2 Day Itinerary in Kotor, Montenegro: Complete Travel Guide to the Bay of Kotor

Kotor is a fairy-like old town situated in the Kotor bay on Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast. It is considered to be the southernmost Fjord of Europe and is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is famous for its winding alleys and piazza in the old town, the Kotor Cathedral, the Our Lady of the Rocks, a picturesque man-made islet and church . It is a dream for cat lovers and Kotor has one of the highest populations of cats. I feel 2-3 days are enough in Kotor to explore it comfortably and soak in the charm and peace of the bay.

Day 1:

You arrive in Kotor from either Budva (25km) or Podgorica (90km) by road or can take a flight to Tivat airport (8km). Have lunch at the hostel, settle in and can go for the afternoon boat tour. The boat tour takes you to the Blue Grotto of Kotor, Our Lady of the Rocks, a world war bunker and gives you time to splash in the Adriatic Sea. It is usually a 3 hour tour with some music and fun. In the evening, as you are already wet you can do some sunset kayaking on the bay or just sit and swim on the small beaches. To begin the night, you can choose from restaurants to a quick grab in the old town with a variety of options and then proceed to enjoy the nightlife the town offers. Kotor has a vibrant nightlife with really good bars and pubs in the old town. It has its own seasonal festivals too, like when I went in April, their Spring festival had begun with amazing local music artists performing and inaugurating the start of the summer. If you plan your trip do check online the dates of any of these festivals so that you can be a part of it – Kotor Summer Carnival in August, the annual Kotor Art Festival featuring music, and the summer music festival Searock Festival. Other local traditions include Boka Night, a summer maritime festival with fireworks, and the Fašinada.

Day 2

Start your morning early and catch the breathtaking views of the bay from top of the Kotor Fortress or the Ladder of Kotor. The full hike is a loop that takes about 6 hours, though many opt to turn around at the viewpoint for a shorter, moderately challenging hike of about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. After the hike, go to Konoba Scala Santa for fresh seafood and traditional Montenegrin dishes, or Resto Bar Taraca for a riverside experience with local ingredients. For highly-praised BBQ, try BBQ Tanjga, while La Catedral Pasta Bar is a great option for excellent pasta dishes. For classic pub food and a laid-back atmosphere, the Square Pub is a popular choice. Get lost in the old town and soak in the medieval times. Check out the different churches – the Cathedral of St. Tryphon and the Church of St. Nicholas. See the town walls, the maritime museum which showcases Kotor’s rich seafaring history, the cat museum if you are a cat lover or just shop from the small shops at each corner. There is everything one is looking for in this little old town. Later, visit Perast- a historic, picturesque town a few kilometres from Kotor, known for its well-preserved Baroque architecture, numerous stone palaces built by seafaring families, and two nearby islets: the natural St. George and the artificial Our Lady of the Rocks, which features an iconic church and museum. Another old town worth exploring and don’t forget your camera! You can either drive from Kotor which takes around 25 mins (14km) or there are local buses which run frequently. To end the day, go to Konoba Akustik for a sundowner dinner with live music and enjoy some good food with amazing views of the Bay.

If You Have More Time

If you find yourself with an extra day in Kotor, I highly recommend a day trip to Lovćen National Park. Just an hour’s drive from the Bay, the park is a complete contrast to the coast – rugged mountains, winding roads, and panoramic viewpoints that stretch all the way to the Adriatic.

The highlight is the Mausoleum of Njegoš, perched at the very top of Mount Lovćen. You’ll need to climb over 400 steps to reach it, but the reward is one of the most breathtaking views in all of Montenegro. On a clear day, you can see the Bay of Kotor, Lake Skadar, and even as far as Albania.

If you’re into hiking, Lovćen has plenty of trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes. And don’t leave without trying the local specialty – Njeguški pršut (smoked ham), produced in the mountain village of Njeguši. Pair it with local cheese and honey, and you’ve got yourself the perfect Montenegrin meal.