A rarely visited European city known for its stunning medieval architecture, rich history, and dramatic natural setting has been named the “best city break”. Kotor, a picturesque city nestled on Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast, was given the prestigious title by CN Traveller.
Nestled between steep mountains and the calm waters of the Adriatic Sea, the city creates a picturesque landscape that has attracted visitors for centuries.
Kotor’s Old Town is a beautifully preserved medieval area, featuring narrow winding streets, historic buildings, and charming squares.
It’s surrounded by fortified walls that date back to the Venetian period when Kotor was an important trading port.
The Old Town and the surrounding region were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, due to the area’s well-preserved medieval architecture, historical significance, and natural beauty.
The combination of historical and natural features makes it one of Montenegro’s most treasured destinations.
Those looking for a panoramic view of the city must climb up to Kotor Fortress (St. John’s Fortress). Perched high above the town, this fortress offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor and the surrounding mountains. The steep climb to the top involves over 1,300 steps.
Another spot is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon which is one of the most prominent landmarks in Kotor.
This Roman Catholic cathedral was built in the 12th century and is dedicated to the town’s patron saint, Saint Tryphon. It showcases Romanesque architecture with Byzantine influences.
Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), also called Europe’s southernmost fjord, is one of the most scenic spots in Montenegro.
Its calm waters are surrounded by mountains, and boat tours around the bay take visitors to nearby towns and islands, including the famous “Our Lady of the Rocks” island.
The city is located under a three-hour flight from London. The closest airport is Tivat, and you can get there from Gatwick.
Travellers who have been to the charming city were left mesmerised by its beauty.
One person wrote: “On our trip to Montenegro we stopped at Kotor, in comparison to Dubrovnik it feels less established as a tourist destination even though the hoards of cruise ship visitors keep the place busy every other day.
“If we had time we wanted to walk the hiking trails up the mountains but we had to make do with admiring them from the ground. Kotor is worth a visit, although we enjoyed being outside the walls admiring the beauty of the bay itself.”
Another user said: “Amazing! Wonderful! Impressive! It’s difficult even only to find a way to describe it, you can only enjoy with your own eyes.”
A third user said: “This is the Best town in Montenegro. Yes, the cruise ships turn up about 9 am so the town is very busy but it didn’t stop us from enjoying this gorgeous place full of quirky shops and restaurants with a maze of little streets. It has lots of cars/ kittens as they are the town’s good luck symbol. You can climb the walls for great views over Kotor bay. Get there early if travelling by car as parking is limited. there are little bakeries selling traditional cheese puffs and slices of pizza for £2 if you don’t want a big lunch, albeit we enjoyed a great lunch (reasonable price) to enjoy the ambiance.”