I love Montenegro. Like, really love it. It’s one of my favorite countries in Europe — it feels a bit underrated compared to its famous neighbors.
And then there’s Kotor.
The first time I visited, I genuinely had one of those “is this even real?” moments. You’ve got dramatic mountains dropping straight into the water and a maze-like Old Town that feels straight out of a fantasy movie.
But… (and there is a but), Kotor is also very touristy. Like, cruise ships and buses coming and going all through the day for a big part of the year, kind of touristy.
So the question is: is Kotor still worth it—or has it crossed into tourist trap territory?
After visiting several times now, I’ve got some thoughts. Let me tell you the honest opinion!
READY TO BOOK YOUR KOTOR TRIP?
🚍 Bus tickets: BusTicket4.me
🚘 Rent a car: I use Discover Cars
🚖 Airport transfers: I always use Welcome Pickups
🚙 Intercity transfers: I love Daytrip (you can add stops)
🏨 Accommodation: Solaris Lux Apartments
🎫 Best guided tour: Private Old Town walking tour
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Article overview
Kotor Montenegro
If you ask me, yes—Kotor is absolutely worth visiting. I’m a huge history lover, so honestly, I could never skip a place like this, no matter how busy it gets. Kotor is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Adriatic, with roots going all the way back to Roman times.
Over the centuries, it was shaped by different empires, especially the Republic of Venice, which left behind the beautiful architecture you see today—stone palaces, narrow alleys, and fortified walls climbing high into the mountains.
On top of that, its location is unreal—tucked between steep mountains and the calm waters of the Bay of Kotor, it’s easily one of the most dramatic settings in Europe. But… as amazing as it is, there are a few things you should know before you go—and that’s exactly what I’ll get into next.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Kotor is during the shoulder seasons, specifically May or October.
I’ve been to Montenegro in August, September, October, and November, and the difference is huge. August is beautiful, yes—but it’s also peak chaos. Think cruise ships, packed streets, and that overwhelming “why are there this many people here?” feeling.
September starts to calm down a bit, but it can still feel busy. October, though? That’s where Kotor really shines. You still get lovely weather, the crowds drop significantly, and the whole place just feels more relaxed and enjoyable. You can actually wander the Old Town without constantly bumping into people.
May is another sweet spot. Everything feels fresh and lively after winter, temperatures are comfortable, and it’s busy—but not overwhelming.
November is very quiet, which can be nice, but it also starts to feel a bit too sleepy, with less going on.
How to get there
Dubrovnik is the closest airport with the best selection of international flights. From there, I traveled to Kotor by bus. You can use this site to book bus tickets in Montenegro.
🎫 You can also do a day trip from Dubrovnik by car to save time. This highly-rated private tour takes you to both Perast and Kotor (Budva optional) and includes pick-up at your hotel.
Or you can fly into Tivat and take the bus or a taxi to Kotor, which I have also done. We paid €35 with Red Taxi, I contacted them through WhatsApp. You can, of course, also fly into Podgorica and get the bus or a driver from there as well.
I have also taken the bus to Kotor from Tirana, Albania, and traveled with Daytrip, which is one of my favorite modes of transportation. You get a private driver, and you can add stops along the way during the booking process.
Or if you’re comfortable driving in a foreign country, renting a car can provide the freedom to explore the surrounding towns and countryside at your own pace. I can’t wait to go back and explore by car!
To stay in Kotor or not?
This one really depends on your travel style—but personally, I like staying just outside Kotor Old Town, even though it’s busy. If a place is going to be crowded anyway, I’d rather be there early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when it’s at its absolute best.
There’s something really special about wandering the Old Town before the cruise ships and buses arrive, or after they leave, when everything finally calms down a bit.
That said, you can absolutely stay outside Kotor too. Places like Tivat and Perast are popular alternatives—and they’re both beautiful in their own way.
We actually stayed in Tivat last time, and while it worked, it wasn’t perfect. We took a taxi into Kotor in the morning, which was easy enough—but getting back was… a bit of an experience. Taxis were charging €50+, so we decided to take the bus.
The bus was crowded, it was very hot, and honestly, it was pretty confusing trying to figure out which bus we even had tickets for. I think we spent an hour in the bus station, even though we were told buses leave every 20 minutes.
