Kotor, Montenegro: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening

Kotor, known in Italian as Cattaro, is a wonderful destination in Montenegro. It is a fortified town situated in a particular inlet, which gives it a unique atmosphere. It is a real gem, also ideal for a day trip from the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, from which it is about 90 km away (connected by direct bus). Here are all our tips on what to see in Kotor, Montenegro.

10 things to see in Kotor

1 - Cathedral of St Tryphon and Old Town

Kotor has a very small old town, enclosed within the ancient city walls, and its landmark is definitely the Cathedral of St Tryphon. The two tall towers stand out among the roofs of the houses in the centre and, once you pass through one of the city gates, you can reach it with a pleasant stroll through the quaint little streets, full of cafes and small craft shops.

The Cathedral of San Trifone originally dates back to 1166, the year in which it was consecrated, but what we can admire today is a recent renovation: in fact, the church was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1979. It is dedicated to St Tryphon, the patron saint and protector of the town, and its interior houses beautifully restored 14th century frescoes and numerous relics.

• How to get there: in Pjaca Sv. Tripuna, in the heart of the old town. Easily accessible on foot from Porta a Mare (190 m, 2 min) - Get directions

• Hours: daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Ticket price: free

2 - Porta a Mare and Walls

Photo by Bernard Gagnon. As already mentioned, Kotor is completely surrounded by the ancient defence walls. The first complete tour of the walls was completed in the 14th century, and was continually modified and extended over the centuries until the 19th century.

Today, it is possible to walk along the walls, an activity that should definitely be done! In some sections you can see how the defensive walls almost seem like a natural extension of the mountain. For access to the historical centre, the ancient city gates are still preserved in excellent condition. One of the most famous is certainly Porta a Mare, or Sea Gate, which from the harbour area provides immediate access to Piazza delle Armi, one of the most famous squares in the centre. From here, numerous guided walking tours of the old town also depart!

Porto a Mare is located on Trg od Oružja. Easily accessible on foot from St Tryphon's Cathedral (190 m, 2 min) - Get directions

3 - Bell Tower

If you want to discover the old city walls, you definitely cannot miss the Bell Tower, one of the most famous bastions. It is located in the harbour area, overlooking the Scurda River and a short walk from Porta a Mare.

The Campana Tower, one of the most impressive fortifications of the city walls, connects the western wall with the northern wall and dates back to the medieval period of the city. Recently restored, it is now open to the public and can be easily reached by following the wall walk. This is a point not to be missed: from here you can enjoy a splendid view of the sea and the mountains, truly a spectacle!

The Bell Tower is located on the port of Kotor. Easily accessible on foot from the Cathedral of St Tryphon (290 m, 3 min) - Get directions

4 - Square of Arms and Clock Tower

Once through Porta a Mare you will immediately arrive at the Square of Arms, or Trg od Oružja in the original language. The Square of Arms is one of the most elegant squares in the city, completely surrounded by beautiful palaces and full of small bars and cafés with outdoor tables, ideal for taking a break on a sunny day.

Here, in the heart of the square, is the Clock Tower, one of the symbols of Kotor. It takes the form of a square-shaped tower, tall and mighty, with a large clock on each side.

The Square of Arms and the Clock Tower are within easy walking distance of the Cathedral of St Tryphon (190 m, 2 min) - Get directions

5 - Churches of St Nicholas and St Luke

Photo by Misa.stefanovic.07. St Tryphon's Cathedral is not the only church in the city. On the contrary, the old town is dotted with many small churches, each one more beautiful than the last and with a unique charm. Definitely among those not to be missed are the Church of St Nicholas and the Church of St Luke.

These two small churches are located opposite each other in St. Luke's Square and, in a way, represent the different religious souls of Kotor: the Church of St. Nicholas is Serbian Orthodox, built in the early 20th century, while the Church of St. Luke is both Catholic and Orthodox. The latter was the protagonist of a minor miracle: it was, in fact, the only important building not to be destroyed or damaged in the terrible 1979 earthquake, which instead severely damaged the Cathedral of St Tryphon.

