Dubrovnik Day Trip to Kotor: The Best Kotor Travel Guide

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Last Updated on November 23, 2024 by sydabroad

Are you looking for the best things to do on your Dubrovnik day trip to Kotor? Then keep reading! 

Montenegro is a tiny Balkan country south of Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast. Kotor, which is Montenegro’s most visited city,  is known for its medieval Old Town, cobblestone streets, and picture-perfect bay, and is one that needs to be on your European summer bucket list. 

In this guide, I’m sharing all about what you need to know before your Dubrovnik day trip to Kotor. Including the best places to eat, where to stay in Kotor, how to get around, and the best things to do in Kotor. Alright, let’s get into the guide! 

Looking for more Montenegro guides?

• 7 Amazing Things to Do in Perast, Montenegro
• 15 Photos to Inspire you to visit Montenegro
• The Best Beaches in Kotor, Montenegro

This post is all about a Dubrovnik day trip to Kotor, Montenegro, and all of the best things to do in the city. 

Kotor Day Trip | The Basics 

Currency = Euro

The currency in Montenegro is the euro. (EUR)

1 USD = .93 Euro

You will find that some restaurants and cafes in Kotor Old Town will accept card payment but you will need to have cash for many other purchases in Kotor. Cash is really useful if you need to tip a guide, split a restaurant bill, or shop at a local market. 

Language = Montenegrin

The official language of Montenegro is Montenegrin. Other Balkan languages such as Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian are also languages spoken in Montenegro. However, with Google Translate and speaking English, you will get around fine, especially in Kotor. 

Phone & Internet

From my experience, I never had an issue with the phone and internet in Kotor. Most bars, restaurants, and cafes in the Old Town will have wifi. However, if you venture outside of Kotor wifi might be a bit harder to find. 

Many hotels should have reliable wifi and if you are staying at an Airbnb, check with your host to see if they have wifi. 

Daily Budget

Compared to countries in Western Europe, Montenegro is an affordable destination to visit. Expect to spend about 20 to 40 euros per day depending on what activities you want to do. 

Tipping in Kotor

You should tip anywhere from 10-15% in Kotor. Because Kotor is a major tourist hot spot, it’s more common to tip in this part of the country. 

Is The Tap Water Drinkable?

Tap water is safe to drink in Kotor. 

Where is Kotor?

The country of Montenegro is a tiny country in the Balkans region located along the central Mediterranean, within Southern Europe. Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro and the country’s most visited city. 

Dubrovnik to Kotor: How to Get to Kotor

If you are traveling from Dubrovnik to Kotor – the trip will take about 2 hours each way. There are a variety of different day tours that do day trips to Kotor from Dubrovnik. If you are short on time and want to experience Montenegro I suggest a day trip from Dubrovnik. 

I booked a day trip and absolutely loved it. Having a planned trip takes the stress out of planning an itinerary and booking your own transportation.

Book your Dubrovnik day trip to Kotor here.

On the other hand, you can fly into Tivat (TIV), which is the closest airport to Kotor located about 3 miles away. Another nearby airport is Podgorica Golubovci (TGD), located about 25 miles from Kotor.

Alternatively, you can rent a car from whatever nearby city you are in. Although train travel is popular in Europe, public transportation is much less prevalent in Montenegro. There are currently no trains to Kotor. 

Dubrovnik Day Trip to Kotor Map

How Much Time Do You Need in Kotor

The entire country is tiny. It’s one of the smallest in the world so you really don’t need that much time here. That’s why a Dubrovnik day trip to Kotor is perfect if you’re trying to squeeze in all that you can into one trip.

I visited during a day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro and we saw Kotor Old Town, the Bay of Kotor, and Perast, Montenegro all in one day. You really can see all the highlights in a day.

I think 2 full days would be ideal to get a sense of the city and avoid being rushed. This will give you plenty of time to see all that Kotor has to offer and a visit to Perast as well. 

If you plan on visiting other cities nearby like Tivat and Budva – I think 4 days in Montenegro would be perfect.

RELATED POST: 7 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN PERAST, MONTENEGRO 

Dubrovnik Day Trip to Kotor – Travel Guide

1. EXPLORE KOTOR OLD TOWN 

Getting lost in Old Town Kotor is certainly one of the best things to do in Kotor. This is the most famous part of the city where you’ll get a glimpse of the culture, history, and traditions in Kotor. 

There are museums and churches to visit (more on these later in the guide) and the medieval architecture is incredible. 

2. CLIMB TO SAN GIOVANNI FORTRESS 

The climb to San Giovanni’s Fortress is another one of the most popular things to do in Kotor. If you want amazing views of the city and the surrounding area I highly suggest the hike. 

To reach the top you will climb just over 1,300 stairs. This isn’t a super challenging hike, but it is somewhat strenuous and takes some time. But keep in mind, it gets hot in the summer. So if you can, do the climb early in the morning. 

The hike in total typically takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours.

