Kotor · Montenegro · What it costs, in plain terms
5 free things to do in Kotor with kids
The five best free things to do in Kotor with kids are exploring the Old Town maze, climbing the city walls early in the morning when entry has been free, spending time in the main squares, picnicking on the waterfront and swimming off the shore of the bay. Together they fill several days without paying for a single ticket or tour.
Where the money goes
- 1
Walk the Old Town maze
Kotor's Old Town is a walled medieval puzzle of stone lanes with no cars. Entry is free, and children treat it as a treasure hunt, because no two lanes look alike and every corner opens to a new square or a church. Cats live in every doorway. The streets are small enough that nobody stays lost for long, and every path eventually leads back to a gate. Go in the early evening, when the heat drops, the day trippers head back to their ships and the lamplight turns the stone gold.
- 2
Climb the city walls early
The walls behind the town climb the hill to the fortress, and a ticket is charged for most of the day. Entry has been free in the early morning, before the ticket desk opens, and the climb is far cooler then. Check the posted hours at the gate, since the arrangement can change. Start at sunrise if you can, wear shoes with grip and carry water. Children can stop at the small church halfway. The view over the bay is the same either way.
- 3
Find the main squares
Inside the walls there are several small squares, each with its own character. The Square of Arms sits just inside the Sea Gate beside the clock tower, Flour Square is quieter, and the square in front of St Tryphon Cathedral is the most photographed. Street performers and musicians appear on summer evenings, and ice cream shops open onto the stones. You pay nothing to sit, watch and let children run in the open space. Visiting the cathedral interior usually costs a small fee, but the exterior is free.
- 4
Picnic on the waterfront
Kotor has an open-air market just outside the town walls, and it is the cheapest place to build a picnic: bread, cheese, cured meat, tomatoes and local fruit. Carry it to the waterfront promenade, find a bench facing the bay and watch the boats and the cruise ships come and go. It also saves money on lunch, which is usually the most expensive meal to buy in the town centre. Go to the market in the morning for the best choice, and bring a bag to carry the rubbish back.
- 5
Swim off the bay
The Bay of Kotor is calm, sheltered and warm in summer, and there are free public swimming spots along the shore. Dobrota and Prčanj, both a few kilometres from Kotor, have concrete platforms and pebble beaches with easy entry into the water. Shoes for the water are useful, because many spots are rocky or stony. Choose the morning, when the sea is flattest and the road is quiet, and keep an eye on children near boat traffic. Take a small cooler bag and spend the afternoon in the shade.
Plan it
- Best time
- June to September is warm enough for swimming. May and early October are cooler and quieter, and the walls are easier to climb. Midsummer afternoons are very hot, so plan outdoor free activities for mornings and evenings.
- How long
- Two to three days is enough to cover everything here at an easy pace. Combine it with one paid activity, such as a boat to Perast, if you stay longer.
- Getting around
- The Old Town is car-free and walkable. Dobrota and Prčanj are an easy bus or taxi ride along the bay. A short walk along the promenade links the town to the waterfront swimming areas.
Good to know
- Bring water shoes, because most swimming spots are stony rather than sandy.
- Take a small bag with snacks and a bottle, and refill from fountains where signs say the water is drinkable.
- Visit the Old Town at breakfast and in the evening to avoid cruise crowds, when it is also at its best.
Frequently asked
What are the free things to do in Kotor? +
Walking the Old Town, sitting in its squares, picnicking by the water and swimming in the bay cost nothing. The city walls have also been free in the early morning, so check the posted hours at the gate.
Are the walls of Kotor free? +
Entry has been free early in the morning, before the ticket desk opens, and charged for most of the day. Hours and prices change, so check the signs at the entrance before you set out.
Is it safe to swim in the Bay of Kotor? +
Yes, in summer the water is calm and warm, and there are public swimming spots along the shore. There are no lifeguards at most of them, so supervise children and watch for boat traffic.
Can you visit Kotor on a tight budget? +
Yes. Accommodation outside the Old Town is cheaper, the market supplies cheap picnics, and the main sights are free. Aim for May, June or September, when accommodation prices are lower than in midsummer.
