Kotor is sitting in the spectacular Boka Bay and is shielded by the crown of mountains, under the Lovćen National Park.Its diamonds are located along the fortification that is going up the hill to the fortress of San Giovanni that overlooks the town.
Shining hypnotizingly during the night, the diamonds are giving Kotor a look of a fairy like place, incomparable in its grace and beauty to any other. Kotor’s pearls are two small islets – Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George, and both of them cherish legends and stories of deep and everlasting love.
Kotor is especially interesting for those who like walking on and through history. It was ruled by Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Austro-Hungarians, and Venetians. These conquerors have left many fortunes behind, and this town today lives in the labyrinth of medieval cathedrals, churches, and Venetian palaces. St. Tripun’s Cathedral, Church of St. Nicholas, Church of Our Lady of Remedy and Kotor Maritime Museum are just a few monuments of vibrant history of this town. Kotor today has a modern lifestyle inside the old squares, where the sounds of serenade and live rock music mix up. This is a town of stone houses, cobblestone alleys and the balconies with wrought iron railings, decorated with petunias where many legends are created and are still being told.
Kotor’s fortifications had grown up St John’s Hill from the 9th until the 19th century. There are 1350 steps to the St John’s Fortress at the top for those longing for magnificent views over the town and the bay.
The Old town of Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean and is under UNESCO protection. A nice addition to Kotor that you have to visit is a small town of Perast, a tiny, unique village nestled on the edge of the bay at a spot with the best lookouts over the twin islets. Perast is one of the most romantic places in Montenegro.
Kotor has a great night life. Numerous events during the summer will fill your stay here with joy, dance, laughter and sweet memories. Traditional events, such as Camellia day, Days of St. Tripun, Kotor Carnival, Kotor’ Summer Fiestas, Child’s Festival, Bokeska night, International Clapper Festival are events that will be remembered and talked about for a long, long while.
Kotor has a good quality and affordable accommodation. Some of the best hotels that work all year round in Kotor are: Forza Mare, Forza Terra and Casa del Mare. The private accommodation is well organized, clean and reasonably priced.
Many restaurants offering traditional Mediterranean cuisine and local wines will guarantee that you enjoy your stay and get the tastes and feel for Montenegro.
The climate in Kotor and its surroundings is Mediterranean with warm and dry summers and mild and humid winters. The best time to visit Kotor is May, when temperatures are around 25°C (77°F). In July and August it gets above 35°C, with the water temperature above 19°C.
Although Tivat and Podgorica are Montenegro’s main international airports, it can be handy to come via Dubrovnik Airport (Croatia), since it has a larger range of flights and airlines. Podgorica airport is an hour and a half away from Kotor, whereas Tivat Airport is some 15 minutes distant. Private airport transfers are available from all those airports at very reasonable rates.
Visit Kotor. This is the most picturesque town in Montenegro. You will love its atmosphere, it is like the town was not built, it is like it was grown from the limestone. The fortification is unique – like a scenery from an animated film about the mysticism and preservation of spirituality. Kotor has it all – history, tradition, modernity, great stories, great outlooks, fabulous service, spirituality, culture, music, night life, fun time, good food, adventures and activities. Kotor is a place where you will take photos all the time. Kotor is the place you will fall in love with.