Perched along the dramatic Bay of Kotor is one of the prettiest coastal towns in the Balkans, if not Europe in general – the epic gem of Kotor, Montenegro.

While hardly a secret these days thanks to the cruise ship crowd, Kotor was one of my favourite destinations from my backpacking days, and one I can still highly recommend for its captivating blend of medieval charm and natural beauty.

OH and there’s cats. A frightening amount of cats. So much that all the souvenir shops shill ‘Cat-or’ merch.

But anyways, cat vs. dog person aside, Kotor is a gorgeous town with epic surroundings. And while I’d advise visiting during off-season at all costs (as I did), there’s plenty to do here no matter what time of year you visit.

So, read on for a list of the best things to do in Kotor, Montenegro!

1. Wander around Kotor Old Town

We’ll start with the obvious, the #1 thing to do in Kotor is a visit to its ancient Old Town, enclosed by stone walls and filled with charming squares, narrow streets, and centuries-old buildings.

Many first time visitors are surprised to get a Venetian feel when visiting, and the reason for that is simple: for over 400 years, it was part of the Venetian Republic. This influence is partly why Kotor is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since it so closely resembles the historic towns found in Italy’s Veneto region.

Today, one of the best ways to soak in these centuries of history is simply wandering around Old Town to admire the beautify for yourself!

If you want some more guidance on what you’re seeing, there are private walking tours like these that you can book.

2. Visit St. Tryphon Cathedral

Upon entering Kotor’s Old Town, one of the first sights you see is St. Tryphon Cathedral, a beautiful Romanesque and Gothic church.

The cathedral you see today was built on top of an earlier construction and consecrated in 1166. It’s one of the biggest and most beautiful buildings in Kotor. If you venture inside you’ll also be able to see 14th century frescoes and a collection of art objects in the Sacral Art Museum – including body parts belonging to Saint Tryphon himself! Fun.

Although parts of the cathedral were damaged in earthquakes over the years, it has been beautifully restored and is now the main tourist attraction in Kotor, so it’s well worth a visit.

3. Explore Kotor’s fortifications

One of the key draws of Kotor is its immaculately preserved fortifications, many of which you can still climb and visit today… so another Kotor must-do is simply that – enjoying new vantage points from the remaining city gates and structures!

Some of the most popular include…

• Sea Gate: A well-preserved medieval entrance found near the harbour, with cannons facing towards the water.
• Gurdic Gate: A scenic entrance to the Old Town found at the southern end of the harbour that’s often less crowded than the main gate.
• Kampana Tower: A rounded fortification attached to the city wall that runs next to the water right by the Port of Kotor.

4. Go church hopping

Another activity to enjoy while frolicking around Kotor’s Old Town is a visit to the town’s many churches.

Some of the most popular ones include…

• St. Nicholas Church: A Serbian Orthodox Church with iconic rounded domes plus beautiful artworks and sculptures inside.
• Church of St. Luke: A small church that dates back to the 12th century, with some of the original frescoes still visible on its interior walls.
• Church of St. Mary Collegiate: Also known as the Lady of Health or Sveta Ozana, built during the 13th century with an older basilica from the 6th century found underneath it.

5. Climb up Kotor Fortress

After you’ve had your fill of gorgeous stone architecture, your next Kotor must-do is the (literally) breathtaking climb up to Kotor Fortress.

Perched high on the slopes of Mount Lovćen, the fortress of Kotor, also known as St. John’s Fortress, offers incredible views over the Bay of Kotor and the old town below. The origins of the fortress date back to the Roman era, but it was significantly expanded and fortified during the Venetian period, which left a lasting mark on its design.

Visitors to the Fortress of Kotor can embark on a steep but rewarding hike along the fortress walls, which stretch for about 4.5 kilometers and include over 1,300 steps. Along the way, you can explore various historical structures, including gates, bastions, and churches, such as the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, which dates back to the 16th century.

Of course, don’t forget a cheesy tourist photo once you get to to the top:

6. Kotor Maritime Museum

Now, I firmly believe that the best things to do in Kotor involve exploring and enjoying the natural wonders of the town, BUT if you’re curious about the town’s history as a maritime hub, then the Kotor Maritime Museum is a great place to learn about Kotor’s seafaring traditions.

