Is Kotor Worth Visiting?
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Kotor to me is like the pearl of the Balkans, it’s a charismatic old city surrounded by striking tall mountains and a bay of some of the bluest water I’ve ever seen. If you’ve been thinking about visiting Montenegro and Kotor has crossed your research, this is the post for you! Here is my experience of Kotor and anything you need to know to decide if it’s worth visiting.
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How to get to Kotor?
Getting to Kotor is a bit interesting, starting with Montenegro’s two airports: Tivat Airport is the closest and just a short taxi ride from Kotor. Though expect it to be a bit pricy! You could also get the bus, but it is 20-minutes down a main road from the airport.
The second airport is Podgorica Airport which is located more central and best for exploring other areas of Montenegro.
If you are already in the area in a neighbouring country like Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Albania, your better off getting a bus from there. There’s lots of departures every day (including from our old friend Flixbus) and it’s very affordable!
Where to stay in Kotor?
Kotor sits at the far end of a stunning bay, surrounded my mountains on all sides. The centre is Old Town, right at the centre of the bay.
If you are visiting without a car, which is more than possible by the way, you’ll want to stay within walking distance to this Old Town.
Hotels are dotted all along the bay, and for those stunning views you do want to pick one a little outside Old Town. It’s a careful balance between views and walking distance, and mostly depends on your priorities.
Check out my full guide on where to stay here.
Best hostels and hotels in Kotor:
🛏️Hostel Pupa – amazing location if you’re without a car, lovely hostel
🏬The Queen of Boka – incredible hotel, great location
🏩Hotel Forza Mare – wellness and spa centre, pool and fancy rooms
Activities to check out in Kotor:
Is Kotor Worth Visiting?
Is Kotor Worth Visiting? (The Short Answer)
The short answer is yes, Kotor is worth visiting.
The cobblestone streets of the Old Town are lovely, there’s amazing restaurants and the boat trips across the aquamarine blue water are truly a bucketlist experience.
It’s also a great stop to relax in the sun and just soak in the beauty of the stark mountain landscape that surrounds you.
Why Kotor Is Worth Visiting (Things to Do)
Kotor isn’t just sunbathing though. There are a lot of things to see and do:
- Explore the medieval streets of Old Town (stop at St Tryphon’s Cathedral and the Maritime Museum)
- Go on a boat tour to visit Our Lady of the Rocks church, the blue caves and swim in the most crystal clear water
- Hike up to Kotor fortress for incredible views (especially at sunset, though head down before its fully dark). Entrance is 15€ and expect more than 1,300 stone steps.
- Head to one of the beautiful beaches or jump straight in the water from your hotel dock (if it’s along the bay)
- Have some incredible food and wine (tip: head to Kraken wine bar. They store their wines under the sea, making for a truly unique experience)
- Explore the nearby Budva or Sveti Stefan
- Enjoy the incredible views from the top of Kotor Cable Car (and check out the Alpine Coaster while there)
- Say hello to countless cats at the Kotor Cats Museum (or anywhere, they are part of an old maritime tradition to keep pests at bay)
What You Need to Know Before You Go: The Downsides of Kotor
The Balkans, and Montenegro, are still developing their infrastructure and tourism facilities. This is noticeable in things like bus links and transport being timely. I have also heard of tours being cancelled last-minute as there wasn’t enough demand. I’d say it’s important to be a bit flexible with plans while here and book with trustworthy operators.
Another thing to expect in Kotor is random bouts of crowds. They get a bunch of cruise ships who will all go explore the town at the same time. Going early or a bit later will mitigate this.
They have no sandy beaches, but instead rocky ones and the stony edges that the hotels are built on. I personally didn’t mind this, but just set your expectations.
The roads around the bay are narrow and hard to navigate, especially as the locals drive a little “intense”. Getting a taxi or booking a transfer can often be the easier choice.
I personally loved Kotor despite all of these, but it is important to know what to expect and how to deal with it.
How Many Days Do You Need in Kotor?
I would recommend a minimum of 2-3 days, more if you want time to relax and swim in the sea. I would spend one day exploring Kotor’s Old Town and surrounds and one booking a boat trip to see highlights such as Lady of the Rocks and Blue Caves.
There are also a couple of incredible day trips you can take from Kotor such as Lake Skadar or Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery.
Is Kotor Expensive to Visit? (Budget & Costs)
Final Verdict: Should You Add Kotor to Your Travel Bucket List?
Kotor has its stunning sides and then its slightly rough edges. On one hand, its location and landscape is unmatched and the Old Town has that medieval charm that’s still authentic.
On the other hand, tourism here has grown rapidly and infrastructure has not quite kept up. This is something I have found in other Balkan countries like Bosnia & Herzegovina and especially Albania and that I actually don’t find too problematic as long as you know what to expect.
If you’re expecting a Greece or Italy-like holiday at lower prices, you will likely be disappointed. If you are open-minded to this country in a stage of development especially in tourism and enjoy it as a unique holiday, you’ll have a great time.
Personally, I loved Kotor. The views are truly unmatched, the boat tour was incredible and I met some cool other travellers here. I also found the locals kind and happy to help.
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One comment
So true about the cruise ship crowds — we timed our fortress hike for 7am and had those 1,300 steps almost to ourselves, plus the sunrise light over the bay was incredible. Kraken wine bar’s underwater cellar was a fun surprise too. Kotor really is worth the rough edges!