How Many Days Do I Need in Kotor, Montenegro?

August 31, 2026
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Kotor hits a fascinating balance of charismatic medieval city, striking dark cliffs that create a dramatic natural setting and some of the bluest water I’ve ever seen. Kotor is more than worth a visit, but where do you start and how long should you stay? This is the guide for you!

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Table of Contents

How to get to Kotor?

Montenegro has two airports: Tivat Airport, which is the closest and just a short taxi ride from Kotor (can 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 a neighbouring country like Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Albania, getting a bus is a great and budget-friendly option.

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:

🚤 Boat tour to Blue Cave, Submarine Tunnels & Lady of the Rocks

🚠 Kotor-Cable Car – Perast- Lady of the Rocks

🚗 Topolino Guided City Tour by E Car

How Many Days Should You Plan for Kotor?

Quick Answer: How Many Days Should You Spend 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.

Can You Do Kotor in 1 Day? (Cruisers & Day Trips)

It’s definitely possible to do Kotor in one day, just prepare for a full schedule.

I’d plan in a stroll through Kotor’s beautiful Old Town in the morning and then a shorter boat tour to highlights like Lady of the Rocks and the Blue Caves like the one below (with starts at 12 and 3pm).

You could possibly also fit in the hike to San Giovanni fortress for incredible views over Kotor Bay, it’s great for sunset views. Plan in up to 1 hour up and ~30 minutes down.

Alternatively, you could book yourself in at the Kraken wine bar that features an underwater wine cellar. The are open from 12-8pm and it’s a 15 minute Taxi ride from the main town.

Best Things to Do in Kotor

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)

Key Factors to Decide How Long to Stay in Kotor

Some of the key factors I would look at for deciding how long to stay in Kotor:

Do you just want a short action-packed holiday (then 2-3 days) or a summer, relaxed holiday (5+ days)? Both actually work well in Kotor, for the longer one I’d make sure to have a hotel slightly outside Old Town with a pool and access to the sea.
Do you want to combine Kotor with more of the Balkans? Good places to pair Kotor with would be Dubrovnik, Sarajevo or the Albanian coast. In that case, I would try and fit Kotor into around 2 days.
Do you want to explore more of Montenegro and use Kotor as your base? Make sure to add on additional days.
Are you on a tight schedule or able to be flexible? If you have some flexibility in your planning (e.g. you’re backpacking the Balkans), I’d actually leave space to see how much you like Kotor and adjust plans while there.

Is Kotor Expensive to Visit? (Budget & Costs)

I’d say Kotor is one of the more pricy cities in the Balkans, but not crazy expensive.

A restaurant meal will set you back around 15€, a hostel around 30€, hotel from 60€ and tours are reasonably priced. I think for the stunning landscapes and experience you get here, it’s worth the prices.