Here are a few of my favorite accommodation options:
🌟 Kotor Old Town >> Avenza Residences
🌟 Just outside the Old Town >> Solaris Lux Apartments
🌟 Budget Kotor >> Hostel Pupa
🌟 Perast >> Heritage Hotel Leon Coronato
Reasons to visit Kotor
✅ Incredible history everywhere you look – If you’re even a little bit into history, this place is a dream. Medieval walls, churches, and Venetian architecture—it’s like walking through a living museum.
✅ One of the most beautiful settings in Europe – The combination of mountains + sea is just unreal. Honestly, it’s hard to take a bad photo here.
✅ Perfect for short stays – You can see a lot in 1–2 days, which makes it an easy addition to any Balkan itinerary.
✅ Magical early mornings & evenings – When the crowds disappear, Kotor feels calm, atmospheric, and genuinely special.
Kotor is NOT for you if:
❌ You have no interest in history – The Old Town is the main attraction, so if that doesn’t excite you, you might feel underwhelmed.
❌ You hate crowds – In peak season, it gets very busy, especially when cruise ships arrive.
❌ You’re looking for sandy beaches – This isn’t that kind of destination (think more stone, mountains, and views).
❌ You want a big, lively city – Kotor is small and more about atmosphere than nightlife or variety. There are some bars, but that’s about it.
Things to do in Kotor
Kotor is small, but there are quite a few things to do.
1. Wander through the Old Town
Wandering through the Old Town of Kotor without a plan was my favorite part of visiting. It really does feel like a maze with narrow stone streets, hidden little squares, and cafés tucked into every corner.
You’ll stumble across something interesting, whether it’s a quiet courtyard, a tiny church, or one of the main landmarks like St. Tryphon’s Cathedral or the Clock Tower.
👉 If you’re very limited on time, booking this popular private walking tour is a good idea.
The most interesting one is the Maritime Museum of Montenegro. It’s set inside a beautiful old palace in the Old Town, and it tells the story of Kotor’s deep connection to the sea—think ship models, navigation tools, and naval history going back centuries.
We popped into little shops, stopped to admire local artists selling their work in the streets, and just took it all in. There’s something really special about knowing you’re walking on stones that have been there for hundreds of years.
2. Visit St. Tryphon’s Cathedral
St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, dating back to 1166, is one of the oldest and most important historic buildings in town. It looks so majestic with the mountains in the background, especially in the morning light.
Over the centuries, it’s survived earthquakes and reconstructions, which is why you’ll notice a mix of architectural styles, adding to its character. Even if you’re not usually into churches, it’s worth stepping inside to see the architecture and learn a bit about Kotor’s past.
3. Pet a cat
One of the first things I noticed in Kotor… was the cats. They are everywhere. You’ll see them lounging in sunny squares, tucked into corners of the Old Town, or casually strolling past like they own the place.
What I really loved is how well they’re looked after—locals and visitors regularly leave out food, and there are even charities collecting donations to help care for them. There’s even the quirky little Kotor Cats Museum, which tells you everything you didn’t know you needed to know about Kotor’s feline residents.
No one knows the exact origin, but it’s believed the cats originally came to Kotor centuries ago on trading ships, where they were kept to control rats and protect food supplies.
4. Kotor Fortress Hike (San Giovanni)
If you’re up for a bit of a workout, hiking in Kotor is an absolute must. The most popular route is the climb up to St. John’s Fortress on San Giovanni Hill, which starts right from the Old Town. You’re looking at around 1,300+ stone steps—but the views over the bay get better with every step.
There are two main ways to reach the trailhead: one from the south near Pjaca od Salate, and another from the north, opposite the Church of St. Mary Collegiate. Both lead you onto the same winding path up the mountainside. The entrance fee is currently €15.
About halfway up, you’ll come across the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Remedy, a small 16th-century chapel built in gratitude for protection from the plague. It’s a great place to pause and catch your breath.
If you keep going, you’ll eventually reach the fortress at the top, sitting about 260 meters above sea level. From here, you get incredible panoramic views over the Bay of Kotor, the surrounding mountains, and the orange rooftops below.
The full hike is about 2.5 km out and back, takes roughly 1.5–2 hours, and climbs steadily — so bring water or buy from the locals selling drinks along the way.
The path is open from around 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, and it’s not allowed to stay on the walls after closing time. For the best experience, go early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the heat and crowds.
You might also hear about the Ladder of Kotor, a longer trail with around 70 switchbacks leading up to Krstac Pass. It’s often confused with the fortress hike, but it’s a completely different (and more demanding) route—and the connection between the two is currently closed during the tourist season.
