Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro with a population of 23,500. It is known for its beautiful architecture and natural setting in the deepest part of a breathtaking bay.
Kotor is situated in the secluded Boka Kotorska bay, on Montenegro's northern coast. It has developed around Stari Grad (local language for "old town"), the city's old town and best known landmark, which is listed with UNESCO World heritage sites, and the city walls are even separately listed together with five other Venetian city walls along the Adriatic and in Italy. The bay is the deepest natural fjord in the Mediterranean Sea, and the scenery around it (including the steep mountains which come almost to the waterfront) is spectacular.
The Stari Grad is fully walled (the mountain functions as a rear wall). Four gates offer access to the town: The Main Gate, along the Bay, the North Gate, the South Gate, and a smaller New Gate. There are no cars allowed in the Stari Grad, nor are there standard road names in the Stari Grad. Although all buildings are numbered, it is best to use landmarks for directions. Generally, the squares are named for the church in their center, and directions either relate to the closest square or the closest gate. The most obvious landmark is the clock tower, just inside the main gate, in the main square.
There are abundant banks and ATMs throughout the Stari Grad. ATMs often dispense as few bills as possible. For example, a withdrawal of €150 will probably produce 3 €50 bills. Many people refuse to make change from large bills, so it is advised to withdraw an even amount, to avoid €50 bills, or small amounts at a time. Banks are closed on Sunday or Holidays. Travellers cheques are generally not accepted, not even by banks. Note that not all restaurants or shops accept credit cards, either.
Kotor and the entire Kotor Bay have long been a vacation and second-home destination for many Europeans and British. After Serbian, English is the common language, and most waitstaff and hotel staff speak English.
- St Tryphon's Cathedral. First built in the 11th century, reconstructed after earthquakes. Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Chapel holds the remains of St. Tryphon, the patron saint of Kotor. €2
- St Nicolas Church. The biggest Orthodox church in the Old Town.
- Maritime Museum, +382 32 304720. M-Sa: 8AM-8PM; Sundays: 9AM-1PM. 3 floors of photographs, uniforms, weapons, paintings, and model ships. €4.
St Tryphon's Cathedral. First built in the 11th century, reconstructed after earthquakes. Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Chapel holds the remains of St. Tryphon, the patron saint of Kotor. €2
St Nicolas Church. The biggest Orthodox church in the Old Town.
Maritime Museum, +382 32 304720. M-Sa: 8AM-8PM; Sundays: 9AM-1PM. 3 floors of photographs, uniforms, weapons, paintings, and model ships. €4.
- Climb up to the Fortifications. Stretching some 4.5 km directly above the city, on almost vertical cliffs. Climbing up the 1350 steps will be rewarded by a view of Kotor and the bay from St John's fortress. Only advisable for relatively physically fit people. Some of the steps are broken but the path is in relatively good shape. The 1200ft ascent may take 30mn to 1h depending on your condition. 8€ (high-season only; it may be free during the low season).
- Boat Trips. In the middle of the bay there are two islands, Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Skrpijela, which are worth seeing and accessible by tourist boats (15€) which leave from outside the old town main gate. It is however much cheaper to first go by bus to Perast (1€) and then use a water taxi (5€) to get to the islands.
Climb up to the Fortifications. Stretching some 4.5 km directly above the city, on almost vertical cliffs. Climbing up the 1350 steps will be rewarded by a view of Kotor and the bay from St John's fortress. Only advisable for relatively physically fit people. Some of the steps are broken but the path is in relatively good shape. The 1200ft ascent may take 30mn to 1h depending on your condition. 8€ (high-season only; it may be free during the low season).
Boat Trips. In the middle of the bay there are two islands, Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Skrpijela, which are worth seeing and accessible by tourist boats (15€) which leave from outside the old town main gate. It is however much cheaper to first go by bus to [[Perast]] (1€) and then use a water taxi (5€) to get to the islands.
Old town has many boutiques. There is an open market just outside the old town; there you can buy fresh vegetables, sunglasses and many other things.
At the market, try to sample local smoked ham (njeguški pršut) and cheese (njeguški sir) from the nearby village of Njeguši, which are two of the Montenegrin cuisine's most famous products.
Kotor offers a variety ranging from classy restaurants offering fresh seafood and national cuisine to fast food offering pizzas, barbecue, etc. There is a large produce market outside the city walls. Hamburgers there cost €1. Cafes and restaurants line the bay-side promenade, which stretches north through Dobrota.
- Forza. The most popular pastry shop in Kotor
- La Pasteria. Great sandwiches and fine pizzas with original prosciutto from the nearby village of Njeguši. Probably the best Italian food in Kotor!
Forza. The most popular pastry shop in Kotor
La Pasteria. Great sandwiches and fine pizzas with original prosciutto from the nearby village of Njeguši. Probably the best Italian food in Kotor!
- Tanjga. Family-run butcher/restaurant, massive amounts of grilled meats and great service 4-15€.
- Bastion Restaurant, +382 32 322116. Busy lunchtime venue. Great fish. €6-30.
- Cesarica. Serves excellent and cheap Dalmatian food. Try the cuttlefish risotto. main dishes from €5-15.
- Forza Mare, Dobrota. Seaside restaurant and hotel, outside of Kotor
- Babilon restaurant and hotel, Dobrota. Affordable prices, good location and a first-class seafood menu
Tanjga. Family-run butcher/restaurant, massive amounts of grilled meats and great service 4-15€.
Bastion Restaurant, +382 32 322116. Busy lunchtime venue. Great fish. €6-30.
Cesarica. Serves excellent and cheap Dalmatian food. Try the cuttlefish risotto. main dishes from €5-15.
Forza Mare, Dobrota. Seaside restaurant and hotel, outside of Kotor
Babilon restaurant and hotel, Dobrota. Affordable prices, good location and a first-class seafood menu
Again, old town is the hotspot for relaxed drinking espresso in the shade of the medieval walls. There are many cafes in the old town, but still it's hard to find a place to sit in the sunny day. Tipping is not necessary although you may leave your change by simply rounding up. Befriending the waitstaff can get you quite far.
Espresso costs €1+. Soft drinks and juice cost €1-2.
Sample the Montenegrin wines, "Vranac", "Pro Corde", "Krstac", "Cabernet", "Chardonnay" and "Nikšićko" beer. Montenegrin brandy, called "rakija" is good choice to "warm up" before going out in the evening, especially grape brandy "Montenegrin loza", "Prvijenac" or "Kruna". Litre bottles of wine are available in the supermarkets outside of the Stari Grad for under €5.
A night out in Kotor usually begins in the open bars in the old town. Pubs in the old town are only open until 1AM.
The best club is Maximus, which is located in the old town, and closes at 5AM.
Wifi is available in the town center, and at many cafes. Cafe wifi often requires pass codes given only to paying customers.
- Prčanj - a hamlet 4km away.
- Budva - a popular tourist destination
- Bar - a city and biggest port of Montenegro
- Tivat - home to a marina for the elite's yachts
- Herceg Novi
- Cetinje, interior old capital of Montenegro
- Lovćen National Park
- Daytrip to bay-side towns, like Perast (18km away) or Risan.
- Visit beaches a half hour's drive from Kotor (Jaz, Trsteno, Plavi hori).