There are two international airports located in Montenegro, Podgorica Airport (Golubovci Airport), which is located 54 miles away from the center of Kotor, and Tivat Airport which is 5 miles away. The easiest way to reach Kotor is by flying into Tivat and taking a taxi ride or renting a car for the 10-minute drive to the city.

There is no public transportation offered from Podgorica Airport to Kotor, there is a central bus station located 7.5 miles away from the airport, with buses to Kotor. It is a two-hour car ride from Dubrovnik to Kotor and from Bosnia-Herzegovina.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options. Both airports have the option to rent a car with several international car rental companies available, the ride from Podgorica is around an hour's drive and from Tivat just around 10 minutes.

There are taxis located outside of the terminals, the cost depends upon the time and distance from the airport to your hotel. The bus station in Kotor is just under a mile away from the city center and within walking distance to many of the hotels. The Bay of Kotor is a popular cruise ship port of call with cruises arriving daily throughout the week.

The Old Town of Kotor is a compact city which can be covered on foot, some buses travel to nearby towns frequently as well as to the interior of the country. The main bus station in town is located outside the Old Town walls. Buses are frequent and cheap, the journey from Kotor to Budva costs around 3 euros and is less than an hour away with multiple routes daily. Taxis are also available outside of the walls.

Renting a car is not necessary if you are staying in Old Town Kotor, as the main streets are pedestrianized and the city is compact and walkable, no cars are allowed within the walls. There is not much need for a car unless you are staying in one of the towns located on the outskirts, however, they also offer great public transportation options such as buses and taxis to connect to Kotor. If you plan to travel around Montenegro and other regions renting a car is a good idea.

Kotor is connected to the Adriatic Highway and the rest of the coast and inland Montenegro by the Vrmac Tunnel, the inland region is reachable by detouring from the Adriatic highway at Budva, or Sutomore through the Sozina tunnel.

Taxis are available outside the main walls of Old Town and can be found on the streets, outside the bus station (outside the walls of Old Town), or called and ordered over the phone. Prices for taxis in the main part of town are negotiable, it is advisable to bargain and agree on a price before getting into the cab.

Walking around the charming town of Kotor is pleasurable and easy with a compact city center that is easy to navigate. There are plenty of attractions that can be reached easily on foot including historic sights, restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. Walking around is the best way to check out the charms of the city and the beautiful port and Bay of Kotor.

Walking tours are available in Old Town, Star Grad the epicenter of activity in Kotor filled with a wonderful atmosphere and interesting sights and facts.

Hiking up to the Fortress in Kotor situated high above the city is another popular and interesting activity with simply breathtaking views at the top. Another very rewarding experience is walking around the city walls that surround Kotor’s Old Town.

Riding a bike in Kotor is a great experience, cycling around the beautiful Bay of Kotor is easily done by bike, stopping off at beaches to sunbathe and swim, sipping on coffee at cafes, and enjoying a rewarding ice cream along the way. If you head out of Kotor in a clockwise direction is the easiest way to make your way around the loop, you can also take your bike on the ferry to cross the channel. There are bikes available for rent in the city just outside the East Gate of the Old Town for around 10 euros a day.

Boats are available to hire in the beautiful Bay of Kotor, with several boat tours available daily. These boat rides are a great way to experience the beauty of the water and surrounding coastline of Montenegro and the beautiful islands just outside of Kotor.

Kotor is a very safe place to visit, with a low crime in the city and rarely directed towards foreigners. Petty theft and certain scams do exist, but no different to any other major city. Practice safe street smarts when out exploring and keep your valuables close when in crowded areas. Don’t wander into unlit areas at night, stick to the crowded streets, and take a taxi from your destination back to your hotel to stay safe.

Shoppers are spoiled for choice when visiting Kotor, the charming narrow winding streets of Old Town are packed with unique boutiques, and cute shops filled with amazing handmade goods, and souvenirs. Old Town is where the majority of Kotor’s shops are located, many selling clothes made by Italian fashion designers, along with jewelry stores, antiques, books, and cat-themed stores.

