25 Awesome Things to do in Kotor, Montenegro

My complete and up-to-date travel guide featuring the best things to do in Kotor, Montenegro!

Nestled deep within the scenic Bay of Kotor off the Adriatic Sea, you’ll find Kotor, Montenegro’s Montenegro’s most famous travel destination.

The Bay of Kotor has long been a hotspot for cruise ships and day trippers from nearby Dubrovnik. But, I’m here to convince you that there are numerous fun things to do in Kotor that you should visit for a few days at least!

I based myself in Kotor for two months while exploring all of the awesome hikes, viewpoints, and cultural attractions in the region. In this guide, I’ll offer the most comprehensive list you’ll find of activities & experiences in the city of Kotor based on my experience.

25 Best Things to Do in Kotor

If it's your first time in Kotor, I recommend taking a stroll around the old town (Stari Grad), hiking up the walls to the San Giovanni Fortress, and jumping on a boat trip to explore the caves and attractions in Boka Kotorska!

Looking for epic outdoor and adventure experiences in Kotor? Below are my top tours in Kotor that I recommend to everyone based on inclusions, price, and customer reviews

2. Explore San Giovanni Fortress

If there's one thing to do in Kotor, it's to take a walk up the rugged fortified walls of San Giovanni Fortress, also known simply as Kotor Fortress.

This is a set of historical fortifications protecting the medieval town via a series of walls, ramparts, towers, citadels, bastions, and forts leading all the way up the mountain range to the Castle of San Giovanni.

Travelers can access the fortifications near the North Gate to the Old City. Entrance costs 8 euros per person, which I believe is quite fair being the main attraction in Kotor and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks

Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) is one of two small islands just off the coast of nearby Perast in the Bay of Kotor. This is a very picturesque artificial island housing a beautiful blue-domed Roman Catholic church and museum.

Travelers can get to Our Lady of the Rocks island and the adjacent Islet of the Dead (Sveti Đorđe) on the popular Kotor Bay Boat Trip, or by taking the 5-euro ferry from the dock at Perast town.

5. Kayak or SUP in Kotor Bay

Whether you're fresh off the cruise ships or still at home planning a visit to Kotor, one of the best ways to explore the beautiful Boka Bay is to rent a Kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

6. Kotor Beach

Being a sea inlet, Kotor isn't exactly known for its sandy beaches like nearby Budva. However, Kotor does have one stretch of soft white sand called "Sunshine Beach". You'll find this just a short walk north of Kotor's Old Town.

On warm summer days, one of the absolute best things to do in Kotor is head down to the beach and take a swim in the refreshing, deep waters of the bay. I visited this beach a couple of times, and I can highly recommend if if you're looking for a nice place to relax and unwind.

Additionally, there are many sun umbrellas and sun chairs here available to rent fairly cheaply, around €15 for the whole day.

7. Sea Gate to Kotor Old City

The main gate to the Kotor Old City is the Sea Gate, a historic entrance dating back to 1555 and built by the then-ruling Venetians.

For a long time, this gate served as a symbol of the Venetian Republic, with a winged lion of St. Mark's once carved above the gate. Today, this gate now displays the Yugoslavian coat of arms.

The Sea Gate is located directly in front of the port. Therefore, I noticed that this is a common meeting point for many of the walking tours through the narrow streets of the Old Town.

8. Hike to Fort Vrmac

Looking for things to do in Kotor that go beyond the typical attractions? While many tourists will hike the old city walls and even the Ladder of Kotor on the east side of the bay, hardly anyone explores the opposing Vrmac side.

The Fort Vrmac hike starts just a short walk from the Old Town and leads up the Vrmac ridge to an abandoned Austro-Hungarian fort. The fort itself is free to explore, although a bit creepy. Additionally, views of Kotor Bay and the medieval cities below are incredible, and an opportunity to get a unique perspective that most people will miss.

10. Kotor Bazaar

Located within the walls of Old Town Kotor is a unique Bazaar within the long-abandoned Dominican monastery. This small street stall mostly sells items for tourists and is much like a gift shop.

However, due to the interesting surroundings, photographers will want to visit the Bazaar as there are plenty of great photo opportunities. Below are two photos that I took from the Bazaar.

11. Kotor Bay Cruise (Boka Kotorska)

Looking for the best way to see all of the beautiful places in Kotor Bay? Check out this highly-rated Kotor Sightseeing Bay Cruise, stopping by many of the attractions further up the bay, including:

• Our Lady of the Rocks
• Perast
• Tivat
• Mamula Island
• Blue Grotto

This boat trip allows travelers to see all of the beautiful islands and stone churches dotting the unique villages in Boka Bay. This was one of my favorite day trips from Kotor and if you ask Haylea, she'll tell you that this is her top pick too!

14. Drive the Serpentine Road Behind Kotor

The Serpentine Road, also known as the 25 bends, is an 8.3-kilometer stretch of road twisting up the mountain range in hairpin turns above Kotor.

While slightly nail-biting in some sections, this road is one of the most unique in the country. It's fun to drive, but it's even more fun to photograph with the drone!

Travel tip: If you're a cyclist, you might want to check out this attraction. My good friend Ryan, who I recently cycled across Norway with, said that this was one of the most challenging climbs he'd come across in Montenegro.

15. Photograph the Bell Towers & Kotor Churches

History buffs visiting Kotor will love all of the great stone churches and stone architecture scattered throughout the narrow streets of the small city.