5. Walk the city walls
The defensive walls surrounding Kotor are what give the town its iconic look. They stretch up into the mountains and are part of what makes the whole place feel so dramatic. Even just admiring them from below is impressive—but seeing them up close is even better.
If you don’t feel like doing the fortress hike, you can still walk on the walls encompassing the Old Town. Gurdić Bastion is the first gate you get to when walking from the bus station, and the most beautiful in my eyes.
You can also access the walls from the river side next to Kampana Tower. There’s even a restaurant up there called Citadela.
6. Take a boat trip around the Bay of Kotor
Another one of my favorite things I did in Kotor was taking a boat trip around the bay—it’s such a nice way to see everything from a different perspective (and to escape the heat for a while). We booked a 3-hour cruise, which included stops at Perast and the famous Our Lady of the Rocks.
We actually got really lucky and only had two other people on the boat, which made the whole experience feel super relaxed.
The stop at Our Lady of the Rocks was especially interesting. The island is actually man-made, created over centuries by local sailors who dropped rocks and captured ships into the sea after successful voyages.
If you’re traveling from May to September, I recommend booking a tour in advance. Outside the busy season, you can just walk down to the harbor through the park or approach one of the many sellers on the street.
The only thing I would have changed was that we felt a little rushed in Perast and afraid to miss the boat back. So if I were to go again, especially with a group, I’d book this highly rated private tour.
7. Visit Perast
Even though I visited it as part of a boat tour, Perast is definitely a place that deserves a visit on its own. It’s much quieter and more relaxed than Kotor, with a completely different vibe.
Think elegant old stone buildings, a beautiful waterfront, and no crowds pushing past you every few seconds. It feels more upscale.
The views across the bay are stunning, especially with the little islands just offshore, and the whole town feels almost frozen in time. Go for a walk along the waterfront promenade, have an ice cream or sit down at one of the many restaurants literally on the water.
8. Ride the Kotor Cable Car
One of the newer highlights in Kotor is the Kotor Cable Car, and it’s honestly one of the easiest ways to get those incredible panoramic views without the full-on fortress hike.
The ride takes you from near the coast all the way up Mount Lovćen in just a few minutes, and the views over the Bay of Kotor are absolutely stunning the entire way.
At the top, you’ll find a viewing area, a restaurant, and space to walk around and take it all in. If you’re not up for the fortress hike, this is a much easier way to get that “wow” perspective.
9. Relax by the water
While Kotor isn’t known for sandy beaches, there are plenty of spots to sit by the water and enjoy the view. There are also some tiny sandy areas along the coast if you walk a bit away from the Old Town. Grab a drink, find a quiet corner, and just take it all in.
10. See the Roman ruins
For my fellow history lovers, there’s also a small but interesting set of Roman ruins near the south gate. It’s not a major attraction and you won’t need long here, but I still think it’s worth a quick look—if only to appreciate just how far back Kotor’s history really goes.
The remains date back to when this area was part of the Roman province of Dalmatia, long before the medieval town you see today was built. You can spot fragments of old walls and stonework, tucked away and easy to miss if you’re not looking for them.
11. Shop at the market
In addition to all the shops inside the Old Town, there’s also a market outside the city walls with an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, plus the other typical tourist items like hats, sunglasses, dresses, etc.
If you’re doing the hike, maybe stock up on some snacks here to enjoy at the top. Just keep an eye on the prices; I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the vendors hike up the prices for foreigners.
Kotor or Dubrovnik?
This is a question I get all the time: Should I visit Dubrovnik or Kotor?
And honestly… if I had to choose, I would probably pick Dubrovnik. It’s bigger, there’s more to see and do, and it just feels a bit more exciting. But that doesn’t mean you should skip Kotor—because the good news is, it’s actually very easy to visit both.
As mentioned earlier, you can combine them in one trip. You can even take the bus between Dubrovnik and Kotor, which makes it pretty accessible. That said, I wouldn’t recommend doing it as a quick day trip. It is possible—but border crossings can be unpredictable.
The last time I took the bus in October, it took almost three hours, and that’s not something you want to deal with if you’re short on time.
If you only have one day and really want to see Kotor, I’d join this guided tour instead. It’s just a lot smoother and less stressful.
👉 Read next >> Herceg Novi: A full guide to my favorite Montenegrin town
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