If you like sweeping vista views and enjoy a healthy dose of history you will find plenty of things to do in Kotor.
The ancient town of Kotor lies tucked away in a corner of a spectacularly blue Adriatic bay, squeezed between massive limestone cliffs and dark azure waters. The jagged limestone stands sentinel over Kotor, severing it from civilization just enough to ensure it remains locked in a time capsule of sorts, preserved for ages as the rest of the world whizzes by.
That is not to say that Kotor receives few visitors. The town has long been an important hub of trade and commerce, for centuries really. These days the port plays host to a new cruise ship daily, ensuring a steady flow of day trippers.
And yet, even with the steady tourism the town manages to fly under the radar, remaining relatively unknown.
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro
We were lucky enough to spend two highly enjoyable weeks living in an apartment situated right on the Bay of Kotor. We found Kotor, and Montenegro as a whole, to be extremely affordable on our backpacking budget, especially after a month in Croatia.
The sweeping vista views of Kotor Bay never ever failed to amaze, the locals were welcoming and generous, and a warm August sun tanned us a nice shade of bronze. We had plenty of time to explore the bay so we put together this handy list of things to do in Kotor, just for you!
So grab your explorer’s hat and start planning your Kotor travel adventure ASAP!
Please note – Some of our selections contain affiliate links. These allow us to earn a small percentage every time you make a booking. Using our links enables us to provide all the information found on this site free of charge.
PS – have a look at our guide to the best hotels in and around Old Town Kotor!
Explore the Old Town
Kotor’s old town is a historic delight, day and night.
A fascinating mix of spacious squares and cramped alleyways, Kotor’s Old Town begs to be explored. Each winding alley can lead you towards the next surprisingly cozy plaza, the next ivy-adorned courtyard. History is writ large into the stones of Kotor, and the town conceals more historical Easter eggs than any but the most observant of explorers will find.
The first mention of Kotor dates all the way back to a Roman outpost built in 200 B.C. Centuries passed since then and various armies and empires occupied Kotor, coveting its position as an important port positioned on the bay.
The occupiers brought along different architectural styles from across Europe, as occupying armies tend to do. Predominant were the Ottomans and Venetians, and the impact of their time in Kotor shows in various buildings and structures around the Old Town and the bay.
Much has changed in two thousand years, but we’re pretty certain that the views from Kotor’s walls and fortifications are just as magnificent now as they were back when Julius Caesar was plotting domination of the known world.
These days Kotor’s primary source of income is tourism. Kotor’s port plays host to a new cruise ship each day. While the small town tends to get crowded during high season, early mornings are generally relaxed and far less populated. You can wander the crooked cobblestones unobstructed by cruise ship day-trippers, tour groups, tourists and touts.
For a deeper understanding of all things Kotor you can arrange an informative walking tour with Sandra Vuckovic of M Tours. Sandra was our guide around Kotor Bay for a day and we can vouch that she’s awesome, and eager to provide all sorts of historical information and trivia. If you are looking for things to do in Kotor her tours are a very good item to add to your list.
Or you can explore Kotor all on your own. If you opt for solo exploration make sure to visit –
Eating, Drinking, and Partying in Kotor
Kotor is filled with numerous restaurants and cafes. Most of them serve the average tourist cuisine of pizza, pasta, and fried/grilled meat dishes. There are a few bright spots amid this bland fare, if you care to look around or check TripAdvisor. Make sure to visit Tanjga Restaurant, a local family-run grill that whips up delicious sandwiches for a few Euros.
Bars are plentiful within the walls of Kotor’s old town, serving a full range of local and craft beers, wines, and other adult beverages.
At night Kotor is a mix of mystery and cliche. Wander an alley or two away from the main gate and you are bound to find a dimly lit garden bar to pass the evening in. You will also come across a fair amount of obnoxiously loud electronic music, catering to locals and backpackers alike. We suggest the quite courtyards, but your mileage may vary.
Hike the Fortifications Above Kotor
On a partially sunny day, when walking up over the town of Kotor to the crest of the walled fortifications standing sentinel above it, when the sun is at the right angle over the wide bay, when there is just enough of a breeze to chase the forming beads of sweat off of your forehead, you can turn around with arms widely spread and picture yourself an adventuring explorer.
Does that sound overly romantic run-on sentence? Maybe, until you experience the view for yourself.
Few sights in the world have awed us as our much as our first glimpse of the Bay of Kotor from the cliffs above the town. It’s a truly special view and one of the more unique vistas we have ever laid eyes on.
Seriously guys, this isn’t us being hyperbolic. The view is just THAT good.
