Visiting Dubrovnik and have a day to spare? Do yourself a favour and visit Kotor. Read about how to spend a day in Kotor, Montenegro on a day trip from Dubrovnik. Or even better, stay for a day or two to savour its unspoilt beauty and explore further afield.
Nestled between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kotor is picturesque and historic and an easy day trip from Dubrovnik. It’s a great way to escape the crowded Dubrovnik Old Town when cruise ships are in port.
Travelling between Croatia and Montenegro
We travelled by car between the two countries. It’s a comfortable two-hour drive each way on the highway, and remember to travel with your passport.
Croatian border security is tight, with long queues in the summer months. We left early to avoid the long queues at border control. We were lucky; it took only an hour to pass through.
The stunning Bay of Kotor
We drove past busy seaside towns and tourist parks before the road tapered into the Bay of Kotor. What a sight to greet us!
The Bay of Kotor
The mountain scenery toward Kotor took our breath away. We had to photograph the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks on a small islet in the bay. The camera came out.
There are numerous photo opportunities and viewpoints on the road hugging the coastline. Be prepared to take your time driving around the Bay!
Kotor is becoming a major tourist attraction, and traffic can be heavy if you’re arriving by car. A parking area is conveniently located on the waterfront, just a short walk from the old city.
Things to do in Kotor
Kotor Fortress
Walk to the entrance gate and look for the 13th- and 14th-century Venetian Kampana Tower and Citadel that protected the city.
Walk along the Kotor City Walls
A walk along the walls of the fortified old town, Stari Grad, gives you orientation, views of the bay and the walls stretching up the mountainside above.
Meander Stari Grad’s streets, squares and alleyways
After walking the walls, venture into the maze of streets and alleyways. You’ll meander in and out of squares, and plenty of little stores and cafes will distract you along the way.
You’ll also see lots of signs of daily life, like laundry hanging over the streets.
Keep an eye out for some of the city’s landmarks too.
Kotor Clock Tower
The Kotor Clock Tower is one of Stari Grad’s most notable landmarks. You’ll find it in the main square as you enter the West Gate. The original tower, built in 1602, survived the 1667 earthquake but was severely damaged in the 1979 earthquake. The reconstructed version is the one you’ll see today.
Church of St Luke
Built in 1195, this small Serbian Orthodox Church gives visitors a real feel of the intimacy of Kotor’s Stari Grad.
St Nicholas’ Church
Built on the site of an abandoned Dominican Monastery in the early 20th century, the Church of St Nicholas is a Serbian Orthodox church and one of the city’s main churches.
Have some lunch and people-watch
We picked a little cafe (Hoste Apertivo and Bokeria) tucked in a quiet corner of a small square for a light lunch before driving back to Dubrovnik. The cafe owner, well-versed in the queues at Croatian border controls, suggested we take the opportunity to enjoy a more pleasant drive through Bosnia and Herzegovina for our return journey, assuring us that the border crossing would be less busy. The travel time would be the same, and instead of waiting an hour or two at the Montenegro/Croatian border, we would have a chance to pass through another Balkan country and the beautiful countryside this part of the world has to offer.
Hike up to Kotor Fortress
Sitting high above Stari Grad is Kotor Fortress/San Giovanni Castle. For a fee, you can hike the official path to the Fortress, where you’ll be treated to expansive views over the Bay.
Our conclusion
We recommend a day visit to Kotor if you have a free day in Dubrovnik. For the best experience, check to ensure your visit doesn’t coincide with a cruise ship docking in Kotor’s port.
The landscape is ever-changing, from craggy mountain roads to idyllic country lanes alongside springs and rivers, and the views are striking, as are the breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor and beyond.
On the return journey, we there was a small queue at the border; however, we had wonderful views to enjoy while we waited.
If you have time
Our Dubrovnik host also recommended visiting Budva, another medieval town on the Adriatic coast, if we had the time. We instead decided to spend an unhurried day in Kotor and its surroundings.
We’ve saved Budva and its Riviera for another visit to this stunning little country. We’ll also include a return visit to Kotor; there’s much more to see and do in this beautiful little city.
In case you’re interested
We took the driving route recommended by the proprietor of our lunch venue for our return journey to Dubrovnik, which we have had the pleasure of visiting twice. Read about our recommendations through the links below.
