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Kotor, Montenegro
Currency: Euro (€)
Languages: Montenegrin (official language), Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Albanian; English is widely spoken in tourist areas
Nestled at the edge of a mountain-rimmed bay on Montenegro's Adriatic coast is the town of Kotor. This charming travel destination is most well-known for sparkling blue waters, breathtaking panoramic views and its fortified old town that has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. Kotor, complete with both beauty and history, is the oldest town in Montenegro - in fact, it's the only town on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea to be named in old historic and strategic maps.
Though famed for it's old town (with good reason), this picturesque Balkan destination has more to offer. Kotor has stunning mountainous hikes and, with the neighboring town of Dobrota, there are a multitude of stunning beaches. Fill your days however you wish; water activities on the bay, hiking up the limestone cliffs, lounging on the beach, historical sight-seeing or even taking day trips to bordering countries.
Kotor also has some of the best sunsets I've ever seen. When the evening is clear, the sunsets are spectacular. The sky turns a lovely combination of pink, orange and yellow as you watch the sun slowly disappear behind the mountains. Be sure to watch a few while you're visiting!
When Should I Visit Kotor?
Peak season in Kotor is in the summer months of June-August. I don't recommend visiting during this time as it has the possibility of reaching 30°C and is the most active time for cruise ships. It will be both very hot and rather busy.
The best time to visit Kotor Montenegro is during the shoulder seasons, with May & September being the most ideal. The fall months to visit are from late August to early November. The spring months to visit are late April and May. These months are typically warm enough for beach days while not too hot to spend long hours hiking and sightseeing. It's much quieter and less crowded as well.
I was in Kotor for two months, from the beginning of August until the beginning of October. I had experienced very hot and busy days in August; the old town was quite crowded and though the weather was excellent for spending my days swimming I needed shade and couldn't stay consistently in the sun.
I was able to see September where the weather become more pleasant and we could go hiking and sightseeing without heat exhaustion, while my beach days were the perfect temperature. September is the perfect mix for activities and lounging.
By the end of September we had some chillier days and nights nights yet the weather was still mostly wonderful and beach days were still possible under the Balkan sun. The crowds were very mild during this time of year and concentrated in the Old Town. The nightlife of Kotor in shoulder season is still extremely vibrant so don't worry about missing anything by not visiting during peak months.
Where Should I Stay in Kotor?
I recommend either staying 1) inside the walls of the old town or 2) in the nearby town of Dobrota. In the old town there are many beautiful medieval stone-walled hotels with views of the squares and narrow old streets. You can walk outside of your room and be right in the middle of the hustle and bustle at any time of day, with immediate access to plenty of shops, restaurants and historic sights.
If you want to have a quieter beach feel, go a bit north up the bay. We had our accommodation in the town of Dobrota which is about a 15 minute bus ride from Kotor Old Town. Dobrota was rather quiet and had mostly locals rather than tourists, and in my opinion it has the best beaches in the Kotor municipality. There are so many luxurious waterfront hotels along the bay of Kotor, and many of them are concentrated in Dobrota.
Life in Dobrota is so wholesome - most mornings I would either go for a run or do some reading along the bayside promenade. I would always see things like locals going for an early morning swim, children riding bikes, people walking their dogs, and families outside enjoying breakfast together. It was such a lovely outdoorsy-nature-community feeling where everyone kind of takes life slow and stops to "smell the roses". It is a very beautiful town and I fell in love with it - it's worth exploring the area, especially to see the Church of St. Eustachius across from Dobrota Beach.
Getting Around in Kotor:
Blue Line Busses
The Blue Line bus system is so easy and convenient - one of the easiest bus systems I've ever used. There are many bus stops along the main road 'E80' and 'E65' - a few are in front of and just outside the Old Town. The busses just go up and down the main road so don't worry about its route other than left and right. I found that some of the Blue Lines don't go as far down the main road as others, so ask the driver if they're going to your destination when you get on.
Price
It costs between €1 and €1.50 euros for a ticket to get at least one town over. I paid those prices to get between Dobrota and the Old Town.