Unlike us, however, you might not want to attempt the ascent all the way to the top in the middle of a blistering hot August day. Instead set off early in the morning, or later in the afternoon for a slightly less sweaty experience.
The hike is worth it for the views alone, but there is also plenty of history found along the way.
The fortified walls around and above Kotor have been in place in one shape or form since the 6th century. They ring the town in all directions and climb high above the face of the limestone cliff which towers over Kotor.
The castles, citadels, cisterns, towers, and gates that make up the fortified walls have survived wars, occupations, shelling, assaults, bombings, and earthquakes. They have stood the test of time and against human aggression, and are still standing.
The hike up the walls above Kotor is not very strenuous. In our estimation, it is suitable for people of almost all ages and fitness levels.
A word of caution -the hiking path can be quite uneven, so you might want to bring footwear with more support than flip-flops.
It should take you no more than an hour to crest to the top of the fortress of Saint John. From there you have a couple of different options on how to get back down. There is a goat trail that winds down the other side of the walls, but the hike in that direction is not as picturesque.
Pick up a map at the entrance for some more information on the various trails leading back down to Kotor’s Old Town.
Whichever route you decide to take do make sure not to miss out on climbing the fortifications. If you do you will be missing on one of the very best things to do in Kotor.
At night the walls and fortifications above Kotor are brightly illuminated.
To get a good idea of the awesome scale of Kotor’s fortifications take a walk outside of town, around the bend of the bay, for about 20 minutes. You’ll find a few quiet spots along the way with great views of Kotor’s Old Town for your troubles.
Check Out the Gorgeous, and Tiny Town of Perast
Visiting Perast needs to be on everyone’s things to do in Kotor list. Located just a few kilometers from Kotor, the town of Perast is an absolute GEM.
Perast might appear like a one promenade town at first, but this Venetian beauty contains 16 churches and 15 Italian style mansions. The architecture and design of this little port town are absolutely stunning!
The then city-state of Venice ruled over Perast for 350 years, and its impact on architecture and culture is still keenly on display. This is partly why Perast is sometimes referred to as “Montenegro’s Venice”.
The town’s promenade is lined with cafes and small courtyards and is ideal for an easy half-day of slow and enjoyable meandering.
Sitting upon the edge of the bay while sipping a cold beverage on a hot Adriatic day is a total pleasure in this picturesque little town.
If you want to visit Perast on your own, there are buses leaving Kotor’s main bus station every 30 minutes and costs about €1.50. It’s a 20 minute ride, although car traffic can get a little messy on the one road that runs through Kotor’s center. Delays due to heavy traffic are not unheard of, so plan accordingly.
Alternatively, you can hire boat transfer from Kotor to Perast. Various prices and packages are offered by the many operators promoting their wares in the harbor and within Kotor’s Old Town.
Hop Aboard a Boat Bound for Our Lady of the Rocks
The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks sits atop a small man-made island just a hop, skip, and jump from Perast’s docks. The diminutive islet plays host to the church, a fascinating museum, a small gift shop, and a tiny lighthouse.
Our Lady of the Rocks is the only man island on the Adriatic Sea, making it doubly unique. Constructed in the 15th century there is much myth surrounding the island, and a few local folk traditions that live on to this day.
Gorgeous views of the bay are available in all directions, making the island an interesting place to stop and take photographs. However, the church and its attached museum are both certainly worth the small price of admission.
The museum is packed with art, displaying works by painters from Perast’s storied past, including a hand crafted tapestry that took 25 YEARS to craft. We found it a quick, yet enriching, glimpse into the region’s past.
Most group tours that visit Perast will also include a trip out to Our Lady of the Rocks. If you are exploring on your own make sure to include the island, and its church, in any trip from Kotor to Perast.
Explore Kotor Bay
Kotor Bay offers a wealth of water-based activities. Kayaking, swimming, cruising, and water skiing are all available at the right price.
While some activities are obviously seasonal, the Bay can be explored with ease eight months out of the year. Hire or rent a boat and get out on that deep blue water for some wet fun!
Visit Dobrec Beach and the Blue Cave
Situated on the mouth of Kotor Bay, these two destinations are well worth the hour long boat ride it takes to reach them.
We highly recommend hiring Blue Cave Tours for a private tour of Kotor Bay. Their four to five hour boat tour includes stops at the aforementioned Our Lady of the Rock church and island, a scenic boat ride to the Blue Cave and other surrounding caves (with time to swim at each), and a stop at Dobrec Beach.
The first stop on our tour was the Blue Cave, which is absolutely stunning. While its beauty is somewhat detracted by the sheer number of tourists and boats crammed into the small space, it’s not to be missed.
