Kotor is a beautiful medieval town and a perfect destination for tourists who are interested in the culture, tradition, heritage and natural beauties of the Bay of Kotor. Moreover, it is a prime destination with many luxury stores, in addition to wellness and spa hotels. Finally, Kotor is one of the most popular destinations in Montenegro, as it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A marvel of Mediterranean art set in its medieval fortress
At the bottom of the mouth of Kotor and leaning against a rocky peak, the old town of Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval cities of the Mediterranean Sea. Completely surrounded by walls, Kotor is distinguished by the maze of its streets, the beauty of its narrow squares and numerous monuments of Venetian influence.
After having been Roman, Byzantine, and then integrated into the Serbian kingdom of Stephen Nemanja between 1185 and 1371, Kotor became an autonomous republic in 1391, with its own government and its own currency. From 1420 until 1797, the city is under the control of the Republic of Venice.
The architectural richness of Kotor is mainly due to its numerous baroque palaces built during the past centuries by the local aristocracy. While strolling through the narrow streets of the old town, one can see many sculptures adorning the facades of these romantic-looking palaces. The ramparts surrounding the old town are 4.5 km long and 20 m high in some places, and contribute greatly to the beauty of Kotor. Of Byzantine origin but largely reinforced by the Venetians, these fortifications helped protect the city from Turkish assaults in the 16th and 17th centuries. After climbing a staircase of more than 1,000 steps, you will have a unique view of the Mediterranean Sea, with the clear waters of the mouths of Kotor on one side and the massif of Mount Lovćen on the other.
The Bay of Kotor: a setting worthy of the greatest Hollywood films
In addition to the cultural and historical importance of the old town of Kotor, lovers of active tourism can find their entertainment in the hinterland of Kotor, which has an interlacing of hiking trails and ancient fortresses. With its earthy scenery of mountains split by the sea, the Mouths of Kotor look like something out of a Scandinavian landscape. The fjord is 28 km long and is made up of several inner gulfs connected by deep passes. It is one of the best natural harbors in the region. Boka is an oasis of Mediterranean vegetation where agaves, mimosas, oleanders, pomegranates and medicinal herbs grow.
Like jewels, the small towns, treasures of history and art, are scattered along its coastline. Perast is the home of many famous sailors. Its lifestyle resembled that of Venice, with which it had cultural ties and a flourishing trade. Opposite, the two islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrperlja) await you.
The latter, 500 meters from Perast, is home to a church known for the hundreds of small silver votive offerings donated by passing sailors. Herceg Novi is a flowery town with all its windows facing the sun and the sea. It has preserved in its walls the traces of its turbulent history. Located at the entrance of the bay, it is today a peaceful city, appreciated by artists and renowned for its particularly mild microclimate.
Ideal starting point to discover Montenegro: the Black Mountain, between earth and sky
Kotor, which enjoys an ideal location in the center of the bay, is also a good starting point for visiting the interior of the country. Indeed, short distances and a very good road network will allow you to make very varied and enriching half-day visits.
First of all, the village of Njeguši. About twenty kilometers from Cetinje, on the "Serpentine" road between Kotor and Cetinje, you will drive through breathtaking landscapes. Known as the "Cattaro ladder" because of its numerous hairpin bends, the road leads after a spectacular climb through typical Mediterranean vegetation. At the end of the road you will find Njeguši, a picturesque mountain village where life is good.
Continuing along the ridges of the Lovćen massif, you can admire the Lovćen Memorial Park in honor of Petar II Petrović Njegoš. After climbing a 460-step staircase, you will observe three monumental sculptures: two women carved from granite and Njegoš depicted seated, an eagle perched on his shoulder and a book on his lap.
FUTURE INFO
When to visit?
The best times are spring and autumn, with very mild temperatures and maximum sunshine. Summer, with the soothing influence of the sea, will delight bathers. In winter, you will enjoy beautiful sunshine and clear skies; skiers can enjoy their favorite sport from November to March.
Duration
It takes three days to discover Kotor and a week to visit the main sites of the region. The Bay of Kotor is ideal for a long weekend for lovers or a week with the family.
The most
- Discover the only fjord in the Mediterranean Sea and swim in clear waters.
- Stroll through the medieval history at the confluence of Latin, Orthodox and Muslim cultures.
- Walk through a majestic bay or climb the heights of the Lovcen mountain range.
The minuses
- The atavistic slowness of Montenegrins makes the service sometimes complicated.
- Swimming, in Kotor and its immediate surroundings, is done from pontoons or very narrow beaches.
Useful
Montenegro has the great advantage of being a small country (13,800 km²) very well served by three airports (Tivat and Dubrovnik on the coast; Podgorica in the heart of the country). By car, the best way to get there is from the Dalmatian coast highway in Croatia (count 20 hours from Paris). You will only need a valid national identity card. Plan on a budget of 80 to 120 euros per day depending on the category of restaurant and hotel. The prices on the Adriatic coast tend to be close to ours, but as soon as you cross the heights, you will eat and sleep at moderate prices.
-KOTOR TOURIST OFFICE - More information on the website
Stari grad 315
Phone: +382 32 325 947
The office is located in a small kiosk to the left of the main entrance to the city walls. You will find free maps of the city and a sale of souvenirs (postcards, books).
