Kotor Old Town

Kotor is one of the most beautiful towns on the Adriatic, a perfectly preserved medieval walled city huddled at the head of a dramatic, fjord-like bay beneath towering grey mountains. A UNESCO site of Venetian heritage, its labyrinth of winding cobbled lanes, hidden squares, old churches and a Romanesque cathedral is enclosed by mighty stone walls that climb astonishingly up the sheer mountainside behind, a steep hike rewarded with breathtaking views over the town and the shimmering bay.

What you actually see

• The old town lanes - the winding cobbled streets and squares.
• The city walls - the fortifications climbing the mountainside for views.
• St Tryphon's Cathedral - the Romanesque cathedral.
• The Bay of Kotor - the dramatic fjord-like bay setting.

When to go

May to June and September to October for pleasant weather without the peak summer crush and cruise crowds; July and August are hot and can be overwhelmed by cruise-ship day-trippers. The wall climb is best in the cool of morning or late afternoon.

Honest expectations

It has become very popular, and when cruise ships dock the small old town is overwhelmed with crowds by day, so early morning, evening or the shoulder seasons are far better. The steep climb up the city walls is hot, tiring and unshaded, so go early with water. Its beauty and dramatic bay setting, though, are genuinely spectacular.

Nearby

The Bay of Kotor towns of Perast and Budva and the mountains are close.