Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Kotor, Montenegro. The Kotor cruise port has become a popular stop for ships, which unload passengers for two to five hours in the summer months. Whether you visit Kotor on a cruise ship or as part of a larger Montenegro vacation, we want to share with you some things to do in Kotor, Montenegro.
Kotor Old Town
The best thing to do in Kotor is to explore Kotor Old Town area by walking around. It’s a beautiful old town, with several interesting churches, including St. Luke’s Church and St. Nicholas Church. Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral is also really cool, and there is an adjoining museum that is very interesting. There are also a couple of interesting museums, but overall it’s just a nice area to walk around. It’s very laid-back, so you don’t feel rushed to see a bunch of sites, but rather you get to enjoy the atmosphere.
Walk The City Walls
Kotor is a fortified city, so you can walk along the ramparts that wind up the nearby hillsides. The walls loom over the city, providing excellent views of the surrounding areas. Once you’ve climbed to the top of the walls, you can continue on by hiking to the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, a 16th-century church that is only accessible by hiking. Climbing even farther along, you can reach the castle of St. John. If you decide to hike above Kotor and you are visiting on a cruise ship, make sure you turn around with enough time to get back to your boat!
Island Hopping by Boat
Taking a boat tour is one of the many fun things to do in Kotor. You can easily join a boat tour in the harbor and go check out some of the nearby islands in the Bay of Kotor. Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island, with a small church. If you arrive by cruise ship, you’ll go right by the islands, but the only way to reach them is by small boat.
Dining in Kotor
There are several small squares around town that are lined with restaurants. The seafood is fantastic, so I recommend finding a quaint restaurant to enjoy a nice, leisurely meal while you are in Kotor. There’s also a distinct Italian influence in the cuisine, so you can get some great pasta dishes in Kotor as well. Make sure you try some local Montenegro wine while you are here!
Is Kotor Safe?
Kotor is a very safe place to visit. The main safety concerns are health-related. It can get very hot in Kotor, so if you decide to hike up to St. Johns castle, you need to ensure you are properly hydrated and that your skin is protected.
The cruise staff did warn us of pickpockets in Kotor, but I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary that gave me concern for my safety.
Honest Travel Safety Advice for Every Traveler
Tipping in Montenegro
When you go out to eat in Kotor, you may be wondering if you should tip. It’s customary to tip around 10% of your restaurant bill in Montenegro. Prices are very affordable in Montenegro, so adding 10% won’t break the bank, regardless of how much you eat!
Montenegro Currency
While Montenegro is not part of the Eurozone or the European Union, they do use the Euro. The ATMs provide Euros, which is nice if you need to stock up on Euros after being in Croatia for a bit. If you’re on a cruise ship, the crew would probably prefer to receive tips in Euros rather than the Croatian Kuna.
Tips for Exchanging Currency Abroad
Language in Montenegro
You may wonder what language do they speak in Montenegro. The official language is Montenegrin, however, a robust tourism industry means you will have no trouble finding English speakers in Montenegro.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Kotor is a fun village to visit in Montenegro. Whether you visit on a day trip from Dubrovnik to Kotor, disembark at the Kotor cruise port, or decide to stay overnight in Kotor, I hope these tips help you find the best things to do in Kotor Montenegro. Looking for more European travel tips? Check out these other blog posts: