Top Things to Do in 1 day in the Old Town of Kotor

You only need one day to see the beautiful walled city of Kotor in Montenegro. You don't even need to spend the night to see it all. Coming in by boat? Perfect. It's beautiful to see this city and region by water and is a famous sailing and yachting destination for skippers around the globe. So, what should you focus on in your limited time here? In this article, Bubbly Tourist highlights the top things to see and do in 1 day while exploring the Old Town of Kotor.

Its unique bottleneck shape makes the Bay of Kotor the single best natural harbor between Greece and Venice. Tucked way at the end of the bay, after snaking inland for an hour by boat from the Adriatic Sea, the stunning landscape finally welcomes you to the beautiful walled city of Kotor.  Its port is the gateway to a chain of humble, yet beautiful and enriching mountain hamlets where old customs are still part of daily life. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's very old and quaint with narrow, cobblestone streets. What helps make Kotor so interesting is the fact that the fortified (and walkable) wall runs up into the mountains in which the old town is nestled. Populated since the Roman times, this very small medieval town only inhabits 3,000 people and who knows how many cats? There is a fond and proud relationship between the cats of Kotor and its human inhabitants stemming from their historical role in controlling the local rodent population and their subsequent adoption as symbols of good luck and prosperity. Read on and explore this bay city of Montenegro.

1 Day in Kotor for the Top 10 Things to See and Do

1. City Wall Walk

The first thing you'll have to decide is whether you're going to do the complete wall walk. The City Wall Walk is the part of the city wall at sea level that takes you from the Southern Gate to roughly the Northern Gate (or vice versa). This is an easy, short and free level walk that will take you half way along the Kotor's Old Town along the bay's (southern) and river's (northern) edges. But just past the Northern Gate along the river, there is a pay booth that will allow you to continue to do the full 2.5km (1.5 mile) roundtrip strenuous walk into the hills on the path to St. Ivan. If you can this hike, it is a must do. See more below...

Bubbly Tip: Bubbly Tourist recommends if you do the complete wall walk (into the mountains) to begin first thing in the morning before it gets too hot. For us, we arrived when it was already too hot so we did not walk up. Allow yourself 1.5 - 2 hours.

2. Main Town Gate (Glavna Gradska Vrata)

The wide-open square fronting the bay and waterfront marina welcomes visitors to Kotor's Old Town. The Main Town Gate (Sea Gate) dates back to the 16th century and reflects the Venetian influence on Kotor's architecture. The date (November 21, 1944) commemorates this area's liberation from the Nazis. It's the main entrance to Kotor's Old Town and leads directly to the Square of Arms. Just outside the Sea Gate you'll find the Tourist Office and just a little further down along the waterfront, you'll find the outdoor market.

3. Square of Arms (Trg od Oruzja)

In a long building lined with cafés within the Square of Arms, you'll find the Kotor

Town Hall which was once the palace of the rector, who ruled Kotor on behalf of Venice. Also within the square, you'll find two other buildings on either side of the lane leading out of the square. The yellowish one on the left is the Napoleon's Theater, named during the time this area was under Napoleon's control. The one on the right is the Medieval Arsenal, from which the square is named, in operation from the 15th to 20th centuries.

4. Central Wall Terrace

If you walked all the way to that far (left) end of this square, you'd find a staircase leading you to an upper terrace overlooking the harbor out front. Pause here for a moment and admire the scenery from above. You can see the beautiful view up into the mountains or capture a moment of the port. From here, you can follow a narrow walkway along the top of the city's seaward wall to see the city from its walls or make your way back down to the town.

5. Kotor Cathedral on St. Tryphon's Square

The Kotor Cathedral is officially named for Saint Tryphon, the city's patron saint, and is a prominent Roman Catholic cathedral. This cathedral was consecrated in 1166 but reconstructed after several earthquakes. The Romanesque architecture has slender Corinthian columns with pillars of pink stone thrusting upwards to support a series of vaulted roofs. Look for the remains of Byzantine-style frescoes in the arches.

6. St. Luke's Square (Trg Svetog Luke)

There are two Serbian Orthodox churches on St. Luke's Square, each with the typical Orthodox church features: a squat design, narrow windows, and portly domes. St. Luke's Church (Crkva Sv. Luka), the smaller of the two in the middle of the square, dates from the 12th century. The bigger and much newer St. Nicholas' Church (Crkva Sv. Nikola) was built in 1909. Because of its Neo-Byzantine design, it has similarly spherical domes and slitlike windows (both are free to enter). If you haven't done the wall walk yet, you can access it very near here (you're also near the North Gate) and walk it down to the South Gate.

