Kotor On a Budget
Sights
Kotor lies nestled on the shores of the Bay of Kotor. Though it resembles a fjord, the Bay is actually a submerged river canyon, surrounded by the beautiful mountain scenery of Mt Lovcen. Together the town of Kotor, the Bay of Kotor, and the surrounding territory of mountains and fjords make up a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.The central part of Kotor sits on a triangle of land that juts out into the Bay. It is fortified by medieval town walls and spotted with landmarks like St Tryphon’s Cathedral, which was first built in the 11th century in the Romanesque-Gothic style. Another landmark is St Nicolas Church, the biggest Orthodox Church in the Old Town. Others include the Tower watch (8th century), the Cathedral of Sveti Tripun (13th century), the Church of Sveti Luka (13th century), the Prince's palace (17th century), the Church of Sveta Marija (12th century), the Church of Our Lady of Health (Gospe od Zdravlja) (15th century), and Napoleon's Theater (19th century).
As far as local cultural history goes, the Maritime Museum offers just about anything to do with Kotor seafaring. It is housed in the baroque palace Grgurin, and features the successes of famous Kotor seaman, artists, ship builders, crafts man, states man, and diplomats. Visitors will also find portraits of famous captains, models of old galleys and sail boats, navigational instruments, photographs, uniforms, weapons, paintings, and model ships.
Kotor is a cruise ship destination, and as such, expect crowds on the days that the ships are in port. Generally, there's plenty of room for everyone, though, so it's not something to worry about. If you're planning to visit, check out this guide to spending one day in Kotor if you're on a cruise ship. It has plenty of great ideas for an excursion whether you're on a ship or not.
Also keep an eye out for islands on the Bay. The Island Gospa od Skrpjela or "Our Lady of the Rock" and the Island Sveti Djordje (St George) or "The island of the dead captains" are both associated with local legends.
Neighborhoods
The town of Kotor developed around its "Stari Grad" or Old Town, where most of Kotor's history, culture, and tradition have been preserved. Fortified by a medieval wall and lined with a maze of cobbled streets, walking amidst Kotor's Old Town is like walking back in time. The narrow streets open up into several charming squares and markets, and there are examples of medieval architecture at every turn including churches, cathedrals, palaces, and museums. Some of the most impressive churches include the 12th century St. Tryphon Cathedral, the Church of St. Luke, and the Orthodox St. Nicholas Church. These are often used as landmarks for visitors and locals alike to avoid getting lost in the medieval tangle of alleyways. The streets open up into the Trg od oruzja (or Square of Arms), which is the largest square and a popular place for gathering since it was created centuries ago.Activities
Kotor is small enough to navigate on foot, but there are plenty of winding twists and turns to discover. Exploring the town is just one of the many things to do in Kotor. Visitors can also climb up the Upper Town Walls more than 1,300 steps for spectacular views of the town and the Bay. There are also adventures to be had on the outskirts of Kotor, like paragliding off the surrounding cliffs or river rafting on Tara River a few hours inland.Hiking is another common activity in the hills surrounding Kotor. Just outside the north gate of Old Town, visitors can follow a path for a scenic hike over the town and bay, eventually leading through dense woods to a waterfall. And finally, there are many old Austro-Hungarian fortresses abandoned in the hills near Kotor, such as Fort Vrmac just across the bay. Many of these ruins can be hiked to as well.