Housed in the beautiful Baroque Grgurina Palace, the museum showcases the maritime heritage that has been central to Kotor’s identity for centuries. As you step inside, you’re greeted by an extensive collection of artefacts, ship models, and navigational instruments that tell the story of the town’s seafaring past.

Among the highlights of the museum are the intricately detailed ship models, which illustrate the evolution of naval architecture over the centuries. Another interesting exhibit is dedicated to the Bokelj Navy, a unique naval fraternity that has been part of Kotor’s heritage for over a thousand years.

7. Kotor Cat Museum

And remember what I said about the cats?

Yes, Kotor is crawling with furry felines, so much so that there’s even a cat museum dedicated to their honour.

While the museum is quite small it’s packed with cat memorabilia including engravings, antique books, coins, postcards, posters, advertisements, stamps and more. If you’re even remotely into cats then you’ll probably enjoy a visit, and the small entrance fee of 1 euro also helps to feed local strays.

Of course, there’s also a gift shop where you can go wild purchasing your own cat-themed souvenirs! Purr-fection.

8. Enjoy a food tour

Now, if you’re looking for a tastier activity to enjoy in Kotor, another option is to dig into the local food scene with a foodie walking tour.

This walking foodie tour will take you all over town where you’ll get to stop and enjoy tastings at a variety of different places. This includes visiting the local farmer’s market and a chance to taste the famous Amaro Montenegro liquor in an old bar. From olives to special sauces, seafood and cream pie, this tour will definitely leave you feeling satisfied! And, of course, you’ll be getting a side of sightseeing along with all the yummy treats.

NOTE: If you don’t have time for a food tour and would prefer one VERY satisfying meal, then I can recommend a stop at BBQ Tanjga where delicious budget-friendly platters of grilled specialties await. I’m convinced that every single backpacker who visits Kotor eats here every night of their stay – it’s practically a rite of passage at this point for budget travellers… and it’s so, so good.

9. Laze on the beach

Despite its gorgeous location on the bay, Kotor isn’t so much a beachy destination where you’d laze in the sun like a walrus all day… Most of the beaches are pebbly, after all!

Nonetheless, if you’re craving some beach time while in Kotor, here are some popular picks:

• Kotor Beach: The main beach in Kotor proper, located just a bit north of the Old Town, which means it’s usually pretty busy. The beach is pebbly and you need to pay for sun loungers but it’s a safe spot to swim with a beachside café to enjoy.
• Small Beach: The only other beach within Kotor proper is this tiny but free to use spot in front of some hotel ruins not far from the Gurdić Gate. There are some places to get food and drink nearby.
• Bajova Kula Beach: About a 15-minute drive from Kotor you can find another lovely beach in the tiny town of Dražin Vrt. It is a private beach so you’ll need to pay to use the sun loungers etc but there are also toilets and a nice restaurant.

Be sure to check out this great guide to Kotor beaches for more info.

10. Cruise around the Bay of Kotor

One of the most popular (and best) things to do while you’re in Kotor is go sailing around the gorgeous Bay of Kotor, with its stunning views of the dramatic massif landscapes.

You can join a full-day scenic cruise to enjoy all the sights, with time to visit famous spots like Mamula Island (which used to be a prison) and our Lady of the Rocks, plus you’ll get to go swimming at the gorgeous Rose Beach.

Or, if you’re more into active pursuits rather than just relaxing on a cruise, you could also do a guided kayaking tour of the bay instead!

11. Book a cool day trip

Finally, it’s worth noting that Kotor is a great base for many excellent day trips. So, if time permits, consider adding a few of these outings to your Kotor itinerary…

• Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks: History buffs are sure to enjoy visiting the 15th-century church and museum of Our Lady of the Rocks, plus time exploring the UNESCO-listed town of Perast. Book this tour here.
• Blue Cave: Spend the day swimming and snorkelling in the Bay of Kotor’s azure waters, along with stops at famous spots like the Blue Cave and a former submarine tunnel. Book this tour here.
• Hiking: And if you’d rather avoid the water altogether, you could also go hiking amongst the stunning massifs around Kotor, with dinner at a local farm included. Book this tour here.

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in Kotor?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more of the best Kotor activities to the list. Happy and safe travels! 🙂