Today I host a guest post from Samantha, a lifestyle and travel blogger. She will take us for a lovely trip to Montenegro and show us amazing things to do in Kotor, the beautiful city being one of the most important in Kotor Bay.
Montenegro is one European country that I urge everyone to visit. Although, it is a relatively small country it is still absolutely breathtaking.
When planning a trip to Montenegro, the city of Kotor is an easy choice for where to start. The city has a population of less than 13,000 and sits right on the beautiful Adriatic Sea, surrounded by towering mountains. It is an extremely well-preserved city that is full of stone buildings and old medieval churches.
One of the best parts of Kotor is that it is relatively undiscovered. It means that tourism isn’t as big as in neighboring places such as Dubrovnik.
It also has something for everyone! Whether you prefer relaxing on the water, going on hikes, tasting wine, or explore old cities there is no shortage of activities to partake in. There are so many things to do here that you can easily spend a week exploring and adventuring.
Montenegro is a beautiful country filled with charming cities. Read about some other cities in Montenegro here.
I hope the list below will inspire you to visit Kotor, or if you have already purchased flight tickets to Montenegro, will help guide your stay.
Amazing things to do in Kotor
1. Explore the Old Town
One of the best things to do in Kotor is to walk around and explore the Old Town. It is filled with charm and history, you could easily spend hours there without realizing it.
Although Kotor isn’t as touristy as other cities, the Old Town does attract a decent number of tourists during day time hours. Kotor is a popular spot for cruise ships and boat tours, but they are all day time visits. To see the city without tourists I suggest explore it in the morning (between 6 AM -10 AM) or in the evening (after 6 PM). Having said that, if you can only visit during peak hours the old town is still a sight you must see.
A note from Dominika: must-see place in the Kotor’s Old Town is the Cats Museum! This charming spot enchanted me with hundreds of paintings, posters, postcards, medals with cats in the main role.
2. Hike the Kotor Fortress
This hike will give you the most stunning views of the Bay of Kotor.
Just a warning, these views come at a price. First, it does cost 3 euros to do the hike, and there is a steep 1350-step climb to get up there – but the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking and so worth it. It takes around 45 minutes to one hour to get to the top.
Some tips to keep in mind: bring water and snacks as it is not a very easy hike, wear shoes with a grip because the stones are slippery, go in the morning because the sun gets very hot during the afternoon.
3. Enjoy restaurants and cafés
After a busy day of exploring there is nothing better than getting a nice meal. Kotor has an abundance of cafés and restaurants for you to stop in to grab a bite.
One great option for lunch is Bocalibre. It is located in the middle of the Old Town and has a wide range of options such as delicious pizza and fresh salads. A very affordable, but still tasty, option is Tanjga. It specializes in grilled meats and has huge serving sizes that really keep you full (all for 10 €).
Read more: Need some more money for travel? Check out my proven 15 tips to save money for your dreams!
4. Visit Perast
Visiting Perast is the perfect day or afternoon trip from Kotor. It’s a 20-minute bus ride, with buses leaving every 30 minutes.
It is a less touristy location than Kotor, where you can also enjoy the beauty of the bay. There are several churches and museums to explore there, or you can simply enjoy the relaxing ambiance and sit at a café with the locals.
5. Visit “Our Lady of the Rocks”
Our Lady of the Rocks is a small island that takes 15 minutes to get to by boat from Kotor. The island is so tiny it takes about 5 minutes to walk the edges.
But there are two churches on it – one a monastery, the other a Catholic church called Our Lady of the Rocks. You can enter the church, which is almost like a museum filled with amazing history and artifacts.
There are plenty of boats that head to this little island and a ride costs 15 €. Not only is the island a sight to see, the boat ride to get there is also a beautiful journey!
6. Enjoy the gelato
One of the best things to do in Kotor while exploring it during the hot summer months is to take a gelato break. Thankfully, Kotor has plenty of delicious gelato stands so there are lots of opportunities for you to stop and enjoy your surroundings with a nice treat.
7. Take a day trip to Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is another city in Montenegro that is only a one-hour drive from Kotor. It is smaller than Kotor but the perfect place to escape the crowd. There are plenty of spots to lay out by the water, a lovely promenade and plenty of activities to do. Buses run from Kotor to Herceg Novi
every hour!
8. Visit one of many churches
The Old Town of Kotor has plenty of old churches to visit. Some are free to enter, and some cost a few euros. A few that are worth a visit are Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral, Saint Nicholas’ Church and Saint Luke’s Church.
9. Take a boat tour
Boat tours are very popular on the Adriatic Sea and are a really nice way to see more of beautiful Montenegro.
Sailing tours usually last around 8 hours and bring you to various hot spots in the surrounding area. Such as Lady of the Rocks, Perast, and usually ending at the Blue Cave. The Blue Cave is a grotto that has stunningly blue waters that you can swim in!
10. Climb some steps to catch the sunset
The view from higher altitude in Kotor is stunning. Climbing some stairs to the top of a spire or hiking up the mountain to catch the sunset is so worth it.
There’s an alternate route to climbing the fortress that is free, so if you don’t want to do the whole hike you can stop halfway and enjoy the sunset from a new perspective.
Kotor in Montenegro is a travel destination that will charm you like none other. The beautiful views, breathtaking architecture and rich history with have you yearning to return!
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Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means that if you click on them or make any purchase via them, I receive a small commission. But don’t worry, this will not cost you anything and in a few cases, you can even receive a special discount! And I will still be able to chase my dreams. So thank you!
Samantha Karen is the founder of the travel blog Sam Sees World. She is on a mission to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to travel this wonderous world.
