12 Offbeat Things To Do In Kotor On Your Montenegro Itinerary!

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The town of Kotor is charming, compact and a town filled with dozens of cats.

If you’re a fan of slow travel and are exploring the Balkans, you may be stopping here on your journey towards other countries.

Let me be honest here: Kotor was great, but not wow!

I enjoyed the mountains of Montenegro way more and spent my time visiting their countless national parks. (A notable mention is Durmitor National Park!)

The Kotor Bay, on the other hand, is still interesting and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site afterall. The old city was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and is filled with medieval architecture and historic monuments.

Having said that — Kotor is still worthy of a city to be explored in 2 days — there are cute hidden gems to be discovered and a lot of things to do in Kotor, Montenegro.

Where To Stay in Kotor

here are some of the best things to do in kotor, montenegro

The best way is to stay right at the centre of the Old Town in Stari Grad where it’s easy to walk to all the sights, soak in the city and jump in the nearest bus for day-trips.

But don’t stay right in the thick of all the tourist crowds — the cruise crowds can be particularly overwhelming between 11am to 3pm.

My recommended hotels:

Awesome Day-Trips in Kotor

kotor is a great starting point for day trips

  • See the best views of Kotor on your own private boat: This can be great for those seeking a private experience without all the crowds. The tour takes you to some spots like the Lady of the Rocks Church and seeing all of Kotor here.

  • Visit the Blue Cave: You get to visit and take nice dip inside the Blue Cave, a natural phenomenon that's been created by waves crashing for thousands of years at the Lustica peninsula. This was quite worth it for the price considering how affordable it is!

  • Hiking Day Trip in Durmitor Massif & Dining: Normally, I would suggest to go and see Durmitor on your own but if you’re short on time this is worth it for the experience! You get to hike to the summit of Prutaš in Durmitor massif on a hiking day trip from Kotor and experience views from the top of the world, while indulging in dinner at a local farm.

15 Things To Do in Kotor, Montenegro

1. Walk around Old Town of Kotor

the old town of kotor - a bird’s eye view of it

some of the best crossiants at mon bistro cafeteria

The Old Town of Kotor is particularly charming when you’re there early in the morning.

Get a Raspberry croissant and coffee at the Mon Bistro Cafeteria tucked in Stari Grad. It was one of my pick-me-ups and also the perfect place to people watch when exploring Kotor.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with old buildings and walls and quaint cafes and charming streets that makes for a perfect morning or afternoon stroll.

You can start your exploration from the Sea Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town, where you'll be greeted by the ancient city walls and the picturesque Square of Arms.

Continue wandering through the cobbled streets, as you pass other landmarks like the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and the Maritime Museum.

2. Climb the St John’s Fortress.

climbing the st john fortress on our descent

One of the best ways to take in the views and escape the throngs of tourists crowds is to climb the St John’s Fortress.

It was towering above the ocean and it seemed like the perfect way to get a bird’s eye view of the town.

The round trip hike spans 2.5 kilometers and typically takes between 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.

With 1,350 steps along the city walls, it can be a tad bit challenging ascent but the best part is viewing Kotor's red-roofed skyline and the sparkling bay below.

Don’t forget to take the “trail option” which is the “Ladder of Kotor” on your way down. You’ve to do this because on our way we passed through a cheese shop and had some of the best wine and cheese.

3. Take a boat tour of the Bay of Kotor

enjoying the waters of kotor on a private boat tour

The best way is to see the best views of Kotor on your own private boat. This can be great for those seeking a private experience without all the crowds.

The tour takes you to some spots like the Lady of the Rocks Church and seeing all of Kotor here.

4. Visit one of the many catholic churches

The church of St. Mary Collegiate is a stunning 13th century church. It’s a bit out of the Old Town but I thought it was beautiful.

The church was built in 1221 on the site of a 6th-century basilica and it is known for its beautiful bronze door with biblical sculptures.

5. Take a bike ride around the Bay of Kotor

take a bike ride in kotor - one of the many things to do in kotor

I was honestly surprised that there was a dedicated bike path in Kotor and it is perfect for those who wants to venture off the beaten path.

You could cycle all around Kotor Bay (approx 43km) or go to Tivat and come back (40km) or even just cycle to Perast (15km) if you follow the shoreline. One way could take you 45 minutes.

The best place to rent the bike is Bajković Rental Bike (Central Station). It is slightly out of the main town — about a 24 minute walk. The bike rental costs approximately 10 euros per day!

There’s also e-bikes, city bikes and mountain bikes — whichever adventure levels you prefer!

6. Hop on the bus to visit Perast

visiting perast on a day trip from kotor

A really small town which has a stunning view of the waters and access to 'Our Lady of the Rocks’.

You can easily grab one of the Blue mini buses towards Perast. It’ll take you 20 minutes to reach there. While it may seem like nothing much, the town actually has 16 churches and 17 formerly grand palazzi.

I wanted to escape the crowds sometimes and found myself finding a nice quiet corner, reading and enjoying the views of the beach.

7. Have some of the best seafood pasta

I visited the La Catedral Pasta Bar which has a range of pasta from the best seafood to Trapenese pasta and the Pesto pasta. You must try the Pomodoro with shrimp and the Burrata salad.

You could totally have some by the waterfront but I found this charming place tucked in a hidden corner seated Al-fresco style. The service here was impeccable and it also felt like such a steal considering how touristy Kotor can be.

8. Go Kayaking

You know you’re in for an adventure when you’re able to kayak through the waters in Kotor. This kayak tour is a great option for those who want somthing adventurous!

The guide also takes you to a lot of hidden gems where you get to njoy the stunning views of the bay, and learn a lot about Montenegro.

9. Visiting the nearest national park - Lovcen National Park

lovcen national park

A park that’s so close to Kotor but somewhat hard to get there on your own if you don’t have any transport. I recommend going on a tour to visit Mount Lovcen. It is a full-day tour and absolutely worth it!

The national park may not be as big or famous as the others in Croatia but it is the final resting place of its greatest ruler at the Mausoleum.

The ruler is Petar II Petrović Njegoš, a Montenegrin and Serbian leader who governed Montenegro from 1830 to 1851. He is renowned for uniting the Montenegrin tribes and modernising the country.

10. Visit the Kotor Cat Museum

the fluffy cats in kotor

Did you know Kotor is also known as the city of cats? There’s plenty of cats all over the town and they add a certain charm to the city.

The cats museum was started in 2013 and the entrance fee costs around 1 euro. It is a fun and quirky place dedicated for cat lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

You’ll see cute postcards, and a fascinating collection of cat-related artifacts, art, and memorabilia.

11. Buy Cheese from Kotor’s Farmers Market

the farmers market in kotor

At the entry gate of the Old Town, you’ll find the Kotor’s farmers market which has a whole range of fresh produce — from honey, to grapes and the best cheese!

You can absolutely delay your lunch as you’ll find tons of local prosciutto, cheese, salami, olives and even some delicious raspberry wine.

12. The best budget-friendly food at BBQ Tangja

most affordable food in kotor — bbq tangja

It can be pretty pricy in some places but if there’s one place that is of absolute value and large portions: it’s at BBQ Tangja.

You can have some of the best grilled meats or even veggie platter for 10-14 euros. The owner is super friendly and the service is fast. You’ll find it to be pretty crowded - both inside and outside.

Come here for dinner or the best lunch if you want a big portion for less!

Also read, my other posts on Motnenegro:

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