Kotor

Day 1: Old Town, walls and the Kotor rhythm

Ease into Kotor’s medieval maze and its fjaka pace. You’ll balance big‑ticket sights with quiet corners, timing around cruise‑ship surges and midday heat.

• Morning: Climb the city walls to St John’s Fortress via the north‑east gate (or take the quieter Ladder of Kotor trail). Start before 9:00 for cool air and golden light; pause at Our Lady of Remedy for the classic rooftops‑and‑bay panorama. Wear grippy shoes, carry water, and note the walls are often ticketed in season.
• Midday: Cool down with a long coffee in a side‑street café, then visit St Tryphon’s Cathedral and Treasury and tiny St Luke’s to feel Kotor’s Catholic‑Orthodox duality. If crowds swell (10:00–16:00 in summer), swap in the Maritime Museum to dive into Boka’s seafaring soul.
• Afternoon: Wander the back alleys from the Sea Gate to the quieter Gurdić Gate and bastion, then amble the waterfront towards Dobrota for a restorative swim from a stone ponte. Gelato, shade and a gentle breeze beat the heat; stones get slick after rain.
• Evening: Linger in a tucked‑away konoba for local seafood and Njeguši prosciutto, then sip Montenegrin wine at a cosy bar. If you fancy something bohemian, slide into Letrika for music; keep voices low in residential lanes after 23:00.

Day 2: Big views and the bay by boat

Today is about perspective—mountain lookouts by morning, the bay’s Baroque beauty by boat in the afternoon. Aim your timing for flattering light and gentler crowds.

• Morning: Head up to the Vrmac ridge trail for sweeping views back to Kotor and the snaking walls; in hot months, depart by 7:30. Non‑hikers can taxi the Serpentine road to its hairpin lay‑bys (drivers: avoid blind‑corner stops). As an alternative in summer, ride the cable car to Lovćen for effortless panoramas.
• Midday: Lunch waterside in Dobrota and take a dip between courses; this is where old captains built their villas for a reason. Embrace fjaka—slow service is part of the coast’s charm.
• Afternoon: Boat to Perast and the islets of Our Lady of the Rocks and St George; explore Perast’s waterfront palazzi and tiny museum. Light is kinder after 15:30; check the last return boat and bring small cash for church/museum entries.
• Evening: Back in Kotor, sample Vranac and Krstač at a wine bar, then cross to Muo (on foot, taxi or water‑taxi) for the best view of Kotor’s illuminated walls “crowned” on the mountainside. In August, Boka Night fills the bay with decorated boats and fireworks—book dinner well ahead.

Day 3: Markets, villages and living heritage

Settle into local rituals: market nibbles, waterfront strolls, swims and stories. Keep the day flexible to follow your curiosity—and the shade.

• Morning: Browse the produce market outside the Sea Gate (earlier is better) for breakfast burek, olives and figs; take your time over coffee and people‑watching. Pop into the Cat Museum or Karampana Fountain, then bus, walk or boat to Prčanj for a quieter, village‑by‑the‑sea vibe.
• Midday: Swim and sun from a stone jetty in Prčanj or Stoliv; the water is deep, clear and blissfully calm. Lunch at a simple konoba—grilled fish, blitva and a carafe of local white is the classic order.
• Afternoon: Circle back to any Old Town corners you missed, or head to Fort Goražda for a raw, 360‑degree panorama (take care in derelict areas). If you skipped it earlier, ride the cable car now for cooler air and late‑day light.
• Evening: For a finale, dine at a waterside mill‑restaurant in Ljuta or a family konoba in Dobrota; reserve for sunset tables. Seasonal notes: in February, the Feast of St Tryphon and the Boka Navy’s kolo dance animate the squares; in winter, embrace quiet lanes, woodsmoke and a warming rakija.

Tips that fit any season:

• Check the cruise schedule and front‑load key sights to mornings/evenings.
• Dress modestly for churches (shoulders/knees covered) and walk carefully on polished stone after rain.
• Cash helps for small boats, museums and market buys; card works in most restaurants.
• Respect fjaka—slow down, sip your kafa, and let Kotor’s rhythm do the rest.

By Air

• Tivat Airport (TIV) – 8 km from Kotor (15–20 minutes by taxi/car). Closest and most convenient; seasonal flights from many European cities, with some year-round links (e.g., via Belgrade, Istanbul).
• Podgorica Airport (TGD) – ~90 km (1.5–2 hours by road). Year-round connections to hubs such as Belgrade, Istanbul, Vienna, Zurich, Frankfurt. Frequent buses and private transfers available.
• Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), Croatia – ~70 km (1.5–2.5 hours by road, longer in summer due to the Montenegro–Croatia border). Good for numerous UK/EU flights; expect potential delays at the Schengen external border.
• Tirana Airport (TIA), Albania – ~180–200 km (4–5 hours by road incl. border). Useful fallback when fares/times suit.

Notes:

• Taxis and pre-booked transfers are easy from all airports; agree the fare in advance or request a meter.
• No rail links from these airports directly to Kotor.

By Train

• No train service to Kotor. The nearest major stations are Podgorica and Bar on the Belgrade–Bar line.
• From Podgorica/Bar, continue by bus to Kotor (roughly 2–3 hours from Bar; 2–2.5 hours from Podgorica), or arrange a private transfer.

By Bus

• Kotor Bus Station (Autobuska stanica Kotor) is ~5–10 minutes’ walk south of the Old Town walls.
• Frequent regional services:
  • Budva: 30–45 minutes
  • Tivat: 15–25 minutes
  • Herceg Novi: 1–1.5 hours
  • Podgorica: 2–2.5 hours
  • Dubrovnik (Croatia): 2–3.5 hours (border can add time)
  • Mostar/Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina): limited direct services; typically 4–8 hours
• Buy tickets at the station window or online (times and availability vary). A small luggage fee (around €1 per bag) is usually paid in cash to the driver.

By Car

• Main coastal route: E65/E80 (Adriatic Highway). Expect slow traffic and narrow sections in summer.
• Typical drive times (without heavy traffic/border delays):
  • Tivat: 15–25 minutes
  • Budva: 30–45 minutes
  • Herceg Novi: 45–75 minutes
  • Podgorica (via Cetinje/Budva): 1.5–2 hours
  • Dubrovnik (Croatia): 2–3 hours plus border
• Kamenari–Lepetane car ferry (10 minutes) shortcuts the bay’s northern loop; useful when coming from/going to Herceg Novi or Dubrovnik.
• Parking is limited near the Old Town; use paid lots just outside the walls (e.g., near the South Gate or Kamelija). The Old Town is pedestrian-only.