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Kotor is one of the most famous destinations in Montenegro, known for its dramatic mountain scenery, medieval Old Town, and beautiful views over the Bay of Kotor. If you’re planning a trip through the Balkans, chances are you’ve already seen photos of Kotor’s aesthetic coastline.

But with so many incredible destinations nearby in Croatia, Albania, and the rest of Montenegro, you might be wondering: is Kotor worth visiting?

I spent four days in the area during my trip through the Balkans, staying both in Dobrota along the waterfront and right in Kotor’s Old Town. During that time I explored the Old Town, hiked above the bay, took a boat tour, and even visited the nearby town of Perast.

In this post, I’ll share my honest thoughts on whether Kotor is worth adding to your itinerary, comparing it to nearby Croatia, and explain the pros and cons you should know before visiting.

What Makes Kotor Worth Visiting

1. The Bay of Kotor Is One of the Most Beautiful Places in the Balkans

The biggest reason to visit Kotor isn’t actually the town itself, it’s the Bay of Kotor. The bay is surrounded by steep mountains that rise dramatically from the water, creating scenery that almost looks like a fjord. One of the best ways to experience this scenery is by hiking to Kotor Fortress or along the Ladder of Kotor trail, where you’ll get incredible panoramic views of the Old Town and the bay below.

Another great way to experience the bay is by taking a boat tour around the Bay of Kotor, which typically includes stops at places like Our Lady of the Rocks, hidden submarine tunnels, and the Blue Cave.

So whether you prefer relaxing by the water, swimming in the bay, hiking above the town, or cruising around by boat, the Bay of Kotor offers a great mix of relaxation and adventure.

2. Kotor Is a Great Base for Exploring Montenegro

Another reason Kotor is worth visiting is that it works well as a base for exploring other places around the Bay of Kotor and the rest of Montenegro.

One of the most popular excursions is visiting the nearby town of Perast, which is only about 30 minutes away. Perast is much quieter than Kotor and known for its beautiful waterfront and historic architecture.

And if you want to explore beyond the Bay of Kotor, there are some great tour that will take you from Kotor to the mountains of Montenegro. This tour explores Durmitor National Park and goes to Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe.

3. Montenegro is similar to Croatia but more Budget-Friendly

One thing that surprised me about visiting Montenegro is that it offers many of the same things travelers love about Croatia, like historic towns, coastal scenery, and beautiful water, but at a lower cost.

During my trip, I noticed that restaurants and accommodations were generally cheaper than in Croatia, especially compared to places like Dubrovnik or Hvar. Montenegro also felt less crowded overall, which made exploring Old Town Kotor more enjoyable.

If you’re traveling through the Balkans and looking for somewhere with a similar atmosphere to Croatia but a slightly quieter vibe, Montenegro is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

4. Kotor Is Safe and Walkable for Solo Travelers

Kotor is an amazing destination for solo travelers. During my solo trip to Montenegro, I felt completely comfortable exploring the city and surrounding areas on my own.

The Old Town is very compact and easy to navigate, which makes it simple to explore without needing taxis or public transportation. Most of the main attractions are located within walking distance of each other, including the fortress hike, the harbor for boat tours, and the main squares inside the Old Town.

If you want to meet other travelers, staying in a hostel near the Old Town, like Hostel Pupa, makes it easy to socialize. Many hostels organize group outings and tours, which can be a great way to meet people while traveling solo.

Downsides of Visiting Kotor

While Kotor is beautiful, there are a few things travelers should know before visiting.

1. Kotor Can Get Very Busy During Cruise Season

Kotor is a popular cruise ship destination, which means the Old Town can become very crowded when ships arrive. When cruise passengers fill the narrow streets, the small Old Town can start to feel quite packed.

However, I visited in late May, and I found the crowds to be manageable. Compared to the cities I visited in Croatia the week before, Kotor felt much less crowded overall. I think the crowds are worse in the height of summer, so if you prefer less crowds, plan your trip for shoulder season (May or September).

2. The Old Town Is Very Small

Something that surprised me about Kotor is how small the Old Town actually is. After visiting several cities in Croatia, including places like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar, I found Kotor’s Old Town to feel a bit underwhelming by comparison.

It’s still very beautiful, but after spending a couple hours wandering around, I felt like I had already seen all of it.

Because of this, I think Kotor works best as a one day destination. If you do take a longer trip there, consider staying outside of the city, so you can spend most of your time relaxing by the bay.

3. Montenegro’s Border Crossings Can Take Time

Another thing to keep in mind when visiting Kotor is that Montenegro is not part of the European Union. This means that if you’re traveling to Montenegro from nearby countries like Croatia or Albania, you’ll need to pass through a border crossing.

These crossings can sometimes take a while, especially during busy travel periods. When I traveled from Croatia to Montenegro by bus, the border crossing took about one hour. When leaving Montenegro and traveling to Albania, it took closer to two hours. That’s in addition to the 3-4 hour bus rides, so the journeys ended up taking a long time.

Obviously this is not a huge issue, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning a quick trip or only visiting the area for a short time.

My Honest Opinion: Is Kotor Worth Visiting?

Yes, Kotor is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re already traveling through the Balkans.

While the Old Town itself is quite small, the surrounding Bay of Kotor is absolutely stunning and offers plenty of things to do, from hiking above the city to taking boat tours around the bay and visiting nearby towns like Perast.

That said, if you’re deciding between visiting Montenegro or Croatia and only have time for one, I would probably recommend choosing Croatia. Croatia has more cities to explore along the coast, more islands to visit, and for me, was slightly more impressive in terms of the architecture and scenery.

But if you’re already traveling through Croatia or the Balkans, adding Kotor to your itinerary is absolutely worth it. The Bay of Kotor is one of the most beautiful places in the region, and the slower pace and lower prices compared to Croatia can make it a really enjoyable stop on your trip!

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