Montenegro is an absolutely stunning country filled with beautiful little cities and towns just waiting to be explored. It is not as popular as many other European cities, which adds to its mysterious charm. However, in recent years it has started to grow as a summer travel hot spot, and there is no question as to why.
One of the most popular cities in Montenegro is Kotor. It is located right at the bottom of the Bay of Kotor and is surrounded by towering mountains. Kotor is a very old city that is full of history, culture, and beauty. The ancient architecture, rich history, and magical atmosphere are unlike any other city I have been to.
The main reason I love Kotor is because of how unique it is. In very few places can you get a rich medieval history, huge mountainscapes and stunning blue waters all in one.
A holiday in Montenegro is one you will not soon forget, especially if you venture to the stunning city of Kotor. Add some of these things to do in Kotor to your travel plans to make your visit as amazing as possible.
Walk around the Stunning Old Town
Kotor’s Old Town is a beautiful stone enclosed fortress that is full of history and charm. Every building and walkway is made out of white stone and the whole old town is a maze of little streets and alleyways. You can easily get lost in both the beauty of the old town, as well as the winding streets. Something that’s interesting to mention is that Kotor’s old town is a UNESCO World Cultural site, which showcases the cultural and historic importance of this area. The old town can get quite busy with people during the summer months so try to go exploring early in the morning or in the evening when the crowds die down a bit.
Let loose at a Nearby Beach
Montenegro’s location along the Adriatic Sea provides ample opportunity for beaches. This means that there are a ton of beaches in Montenegro to choose from that are near Kotor. Heading to a beach near Kotor is a great way to cool off from the harsh summer heat and to get away from the busiest hours in Kotor (10AM – 4PM). As well as to sit back and relax while soaking in the Montenegrin beauty.
View the Historic Churches
Kotor is a very old city with churches dating back to the 14th century. Therefore, making a visit to one or more is imperative! The churches are beautiful and impressive, both on the inside and on the outside. One of the most famous churches in Kotor is the Serbian Orthodox church Sveti Nikola. This church is very recognizable by its two large bell towers that reach high in the air. The best part about this church is that entrance is free! Some other churches I suggest you check out are: Sveti Luka Church and St. Ana Church.
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Go on a day trip to Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is a lovely little town just one hour from Kotor. It is much less touristy than Kotor, therefore, offers a nice escape from the crowds. In Herceg Novi, you can go swimming, walk the promenade, go sailing, or watch the boats drift by from the pier. I loved visiting here because it held all the beauty of Kotor but was more intimate and less crowded.
Cool off & relax with some Gelato
In the summer months, Kotor is hot, especially if you are walking around and exploring all day. My favorite way to cool down is by eating some gelato! There are a ton of gelato shops in Kotor that have an abundance of ice cream flavors for you to feast on. I loved sitting in the Kotor old town with some cold gelato while watching everyone walk around. It is also nice for taking a step back and admiring the breathtaking environment.
Hike the Kotor Fortress
Hiking the Kotor Fortress is one of the more difficult things to do in Kotor but is definitely one of the most beautiful. The top of the fortress is 1300 steps up the steep Montenegrin mountains and offers the most amazing view of Kotor and the surrounding bay. The stunning view and surrounding fortress make you feel like the king of the world. It costs 3 euros to take the hike and it takes around one hour each way. Try going in the early morning or in the evening because the sun is very powerful in the middle of the day!
I highly suggest you embark on this adventure if you want to see one of the best views in Europe and take some amazing photos!
Take a day trip to Perast
Perast is a small village just 20 minutes from Kotor. Heading here for a few hours in the afternoon is a great way to see an additional city in Montenegro. In Perast you can swim, explore the streets, visit a museum, or just relax at a local café and have some drinks. This is another great location to escape the crowds of Kotor.
Take a day trip to Our Lady of the Rocks
Our Lady of the Rocks is a very interesting little island right in the middle of the Bay of Kotor. This tiny island takes 15 minutes to get to by boat and can be fully explored in under an hour. The only buildings on this island are a monastery and a church called Our Lady of the Rocks. You can enter the church and check out all the religious icons and articles within it.
Enjoy a delicious meal
Kotor is full of amazing restaurants that are perfect for taking some time to relax after a day of exploring. The restaurant’s in Kotor offer a wide range of options such as seafood as well as Italian and Turkish cuisines. One restaurant I loved was Bocalibre, if you like pizza or fresh salad at a good price this is the place for you!
Take a boat tour
Kotor is located inside one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It is surrounded by cute little towns, towering mountains, and blue water. Therefore, hopping on a boat to take a cruise around the Bay is highly suggested. I found this was the best way to see all the towns and Kotor from a distance. Further, the boat tours are very well priced and informative! I love learning more about a country when I travel, and boat tours are a great way to do so.
Take a lot of photos
As you can probably tell, the city of Kotor and the Bay of Kotor are absolutely stunning! That is why it is very important to take a lot of photos to keep some memories of it alive. Be sure to venture up hidden stairways to get photos from different heights and angles. Also, try heading to a terrace to catch some shots of the sunset. It truly is magnificent.
Author bio : Samantha
Samantha Karen is the founder of the travel bog Sam Sees World. She is a millennial traveler on a mission to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to travel this wondrous world. Follow Sam on Pinterest
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Hey Sam,
What do you reckon is the best way to visit Kotor if one was to fly into Tivat airport? Car hire or local transport and loads of walking?
We have just spent 7 nights in Kotor and really enjoyed everything about it – apart from the Cruise Boats.
Aaron, I would recommend getting the local bus from Tivet to Kotor or even a taxi. Once you get there, any bus ride is EUR1 per ride (payable in cash to the driver. WE stayed in Muo (just 1.8km from the Swa Gate entrance) so generally walked into the Old Town and took the bus back.
Getting to Perast is easy too. Again take the EUR1 bus ride (leaves every hour).
As for seeing other parts of the area, we rented a car from Oasis Rentals for EUR50 for the 24 hour period.