7. South Gate

Yes, that is a moat at the base of the ramparts at the South Gate, also known as the Gurdic Gate. The moat is formed by the Škurda River. The gate, including the moat and drawbridge, was fortified by the Gurdic Bastion in 1470. The gate itself was modified many times over the years. If you haven't done the wall walk yet, you can access it very near the South Gate entrance.

8. Get Lost in the Backstreets of Kotor

Since the city is so small, you can always find yourself back to a familiar destination. Therefore, it is okay (and fun!) to just wander about and get lost in the backstreets of Kotor. Just take off down one of the beautiful cobblestone and narrow streets and let them wind you up and around buildings. Who knows what you'll find?

9. The Cats of Kotor

From rodent control to symbols of good luck and prosperity, cats are everywhere in Kotor. If you're a cat fan like Bubbly Tourist, you'll love the cats that you'll see around town as well as the shops selling cat trinkets and even a cat museum. In one case, there's an entire store dedicated to cat paraphernalia called the Cats of Kotor.

10. Try Local Produce at the Market

Just a little down from the Sea Gate along the waterfront, situated between the Main Gate and the South Gate, you'll find the outdoor market. While the market is open every day in the morning, Saturday is generally considered the main market day with the largest number of vendors and variety. Fresh Produce includes seasonal fruits and vegetables, local cheese varieties, including a creamy Parmesan-like cheese and others from the nearby Njeguši region, freshly butchered, aged, and smoked meats, including the famous Montenegrin prosciutto, homemade jams, honey, and olive oil, showcasing the region's agricultural heritage, and traditional pastries, including börek and other local treats.

In Search of Bubbles and Bites in Kotor

In an ongoing segment by Bubbly Tourist, we always search for a location - if not the best location - to have some champagne wherever we go. It is, after all, who we are.

The Old Winery Bar

Ready to indulge in some local wines? Head to Wine Street. Wine Street is not the official name of a street in Kotor, but a nickname given to Zanatska ulica (Zanatska Street) due to the concentration of wine bars and wine-related businesses there. Here you'll find The Old Winery Bar. It's known for its extensive selection of local and international wines, and is a popular spot for wine enthusiasts, but not really for their meals. Stick to the bites. For local wines, try: Vranac, a dry red with berry flavors and is the region's specialty; Krstac, a dry, floral white; and Rakija, a more potent brandy made with plum, apricot or grape and flavored with herbs and honey. Although champagne is not on the menu, there are some sparkling wines from which to choose.

Trpeza Restaurant

Trpeza is known for its authentic Montenegrin dishes. The menu features a variety of local specialties, prepared with fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it an ideal spot for both casual meals and special occasions. The best part is a small hidden terrace, in the backyard of the restaurant, perfect for romantic evenings! Whether you’re enjoying a hearty seafood dish or one of the many meat-based options, the flavors are sure to leave a lasting impression. It also has an extensive wine list featuring local wines that perfectly complement the dishes.

Other Fun Things to Do in Kotor

Hiking

Kotor is an interesting place for mountain lovers. Towards the peak of Sveti Iven (St. Ivan) above Kotor, there is a path dedicated for those who share a passion for hiking. The St. Ivan path, also known as the Ladder of Kotor, is a route that ascends the mountain to the Sveti Ivan Fortress. Just past the Northern Gate along the river, there is a pay booth that will allow you to continue to do the full 2.5km (1.5 mile) roundtrip strenuous walk into the hills. The views up above Kotor from the mountainside are incredible and are one of the main reasons for doing the walk and are reminiscent of the stunning mountain views above Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Bubbly Tip: Bubbly Tourist recommends if you do the full walk to begin first thing in the morning before it gets too hot. For us, we arrived when it was already too hot so we did not walk up into the hills. Allow yourself 1.5 - 2 hours.

Sailing

For those who prefer the sea, explore the possibility of renting sailing equipment and discover your inner sailor. Bubbly Tourist arrived by cruise ship, so we were able to explore the entire Bay of Kotor out to the Adriatic Sea. Explore the nearby hamlets, like Perast.

Travel More, Travel Bubbly!