The small Balkan nation of Montenegro, on the Adriatic coast, might solely have a inhabitants of simply over 600,000 and it could solely take 3 hours to drive from north to south – nevertheless it punches far above its weight on this planet of tourism.
The jewel within the crown of this lovely nation is the Bay of Kotor. Think Norwegian fjord, meets Croatian climate, with fortified cities and countless pure magnificence.
The slender bay is surrounded by monumental mountains on all sides, with the historic port city of Kotor nestled into its south-western nook – now a UNESCO World Heritage web site.
Built initially by the Romans and fortified by the Venetians, it’s one of the crucial spectacular, and nonetheless full, fortified cities in the entire of Europe.
The lovely city is shrouded by large mountains, with mountain climbing paths winding their means straight out its rear and straight up into the excessive peaks.
The Old Town’s community of tight alley methods are lined by lovely sandstone buildings, church buildings, tasty native eating places and craft outlets. It’s a postcard good setting and a spot we’re very keen on.
So be part of us as we discover the perfect issues to do in Kotor….
Best Things To Do In Kotor
#1. Wander the Old Town streets
The Old Town of Kotor is a densely packed, historic neighbourhood, which is surrounded by water on three sides and has steep mountains to its rear.
It nonetheless has its full set of walled fortifications, which wrap round three sides of the Venetian masterpiece, with three authentic gated entrances – incomes it UNESCO World Heritage standing.
Walk inside and also you’re handled to one among most spectacular fortified cities in Europe, with various beautiful squares and a big community of slender streets and alleyways.
We suggest getting misplaced within the labyrinth of passageways and taking in a surprising piece of residing historical past, full with tasty eating places, craft outlets, bars and cafes.
Many historic walled cities have hollowed out as locals have been priced out as a result of mass tourism, however not Kotor.
The city could be very a lot nonetheless a residing, respiratory and dealing city, which nonetheless has quite a lot of authenticity. Our first port of name could be to frequent your self with this lovely a part of the area.
#2. Hike up above Kotor Old Town
One of Kotor’s, and the encompassing bay’s, largest attracts is the realm’s gorgeous pure magnificence.
The entire area is outlined by its mountainous panorama, with dramatic, Alpine fashion, peaks falling sharply all the way down to the ocean.
The surroundings is completely breath taking and it rivals any southern-European coastal setting.
The huge variety of excessive peaks makes it good mountain climbing territory and the realm is definitely equipped for it, with many a whole bunch of kilometres of mountain climbing paths weaving up the mountains straight from the centre of Kotor.
There are routes for a lot of totally different talents, from all day or multi-day adventures, to brief household hikes.
No matter which you go for you’ll be handled to jaw-dropping views over the city, the bay and across the surrounding mountains.
One of the preferred is named “the ladder of Kotor”, which leads up the mountain to the left of a river, by the northern entrance to the Old Town.
The path snakes up the mountain facet and there are numerous stopping factors or locations to show again, together with a small mountain hut the place an aged native couple promote drinks and meals, in a location which supplies panoramic views throughout the bay.
You can flip again right here if you wish to or proceed on, snaking larger and better up the mountain facet and off into the forests and nationwide parks behind.
Which ever choice you go for it will likely be a really memorable day.
#3. Visit the city’s fortress
Sitting excessive up above the Old Town is Kotor’s imposing fortress, known as San Giovanni – an astonishing feat of engineering, with fortifications weaving their means up the mountain, at unimaginable angles.
The web site has been fortified because the 6th century and has been tailored, added to and renovated many instances over the continuing centuries.
It’s a magical place to discover and an unbelievable lasting of instance of the turbulent instances the area has gone by means of.
It prices round $10 to go to the fortress by means of the official fundamental gate and you then weave your means up the mountain from contained in the fortress’s partitions.
However, many individuals take pleasure in strolling up the mountain facet on the “ladder of Kotor” path, which now we have already talked about, after which climbing in by means of the fortress’s rear – one for the adventurous souls amongst us.
