Surrounded by mountains ranging from 1000m to 1700m high, situated at the eastern tip of Kotor Bay, lies the picturesque city of Kotor. Its city-core is the best preserved, of the cities along the Montenegrin coast, rich in medieval monuments. Kotor walled medieval city – centre, with its winding, narrow little streets, squares and small churches, appears on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Of its religious monuments, the most notable is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, dating from the 12th century.
Kotor medieval city-walls extend all the way up to the St. Ivan Fortress, some 260m above sea-level; although the climb up is a bit tiring, the splendid panoramic view obtained over the city and the whole Kotor Bay makes it worthwhile. Mt. Lovcen, at 1754m, is the highest peak of the range surrounding Kotor; the Lovcen National Park can be reached via an 18km long, steep and winding road.
The old town of Kotor
The old town of Kotor is among the best preserved medieval towns not only in Montenegro but in this part of the Mediterranean.
The asymmetric structure of Kotor old town typical for the towns’ architecture between the 12th and 14th century is also preserved. Narrow streets and squares, many valuable monuments of medieval architecture were some of the reasons why UNESCO put Kotor on the list of the world natural and cultural heritage. The cultural heritage of Kotor, the architectural styles and the unique position of the town that is harmonised completely with the surroundings make Kotor a special town. The fortifications in Kotor are considered to be of international significance. The walls are 4.5 km long; in some places they are 20 m high and 2-16 m thick. Building started on the walls during the Illyrian period and continued until the 18th century.
Today, one may enter Kotor through the three town gates, of which the main one is the Sea Gate that dates from the 16th century. The gate is surrounded by massive stone blocks and stone pillars also made of massive stone blocks. On the right side there is a Gothic relief showing Christ with the Holy Mother of God, while on the left side are St. Triphon and a model of the town.
Apart from the main town gate, one can enter the town through two more gates – the Northern and Southern Gates. The Northern Gate is significantly smaller than the Southern Gate. The Northern Gate was built as a memorial to Kotor’s victory over the famous Turkish Admiral Hajrudin Barbarosa in 1539. The Southern Gate or Gurdica Gate did not have only one gate like the Sea Gate or the Northern Gate, but it has an entire mechanism consisting of three belts of gateways, constructed at different periods.
There are also other numerous places in the town worth visiting: Drago Palace with windows in Gothic style from the 15th century, Bizanti Palace from the 17th century, Pima Palace with typical Renaissance and Baroque styles from the 16th century, Grubonja Palace from 1326, Grgur Palace from the 18th century (today the Maritime Museum), Beskuce Palace, Karampana Fountain, the Prince’s Palace, Napoleon’s Theatre, the Arsenal, the Bishopric.
Bay of Kotor
Kotor is just one of the beautiful coastal towns surrounded by the big mountains that hang over the Mediterranean richness and the Boka Kotorska or Kotor Bay, the southernmost fjord in Europe, which has been celebrated in song so many times and whose coasts bear witness to the tempestuous history and centuries-old civilization and multicultural interweaving.
The first herald of spring the “Mimosa Festival” dedicated to mimosa – a flower that was brought from Australia to the Bay a few centuries ago, begins even in winter in Boka Kotorska, more precisely in Herceg Novi.
Kotor Hotels – Kotor Montenegro Featured Accommodation
Hotel Vardar, Kotor Montenegro
||Hotel Vardar has 18 comfortable double rooms, 4 junior suits and 1 suit special – top of our offer. The view from the suits’ balconies overlooks the main town’s piazza. Hotel Vardar meets all the conditions for 5 star classifications. All the rooms have the automatic safe-deposit box and mini bar. Hotel Vardar has a meeting room, capacity 45 people. More
Maritime Museum of Kotor Montenegro
The rich maritime history of the Boka Kotorska and Montenegro is best seen in the buildings and among the collections of the well-known Maritime Museum of Kotor. Along with numerous historic manuscripts and exhibits, of great interest to visitors are the scale models of old ships and boats. Brave seamen sailed over the world in such ships.