Times
They run from around 5am/6am until around 10pm/11pm (I'm not sure exactly and it also depends on where you're coming from). Monday-Saturday they come every hour (i.e. 8am, 9am, 10am...) and Sundays they come every even hour (i.e. 8am, 10am, 12pm...). The minute time depends on the bus stop - typically I noticed in Dobrota and Kotor they arrive around xx:15-xx:35 (i.e. 8:35am, 10:35am...). They're often late and it's very possible for a bus to come and be too full to fit, particularly in peak season. Just be patient while waiting.
Taxi & Red Taxi
A taxi is much more expensive than the busses so I recommend only utilizing them if you're going inland where the busses do not go or are traveling when the busses aren't running. They are readily available at the main entrance to the old town, and if you are elsewhere I recommend using Red Taxi.
You can order a Red Taxi through WhatsApp, often for cheaper prices than a regular taxi. I used this many times after a late night out in the Old Town once the busses stopped running, and it was very convenient. They were quick to respond and reliable.
Contact: +382 67 019 719
Kotor Old Town:
If you are visiting Kotor you cannot miss the old town. It's one of the most beautiful medieval towns I've ever seen. As you meander through the ancient streets and uncover whats behind every corner, it becomes clear it deserves its status as a world heritage site. The fortified town is made up of large lively squares, buildings with gorgeous architecture, elaborate Romanesque churches and narrow winding alleyways. The design of the alleys were actually created to confuse invaders, so do expect to get lost or turned around a few times while wandering. Don't worry - the old town is pretty small so you won't be lost for long!
The old town is known for its beauty, historical sights and cats. Yes, cats! There are so many friendly and well taken care of cats that the locals and tourists alike absolutely cherish. There are a few cat-themed shops and even a cat museum. My boyfriend and I had sat down to listen to some live music in one of the many squares, and before we knew it we each had a purring friend on our lap!
Montenegro is generally more affordable than other European countries, but prices are definitely a bit higher inside the old town than anywhere else in Kotor. Nonetheless if you're visiting Kotor the old town will definitely be a highlight.
Some of the top sights and things to do in Kotor Old Town:
-Walk the city walls
-Kotor Fortress
-Piazza of the Arms & the Clock Tower
-Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Kotor Cathedral)
-All of the city gates
-Church of Saint Luke
-Go Shopping for homemade items & souvenirs
-Try traditional Montenegrin food
-Experience the vibrant nightlife
What Activities Can You Do In Kotor?
1) Hiking
The Ladder of Kotor
This hike is a zig-zag (serpentine) uphill path that starts near the River Gate. It takes you to the very top of the mountain and has panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor and the surrounding landscape. It's 6.4km one way (12.8km out and back) so it's pretty challenging but so worth it. Make sure you bring a lot of water and snacks/lunch to enjoy with the views. On this hike you'll pass so many mountain goats that will walk right by you on route up or down the mountain. Be sure to stand back and let them pass. Many of them wear bells so you'll know they're coming in advance - it's such a fun thing to see!
Kotor Fortress
The Kotor city walls stretch 4.5km - they wrap around the old town and continue up the mountainside. It has several levels and watch towers, with the main attraction being the fortress. The Fortress of Kotor is built before the 14th century 260 meters up above the city to overlook the bay and old town. The fortress goes by many names, including Fortress of Kotor, Fortress of St. John or St. Johns Castle, Fort of St. Ivan, San Giovanni Fortress or San Giovanni Castle, and Tvrdava Sveti Ivan. You may find any of these names online and from tour companies so keep in mind they're all referring to the same thing.
There are two official entry points inside the old town, both with a €15 euro entry fee. One is located near the River Gate/North Gate (exact location of the entry point here), and the other is near the South Gate (here). The official entryways lead you to the fortress via steps. It's 1.2km one way with about 1,350 steps, and takes around 45 minutes to walk up. It's a hike of moderate difficulty since you are continuously walking uphill. If you go this route you'll pass a few observation decks and a small church called Church of Our Lady of Remedy.
There is one unofficial entry point that is accessible from about 1/4 of the way up the Ladder of Kotor hike. It is 'unofficial' because it's free and you must climb through a window of the fortress to get in. If you go this way, be sure to go back the same way you came as they could check your ticket at the bottom of the steps and charge you the entry fee if you don't have one.
