Kotor, Montenegro: a little city on the coast of the Mediterranean that’s incredibly accessible to ambitious travelers. Montenegro never seems to be anyone’s first choice destination, but I’ve never met a soul who regretted visiting. This tiny country may only have 5,333 square miles in area but has some of the best views of any country I’ve ever visited. The drive along the Bay of Kotor allows you to experience both mountains and water all at once.
Though Kotor may not have as much to do as a seaside city in Croatia or Italy, it is still plenty worth your time. Here are the top 5 things to do on your trip to Kotor!
Hike St. John’s Fortress: If you’re ready for a climb, put on your walking shoes and head to the top of the Mountain of St. John. The trek will take you roughly 1,000 feet above sea level and includes roughly 1,355, but you’ll have access to a stunning view once you catch your breath. The climb will cost anywhere from 2-3 euros per person, but if you’re up early enough, you may beat the fee collector to his post which means you go up free!
Our Lady of the Rocks: A little way off the coast of Kotor is a small island entirely of a church. The famous church of Our Lady of the Rocks is full of Baroque artwork and a great way to spend a morning or afternoon. In order to reach the island, you’ll board a boat for 45-60 minutes, and the sail offers the opportunity to experience time on the Mediterranean.
Explore the Old Town Walls of Kotor: Kotor is similar to Dubrovnik, Croatia in the style of architecture found in its Old Town. Old Town is free to access and includes many small alleyways. Here, you’ll find shops and restaurants to explore.
Kotor Cathedral: St. Tryphon Cathedral sits in the Old Town of Kotor and is the perfect symbol of the city. Although it appears plain outside, travelers can view the inside for a small fee (1.50 euro). The upstairs in particular provides quite the display of religious artifacts and icons.
Cats Museum: This is a funky attraction for all those cat lovers out there. Anyone who visits Kotor will notice that vast number of felines also inhabiting the city. I, myself, noticed upwards of 15-20 just in one morning. The Cats Museum is new (established in 2013) and a bit unusual but a fun twist to this quaint city.
Hike St. John’s fortressView from the fortressOur Lady of the Rocks / photo credit – wikipediaKotor cathedral / photo credit – via getstencilThe clock face / photo credit – wikipediaChurch of Saint. LukeKotor bay
What else is out there if you’re ready to adventure a bit further outside of Kotor itself? Local tour companies also offer the opportunity to kayak, snorkel, and cave! You can book a tour that takes you out to the Adriatic coast.
Montenegro may be small, but its cities like Kotor offer a wide variety of activities to do. Kotor is quiet, hospitable, quaint, and charming. Don’t waste any more time – put Kotor on your vacation bucket list today!
My name is Cindy, also rhymes with travel junkie. A friend said I was probably a gipsy in my previous life. One of my many secret missions in life is to convert you to run off every once in awhile.
My name is Cindy, also rhymes with travel junkie. A friend said I was probably a gipsy in my previous life. One of my many secret missions in life is to convert you to run off every once in awhile.
