Kotor is one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro and a highlight of traveling through the Balkans. Located along the Bay of Kotor (also called Boka Bay), the city is surrounded by dramatic mountains, medieval stone walls, and narrow Old Town streets that feel like stepping back in time.

Even though Kotor is relatively small, there are plenty of memorable things to do in this little city. From scenic hikes and boat tours to the charming old town and nearby villages, it’s a great place to spend a few days. If you only have a short time in the city, these are the top five things to do in Kotor that I would recommend prioritizing.

5 Things to Do in Kotor

1. Hike to Kotor Fortress 0r Ladder of Kotor

One of the most famous things to do in Kotor is hike up to Kotor Fortress, which sits high above the city walls and offers incredible views of the Old Town and the bay. The fortress itself is part of a long defensive wall system built during the Venetian period, and climbing to the top shows just how strategically the city was built into the mountainside.

Most visitors take the official path from the Old Town, which involves climbing over 1,300 stone steps to reach the fortress. Entry costs about €15 (as of 2025), but the views from the top are absolutely worth it. However, if you want to save money (like I did), you can instead hike the Ladder of Kotor, a free hiking trail that starts just outside the Old Town.

To find the trailhead, search “Start of the Ladder of Kotor” on Google Maps. The hike is mostly a series of switchbacks climbing above the bay, and the views get better the higher you go. The reason the hike is called the Ladder of Kotor is that there used to be a ladder that allowed hikers to climb through a window in the fortress wall and enter without paying the entrance fee.

As of last year, when I visited, the ladder was no longer there. I saw some people who climb through the window even without the ladder, but it was far too high for me to climb up myself, so I didn’t attempt it. Instead, I continued hiking in the opposite direction toward a small cheese shop with one of the best views of Kotor and the bay. The shop sells water, soda, beer, and the most delicious pomegranate juice. You can also try homemade cheese that is produced locally on the property. It’s the perfect place to stop after a long uphill hike.

The entire Ladder of Kotor hike is clearly marked on Google Maps, including the trailhead, the ladder location, and the cheese shop, so it’s very easy to follow. You’ll also encounter plenty of other hikers along the way since it’s one of the most popular things to do in Kotor.

2. Take a Boat Trip Around the Bay of Kotor

Another must-do experience in Kotor is taking a boat tour around the Bay of Kotor. This is one of the best ways to see the dramatic scenery of the region and explore places that are harder to reach by land.

This tour lasts around three hours and includes several stops around the bay. One of the main stops is Our Lady of the Rocks, a tiny island church located just off the coast of Perast (more on this later). According to local legend, the island was created by sailors who dropped rocks into the bay after finding an icon of the Virgin Mary. You’ll have about 20 minutes to walk around the island, which is more than enough time since it’s so small.

Next, you’ll visit a hidden submarine tunnel, which was built during Yugoslav military times and carved directly into the mountainside. It’s a fascinating piece of history that you can also experience if travelling by boat.

The final stop is the Blue Cave, located near the entrance to the bay. The cave gets its name from the way sunlight reflects off the water, creating an intense blue glow inside the cave. My tour allowed us about 15 minutes to jump in and swim. Since it was the beginning of the summer, the water was very cold, but refreshing.

Even though the tour itself is only a few hours, the journeys between stops can feel a little long. That said, the views of the mountains rising straight from the water are always beautiful, so the time passes quickly. Check out the exact tour I did here:

3. Explore Kotor’s Old Town

Kotor’s Old Town is small, but it’s incredibly charming and worth spending some time just wandering around. The entire area is surrounded by medieval stone walls and filled with narrow streets, hidden squares, and historic churches.

One of the best things to do here is simply walk around without a plan. Wander between the different plazas, admire the architecture, and pop into the small shops and cafes scattered throughout the Old Town. I really enjoyed browsing the souvenir shops here, which sell lots of unique handcrafted items that were different than what I saw in other city in the Balkans.

Kotor is famous for its stray cats, and you’ll see them lounging in sunny corners all around the city. There’s even a small Cat Park in the Old Town with a cat food vending machine where visitors can buy food to feed the cats. If you’re a cat lover, it’s a fun and quirky stop while exploring the city.

If you want to dive deep into the history and architecture of Kotor’s Old Town, check out this guided walking tour.

4. Take a Day Trip to Perast

One of the easiest and most beautiful day trips from Kotor is visiting the small coastal town of Perast. The town is only about a 30 minute bus ride from Kotor and the ticket costs €1, making it an easy and affordable excursion. You can also take a guided tour there from Kotor by boat.

Perast is much smaller and quieter than Kotor, but it’s known for its beautiful waterfront and historic buildings. The town was once a wealthy maritime center, and many of the elegant stone palaces along the waterfront were built by sea captains and merchants.

There isn’t a huge list of attractions here, but that’s part of the charm. Spend some time strolling along the waterfront promenade, relax at Perast Beach, or dont’ miss climbing the bell tower of St. Nicholas Church for panoramic views of the town and bay. For lunch, chose one of the many waterfront restaurants. I really liked Restoran Armonia, which had great vegetarian options. 

Perast is also the main departure point for visiting Our Lady of the Rocks, which you can reach by taking a short taxi boat ride from the harbor. Many boat tours from Kotor also stop here, like the one mentioned above.

While Perast has several beautiful hotels and waterfront restaurants, they tend to be more expensive than Kotor. So if you’re traveling on a budget like I was, visiting for a day is the perfect way to experience it.

5. Relax at the Waterfront in Dobrota

If you want a break from sightseeing, one of the best things to do in Kotor is simply relax by the water. Kotor’s Old Town doesn’t have many good swimming spots, but just a 20 minute walk away you’ll find the coastal neighborhood of Dobrota, which has several beaches for swimming.

Beach might be a strong word to describe these swimming spots, since most are just small rocky areas or concrete platforms rather than sandy beaches, but that’s pretty typical for Montenegro. The water here is incredibly clear and calm, making it perfect for swimming and relaxing.

The walk from Kotor to Dobrota along the waterfront is very pleasant, but if you don’t feel like walking you can also take a bus for €1. Bring a towel, spend a few hours swimming or sunbathing, and then grab dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants overlooking the bay. It’s the perfect way to slow down after a busy day exploring.

During my trip to Montenegro, I decided to stay in Dobrota instead of the busy old town of Kotor. Check out my post Where to Stay in Kotor to read my opinions about where you should stay!

Kotor may be a small city, but it offers an incredible mix of history, scenery, and outdoor activities. From hiking high above the bay to exploring medieval streets and taking boat trips across the water, there’s no shortage of things to do in Kotor!