3. VISIT ST. TRYPHON’S CATHEDRAL 

One of the most popular cathedrals in Kotor is St. Tryphon’s Cathedral. This is a catholic cathedral that has been reconstructed after several earthquakes. This church is a must-visit when exploring Old Town Kotor. 

If you’d like to go inside, St. Tryphon’s Cathedral is open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM. 

4. VISIT THE MARITIME MUSEUM 

The Maritime Museum in Kotor, Montenegro holds the collection founded by the “Boka Marine” Fraternity and opened to the public in 1900. It has gradually grown throughout the years and now it’s a great place to visit during your trip to Kotor. 

Currently, the entrance fee is 4 euros. The Maritime Museum will give you a glimpse of the city’s rich history. 

5. KOTOR BEACH

Although Kotor doesn’t have as many nice beaches as Budva, Kotor Beach is a great place to relax and spend a couple of hours. Just north of the Old Town, you’ll find Kotor Beach – a short stretch on the coast perfect for a swim or sunbathing. Because this is Kotor’s main beach and it’s not too big, it may be crowded. 

Discover all the best beaches in Kotor here!

6. SPEND TIME AT THE BAY OF KOTOR 

If you want to head to another body of water, you can spend some time on the beautiful Bay of Kotor. Here, you can rent paddle boards, kayak, or do bay cruises. Click here to view a tour.

7. TAKE A TRIP TO PERAST 

You can’t miss the quaint town of Perast when you visit Montenegro. It’s located just about 15 minutes away from Kotor and many day trips to Montenegro will include a visit to Perast. 

A highlight of Perast was visiting the fairytale man-made island – Our Lady of the Rocks. For a full guide to Perast, Montenegro – check out my detailed guide here.

8. VISIT THE OLD TOWN MARKET 

Located near the Sea Gate, you’ll find Kotor’s open-air market packed with fresh produce, cheeses, meats, wines, and souvenirs. It’s a great place to wander around and shop locally. 

RELATED POST: 15 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOU TO VISIT MONTENEGRO

9. KOTOR BLUE CAVE TOUR

If you have more than a day or so in Kotor, I suggest doing a boat tour of the Blue Cave. Montenegro’s blue cave gets its glow from the reflection of the water. And since it’s much less popular than Croatia’s Blue Cave – there usually aren’t too many people here. 

Many tours will also include a stop at Our Lady of the Rocks and Mamula. I will link a tour here for you to check out. 

10. KOTOR CATS MUSEUM 

For a unique activity in Kotor, visit the Kotor Cats Museum in the Old Town. This is a tiny little museum dedicated to cats. 

11. ST. LUKE’S CHURCH 

St. Luke’s Church is one of Kotor’s oldest churches located right in the Old Town. This Byzantine and Gothic-style church was built in 1195 and belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church. 

12. DAY TRIP TO BUDVA 

If you’re doing more than just a Dubrovnik day trip to Kotor, Budva is a must. Budva is located just about 30 minutes from Kotor. If you are a beach lover, you’ll want to visit Budva. You’ll find that Budva is typically more lively than Kotor, especially during the summertime. In the summer months, the beaches and restaurants are filled with tourists and there is more nightlife here than in Kotor.

WHERE TO STAY IN KOTOR, MONTENEGRO 

If you plan on spending a night or two in Kotor, here are a few great accommodation options.

Budget: Hostel Old Town Kotor, is an excellent option if you are traveling on a budget.  

Boutique: Hotel Hippocampus, A boutique hotel in Kotor Old town. Book it here. 

Luxury: Hotel Libertas, a luxury hotel with beautiful views of the Bay. Book it here. 

FIND A PLACE TO STAY IN KOTOR

Booking.com

Eat + Drink in Kotor

• Turkish coffee at Niete Coffee Kotor 
• Konoba Scala Santa 
• Restaurant Galion 
• Cattarissimo for gelato 
• Katapo 

Dubrovnik Day Trip to Kotor – Helpful Tips

• Bring euros and make sure you have change for small purchases and the water taxi in Perast.
• Don’t forget your passport if you are crossing the border on a day trip. Also, note that the border crossing was a smooth process. 
• Make sure you travel with insurance! You never know when you may need to find a doctor, a piece of camera equipment breaks, or any other unexpected situations. SafetyWing is the perfect travel insurance for all types of travelers. Whether you are a digital nomad or on a 10 day trip – SafetyWing will cover you.
• Kotor is a budget-friendly destination. You can spend as little as 20 to 35 euros per day.
• If you want to book a day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro, I have linked a tour here. 

Kotor Day Trip Essentials

• Passport and passport cover 
• Comfy walking shoes 
• Sunglasses 
• Face SPF 
• Tote bag 
• Montenegro guide book 
• Portable charger 
• Camera 
• Reusable water bottle 
• Disposable camera 
• Journal 

And that wraps up this guide all about how to plan a Dubrovnik day trip to Kotor, Montenegro. If you have any questions please comment below or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com. 

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