• How to get there: on Trg Sv. Luke. Easy walking distance from St. Tryphon's Cathedral (200 m, 2 min) - Get directions

• Hours: generally 8:00-20:00, times vary depending on day and period

• Ticket price: free

6 - Montenegro Maritime Museum

Photo by Sailko. Given its location and connection to the sea, for centuries Kotor has played an important role in the defence and trade of the country. This made it an important naval power in the past and its entire history is told in the Maritime Museum of Montenegro.

The museum is housed in a beautiful 19th-century palace, a veritable treasure trove of Baroque art, and is spread over three floors. Inside you can discover the city's maritime past through model ships, maritime maps, paintings, weapons and even photographs. Also ideal to visit if you are travelling with children.

• How to get there: at 391 Trg Bokeljske mornarice. Easily accessible on foot from St. Tryphon's Cathedral (130 m, 2 min) - Get directions

• Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-13:00

• Ticket price: full price €4.00, concessions €1.00

7 - Cat Museum

For cat lovers, there is a museum in Kotor that is more unique than rare, a real must-see, especially if you are travelling with children! We are talking about the Kotor Cat Museum, located in a building in the old town, not far from the Square of Arms.

Kotor is a city that adores cats, and you will come across many of them in the streets of the old town. Inside this museum you will find postcards, illustrations, prints, magazines, notebooks and many other vintage objects reminiscent of the world of cats. The cost of the ticket is actually a symbolic amount: €1.00 is charged, which will then be used to maintain the museum and the cats living in the city.

• How to get there: in Pjaca od kina. Easily accessible on foot from St. Tryphon's Cathedral (170 m, 2 min) - Get directions

• Hours: daily 10:00-17:00

• Ticket price: single €1.00

8 - Kotor Fortress

Apart from visiting the old town, one of the most beautiful excursions you can make is to the Fortress of Kotor, known as St John's Fortress. Situated 280 m above sea level, you can reach it by following a challenging path of steps and dirt road that leads directly to the fortress.

We advise you, if the day is particularly hot, to avoid the middle hours of the day for the visit, preferring instead early morning or mid-afternoon. All along the path there are numerous viewpoints that will give you a splendid view of the Bay of Kotor and its surroundings. Once you get to the top, you will find yourself among the remains of the ancient fortress of St John. Little is actually known about this place and its history, it certainly had an important defensive role in the past given its location.

The Kotor Fortress is located in Tvrđava Svetog Ivana, Put do Svetog Ivana, Špiljari. Accessible by a walk along the scenic Old Town Road (from the Cathedral of St Tryphon 1.1 km, 29 min) - Get directions

9 - Lungomare and Kotor beach

Being located by the sea, one of the most attractive parts of Kotor is undoubtedly its beautiful seafront promenade, which, from the harbour area, follows the entire coastline, reaching the Boka Aquarium and continuing well beyond. Packed with clubs and restaurants, it is definitely one of the best places to watch the sunset and the colour of the sky reflected in the sea.

Following the promenade, just past the port and less than a 10-minute walk from the centre, you will also find Kotor beach, the town beach. Actually, it is not a real beach, as there is no sand or gravel, but it is an area where you can lie out and sunbathe or swim to seek some coolness on hot summer days.

Kotor beach is located outside the old town, within easy walking distance of the Cathedral of St Tryphon (850 m, 11 min) - Get directions

10 - Boka Kotorska Bay and Perast

Finally, we couldn't fail to mention the Boka Kotorska Bay, the wonderful natural setting in which Kotor is located along with other wonderful villages, such as Perast. The Boka Kotorska Bay are these large inlets in the coast, almost like Norwegian fjords, which form wide valleys connected by mountains. They take their name from Kotor, which in Italian is called Cattaro.

The best way to discover the Boka Kotorska Bay is to join a boatexcursion that includes several stops, such as theboat trip to Madonna dello Scalpello, Rondoni and the Blue Cave. In this way, you will have the opportunity to discover all the beauty of the coastline and also stop at different spots for snorkelling.

One of the most beautiful excursions is thetrip to Perast, located in the innermost basin of the Boka Kotorska Bay. It is a wonderful little village close to the coast, where it seems as if time has stood still, a bit like in Kotor.

What to see in Kotor in a day: recommended itinerary

Start your day at the entrance gate to Kotor's most famous town, Porta a Mare, from which you can also enjoy a wonderful walk along the walls. You then pass through the gate to Arms Square, where you can stop for a coffee and admire the Clock Tower. From here, a one-minute walk will take you to the Cat Museum, which is a must-see and will take up very little of your time.Then visit the Churches of San Nicola and San Luca, facing each other, and finish the morning with the Cathedral of San Trifone, in the heart of the old town.