After the Blue Cave our captain transported us to one of the many other incredible nearby caves, where our only company was the fish and bats who reside in them. It was a refreshing contrast to the Blue Cave’s chaotic atmosphere.
Once we had our fill of swimming in the turquoise-enveloped caves, we headed to Dobrec Beach, a private little sea-side harbor that can only be reached by boat. The beach’s only business, a quaint little restaurant, serves up fine seafood dishes, drinks, and a heavy dose of summer sun from its deck chairs.
Climb Mount Lovcen
If you thought the views from Kotor’s fortifications were amazing, you really need to hike all the way up to the top of Mount Lovcen. On a clear day you can get views not only of Kotor, but of the entire Bay, spreading out before you.
Sadly, we don’t have any pictures of our own to share with you. Somehow, stupidly, we never got around to undertaking the hike ourselves. We can’t even blame it on the heat of August, we just straight up forgot to do this. We feel like utter failures about it, so why don’t YOU go to Kotor, hike up Lovcen, and share YOUR photos with us?
The Best Hostel and Hotels in Kotor
- Old Town Hostel – East Wing, West Wing: Hands down, the best hostel in Kotor. Even the Telegraph, Lonely Planet, and TripAdvisor agree. You can’t beat the location of the Old Town Hostel, the activities offered by the hostel, and lively social setting. Visit the following links for reviews or to book your stay at Old Town Hostel East Wing or Old Town Hostel West Wing. If you are a backpaker traveling in Kotor make sure to put a stay in the Old Town Hostel on you “Things to do in Kotor” list.
- Hotel Vardar: If you’re looking for a beautiful boutique hotel, in a historic Old Town building, Hotel Vardar is for you. Even if you don’t stay there, we recommend stopping by for a coffee or drink in their beautiful bar and restaurant. Visit the following links for reviews or to book your stay.
- Apartment Ivan: If you’re looking for a budget hotel or apartment in Kotor, you should consider Apartment Ivan. It’s located just a few minutes walk from the Old Town center, has an incredibly nice staff, and some of the rooms have stunning views of the bay. Visit the following links for reviews or to book your stay.
For more Kotor hotel options have a look at our guide to the best hotels in and around Old Town Kotor!
Kotor on a Backpacking Budget
Kotor offers backpackers and budget travelers a wide variety of potential activities to partake in, incredible views to catch sight of, and centuries of history to absorb. It’s pretty safe to say that there is something for everyone to do in Kotor.
We had a great time exploring Kotor Bay for two weeks, and Montenegro was pleasantly inexpensive after a month of traveling around Croatia. Backpackers and budget travelers visiting Kotor during the high summer season can easily manage to take in the town and the Bay for under $40 per day per person.
Thrift travelers with a slightly larger budget can partake in all sorts of water activities, rent a private apartment upon the bay, and eat out for most meals all for under $80 a day, and less if splitting the cost of accommodation with others.
If you add up all that Kotor has to offer, and factor in its relative affordability, it becomes a no-brainer destination for anyone exploring the Adriatic coast.
Well, that does it for us folks. We absolutely loved Kotor, and felt very at home living here for two weeks. We honestly can;t wait to return one day, and explore more of the bay. We’re pretty sure you’ll love Kotor too!
As always safe travels to you all and we’ll see you on the road!
Like this article? Why not Pin it?
Big thank you to the Tourism Organisation of Kotor for the information they provided and for sponsoring parts of our visit to Kotor. As always, opinions expressed are 100% our own.
Everything You Need to Know to Visit Prague!
I loved Kotor; it was like stepping into a forgotten world. A beautiful place to simply wander.
Anne, I agree. Even though there are a lot of tourists during summer, it does feel a bit untouched! Glad you got to visit. It’s a fantastic destination. 🙂
I went in mid September – there were still cruise ships, but not the inevitable (and undesirable) summer crush.
I stayed a few nights, using it as a base to visit Perast, Herceg Novi, and Budva for a day each.
I adored Kotor, a compact city oozing charm, history and great value for money. I’m a sucker for UNESCO heritage sites,
which Kotor is – I’ve visited 5 of the 7 in Croatia, too.
The walk up to the fortress, though a shade arduous, was one of the absolute highlights ever!
The views over the town, bay and neighbouring villages literally took my breath away.
Great article and pics, I strongly recommend a visit – before the rest of the world catches on to how spectacular this town, bay and country is! <3
Aww, I loved Montenegro! Unfortunately for us we only had half a day there, we were pretty gutted. It was so cool, I’d love to go back Love your photos.