If you're up for a bit of sightseeing in Kotor, head down to the Old City and check out these beautiful buildings.

• Cathedral of Saint Tryphon - commonly referred to as Kotor's most impressive building. This is one of two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro (number 18 below)
• Church of Our Lady of Remedy - an iconic 16th-century church perched atop the hilly slopes above the fortified city
• Kotor Clock Tower - a historic 1602 grey-stone clock tower near the main entrance.
• Church of Saint Nicholas - Serbian orthodox church in Saint Luke's Square

They make for excellent photography subjects as well!

16. Go White Water Rafting in Tara Canyon

One of the most adventurous day trips you can take from Kotor is the epic Tara River White Water Rafting excursion.

At 1,333 meters, the Tara River is Europe's deepest river canyon and the second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon in the USA. As you might expect, this UNESCO-protected river system is the perfect place for whitewater rafting!

The tour runs for 12 hours and includes all transport from Kotor, making it yet another reason to extend your visit to Kotor!

18. Kotor Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Tryphon)

Perhaps the most beautiful building in Kotor, the Kotor Cathedral, or Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, is an impressive double-towered ornate cathedral first consecrated as far back as 1166.

Entrance to this must-see attraction costs just 3 euros! However, I think the best scenes of this icon are from the fortress walls.

19. The Kotor Farmer's Market

Passing the old walls near the cruise ship terminal, you'll undoubtedly see the traditional farmer's stalls set up each morning.

Here you can support locals by stocking up on some delicious fresh fruits and vegetables. You'll also find some interesting things like homemade pickles and sauerkraut.

20. Visit Perast from Kotor

Perast is a small town just a few kilometers northwest of Kotor. This idyllic village is full of history and charm, and definitely worth visiting either by road or a quick boat trip.

In Perast, there is a great museum, a picturesque sandy beach called Pirate, and some traditional restaurants serving amazing prosciutto, wine, and cheese.

If you plan on visiting Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, then I recommend booking this speed boat trip for €20, that combines both from Kotor in 2.5 hours.

21. Go Museum Hopping in Kotor

Fans of history and culture looking for interesting things to do in Kotor will definitely want to check out one or two of the popular museums in the heart of the Old Town.

Some of the best museums in Kotor include:

• Kotor Cats Museum - the most unique museum in Cattaro, dedicated to the history and Montenegrin love of cats
• Maritime Museum - located on the Square of the Boka fleet, the Maritime Museum is a long-running exhibition of the country's nautical history
• Lapidarium - located on square Kina, a church transformed into an exhibition showcasing a rich collection of stone objects

22. The Kotor Bay Submarine Tunnels

Travelers who've spent a bit of time exploring the coastal regions of former Yugoslavia might have stumbled upon these unique submarine tunnels.

The Yugoslav Army carved these huge tunnels into the face of cliffs in attempts to conceal submarines from spy planes. Today, travelers can freely explore these historical tunnels, which you'll find in the Bay of Kotor near the village of Rose.

Travel tip: Many of the boat trips running to the Blue Cave will stop by the Submarine Tunnels!

23. See the Old City Walls at Night

Looking for something unique to do in Kotor? Grab your camera and head down to the waterfront at night time. Looking up at the impressive forts, you'll see the epic San Giovanni Fortress lit up in a beautiful fashion.

For the best view, I recommend walking over to the other side of the bay, or even over to Muo to see it in all its glory.

24. Stop By Tivat

Tivat is another coastal town located over the Vrmac range from Kotor. This quiet beach town is an idyllic destination known for its great seaside restaurants and beach bars.

To get here from Kotor, rent a bicycle, drive, or take the bus past Muo and around the headland. If you're looking for another beach area to visit from Kotor, I recommend checking out Herceg Novi as well.

This little beach town is closer to the bay's mouth into the Adriatic Sea and has some great beaches for swimming.

25. Walk Around the Bay to Muo

During my last visit to Kotor, I lived in the small village of Muo, a quieter residential area with some of the best restaurants in Kotor.

There are a few apartments and nice hotels on this side, but the vibe is much more relaxed with a local charm. Even if you're staying near the Old City or Dobrota and looking for things to do in Kotor in the late afternoon, take a stroll around the bay to Muo!

What is the Best Way to get to Kotor?

The closest airport to Kotor is Tivat Airport, just a short 15-minute drive away from the Old Town. This airport has several connections to countries in the Balkans and other hubs in Europe.

While flying is the easiest way to get here, travelers staying in nearby Dubrovnik can get here by taking a bus, arriving in just over two hours.

Alternatively, travelers short on time can also visit Kotor on an organized day trip from Dubrovnik, which is a very popular option.

Montenegro Travel FAQs Before You Visit Kotor

More Montenegro Travel Guides & Adventure Inspiration

I hope this detailed travel guide featuring the best things to do in Kotor, Montenegro has inspired you to explore the highlights and lesser-known hidden gems of this epic European destination.

Before you head out, make sure to check out some of my other travel guides to Montenegro.

• Visiting Montenegro's Blue Cave - find out how to visit one of the most beautiful sea caves on the Adriatic Coast
• Hiking the Ladder of Kotor - read my guide to one of the most epic city viewpoints in Kotor
• Where to Stay in Kotor - my comprehensive accommodation guide to planning where to stay for all budgets.