10 Amazing Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro

Visit St. Tryphon’s Cathedral

One of the highlights of Old Town Kotor is the beautiful St. Tryphon’s Cathedral. Completed in 1166, the historical landmark boasts fascinating Romanesque and Byzantine architecture.

St. Tryphon’s Cathedral is a sight to behold as you pass it by, but you can also go inside the cathedral for a tour. Princess Cruises also offers a few excursions which include a closer look at the cathedral, such as this one which includes a wine tasting and this shorter option.

Located at the heart of the town, the beautiful cathedral is hard to miss in Kotor, with a breath-taking backdrop of the mountains behind it.

There are many restaurants and a few gelato shops located just outside of the cathedral, which Cole and I wasted no time in trying out.

Make New Feline Friends or Visit a Cat Museum

I’d heard about the cats of Montenegro before we arrived at the port. But once we began our tour of Kotor, I understood the fascination with them. The cats are EVERYWHERE, and as animal lover, I was in heaven!!

It’s that after plagues affected Montenegro, the people began protecting the cats, since they ate the rats which carried the diseases. And the Montenegrins still protect the cats today, feeding them and welcoming into their towns. They even have a cat museum, which you can visit!

With such a rich history, it’s no wonder the citizens of Montenegro protect and love the cats so much. While we were in Kotor, we saw them everywhere, even sitting upon the laps and tables of people as they ate their lunches. The cats clearly aren’t afraid of people, and many will let you pet them or come close for a photo.

Be sure to look out for the many cats of Montenegro during your visit!

Climb Kotor’s Fortess

After Cole and I arrived back from our excursion, we decided to spend a couple more hours exploring Old Town in Kotor.

One of the things we didn’t get to do was climb the steps of the fortress of Kotor. Known as St. John’s Fortress, visitors can climb the 1,355 stairs to take in unbelievable views of the Bay of Kotor.

Although we contemplated making the climb, grabbing some gelato and doing a little shopping around Old Town Kotor sounded a lot better (and less exhausting) at the time.

But I’m not gonna lie, after seeing the incredible photos that people have captured during the climb, I kind of regret not doing it.

If you have the time and the energy, I urge you to at least try to make the climb. Even if you make it half way up, there promises to be amazing views. Plus, you won’t have to feel guilty later when you go for that second dessert at Crown Grill or extra scoop of gelato on board the ship.

Go Shopping & Check Out The Kotor Farmer’s Market

As I mentioned, Cole and I decided to do some exploring in Old Town Kotor after our excursion ended. There are so many unique shops around Kotor as you walk through the winding, cobblestone streets of the village.

We ended up finding an antique store where we bought a Balkan vase, some Balkan military pins and a few other knick knacks we loved. The owner of the store was so friendly and helped us decide on our purchases. He even offered detailed stories and information behind each piece.

Another thing that piqued our interest as we exited the city walls of Kotor and headed to Perast during our excursion was the Kotor Farmer’s market.

Hundreds of colorful, unique fruits and vegetables adorned dozens of tables. When we returned, it was no longer set up (they close in early afternoon), but if you’re there earlier in the day, it’s definitely worth checking out!

Take a Half-Day Trip to Perast

Our Best of Montenegro tour included a scenic bus ride to visit the small fishing village of Perast, where we spent the majority of the morning and early afternoon.

Just when I thought Montenegro couldn’t get any better, the charm and beauty of Perast stole my heart! A baroque city that flourished in the 1700’s, Perast seems encapsulated in time. Along narrow, winding streets, you’ll find beautifully preserved renaissance buildings and baroque palaces all against the backdrop of the sparkling blue waters and majestic mountains of Kotor Bay.

Shortly after arriving in Perast, we took a short ferry ride to the islet of Lady of Our Rocks. Then we headed back to shore in Perast where we ate a traditional Montenegrin meal. We finished our time in Perast with a walk through the charming streets of this beautiful village.

Perast is just a short 15-20 minute bus ride from Kotor is is absolutely worth a half-day trip!

Visit Our Lady of the Rocks

One must-see during your visit Perast is Our Lady of the Rocks inlet. The inlet is just off the coast of Perast and is home to the charming ‘Gospa od Skrpjela’ church. According to legend, the island was formed after fisherman began placing a rock in the location after each successful voyage.

Our excursion included a ferry ride out to the island where you can find the beautiful church, but Princess offers several excursions which include this must-see attraction.

The ferry ride was very short, and once we arrived, we could either chose to tour the church or explore the outside our own. Given that our responsibility was the capture content, we couldn’t help but explore the spectacular views of the Bay of Kotor seen from every angle of this unique and beautiful inlet.

Book a Boat Tour

As I mentioned, our second 7-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Sky Princess also had Kotor, Montenegro on the itinerary. This time, we decided to go on a completely different kind of adventure, thanks to our friends Courtney from Sweet C’s and her husband Luke.

Courtney booked us small, private boat tour which took allowed us to see some highlights of Kotor Bay and ended at one of the most magical places we’ve ever seen – the blue caves!

After stopping inside a real submarine tunnel, viewing gorgeous homes and villages along the bay and even getting to see Croatia, we arrived at the blue caves. Keep reading for more on that!

There’s so much to see and explore along the Bay of Kotor, and Princess offers a few excursions which include boat tours. They have a boat excursion that goes to Skadar Lake and one that tours the whole of Kotor Bay. Especially if it’s your second time visitng Montenegro, I urge you to try exploring the beautiful nation via boat.

Visit The Blue Caves

Many people don’t know about the blue caves that are located just a short boat ride away from Kotor, Montenegro. Located on Montenegro’s Lustica Penninsula, this sea cave earned its name from the way the blue ocean reflects light on the cave, making the ceiling and walls glow a spectacular blue color.

The water is crystal clear, but I’m not gonna lie, it’s pretty darn cold. After my experience sliding down the freezing cold waterfalls and caves in the Dominican, I decided not to dive in. But Cole, Courtney and Luke did and got some great videos! The water is crystal clear to the very bottom.

Whether you choose to get in the water or not, a boat ride tot he blue caves is absolutely worth seeing the magic, not to mention the spectacular sights you’ll see on your way there. It’s espeically a good options for those who have already visited Montenegro.

Enjoy The Local Fare

And finally, for all my foodies out there, don’t forget to try out the local fare!! We asked our boat captain for a recommendation on where to eat, and it did not disappoint.

Located just off the coast of Kotor, Knoba Akustik offers up a huge patio with beautiful views of the Bay of Kotor and incredible food too!

We opted for some local favorites- clams, sardine-topped pizza and Cole was even brave enough to order a shot of a local plum brandy called šljiva. When Cole flinches at taking a shot, you know it’s the real deal.

The restaurant also happens to be one of the closest to the dock in Kotor. To find it, simply head left after you exit the dock and follow the sidewalk past the park area. You’ll see some shops to your left and not long after, you’ll find Knoba Akustik. SO yummy and absolutely gorgeous views!