Their portraits, picture of ships, a multitude of photographs, parts and instruments of old ships bear witness to the development of maritime navigation and make this collection unique in the world. In this museum the curious visitor may familiarise himself with the history of the many centuries of tradition of the famous Boka Navy.
The Kotor Riviera, in the deepest part of the Boka Kotorska, where little towns, fishermen settlements and coastal villages alternate along the whole coast line, is divided in numerous landing stages which give the whole landscape a very special charm.
Many of these are privately owned, thus if you book a room in one of the marvellous palaces at this coast, you will be able to enjoy at your own landing stage during the daytime and the peacefulness of the beautiful Boka Kotorska at night.
Bajova Kula beach
This is a very attractive beach and a favorite picnic place of the local people from Kotor. It was named after the legendary hero Bajo Pivljanin who built the tower to be his shelter in times between battles. It is situated on the way to Perast. It is pebbly, 60 m long, and the sea water is extremely clear. In the background of the beach, there is a dense greenery of laurel trees, the pleasant smell of which makes the experience of sunbathing and swimming complete. In a part of the beach there is a quay where the Kotor inhabitants and the lovers of this beach tie up their boats. You can get here both from land and sea.
Bigovo Valley also belongs to the locality of Donji Grbalj between Budva and Tivat. It is deeply situated in land and for such a position it used to be a fishing port which the fishermen used as their shelter from storms. Nowadays, it is inhabited fishing place and a port. It is famous for the healing sand, which is found at the very end of Bigovo valley, and for a rocky beach, fine fish and fishing fiestas.
Marco’s Cape beach
This is one of the most famous locations for medicinal tourism and rehabilitation. There is a beach particularly built for this purpose, which is used only by the hotel guests. The beach is pebbly, 1000 m long and there is a hotel complex of bungalow type nearby named the same. Marco’s Cape is situated between Prcanj and Stoliv, in the Kotor part of the Kotor Bay
Morinj beach is a sandy-pebbly beach, 1000 m long, 15 m wide, the background of which has a natural attraction canal with a marine inland. The beach is situated on a cape, beneath the highway. The springs of drinking water, where the old mills are converted into exclusive restaurants, are next to the beach.
Orahovac Beach is also a favorite vacation place of the Kotor inhabitants. The beach is sunny throughout the whole day and the sea water is crystal clear. It is near Kotor, on the way to Perast.
It is pebbly, 1000m long, and what makes it distinctive is its environment – the harmonious unity of the coastline, the sea and houses built of stone surrounded by dense Mediterranean vegetation. The sea water is also extremely clean. The sea fields for growth of edible shell-fish are proof of its purity.
The Risan Beach is situated on the part of the coast between Risan and Strp. It is a pebbly beach, 1000 m long, 10 m wide, and very convenient for medicinal tourism and recreation. The Teuta hotel is nearby.
Trsteno Valley is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region of Donji Grbalj and is one of the nine most beautiful beaches of the Montenegrin coast. It is situated deeply in land and so is protected from high waves, storms and south wind. The beach which is 200m long, with fine sand, clear azure sea water, sandy sea bottom, untouched natural environment presents only a part of what you expect on Trsteno. You can get there by asphalt road which connects Trsteno to the motor way Herceg Novi – Bar.
Zukova Beach is a valley which belongs to the locality of Donji Grbalj and is one of the attractions of this part of the coast. You can go there going by a macadam village road which does not spil the sense of untouched nature. The coast is slightly sloped toward the sea, it is pebbly, 200m long, and its background is dense maquis.
Kotor Tourist Information Center
Tourism Organisation Kotor Montenegro
Stari grad 328
Tel: +382 (32) 325 947
Tel: +382 (32) 322 886
Fax: +382 (32) 322 886