Which ever route you select, you’ll be handled to lovely views throughout the Old Town and the Bay of Kotor.
#4. Rent a ship
The individuals of Kotor reside and breathe each mountains and the ocean. It’s not solely ingrained within the inhabitants’s historical past, however each are very a lot a part of day by day life immediately too.
The waters within the Bay of Kotor are a hive of exercise day by day, with fishermen going out to catch lovely native produce, together with individuals commuting to totally different components of the bay by boat and pleasure crafts taking vacationers out for the day
That’s coupled with the arrival of cruise liners lately and larger tremendous yachts in the summertime. Why not get a distinct perspective of the bay, and its environment, and head out on the water by boat.
There are many rental corporations providing guided excursions across the gorgeous bay, with costs (significantly exterior the excessive summer time season) nonetheless very affordable.
#5. Kayak or paddleboard within the bay
If you favor transferring at a extra leisurely tempo, then head out into the bay on a paddleboard or kayak.
It’s an exquisite strategy to get correctly acquainted with the realm and get an actual really feel for the imposing mountains throughout the bay.
The bay’s waters are largely flat, because of the sheltered and guarded nature of it, other than the wake of passing boats.
It creates a pleasant and protected surroundings out on the water, which can be household pleasant. There are many corporations providing kayak and paddleboard rental on Kotor’s seashore.
#6. Visit an area mussel farm
Montenegro’s heat local weather and the shallow waters within the Bay of Kotor create good circumstances for rising and rearing all kinds of seafood.
Among many native specialities are extremely tasty mussels.
The shell fish are on the market everywhere in the area, in lovely native seafood eating places, so that you don’t should go far with out having a style of those beauties.
However, you may go one additional and go to one of many many native mussel farms, which encompass the bay – the place you may dine proper by the waterside.
Here native fisherman exit on small boats and drag up pots, lined in mussels, earlier than cooking them in entrance of you and serving native wine.
A really particular culinary expertise, which we extremely suggest.
#7. Go to a jazz gig
This is one among our hidden favourites in Kotor. In the centre of the Old Town, hidden down a number of small alleyways, you’ll come to an open-air jazz membership.
Throughout the yr Jazz Club Evergreen hosts openair concert events at weekends, in an attractive sq. which is surrounded by historic buildings.
Even within the chillier months music followers prove to sit down underneath heaters with blankets and watch native jazz musicians ply their commerce.
It’s a agency Kotor favorite of ours.
#8. Dance the night time away
If jazz is slightly sluggish paced for you, don’t fear. Under the Old Town there is a gigantic nightclub known as Maximus, which hosts giant DJ occasions all year long.
These run virtually each night time throughout the peak summer time season, with huge names within the Balkan digital music scene taking to the decks.
The raves aren’t fairly as frequent throughout winter, however there are nonetheless occasions at the very least each different week.
In this quaint Old Town you wouldn’t know the venue even existed, however underneath the historic streets, whereas many are sleeping, ravers are dancing by means of the night time.
#9. Head to the highest of Mount Lovćen
Sitting excessive up within the mountains behind Kotor is Mount Lovćen, one of many tallest mountains in the entire of Montenegro.
It’s a preferred place to go to, with many individuals selecting to take guided bus journeys to its peak or visiting by automotive.
Meanwhile, the fitter vacationers can hike from Kotor’s Old Town proper as much as the highest of the 1,749m excessive mountain.
As lengthy because the climate is in your facet you’ll be handled to unbelievable panoramic views throughout a big swath of Montenegro and on a really clear day you may even see the coast of Italy throughout the Adriatic.
Another actually memorable place on this lovely area.
#10. Eat the native seafood
We’ve already touched upon the scrumptious mussels you may eat in Kotor, nevertheless it’s removed from simply mussels that are price sampling.
The space has a wealthy fishing heritage and nonetheless to at the present time the Bay of Kotor is stuffed with fishermen taking to the ocean to catch tasty native produce.
There are additionally various giant native fish farms, together with the mussel farms we’ve already talked about.
