KOTOR

Located on a beautiful bay on the coast of Montenegro, Kotor is steeped in tradition and history with remarkable scenic views of the majestic fjords.

KOTOR – ‘A MUST SEE PLACE’

The old city was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and is filled with medieval architecture and historic monuments.

Located on a beautiful bay on the coast of Montenegro, Kotor is steeped in tradition and history with remarkable scenic views of the majestic fjords. Kotor town with its old walled city, originally built to keep foreign invaders out, now welcomes visitors from all over the world.

The entire Bay of Kotor is lined with picturesque seaside villages, each with a unique cultural history of its own. Perast being one of our favorites just for it sheer beauty. Over the centuries, leadership of the area passed between Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Serbs, Bulgarians, Turks, Venetians and other conquering empires. Most recently becoming an independent country in 2006, Montenegro still maintains a raw wild beauty, with the majestic fjords framing its shores.

Directions by car

Which ever way you decide to travel you will need to pass through the border from Bosnia to Montenegro, so don’t forget your passport. We would recommend that on leaving Ivanica you head towards Trebinje, and pass through the mountains, as the border there is usually quieter.

As you arrive on the outskirts of Trebinje you will see there is a large restaurant on your right-hand side. Here the road forks, you need to bear right up the mountain, follow this road all the way towards Montenegro. Pass through the Montenegro border, onto a small toll road, taking a ticket (3€ each way). Continue on this road until you reach Herceg Novi. At the roundabout take the last exit and continue along this road, through the urban area, until you reach the beautiful coastline again, about a 20-min drive. You will then be able to see the start of the majestic fjords. On your right you will pass the small car ferry that takes you to Tivat and which we suggest you use on your return journey. Now relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and historic small villages, coffee and lunch stops, as you pass along the coastline to Perast, (well worth a visit) towards Kotor.

For your return journey, we suggest you continue on the coast ravelling away from Kotor towards Tivat. It might not sound logical, but there is then a tunnel for you to pass through that brings you out a short way from the ferry at Tivat.

If there is a queue in the height of the season, don’t worry as they do tend to move quite fast. It also gives you a chance to get out of the car and buy the 6€ ticket necessary for the ferry ride. Alternatively, just double back on yourself once you finished visiting Kotor. If you wish to stop for some refreshments, we recommend ‘Stara Herzegovina’ restaurant in the village of Tuli. It’s open all year and great inside and outside on the terraces.
Have a great day out!

Please click here to see directions.

THE OLD TOWN

The town is a twisting maze of cobblestone streets, alleyways with washing neatly draped above and lined with restaurants and charming historical churches. In the evening, squares come alive with musicians and bars move into the narrow streets turning the alleys into groovy jazz and blues scene.

Eating in the old town can be pricey and a little crowded, so we would recommend exploring the small eateries outside the walls, which are more reasonable and pleasant.
In August it can be very hot and muggy so don’t go anywhere without water in hand and plan a beach stop, afterwards to cool down.

The main attraction here in Kotor is walking the historic walls so allow 2 hrs for your trek and ensure you have a hat, sun cream and water before you start- the views at the top will make your efforts worthwhile!

Offshore lie two distinctive islands. St George is a Benedictine Monastery and off limits to visitors. Adjacent is the Lady of The Rock, built on a man made island. Legend has it that after a storm fisherman found an icon of Mary and Jesus and vowed they would build a church on the spot. A church was built here and dedicated to this icon, protector of sailors and fishermen. You can visit from Perast. We recommend walking along the shoreline and hiring a small boat, they will take you for a round trip approx. 5€ per person.

THE CITY WALLS

The city walls of Kotor are a UNESCO world heritage site, they form an arch over the rough cliffs of St John’s hill and are 4-5 km long and in parts just 2 meters wide. We strongly recommend the climb even if just for the incredible views. Dating back to medieval times, St John’s fortress, towers high above the town with the city walls representing a mix if ramparts, gates, churches, cistern’s and bastions. Most people start the walk at the Northern, entering through an archway leaving the old city.

First stop, after a 20 min climb, for a break and photos, at 100 m altitude, is in front of the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, built in 1518 by survivors of a plague and became a site to make a pilgrimage to.
Further on is a small crumbling fort with shelled out rooms and crumbling walls. Beyond this is a gap in the wall that allows you to detour onto a narrow dirt path to a clearing. You can see remnants of stone houses and a small ruined church, the door lies open so you can just make a stone altar and fragments of faded frescos on the walls and ceilings.
Back through the wall the hike to St John’s fortress continues and the view becomes more impressive. As you look down at the Old Town of Kotor with its tiny red roofed houses looking like miniatures and the view of the blue bay below, surrounded by high mountains, you really will have your breath taken away.

If you don’t walk to walk the same way down, you can also return through the ‘gap’ mentioned above, and from there follow a marked trail that leads over a grassy terraces and via a series of switch backs down the along the outer side of the city walls on the northern edge of the moat. This trail is called the ‘Ladder of Kotor’, centuries old trail that was used by the Montenegrin women to go to the market in Kotor. The walk is not easy, especially in the heat of the summer. 1355 step need to mastered on some steep and slippery paths. Sturdy shoes, a bottle of water, hat, sun-tan lotion and being physically fit, are a must.

It’s hard to imagine the Venetian walking and working on these walls every day especially in the hot summer. During the summer months we recommend to climb the walls in the morning, as it can get very hot during the day. But in the cooler months, the best time of the day is around noon, when the sun shows the beauty of Kotor Bay in all its splendor.

The walking time is approx 2hrs ( return walk ).
Open: All year round.
Cost: €3 per person as 2017 ( no charge out of season).