Kotor · Montenegro · Mistakes to avoid
5 things to skip in Kotor (and what to do instead)
The five things to skip in Kotor are the two-hour cruise stop, trying to drive into the old town, Budva in July, the midday boat to Perast, and a guided tour of the Lovcen mountain road. Stay at least two or three nights, park outside the walls, see Sveti Stefan at sunset, take an early boat, and drive the mountain road yourself.
The mistakes, and what to do instead
- 1
Skip the 2-hour cruise stop
Kotor is a cruise port, and ships tie up right beside the old town. Passengers pour in at the same time and leave a few hours later, which is why the lanes feel jammed in the middle of the day. Two hours is enough to see the main square and lose the best of the town. Stay at least two or three nights, ideally inside the old town. In the evening and early morning, when the ships have left, the stone lanes are quiet.
- 2
Skip parking inside the walls
Kotor's old town is pedestrian only, so there is no parking within the walls, and driving to the gates wastes time. Park in the lots outside the walls, where it is cheaper and simpler, and walk in, which takes around five minutes. If your hotel is inside the old town, ask where to leave the car and how to carry luggage. Arrive early in summer, when the nearest lots fill by mid-morning, and take a photo of the lot you used.
- 3
Skip Budva in July
Budva is the main beach town on the Montenegrin coast, and in July its beaches, bars and roads are packed. For a quieter evening, drive to the viewpoint above Sveti Stefan, the island village joined to the shore by a causeway. The view from the road at sunset is the classic photo, and it is free. The island itself is a private resort, so enjoy the view from above, then continue to a beach along the coast or return to Kotor.
- 4
Skip the noon ferry to Perast
Perast is a small baroque town on the Bay of Kotor, a short drive or bus ride from Kotor. From its waterfront, small boats run to Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island with a church and a small museum. Go early in the morning, before the cruise groups arrive, when the bay is calm and the light is soft. At midday the quay is crowded and the boats are full. Allow a little time to walk through Perast itself.
- 5
Skip paying for a guided tour
A guided day tour covers the same sights as a rental car, but at the guide's pace. The Lovcen mountain road climbs from Kotor in a series of tight hairpin bends, with views over the bay, and reaches Lovcen National Park in under an hour. The drive is the attraction, and you can stop at the viewpoints as you like. The roads are narrow, so drive slowly and choose a small car. If hairpins make anyone ill, take the stops slowly.
Plan it
- Best time
- May, June and September give warm weather and fewer crowds than July and August. The sea is warm enough to swim from about June. Kotor gets heavy rain in autumn and winter, and cruise ships mostly stop by November.
- How long
- Two to three nights in Kotor covers the old town, a morning in Perast and the Lovcen drive, with room for the fortress walk. A week allows the whole Montenegrin coast.
- Getting around
- Kotor's old town is walkable. Buses link Kotor with Perast, Budva and the airport at Tivat. A rental car helps for Lovcen and the coast, but you can do the bay with buses and boats.
Good to know
- Climb the fortress path above the old town early in the morning. It is steep and hot by midday, and children need water.
- Eat a street or two away from the main square. Prices fall and the menus are shorter.
- Check ferry and cruise schedules before you book. The old town is quietest on days with no ships.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need in Kotor? +
Two to three nights is best. That gives you the old town without the cruise crowds, a morning in Perast, a drive up the Lovcen road, and time for the fortress climb. A day trip skips most of what makes it worth visiting.
Can you drive into Kotor old town? +
No. The old town is pedestrian only, so park outside the walls and walk in. It takes about five minutes from the main lots. If your hotel is inside, ask the host for luggage and parking advice before you arrive.
How do you get to Our Lady of the Rocks? +
Take a short boat ride from the waterfront in Perast, a town on the bay about a short drive or bus ride from Kotor. Go in the morning for fewer crowds. Boats are small, and the crossing takes only a few minutes.
When is the best time to visit Kotor? +
May, June and September are the best months for warm weather and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and busy, especially when cruise ships are in. Autumn and winter bring heavy rain.