For lunch, stop at Restaurant PRŽUN, and then visit the Maritime Museum of Montenegro. In the afternoon you have several alternatives: we recommend aboat excursion to Perasto and the shrine of Our Lady of the Rocks, departing from the city harbour (starting at 15:00 or 17:00, duration 2 hours). Alternatively, you can relax on the city's waterfront or head to St John's Fortress to admire the city from above.

Once you have finished your chosen activity, enjoy a walk along the waterfront and end the day with dinner in the harbour area, at Konoba Akustik.

Excursion from Dubronik: Kotor is often visited on one-day excursions departing from Dubrovnik. Fantastic cruises and organised excursions are available, often including other Montenegrin stops such as Perasto and Budua.

One-day itinerary at a glance

1. Sea Gate and city wall walk

2. Square of Arms and Clock Tower

3. Museum of Cats - opening hours: daily 10:00-17:00 - ticket cost: single €1.00

4. Churches of San Nicola and San Luca - opening hours: daily 9:00-18:00 - ticket cost: free

5. Cathedral of St. Tryphon - opening hours: daily 9:00-18:00 - ticket cost: free

6. Lunch at Restaurant PRŽUN(Get directions)

7. Maritime Museum of Montenegro - opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-13:00 - ticket cost: full €4.00 reduced €1.00

8. Boat excursion to Perast - times: 15:00 or 17:00, duration 2 h - ticket cost: €28.00 per person - book here

9. Waterfront of Kotor

10. Evening at Konoba Akustik(Get directions)

What and where to eat in Kotor: specialities and restaurants

Kotor's cuisine has a strong Italian influence. Due to its location by the sea, fish is one of the protagonists of the cuisine and one of the typical dishes is risotto with squid ink. In general, the cuisine is typically Mediterranean and you will not be hard pressed to find tiramisu among the desserts offered by the locals. Here are some restaurants where you can sample typical cuisine:

1. Restaurant PRŽUN: a restaurant in the old town, with outdoor tables within the walls of a courtyard. Excellent grilled meat and fish dishes
   Average price per person: €15.00
   Address and contact details: Stari grad 397(Get directions) / tel: +38 269343061

2. BBQ Tanjga: barbecued meat restaurant with a butcher's corner where you can choose your own meat, then cooked on the spot
   Average price per person: €10.00
   Address and contact details: E65(Get directions) / tel: +38 269863836

3. Konoba Akustik: a fish restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Bay of Kotor. Don't miss the fried fish
   Average price per person: €20.00
   Address and contact details: 5 Obala marsala Tita(Get directions) / tel: +38 267030990

What to do in the evening: Kotor's nightlife areas and best clubs

Kotor is a relatively quiet destination. The real nightlife is mainly concentrated in the coastal resort of Budva, about 20 km to the south. However, there is no shortage of clubs to spend the evening in in Kotor either, located mainly on the waterfront and in the old town. In the harbour area you will also find a discotheque.

The best pubs, clubs and discos

• Klub Invalida: pub in the old town open until late with a wide selection of local beers, also frequented by many locals / Address: Ulica 1 (histok-zapad), Kotor, Montenegro(Get directions)

• Ladovina Kitchen & Wine Bar: a wine bar and restaurant, great for both dining and enjoying a glass of wine in the evening. Often live music / Address: 209 Njegoševa(Get directions)

• Club Maximus: a disco set amidst impressive Roman ruins, with 8 bars, a maximum capacity of 3,000 people and evenings with international DJs / Address: Port of Kotor (Getdirections)

Plan your stay in Kotor: info and tips

• Where is it located and how to get there: about 85 km from Podgorica, by car via the E65/E80 and M2.3 (1 h 30 min), and 90 km from Dubronik, by car via the D8 (1 h 50 min) or by direct bus (Dubrovnik Central Bus Station-Kotor Central Bus Station 2 h 50 min), but the best option is a cruise orday trip

• How to get around: on foot, the old town is really very cosy and the main attractions all close together. To get around the area, a hire car is recommended (average €50.00/day);

• Where to stay: compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking