over 70 switchbacks on the way up! We promise it’s all worth it though. Take your time at the top to explore ruins from thousands of years ago, and enjoy the stunning view of the Bay of Kotor.

Hiking Kotor’s Castle Of San Giovanni

Hike… Ladder of Kotor

If you’re up for a bit of a longer hike then plan to do the Ladder of Kotor instead. The trail starts at a different point and goes up past the main trail to the Castle of San Giovanni. It’s 8 miles round trip from start to finish, and on the way back you can still hike your way down through the fortress and into Kotor old town.

The Ladder of Kotor is great for the more experienced hikers since it’s longer, and you still wont miss any of the historic sites from the shorter hike. It takes 5 hours in total, but remember you can turn around at any point to shorten it. Be sure to stop at the incredible Church of Our Lady of Health and Chapel of St. Ivan to snap some photos!

Shop… At the Local City Market

Just outside the walls of old town is an awesome gradska pijaca which translates into city market. Here they offer many local fruits, vegetables, and nuts from Montenegro. Even if you’re not shopping for any produce it can still be fun to sample some local treats, especially the meats and cheeses! Once you get inside of Kotor old town it gets quite touristy, so the local market was refreshing to see.

→ Gradska Pijaca Location

Spend the Day… In Perast

Just a few kilometers Northwest of Kotor is the small town of Perast. This is a great day trip and you can easily book a tour from Kotor. The main draw of Perast is the two small islands which can be seen from the shore. Take a boat out to St. George Island and Our Lady of the Rock Island which both play host to historic churches, and are are must see in the Bay of Kotor Montenegro. If you don’t feel like taking a boat to Perast it’s only about a 15 minute car ride from Kotor.

Be Careful Of… Pick Pockets

Unfortunately, like most major cities in Europe we have to use this Kotor travel guide to warn about the pick pockets that will be out and about. While Kotor Montenegro is small and safe for the most part, keep your belongings close. The winding streets get crowded with tourists which makes it easy for a thief to slip something out of your purse, or even grab a wallet. Stay safe!

Don’t Miss Out On… St. Lukes Church

All of the Bay of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This means there are many old and important structures including St. Lukes Church. This tiny religious building sits in the middle of old town, and dates back to the year 1195! It is actually not known whether it was built as an Orthodox or Catholic church, so it has been used as both to this very day. Make sure to check out the other historic churches in the Bay of Kotor, such as St. Tryphon Cathedral and St. Annes.

Avoid… Cruise Ships

As we mentioned before, the Bay of Kotor Montenegro is becoming a popular stop for cruise ships. If possible avoid visiting in peak season when there is sure to be multiple cruise ships in town. Kotor Old Town is so small that it will feel cramped with so many people walking around at once. However, at the time of our visit we only had one cruise in port so I guess we got lucky! In addition, the benefit of staying overnight is that you have the city almost to yourself when the cruise ships and day tippers leave for the night.

Continue On… From the Bay of Kotor To Budva

If you want to see more of Montenegro consider making Budva your next stop! While it does get busy during the summer, Budva is has an abundance of beautiful beaches to swim at. This is a great alternative to Parest and Hercig Novi depending on which way you are traveling. If you’re up for an adventure you can also make the walk from Budva to Sveti Stefan on the Seven Bay Trail.

Budva to Sveti Stefan: The Seven Bay Trail

Have any questions about our Kotor travel guide, or your own Kotor Montenegro travel tips? Please comment below!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte & Jake

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Where To Stay In The Bay of Kotor Montenegro

Ultra Luxury (High End) – Historic Boutique Hotel Cattaro – Looking for some luxury inside the walls of old town? Check into this renovated 18th century masterpiece right in the middle of all the action. Hotel Cattaro also features one of the most popular clubs in the Bay of Kotor with night club Maximus.

Fun Vacation (Mid Range) – Old Town Clock Tower Apartment – This fun apartment is located just steps away from the famous old town clocktower, and within range of all the other historic architecture of this UNESCO world heritage site!

Hostel Life (Budget) – Old Town Youth Hostel – Set right in the heart of Kotor old town, this hostel is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to make some new friends on your trip. We regularly walked by Old Town Youth Hostel and would hear people chatting, having fun, and even singing into the night from the common area.

For more places to stay in the Bay of Kotor Montenegro you can explore the latest prices here!

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