A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Kotor for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bucharest or Kotor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Kotor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a charming, historical, and less touristy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kotor

Kotor is a scenic, beautiful, and charming coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food.

Bucharest and Kotor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Kotor?

Both Kotor and Bucharest have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Bucharest is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Kotor attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Kotor is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its medieval old town and its dramatic setting on the coastline surrounded by limestone cliffs. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Kotor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kotor and Bucharest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Kotor?

Bucharest is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

Bucharest is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Kotor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kotor is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Kotor, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Food is fresh and hearty, with many dishes including meats, cheeses, and bread. Popular local dishes include börek, black risotto, and pasulj (a type of baked beans prepared with meats and spices). Seafood is an obvious choice around town as well. Ask for whatever is fresh and enjoy a delicious meal. There are also a number of dessert cafes where you can enjoy pastries at a very affordable price.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Nightlife?

Bucharest is very good for nightlife. However, Kotor is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Kotor doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It has some of the best nightlife in Montenegro, but outside of the summer months you'll find things are very calm. Head to the old town for the highest concentration of bars and clubs.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Resorts?

Kotor is a coastal town with a few options for its resorts. However, Bucharest is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Kotor offers a few options. The town has mostly boutique hotels and apartments, particularly if you want to stay in old town.

Bucharest is not a resort destination.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kotor is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bucharest is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Kotor. It's possible to book snorkeling trips with a local vendor, or you can pack your own mask and snorkel and venture into the water on your own.

Bucharest is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Beaches?

Kotor is a good destination for the beache. However, Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Kotor offers a nice beach destination. Like many parts of the Mediterranean, the beaches are rocky and pebbly. Many of the beaches are small and quiet, giving them a personal and discovered vibe which many travelers appreciate.

Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for its Old Town?

Kotor is renowned for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Kotor is one of the most recognized in the world. The city walls and compact historic area make the old town a unique place to explore.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Hiking?

Kotor is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Kotor is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The dramatic cliffs and sea views create some of the most beautiful coastal hikes that you'll find. Trails range from walking paths to more strenuous routes like the Ladder of Kotor Hike, which has many switchbacks and stunning views.

Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Kotor?

Bucharest is very good for shopping. However, Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bucharest is a great destination for shopping. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Families?

Kotor is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kotor. Kids will enjoy wandering the streets of old town, exploring the city's fortress, or making their way around the city walls. There are a few beaches to explore, but they are a bit rocky. It's also fun to get out on the water on a boat ride.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Couples?

Kotor is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Kotor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charming old town, picturesque views, and quaint personality of the town make this a great couple's get away. Whether you want to lounge on the water's edge or soak up the unique culture, there are many hidden sides to the coastal town.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kotor is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kotor is a great coastal town to visit for backpackers. The town is affordable and reasonably accessible, making it a great option for backpackers. It's not as touristy as some of the more popular coastal towns in the area, so you can enjoy a bit of authenticity without spending big bucks.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Bucharest or Kotor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is well known for its public transit. However, Kotor is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Bucharest can move around easily with public transportation. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kotor. Cars aren't allowed in the old town, but you can travel to nearby town's by bus. Most leave from the town's main bus station with higher frequency during the summer months.

Is Bucharest or Kotor a more walkable city?

Kotor is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Kotor on foot is easy. The old town is best explored on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Kotor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kotor or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Kotor?

It's fun to spend time in either Bucharest or Kotor. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kotor due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 3-4 days is enough time in Kotor.

Families should spend more time in Kotor than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kotor, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kotor than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kotor that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kotor than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kotor.

One day in Bucharest or Kotor?

In Bucharest, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Even though Kotor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Kotor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Kotor is a small town where visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Kotor?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bucharest. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Kotor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Kotor?

You'll find food and shopping around the undiscovered destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kotor is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Kotor, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Kotor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kotor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kotor and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Kotor.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Kotor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Kotor?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Kotor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Kotor?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kotor in the Summer?

Both Kotor and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kotor in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bucharest is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Kotor. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bucharest. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Kotor. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kotor in the Autumn?

Both Kotor and Bucharest during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Kotor for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bucharest is cooler than Kotor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Kotor, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun.

Kotor gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Kotor. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kotor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Kotor. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kotor because of the cuisine.

Bucharest can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Kotor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Kotor averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Kotor. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kotor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Kotor. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kotor this time of year.

In April, Bucharest is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kotor. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Kotor. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kotor and Bucharest