The busy Kotor market is located across the harbor from Old Town selling vibrant fruits, vegetables, and fresh fish every morning (except Sunday). A large department store and other supermarkets are located in this vicinity.

Kamelija shopping center is located outside of the main walls, a large shopping center filled with different shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Shops in Kotor are normally open Monday through Friday from 9 am until 12 pm, and then open again from 1 pm to 9 pm, and from 8 am until 3 pm on Saturdays.

A few popular items to purchase in Kotor are Montenegran headgear with Kapa cap, Brojanica Bracelets, Vranac wine, cat-centric souvenirs, Montenegro grape vinegar, peasant cheese, and olive oil.

The official language spoken in Kotor is Montenegrin, a variant of Serbo-Croatian, many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants, and many locals speak Italian. We recommend you get a good English-Albanian guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The weather in Montenegro varies with the different seasons, the summers are warm and dry and the wintertime can be cold and wet especially in the mountainous regions. That being said the best time to visit the city of Kotor would be from May to October, the months of July to August can get very hot making it a popular time to visit the beautiful beaches along the coast. The climate on the Montenegrin coast is typically Mediterranean with maximum temperatures that average around 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime and lows around 40-52 degrees in the winter. As the coastline is narrow and backed by steep mountains, the coastal areas are mostly protected from the cold brisk Bora winds. June to August is also a busy time in the Kotar port due to cruise ship activity, almost daily cruise ships visit the docks, and passengers head out to explore the town, making it a crowded time.

The currency of Montenegro is the Euro. You will need to exchange your currency for the Euro which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks, or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus.

There is no shortage of fantastic restaurants spread throughout Kotor, inside the city walls in Old Town there is a wide selection of restaurants to choose from as well as outside the walls and in the charming towns dotted along the coastline. Many of the wonderful eateries in Kotor feature outdoor patios and seating to sit back, relax, and enjoy the warm, charming atmosphere of the town.

Seafood is a specialty in the region due to its proximity to the Bay of Kotor. Freshly caught fish and seafood, especially squid, octopus, and grilled fish are brought in daily by the local fishermen. Visitors can enjoy these fresh delights served up in popular sauces and recipes like buzara, which is a blend of olive oil, wine, garlic, and mild spices. Blitva is a popular side dish made of boiled potatoes that are mixed with wilted Swiss chard and garlic.

Italian and Turkish cuisine is also very popular on the menu in Kotor, along with traditional Montenegrin cuisine, found in excellent restaurants such as Tanjga, right outside the city walls serving hearty dishes such as roast chicken and potatoes.

Cafes are dotted all around Kotor, with sweet smells wafting out of the doors and dishing up super-strong Turkish coffee and delicious sweet treats. Cafes offer outside seating and are a great place to sit back and people watch.

There are plenty of exciting nightlife options dotted around Kotor including restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs to enjoy. The evenings in Kotor are just as charming as the day time, with alfresco dining, bars with outdoor seating, and spectacular views with an amazing ambiance. Eateries and bars along the port and bay looking out at the water can be all you need to relax for the evening. Shops, cafes, and restaurants are open late in Old Town and it is a pleasure to wander around at night and take in the historic surroundings.

If you are looking for a little more excitement head to Letrika which is one of the best clubs in town to spend an amazing night dancing, listening to great music, and meeting people.

Budva is a hot destination for nightlife options, nicknamed the “Montenegrin Miami’ and known for its beautiful beaches dotted with hip bars and clubs boasting a vibrant nightlife. Podgorica is the capital city and also offers a buzzing nightlife scene, known to have some of the best nightlife to offer in Eastern Europe. There are open-air bars, pubs, fantastic clubs, and underground venues on offer.

In case of Emergency dial 112, 122 for police, 123 for fire, and 124 for an ambulance.

Hospitals: Opsta bolnica Kotor General Hospital tel. 382-32-325-602