From squid and lobster, to white fish and mussels – there are numerous tasty delights which completely must be tried. A superb job then that there are lots of unbelievable native seafood eating places within the space.
#11. Swim & hit the seashore
It can get actually moderately toasty in Kotor over the summer time months, very toasty in reality. Even in spring and autumn it may well attain the mid-20s, so cooling off is a should. Luckily Kotor and the bay have many beautiful swimming spots.
You don’t should go removed from Kotor Old Town to have a dip – the city has a small seashore, which is lined by cafes, eating places and bars.
Here you may cool off whereas surrounded by lovely mountains on all sides.
#12. Cycle to Porto Montenegro
With such pure magnificence on this space, it might be a disgrace to spend your time travelling round by automotive. One of our high suggestions is to cycle across the western facet of the bay and round a headland to Porto Montenegro.
The journey is round 20km in a single course, alongside a reasonably quiet highway lined by historic little villages and tiny ports.
At the tip you’ll attain Montenegro’s showcase port, known as Porto Montenegro. The space was once a former Yugoslav navy base, however has been accomplished remodeled.
Now it’s a playground for the wealthy and well-known, with superyachts lining its harbour, excessive finish eating places and designer outlets, together with boutique inns and fancy residences.
Although very totally different to Kotor and its historic Old Town, you may decide up a really good meal within the space – simply what you want after a protracted cycle.
#13. Visit a legendry meat restaurant
Kotor is house to a legendry BBQ restaurant and meat store known as BBQ Tanjga. It’s a no thrills vacation spot, however you can be handled to one of many tastiest and most reasonably priced meals in Kotor.
The small store and restaurant specialises in tasty native meat produce, with locals flocking to the shop to choose up meat to cook dinner at house or for a lunch-time sandwich.
You also can dine at a small variety of tables inside, the place you may eat beastly, gluttonous feasts. The meals just isn’t solely extremely tasty, nevertheless it’s excellent worth too, which isn’t at all times the case round this widespread area.
The workers are additionally tremendous pleasant and it makes for an excellent, native, eating expertise.
#14. Get up into the forests
There are numerous uncovered mountains round Kotor, however there are additionally dense forests. Getting up into the forests is an absolute should whereas within the space.
Not solely is it good to be amongst the bushes, however the forests are additionally a haven for wildlife.
Our favorite time to go to the forests is in Autumn, as the colors start to alter. There are many mountain climbing routes, which lead by means of native forests, however our favorite is on the alternative facet of the bay to Kotor Old Town.
The route leads from the water’s edge as much as Vrmac Fort, which is hidden among the many bushes. Here you will get lovely views throughout to Tivat and the Adriatic, in addition to down in direction of Kotor Bay.
#15. Walk town’s Old Town partitions
Although town’s Old Town is an imposing place to wander round at floor stage, it’s much more spectacular when strolling alongside the fortified partitions.
There is a whole walkway, which loops round three sides of the Old Town, on the highest of the partitions themselves. It’s a good way to see the city, whereas additionally searching in direction of the ocean.
It additionally provides you an additional appreciation of the immense feat of engineering, which Kotor undoubtedly is.
You can start the Old Town partitions stroll from both the northern or southern gateway to the city and even higher – it’s utterly free.
Final Thoughts
Kotor is a city steeped in historical past and formed by its rugged pure magnificence.
Not solely does it have an Old Town to rival probably the most well-known historic and fortified cities round Europe, nevertheless it additionally has Alpine fashion surroundings and Croatian’esque seaside magnificence.
It’s a really magical place, which is fascinating and awe inspiring. The space is formed by its dramatic mountains and the ocean, with many locals retaining their ardour for each.
There aren’t many locations in Europe the place you will get a style of rural mountain life and a small fishing group on the similar time, whereas additionally absorbing facets of Mediterranean high-life.
It’s a really numerous place, which has one thing for everybody.
We completely love this lovely a part of Montenegro and consider it can take your breath away, simply because it has for us.
We hope you loved our information to the perfect issues to do in Kotor – all you should do now could be go to.