Kotor
Kotor, a coastal city in Montenegro, is steeped in history that stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of human settlement dating to the Roman era and even earlier. Nestled in the dramatic and fjord-like Bay of Kotor—one of the deepest natural harbors in the Adriatic—Kotor has long held strategic importance, attracting the attention of empires and maritime powers throughout the centuries. Its location made it a vital stronghold and trading post, leading to successive rule by the Romans, Byzantines, Serbs, Venetians, and Austro-Hungarians, each of whom left their mark on the city’s culture, architecture, and identity.
At the heart of Kotor lies its beautifully preserved medieval Old Town, a labyrinth of narrow stone streets, hidden courtyards, and picturesque squares that evoke the atmosphere of a bygone era. Surrounded by imposing fortified wallsthat climb the steep slopes of Mount St. John, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of a fortified medieval town in the Adriatic.
💡Kotor: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Tivat Airport (TIV)
💬 Language: Montenegrin, but English is widely spoken
🏷️ Price Level: The price level in Montenegro is considerably lower than in the United States
🍔 Big Mac Index: Montenegro does not have any McDonald's
💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)
☀️ Best Times to Visit: The best times to visit Kotor, Montenegro, are during the shoulder seasons: May-June and September.
🚘 Transportation: city buses and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Montenegro uses type F plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe, but it is needed when coming from the US
🛜 WiFi: widely available; the Port of Kotor has installed free WiFi hotspots in the historic city center
🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some small stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city
💸 Tipping: Tipping in Montenegro is not mandatory, but a tip of 10-20% is appreciated and standard for good service in restaurants, while for taxis, you can simply round up the fare to the nearest Euro.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Kotorska luka, Kotor, Montenegro (tender port)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ When taking buses in Kotor, fares are typically paid for with cash directly to the bus driver or conductor when you board.
✈️ Tivat Airport (TIV) is located around 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) from the city center of Kotor.. While there is no public bus, the journey time in an airport taxi will be around 15 minutes and the cost will be 20 EUR.
🚇 The Port of Kotor is very close to the city center. It's practically right across the street from the Old Town of Kotor. You can walk directly from the cruise pier or tender landing into the Old Town in just a few minutes, with some sources suggesting it's only about 200-250 meters. There's even an underpass with escalators to make crossing the road very convenient.
🚌 The Hop On Hop Off bus takes a loop around the city with frequent stops (more info here).
⭐️ Top Sights in Kotor
"The Kotor Fortress is considered one of the longest in Europe."
📸 Kotor Old Town: Kotor Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a remarkably preserved medieval town in Montenegro, nestled on the Bay of Kotor. It's known for its well-preserved Venetian architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and impressive fortifications that climb the surrounding mountains. The town boasts numerous historical churches, palaces, and squares, offering a glimpse into its rich past.
📸 Bay of Kotor: The Bay of Kotor, also known as Boka Kotorska, is a stunning fjord-like inlet on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its dramatic scenery, medieval towns, and rich cultural heritage. The bay is characterized by its deep waters, towering mountains, and picturesque coastal towns like Kotor, Perast, and Herceg Novi.
📸 City Walls: The City Walls of Kotor are a prominent historical landmark, forming a defensive fortification around the Old Town of Kotor, Montenegro. They extend for about 4.5 kilometers (3 miles) and reach a height of up to 20 meters (65 feet). The walls, dating back to the 9th century and expanded until the 19th century, include bastions, towers, and gates, including the prominent Sea Gate (Main Gate) and the Gurdic Gate. The walls are a UNESCO World Heritage site and offer stunning views of Kotor Bay and the surrounding area.
📸 St. Tryphon Cathedral: St. Tryphon Cathedral, located in Kotor, Montenegro, is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Tryphon, the city's patron saint. Built in the 12th century, it has been reconstructed after several earthquakes, most notably in 1667 and 1979. The cathedral is a mix of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance. It houses a Sacral Art Museum and a reliquary chapel with relics of St. Tryphon.
📸 Castle of San Giovanni: The Castle of San Giovanni, also known as St. John's Fortress or Fortress of Kotor, is a historic fortress perched above the old town of Kotor, Montenegro. It's a prominent part of Kotor's fortifications, offering stunning panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor. The fortress has a rich history, dating back to Illyrian times with Roman and Byzantine additions.
📸 Our Lady of the Rocks: Our Lady of the Rocks is a unique artificial island and church in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. Built by sailors from Perast, it's a testament to their faith and tradition, where they would add a stone after each successful voyage. The church itself houses numerous paintings, including those by Tripo Kokolja, and a famous embroidered tapestry by a captain's wife.
📸 Perast: Perast is a charming, historic coastal town in Montenegro, situated on the Bay of Kotor. Known for its well-preserved Baroque architecture and rich maritime history, it offers a tranquil escape with stunning views of the bay and the surrounding mountains.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Montenegrin cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean, Central European, and Ottoman influences, reflecting the country's diverse history and geography. Coastal regions favor seafood and Mediterranean flavors, while inland areas feature more hearty dishes like stews, roasted meats, and dairy products. Key influences include Italian (bread, cheese, meat curing), Turkish (sarma, burek, baklava), and Central European (goulash, crepes).
🍽️ Kacamak: Kačamak is a traditional Montenegrin dish, often described as a thick porridge or polenta, made from wheat, buckwheat, or corn flour, and sometimes potatoes. It's typically served with cheese, sour milk, or kajmak (a type of clotted cream). There are regional variations, with some versions using potatoes and flour, while others rely on cornmeal. It's a staple in Montenegrin cuisine, especially in the northern mountainous regions.
🍽️ Ćevapi: Ćevapi, also known as ćevapčići, are a popular grilled minced meat dish in the Balkans, particularly in Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro. These skinless sausages are typically made from beef, pork, or lamb, seasoned with spices like salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and parsley. They are often served in groups on a flatbread (like lepina or somun) with chopped onions, sour cream, and other condiments.
🍽️ Burek: Burek in Montenegro, like throughout the Balkans, is a savory pastry made with layers of thin, flaky filo dough and a variety of fillings. It's a popular food in Montenegro, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a quick meal while exploring. Common fillings include cheese, meat, spinach, or potatoes, and it's typically baked but sometimes fried.
🍽️ Black Risotto (Crni Rižot): Black risotto, known as "Crni Rižot" in Montenegro (and Croatia), is a traditional seafood dish characterized by its dark, almost black color, achieved by adding cuttlefish or squid ink to the risotto. It's a flavorful and visually striking dish, often served as an appetizer or main course, and is particularly popular in coastal regions.
🍽️ Buzara: Buzara is a popular Montenegrin seafood dish, particularly along the coast. It's a simple yet flavorful preparation of shellfish (like prawns, shrimp, clams, or squid) cooked in either a white wine and breadcrumb sauce or a red wine and tomato sauce. It's often enjoyed as an appetizer with bread, polenta, or potatoes, and can also be served as a main course with pasta.
🥤 Rakija: Rakija is a strong, traditional brandy, often made from grapes (Loza), and deeply embedded in the culture. It's known for its potent flavor and is frequently offered as a welcoming gesture or during celebrations. The most common variety is grape-based, known as Loza, but other fruits like plums (Šljivovica) are also used
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour
🚕 City Taxis