KOTOR, MONTENEGRO IN 48 HOURS

Just off the Adriatic Sea, lies the mountainous coastal city of Kotor, Montenegro. It didn’t take long to be charmed by the stunning landscape beautiful architecture of Kotor. 

Montenegro is one of Europe’s smallest countries, but it is emerging as one of the most popular Mediterranean hot spots! All you need is 48 hours to explore this charming bay city. I’ve covered everything you need to know for your 48 hour adventure in the Bay of Kotor! 

ARRIVING IN KOTOR

Kotor can easily be reached by car from Dubrovnik, Croatia in just under two hours. I combined my trip to Kotor with stops in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina and ending in Dubrovnik. My whole trip between Mostar, Kotor, and Dubrovnik was only eight days!

The old town is car-free, but you can either park your car by the paid parking space near the city walls. We had discount parking through our hotel, but we paid around 15 euros a day. 

Two days is the perfect amount of time to explore the area when the cruise ship visitors have left. At night the fortress is lit up – so you can see see the walking path in the dark, which makes Kotor at night look very unique.

WHAT TO DO IN KOTOR

CLIMB TO THE CASTLE OF SAN GIOVANNI

If you only have time to do one thing in Kotor, don’t miss the climb to the Castle of San Giovanni. I promise the 1,300 stairs to the top will reward you with absolutely spectacular views of the Bay of Kotor. 

The city walls zig zag up the mountain of St. John, and the ruins of the Castle of San Giovanni sits at the top. Pack sunscreen and lots of water and head up for the day. 

If you decide to climb to the fortress here are some tips:

• GO EARLY Not only will you beat the heat and the crowds but you can avoid the admission cost if you arrive before the ticket collector (8am).
• PREPARE FOR A HIKE The walk to the top is not for the faint of heart. Bring along sunscreen and lots of water. Hiking should take around 1-2 hours depending on how often you stop for pictures.
• NO RESTROOMS Use the restroom before your hike as there are none along the way, or at the top.
• WEAR PROPER SHOES The trail is not paved and the rocks are loose and slippery.
• ADMISSION is €8, and they only accept cash 

VISIT THE THREE MAIN CHURCHES 

The Old Town of Kotor has plenty of old churches to visit. Some are free to enter, and some cost a few euros. A few that are worth a visit are Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral, Saint Nicholas’ Church and Saint Luke’s Church.

                                                                       CHURCH OF ST. LUKE 

The church of Sveti Luka (St. Luke) is in the square Piazza Greca and has both Roman and Byzantine architecture. It’s the only building in town which did not not suffer significant damages during the earthquake in 1979.

TRYPHON CATHEDRAL

The cathedral of St. Tryphon is one of the most significant sights in Kotor Old Town. It was built in 1166 and is one of two Roman Catholic churches in Montenegro.

NICHOLAS’ CHURCH 

Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas) is Kotor’s Serbian Orthodox church found on St. Luke’s Square. It’s recognizable by its twin domes and the Serbian flag draping down its center. 

STROLL THE STREETS OF THE OLD TOWN

Rick Steves hit the nail on the head when he described Kotor Old Town as “perfect for aimless strolling.” Kotor’s Old Town is tiny, but the maze of narrow streets and hidden alleys will instantly charm you. Appreciate the architecture, get lost, pop into some shops and eat some gelato.

TAKE A WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN 

Montenegro Pulse offers a daily walking tours led by a local professional tour guide of the old city that lasts just an hour. The tour will take you through the squares, and introduce you to the palaces, churches and museums.

The walking tour was a great way to have an introduction to the city and helped us narrow down which places we wanted to go back to and explore further. 

 

ENJOY THE VIEWS AT THE NORTHERN GATE 

The Northern Gate is just outside of the city walls between a turquoise moat and a looming mountain range. It’s the perfect spot to appreciate the diverse beauty of Kotor. 

PEOPLE WATCH IN ARMS SQUARE  

The name, Arms Square, comes from Venetian times when weapons and ammunition were stored here. The Arms Square has the famous clock tower which is one of the focal points of Montenegro. It’s also busy with cafes-which make it an ideal spot for people watching. 

EMBRACE KOTOR’S QUIRKY CAT CULTURE 

Cats are the “unofficial symbol” of Kotor. Kotor is home for hundreds of stray cats, but don’t let their homelessness fool you – they’re looked after and adored by locals and visitors alike. 

The cats all look healthy, well-cared for – not what you would imagine from strays. The secret is the bowls of food and water left by shop owners and restaurant staff. You can even find the most confident cats lounging on the laps of tourists, purring for affection.

In fact, there’s even a museum dedicated to cats, and visiting the Cats Museum Kotor costs just €1. Inside there’s a whole variety of feline-themed displays – a real testament to the Montenegrin respect towards their favorite animal.

Popover Travel Tip: If you’re looking to bring home a feline inspired gift for a fellow cat lover, or  for yourself- head over to Cats of Kotor Souvenirs and Handicraft. All their products are handmade in Montenegro. The owners actually donate proceeds from the store to feeding Kotor’s large feline population. 

SPEND AN AFTERNOON IN PERAST

Perast is a beautiful little coastal town near Kotor and makes a wonderful half day trip. You can get there via boat, bus (tickets are about 1.20€ one-way), or drive there yourself. The drive is only around 15 minutes from Kotor. 

Popover Tip: If you have a car, parking in Perast can be challenging. If you’re coming from Kotor, the second parking area at the northern end of Perast (where Our Lady of the Rocks sits) has much more space. Parking is free in Perast! Just try to avoid driving through the one-way road in the town, and drive around to the northern. We made the mistake our first day and it was very narrow!

BOAT TRIP TO OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS

Our Lady of the Rocks is one of two gorgeous islands in the Bay of Kotor and is situated just in front of the town of Perast. The other is a natural island and the site of the Saint George Benedictine monastery. Our Lady of the Rocks is the only artificial island in the Adriatic Sea. 

The story of how Our Lady of the Rocks came to be is fascinating! The story goes that over 500 years ago two sailors found a picture of the Virgin Mary on a rock. From then on, fisherman spent two centuries placing a rock at the site after each successful sea voyage. 

You can visit the island by boat from Perast by hiring one of the many local guides who offer to take you to the island and back. The going rate is €5 per person roundtrip, and you have around 45 minutes on the island to walk around and see the church. 

LUNCH WITH A VIEW IN PERAST 

Splurge on a lunch at the waters edge overlooking the Bay of Kotor at restaurant Conte. The grilled octopus with walnut and honey sauce was absolutely wonderful. The homemade bread, olive oil, and tapenade made this lunch one that we wouldn’t forget. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT KOTOR 

The weather in Kotor can be unpredictable at times due to the surrounding mountains. If you want to avoid the crowds, but still have a good chance of some nice weather, then the best time to visit Kotor is during the shoulder seasons of April-May or September-October. I went in April and lucked out with great weather and low hotel rates.

WHERE TO STAY IN KOTOR

If you’re looking for luxury, you’ll most certainly find it at the Historic Boutique Hotel Cattaro in Kotor. It has the best location with fabulous views of Old Town. Hotel Cattaro was previously a guard tower, Rector’s Palace, town hall and town theatre, all built by Napoleon. 

Hotel Cattaro had gorgeous spacious rooms with a wonderful staff who made our stay so special. The complimentary breakfast in the morning was delicious and the was the perfect way to start our morning.

It’s no surprise the entire city of Kotor is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the perfect getaway to be immersed in living history surrounded by a spectacular bay that can be easily explored in two days. 

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