5 Amazing Things to do in Kotor, Montenegro
Known for its maze-like Old Town, friendly street cats, dramatic hiking trails, and centuries-old fortifications, Kotor offers a rich blend of history, nature, and charm that captivates every traveler. You will fall in love with the quaint streets and vibrant town squares filling Kotor old town with laughter and curious wander as like-minded travelers explore the ancient fortifications.
In this Kotor Travel Guide, you’ll uncover the most unforgettable things to do in Kotor. From panoramic views at fortress walls and sky high gondolas to serene boat trips past man-made islands and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Whether you’re chasing views, culture, or coastal serenity, Kotor promises postcard-perfect moments at every turn.
Best Time to Visit Montenegro
June to August (Summer): Cooler than the coast, perfect for hiking and sightseeing.
April to May and September to October (Spring and Autumn): Mild weather and fewer crowds.
November to March (Winter): Snowy and serene, but some areas may be less accessible.
Is Kotor Worth Visiting?
Yes Kotor is absolutely worth visiting! Kotor is one of the Adriatic seas most enchanting coastal towns, this picturesque village of Montenegro will make you believe you have just stepped foot into a postcard.
How to get to Kotor from Dubrovnik
Getting to Kotor from Dubrovnik is very easy. I used the Rome2Rio website a lot while I was traveling to organise my transport options. Taking the bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor can take around 3 hours, where as if you want to spend more time on the Adriatic sea you can ofcourse opt for the ferry, but this will set you back 4 hours.
Kotor Old Town
Old Town Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this walled city is a maze of cobblestone streets, ancient churches, and lively squares. It’s a dream for history lovers and photographers for its coastal and mountainous backdrops. Kotor old town has been fortified since the middle ages, with modern day Kotor filled with cozy cafes and quint restaurants which fill the town squares with laughter and plenty of red wine. Over run with well loved street cats, you have to add Kotor onto your list of places to visit in Montenegro.
Where to Stay in Kotor Old Town
Since I was in my early 20’s backpacking around Europe, Old Town Hostel was the perfect accommodation for me in Kotor Old Town. Sitting almost directly below one of the trail access routes to the Ladder of Kotor, this hostel in Kotor is the perfect fit for someone who is travelling alone or wants a social experience and the chance to make friends. Within a day I had found a group of people to hike the ladder with, and enjoy a group tour visiting Lovćen National Park, and then a friend who I ended up travelling with from Montenegro to Albania and further onto Greece.
You will have no problems finding where to stay in Kotor Old Town, from Hostels to private bed and breakfasts there is something for every type of traveler.
Our Lady of the Rocks Island
Our Lady of the Rocks is an enchanting man-made island in Kotor, and is one of Montenegros most enchanting landmarks. Home to a church which houses religious relics, maritime artifcats and baroque art; including 68 paintings by a 17th-century artist from Perast. Our Lady of the Rocks is one of many incredibly popular things to do in Kotor. One of the most touching artifacts in the church of Our Lady of the Rocks is the Votive tapestry. Taking 25 years to complete while the embroider waited on her beloved return. This piece of tapestry is embroidered with gold, silver and even the embroiders own hair.
How was Our Lady of the Rocks built?
Our Lady of the Rocks island was created by local sailors sinking ships and dropping rocks into the bay over centuries. This tradition is celebrated today with the annual Fašinada event on July 22nd, where locals throw rocks into the sea to maintain the island. Legend says that the island was born from a vow made by sailors who found an icon of the Madonna and Child on a sea rock in 1452. They pledged to build a church there, and so the island, and its iconic sanctuary, came to life. The church was built in 1630 and later renovated in 1722.
How to Visit Our Lady on the Rocks
The best time to visit Our Lady on the Rocks is during summer, or early spring for fewer crowds. You can only reach the island by boat, typically from Perast or Kotor. Many tours combine visits to Our Lady of the Rocks with other attractions like the Blue Cave or a full Boka Bay cruise.
Lovcen National Park
Lovćen National Park is one of the best things to do in Kotor because of its incredible skyline and history. Sitting near the historic town of Cetinje, Lovćen National Park is one of Montenegro’s most iconic and culturally rich destinations; home to over 1,300 plant species and Rich in birdlife, reptiles, and small mammals. Montenegro’s national park is easily accessible from Kotor and Budva, covering 62.2 km² of mountainous terrain with an elevation ranging from 939 meters to 1,749 meters.
Lovćen isn’t just a park; it’s the soul of Montenegro, so while you’re visiting this incredible European country make sure you check out the top attractions at Lovćen National Park:
Petar II Mausoleum
Perched 1,657 meters above sea level is the mausoleum of Montenegros beloved poet, philosopher and ruler, Petar II Petrović Njegoš. You’ll have to climb 461 steps to be rewarded with sweeping views of the Bay of Kotor and out towards the Adriatic sea.
Lovćen Adventure Park
Visiting Lovćen national park is not just for the incredible views and breathtaking skylines. The Adventure Park at Ivanova Korita has zip lines and rope trails with 15 obstacles along the route. Great for families and group adventure days.
The Old Royal Capital in Citinje is packed with museums, monasteries, and palaces like Biljarda and the Cetinje Monastery.
Cable Car
The Kotor cable car connects Kotor to the Kuk station near the mausoleum. Each gondola can hold up to 10 passengers and has high transparency glass which allows an uninterrupted 360 degree view of Lovćen national park. The scenic 11-minute ride climbs over 1,300 meters to Monte1350, a stylish restaurant and bar at the top of the mountain.
Hike Ladder of Kotor
The Ladder of Kotor is one of Montenegro’s most scenic, historic and exhausting hiking trails. Adored for its views, loved for the experience but hated for the amount of stairs. The ladder of Kotor features a dramatic zigzag path with 72 bends reaching an elevation of 940 meters, all up being a 8km round trip. The zigzag path allows for a gradual and scenic ascent that is easier on your quads so only a moderate level of fitness is required.
Originating as a military and trade route, the Kotor ladder was built by Austrians and used for centuries to connect Kotor with Njeguši village and Cetinje. In modern times the Kotor hike ends near Krstac Pass and the rest Restaurant Nevjesta Jadrana, where you can rest and refuel before continuing on.
Is the Ladder of Kotor Worth it?
Absolutely! The Ladder of Kotor offers incredible views across Kotor Old Town and across Bay of Kotor. It is one of Montenegro’s most breathtaking and historic hiking trails that is easily accessible and free to access just outside Kotor old town.
One of the most iconic view points at the top of the Kotor Ladder is Kotor Fortress, or St. John’s Fortress, which protected the medieval town below. This fortification contained ramparts, towers, bastions and a castle. Together with the old town and its natural surroundings, the Kotor Fortress was inscribed in the list of World Heritage sites in 1979. Ending at 1,350 steps up Kotors’ Ladder climb which rewards you with panoramic views of the bay and town below. It’s the most iconic experience in Kotor.
Tara River Canyon
The Tara River Canyon is the deepest river canyon in Europe, plunging up to 1,300 meters and stretches for over 82 kilometers. You guessed it, this is another Kotor UNESCO Site and protected within Durmitor National Park, the Tara River has a pristine ecosystem with over 1,300 plant species and home to animals like trout, otters, eagles, bears and wolves. This incredible river in Montenegro is fed crystal-clear water from underground springs and helps form the border between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Can you Swim in the Tara River?
Yes, you can swim, hike and even go white water rafting. Tara River features one of the best things to do in Montenegro with its 69 rapids perfect for thrill-seekers.
If you want to enjoy any of the activites on or around the Tara River you will need to have a few Euros on hand as entry into Durmitor National Park has a small fee.
More Experiences for your Kotor Travel Guide
Kotor is full of wonderful experiences but of course I haven’t indulged in them all. The following list of things to do in Kotor are worth adding to your Kotor travel guide, but you may need to do further research yourself as I am not lucky enough to hare my experiences!
- Kampana Tower
- Kotor Cats Museum
- Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral
- Saint Luke’s Church
- Gurdic Bastion
