Things to Do and What to See in Kotor: A Local Driver’s Guide

We’ve been driving folks around Kotor for a long time with Balkan Chauffeur. Every time we bring someone here, we’re reminded why they keep coming back. The town’s got these old stone walls and narrow streets, all squeezed between the bay and the mountains. We’ve learned a few spots that aren’t in every guidebook, and we’re passing them on to you with some tips from the road.

1. Kotor’s Old Town: Cobblestone Streets and History

Kotor’s Old Town is where you’ll likely hang out most of the day. It’s full of cobblestone streets, little squares here and there, and buildings dating back to the 1100s. We usually stop by the main square, Trg od Oružja—it’s got a Clock Tower from 1602 that’s a nice place to take a quick photo if you’re up for it. St. Nicholas Church is just around the corner, and our passengers often say they love the frescoes inside. Take your time walking around since the streets are tight, and you might miss something cool if you’re in a hurry.

• Location: Stari Grad, Kotor 85330, Montenegro
• Entry Fee: Free to walk around

One thing we always tell people: wear comfy shoes because the cobblestones can be tough to walk on.

2. Cathedral of St. Tryphon: Kotor’s Historic Landmark

The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is in the Old Town, and it’s been there since 1166. Inside, you’ll find two bell towers and a small museum with some old relics. We like bringing people here because you can climb one of the towers and see the bay and rooftops from above—it’s not too high, but you’ll get a clear view. You’ll be done in about half an hour or so. We’ve seen it get busy around noon with tour groups, so you might want to head there earlier if you can.

• Location: Trg Sv. Tripuna, Kotor 85330
• Entry Fee: 3 euros, which includes the museum

Heads up: it can feel a bit crowded if a big group’s inside with you.

3. St. John’s Fortress: A Hike Above Kotor

If you’re up for a hike, St. John’s Fortress is on the hill above Kotor. There are about 1,350 steps to the top, and it’ll take you around an hour if you’re walking at a steady pace. Once you’re up there, you’ll see the bay and town from up high—it’s a view our passengers always talk about. There’s a small church halfway up where you can stop and catch your breath. Bring water and wear good shoes because the steps can be steep in some spots, and it’s not the easiest climb.

• Location: Start at Kampana Gate, Kotor 85330
• Entry Fee: 8 euros from April to October, free otherwise

We’d say go in the morning before it gets too hot.

Kotor Cable Car

4. Kotor Cable Car: Ride to Lovćen Mountain

The Kotor Cable Car started in 2023, and it takes you up to Lovćen mountain at 1,350 meters. It’s a 10-minute ride, and you’ll get a great view of the bay from up there. At the top, there’s a restaurant and a few trails if you want to walk around a bit. Just so you know, the starting station isn’t in central Kotor—it’s in Dub, about 5 km away. You can’t really walk there since there’s no path and it’s too far, so you’ll need to drive or take a taxi to the station.

• Location: Dub, Kotor 85330, about 5 km from Old Town
• Round-Trip Ticket: 20 euros per person

It’s open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.

5. Maritime Museum: Kotor’s Seafaring Past

Kotor has a long history with the sea, and the Maritime Museum gives you a peek into that. It’s in an old palace in the Old Town, with things like ship models, navigation tools, and stuff from when the Venetians ran the place. The museum’s pretty small, so you won’t need more than 45 minutes to go through it. They don’t let you take pictures inside, which some folks don’t like, but we always find it interesting to stop by since we’re into that sea history stuff.

• Location: Trg Bokeljske Mornarice, Kotor 85330
• Entry Fee: 4 euros

If you like history, it’s worth stopping by for half an hour or so.

Kotor city beach October 2024

6. Kotor Bay Waterfront: A Spot to Relax

The bay is a big reason people come to Kotor, and you can walk along the waterfront just outside the Old Town. There are benches where you can sit down, grab a coffee for 2 euros, and watch the boats go by. The water’s calm most of the time, and the mountains around it make it a good spot to sit down and relax for a while. If you feel like swimming, we’ve got a list of the best beaches in Kotor Bay that aren’t far from here.

• Location: Along Obala, Kotor 85330
• Cost: Free to sit; coffee’s about 2 euros

Come in the morning if you want some quiet time.

Explore More Around Kotor

Kotor’s a great spot to use as a base for seeing more of Montenegro. We’ve put together a list of the best day trips and private tours from Kotor—places like Perast or Budva that you can easily get to in a day.

How to Get to Kotor

Kotor isn’t hard to get to, with a few airports close by. Here’s how you can roll in with our transfers:

• Dubrovnik to Kotor: Takes 1.5 hours from Dubrovnik Airport.
• Tirana to Kotor: About 4 hours from Tirana Airport.
• Podgorica to Kotor: 1.5 hours from Podgorica Airport.
• Tivat to Kotor: Just 20 minutes from Tivat Airport.

Heading to Kotor? Our private drivers from Kotor can make your trip easy with custom routes. Book with Balkan Chauffeur and we’ll get you there!

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