Kotor is a protected gem whose secret is just about out. The domain of the cruise day tripper, Kotor is now attracting visitors who will stay beyond a night in port. With that said, seeing the best of Kotor in one day is completely doable.
We spent a spectacular few days in this UNESCO protected bay, and are so glad we did. There’s a wonderful mix of great people, good food (hope you like meat and seafood!) and sights to make this a perfect holiday cocktail.
So if you’re interested in Kotor and exploring a little piece of Montenegrin beauty, what can you do here? Here’s our most favourite things to do in this stunning bay. All of which can get you across the best of Kotor in one day.
Kotor Old Town
The old town is the beating heart of Kotor. It is well protected by its city walls, and alive with shops, restaurants and Montengrin charm. Wandering around in the day can be a humid experience, but by evening it’s a laid back, cool place to relax over dinner.
One word of advice is beware the polished cobblestones. They look like the same stones you’ll see in many other old towns. They are especially slippery though even when not wet. Choose your footwear wisely.
Kotor City Walls
Behind the old town, you’ll see some paths which are the continuation of the city walls. Now I’m not sure of the entire background to the walls. But I’m pretty sure no one was going to be invading over those mountains and down the hill. In the 9th century, there was a different view! The mere thought of the construction of these gates makes me tired and sweaty for those who built it.
The city gates wind up behind the town. The path is made up of a mix of stairs and gravel, built on a reasonable gradient. There are ~1300 steps up to the top, so if you want to count them on the way up, that might help you in your ascent. Regardless, your calves will feel it all the way up, I promise you that. Whilst it is a tough upward hike, most people would be able to traverse the path, it will simply be the pace you go at.
I took the hike in the morning, starting at around 7am. Technically sunrise had occurred, but the mountains protect you from the sun until around 9am. Early in the morning is the best time to do this hike. You’ll escape the heat (but not the humidity) and the cruise day trippers who usually leave port in the morning.
The hike offers many vantage points to stop and catch your breath, only for it to be taken away by the Bay of Kotor.
There are two key milestones on the hike. The first is about halfway up, the church of Our Lady of Remedy. The church is a great feature in pictures too as you get higher. If you’ve forgotten a bottle of water, this is the place to grab one. You’ll have a couple of vendors here happy to sell you some water. They mark it up, but it’s not extortionate by any means.
When you reach the top, you’ll hit San Giovanni’s fortress. The castle has seen better days, but it remains an impressive place to explore to complete the hike. Look for the rooms which have spectacular views coupled with nature taking over the castle.
The return wander is much easier, but be sure not to rush. Some of the path can be quite slippery, so take care on the descent.
BBQ Tjanga for lunch
Kotor being by the bay has a range of excellent seafood restaurants. And I’m doing some disservice by lumping them altogether. However, along the bay there are many seafood restaurants who all do some amazing seafood.
If you want something that stands out, you need to head to BBQ Tjanga. The name is as it suggests and you can enjoy a range of BBQ meats. The servings are generous and cheap! My personal favourite was the cevapi roll. You add some veggies too it and some sauce. You must try the home made hot sauce which takes the roll to another level. In fact you’ll offend the owner if you don’t!
We came back again and also enjoyed a hamburger. The owner takes enormous pride in his restaurant, is a bit of a character and enjoys filling up people’s bellies. A must try.
Get into the Bay
With water like Kotor’s, you have to get into it to fully appreciate it. In the summer, there is no place you’d rather be! The bay is super clear and calm. Perfect swimming conditions and you’re bonkers if you don’t enjoy a swim to cool down.
Got more than one day in Kotor?
Perast
A short taxi trip further up the bay and you’ll find yourself in Perast. Another coastal town littered with great restaurants, a picturesque church and bars to enjoy a drink at. It’s a larger part of the bay with many boat moorings and is a stunning seaside town.
Our Lady of the Rocks
Once you’re at Perast, the best thing to do is to head over to Our Lady of the Rocks. Located on a man made island in the bay, it provides a unique perspective on the bay. There is a magnificent legend of seamen finding a picture of Mary and baby Jesus upon a rock in the bay. After each successful voyage, they’d thrown rocks into the sea until the island appeared. Each year it gets a top up on the anniversary of its beginning. Locals head out to throw more rocks into the bay to keep broadening its base.
For €5 return, you can head over to the island to check it out for yourself. We organised our trip in the taxi on the way down and went with the taxi driver’s mate. Even though it is the Montenegrin way, you don’t need connections. Every other boat captain offered the same price.
Right across from Our Lady of the Rocks is the Island of St George. This is closed to the public, but you can enjoy a closer view from here.
Take a day trip down to Budva
If you’ve found Kotor a little too quiet, you can head to Budva for a visit. We loved Kotor, so ended up only driving through. You’ll find Budva much bigger. It attracts lots more people but with plenty to do including a famed water park. If you’re looking to do something with a bit more pace about it, Budva is a good option.
Kotor in one day is an easy visit. But it’s also the sort of place you can spend a lot more time. It has excellent beaches, great food and offers good value. It’s a great option for those who enjoy playing in the sunshine. Happy travels!