2) Water Activities
There are many boat tours available that can be booked either in-person or online through websites such as Get Your Guide or Viator. For in-person bookings you can find stands at Park Slobode and past Kotor Beach along the promenade. For many of the tours, particularly in shoulder seasons, you can hop on the boat pretty much right away as there are so many available. Most of the tours take you around the Kotor Bay to the Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks.
At many locations along the promenade, including at Kotor Beach, there are places where you can rent kayaks and paddle-boards (usually called 'SUP' for 'stand up paddle-board). Typical costs are around €10-15 euros for 90 minutes which is very affordable. It was one of my favorite activities in Kotor! I recommend renting them more towards Dobrota since the boat and cruise ship activity is much higher closer to the Old Town and being farther from the commotion was more peaceful.
3) Coastal Promenade
Walking or bicycling along the entire promenade is a must-do activity when in Kotor. It's a simple, slow and beautiful activity. If you choose to bike rather than walk, you can rent bicycles at many different places around the Kotor municipality. First, there are "City Bikes" that are parked outside the old town and behind Dobrota beach. These bikes can be rented using an app on your phone and are priced by the minute. Another option is to find bikes for rent along the promenade. A lot of people rent them outside of their houses and hotels, or you can find them at bicycle shops. I found many places to rent them for just €10 euros per day.
The promenade goes on for 4.5km from Kotor Beach to Dobrota Beach and you'll pass many small beaches, restaurants, cafes, bars, beautiful old houses and unique hotels.
Beaches in Kotor:
Kotor Beach
Due to it's very close proximity to the Old Town (about a 10 minute walk from the Sea Gate), Kotor Beach gets very busy as most tourists staying in or near the Old Town, as well as cruise ships passengers, all end up here. Despite its popular nature, not only is it beautiful but there are plenty of nearby restaurants, bars and cafes. Lounge chairs & umbrellas are available for rent and there are two free changing stations.
On nice days it can often be difficult to find free space, especially if you arrive mid-to-late afternoon. Because of this I wouldn't recommend trying to bring your own chairs or umbrellas unless you get there early. Instead bring just a towel to lay on so you can squeeze in if you have too. My boyfriend and I occasionally took the bus from Dobrota to spend the day at Kotor Beach when we were looking for a more lively atmosphere as opposed to the peaceful quietness of the Dobrota beaches.
Dobrota Beaches
The town of Dobrota has one main beach called Dobrota Beach, multiple smaller beaches and a few beach clubs. Though both are beautiful, I favored the beaches in Dobrota over Kotor Beach,
Dobrota Beach is on the located on the left of 'Restaurant Bar Premier.' It is pebbled and has both open space and beach chairs available for rent. Keep in mind there's no natural shade on this side. The right side of 'Restaurant Bar Premier' is where my favorite beach is located. I'm pretty sure it's also considered to be Dobrota Beach, though it's not listed on google maps so I can't be positive. It's just as big as the left side, but it's flat with earth and grass (it's way more pleasant than it sounds, I swear this side was my favorite of the two). It has plenty of tree cover for shade which I loved and an equal amount of space where the sun hits.
Left 'section' of Dobrota Beach
Right 'section' of Dobrota Beach
The smaller pebble beaches are located all along the coastline, some with natural shade and some without but all of them are equally as enchanting. The chances of you finding one with no other people are high, so you can have your own personal slice of paradise.
There are many very nice waterfront restaurants too. I mostly cook at our rentals to save money so we didn't try too many places, but out of the ones we did try here are my favorites:
Hotel Forza Mare
Tiha Noć
Konoba Portun
Beach Clubs
Spending the day at a beach club is an excellent option when on holiday alongside a beautiful bay. My favorite beach club was Mandrać in Dobrota. Upon lots of research I found it was much cheaper than most others, and upon visiting I discovered it doesn't get very crowded and has good service & delicious refreshments. It was €20 euro for two single lounges with an umbrella or €35 euro for a double lounge bed, each priced for the entire day.
This club is highly recommended by us - it's clean, the food is delicious, cocktails are spectacular (if you visit during the summer be sure to order the watermelon bomb) and, like everything else in Kotor, it has beautiful views. It is cash only but there is an ATM just outside the entrance!
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