Kotor Old Town and Bay

Background

Kotor lies on the southern coast of Montenegro, at the innermost end of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Bay), backed by the almost overhanging limestone cliffs of Mount Orjen and Mount Lovćen. The old town is a well-preserved medieval town enclosed by walls, and St. Tryphon's Cathedral inside it was built in 1166; the walls climb the mountainside all the way to St. John's Fortress at the top. Geographically, the bay is a drowned river valley (ria), not a glacial fjord. The two islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks, off the coast of Perast, are also within the World Heritage property. The "Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor" was inscribed as World Heritage in 1979 (No. 125, criteria i, ii, iii, iv), with its boundaries modified twice, in 2012 and 2015; it covers the old town, the fortifications and the inner bay.

Local customs

• Stroll the stone lanes of the old town in the early morning, seeing St. Tryphon's Cathedral and the squares
• follow the wall walk up to St. John's Fortress for a view over the old town and the bay
• take a boat around the inner bay, stopping at Perast and the two islets
• look out for the cats seen all over the old town, which have become a symbol of the city.

Travel tips

• The wall walk has many steps, some of them damaged, so wear non-slip shoes, carry enough water and avoid the midday sun in summer
• the old town's stone paving is slippery in rain
• boat trips in the bay run to on-site schedules.
• Within Montenegro you can reach Kotor by bus or car, or by boat from other towns in the bay
• vehicles do not enter the old-town core, which is explored on foot. For specific routes and services, check the latest local information. Late spring to early autumn is best for climbing the walls and boat trips, and summer is the cruise peak season, so avoid the busiest hours
• winter is quiet, but watch for strong winds and slippery paths on the walls.