Kotor
Discover Kotor
Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro with a population of 22,000 (2023). It is known for its beautiful architecture and natural setting in the deepest part of the Bay of Kotor. It has developed around Stari Grad ("old town"), the city's old town and best known landmark, which is listed with UNESCO World heritage sites. The city walls are separately listed together with five other Venetian city walls along the Adriatic and in Italy. Kotor is in the secluded Boka Kotorska bay, on Montenegro's northern coast. The bay is the deepest natural fjord in the Mediterranean Sea, and the scenery around it (including the steep mountains which come almost to the waterfront) is spectacular.
What to Experience in Kotor
Taste of Kotor...
At the market, try to sample local smoked ham (njeguški pršut) and cheese (njeguški sir) from the nearby village of Njeguši, which are two of the Montenegrin cuisine's most famous products. Kotor offers a variety ranging from classy restaurants offering fresh seafood and national cuisine to fast food offering pizzas, barbecue, etc. There is a large produce market outside the city walls. Hamburgers there cost €1. Cafes and restaurants line the bay-side promenade, which stretches north through Dobrota. Again, the old town is the hotspot for relaxed drinking espresso in the shade of the medieval walls. There are many cafes in the old town, but still, it's hard to find a place to sit on a sunny day. Tipping is not necessary although you may leave your change by simply rounding up. Befriending the waitstaff can get you quite far. Espresso costs €2E or more. Soft drinks and juice cost €3-4 Sample the Montenegrin wines, "Vranac", "Pro Corde", "Krstac", "Cabernet", "Chardonnay" and "Nikšićko" beer. Montenegrin brandy, called "rakija" is a good choice to "warm up" before going out in the evening, especially grape brandy "Montenegrin loza", "Prvijenac" or "Kruna". Litre bottles of wine are available in the supermarkets outside of the Stari Grad for under €5. A night out in Kotor usually begins in the open bars in the old town. Pubs in the old town are only open until 01:00. The best club is Maximus, which is located in the old town, and closes at 05:00.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere is a direct fast ferry line from Dubrovnik to Kotor organised by Adriatic Lines. It runs daily from Dubrovnik to Kotor or Budva, mainly in the high season. The duration of the voyage is three hours and this is a good way to avoid road congestion at the border crossing and for the Kamenari ferry. Kotor is fairly well connected with neighboring countries by bus. From Budva buses run to Herceg Novi, stopping in Kotor, almost every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 23:00 (€2.50). Buses also run between Kotor and the following cities: Podgorica hourly, €7.50 (Sept. 2022), Bar and Ulcinj (6-8 daily, approximately €5), Dubrovnik and Mostar (3 daily, 3 hours, €24 Sep 2022), Split (3 times a week, 7 hours), Sarajevo (1x daily), Belgrade (10 hours), Skopje (night bus, 12 hours, twice a week on Friday and Saturday at 19:00). During the week you can go to Skopje via Nis, Serbia (bus from Kotor to Tivat at 15:50, from Tivat to Nis 17:30)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Kotor is small, so everything is within walking distance. Enter the old town via any of the three gates, then explore the maze of narrow lanes between the stone houses. Neither Uber nor Bolt service the area as of April 2023. Parking space in the city centre is hard to find, so use your car only when you have to. Be careful where you park, sketchy tow operators target tourists around the old city. Find a free parking space away from the old city and then walk. There are no sandy beaches in Kotor, and water is not of premium quality for swimming. Consider driving to the beautiful Jaz or Trsteno beaches on the Budva Riviera, some 20 km from Kotor. Old town has many boutiques. There is an open market just outside the old town; there you can buy fresh vegetables, sunglasses and many other things. There are abundant banks and ATMs throughout the Stari Grad. Banks are closed on Sunday or holidays. Travellers cheques are generally not accepted, not even by banks.
Where to Stay
Accommodation during low season is cheap and plentiful in Kotor. During the high season, the old city may be very crowded due to frequent arrivals of cruise ships and visitors on day trips from other cities. For that reason, it may be preferable to stay outside of the old city, either north or south. Many of the homes in the Stari Grad have been turned into for-rent apartments. For groups of two or more, these are often the most affordable options. Their quality (and prices) range from luxurious to modest. Most can be reserved online, although wire-transfer down payments are expected. Most are either owned or managed by English-speaking expats foreign visitors. During summer, expect to pay about €10 per person for accommodation at a private residences in the old town, and €7-15 outside the old town and closer to beaches. As of Sep 2021, Kotor has 4G from all Montenegro carriers, and Wifi is widely available. 5G has not rolled out in Montenegro.
Money & Budget
Old town has many boutiques. There is an open market just outside the old town; there you can buy fresh vegetables, sunglasses and many other things. There are abundant banks and ATMs throughout the Stari Grad. Banks are closed on Sunday or holidays. Travellers cheques are generally not accepted, not even by banks. Note that not all restaurants or shops accept credit cards, either. At the market, try to sample local smoked ham (njeguški pršut) and cheese (njeguški sir) from the nearby village of Njeguši, which are two of the Montenegrin cuisine's most famous products. Kotor offers a variety ranging from classy restaurants offering fresh seafood and national cuisine to fast food offering pizzas, barbecue, etc. There is a large produce market outside the city walls. Hamburgers there cost €1.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Kotor
A view of the beautiful Kotor's Bay and the city of Kotor.
houses near body of water during daytime
brown concrete building near body of water during daytime
Excellent mountain background in Kotor, Montenegro.
In love with this town!
a view of a city and a body of water
City of Kotor - Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro
people walking on street near brown concrete building during daytime
boat on water near houses during daytime
A view of the beautiful Kotor's Bay and the city of Kotor.
houses near body of water during daytime
brown concrete building near body of water during daytime