Kotor
From Wikitravel
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Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. It is well-known for its stunning architecture and amazing natural setting.
[edit] Understand
Kotor is situated in a most secluded part of Boka Kotorska bay, in the northern part of the Montenegro coast. It has developed around Stari Grad, the city's old town and best known landmark, which is listed with UNESCO World heritage sites. The bay is the deepest natural fjord in the Mediterranean Sea, and the scenery around it (including the steep mountains which come almost to the waterfront) is spectacular.
Kotor is often preferred over its neighbor Budva by Western Europeans and more seasoned travellers. Kotor's "Stari Grad" (old town) has not been extensively reconstructed and polished as has Budva's, and so it appears more "natural" looking.
Lacking the beaches and carnival atmosphere that defines Budva, Kotor is a calmer alternative to the bustle and noise of Budva.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Tivat Airport is 8 km away. During summer, there are daily flights to many European destinations. Throughout the year there are flights from Tivat to Belgrade and Zurich. Transportation from the airport to Kotor is easy to find. Charter flights also to Moscow, Helsinki and other cities.
Podgorica airport is 90 km away, and has flights throughout the year to Belgrade, Budapest, Zurich, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, Paris, Rome, Vienna and as of October 2008, London Gatwick. Buses run from Podgoricia to Kotor year round.
Dubrovnik airport in Croatia is 73 km away from Kotor, and maintains flights to many European destinations throughout the year, providing a good alternative to the Montenegrin airports. It is possible to hire a taxi from the airport and drive over the border, for around €50.
[edit] By bus
Kotor is fairly well connected with neighboring countries by bus. The main bus station is a 5 minutes walk outside of old town (look for the old tall chimney!).
Bus times and frequency varies greatly seasonly. As of summer 2009 there is no accurate source of the varying schedule available online. Kotor bus station telphone number: +382 32 325 809
Budva to Kotor: During summer 2009, buses run from Budva to Herceg Novi, stopping in Kotor, almost every 30 minutes from 7:00 to 23:00.
Kotor To Podgorica: Buses leave almost hourly.
Kotor to Dubrovnik: Three daily buses (3 hours).
Kotor to Split: 3 times a week (7 hours)
Kotor to Mostar: everyday via Dubrovnik.
Kotor to Sarajevo: 1x daily
Kotor to Belgrade: (10 hours).
Kotor to Skopje: (night bus, 12 hours) twice a week on Friday and Saturday at about 7 pm. During the week you can go to Skopje via Nis in Serbia (bus from Kotor to Tivat at 3.50 pm, fromt Tivat to Nis 5.30 pm).
[edit] By car
All roads in Montenegro are two-lanes only, and mostly are curvy mountainous roads, so speeds over 70 km/h (43 mph) are rarely legal, and rarely safe.
The Vrmac tunnel has recently been completed, which significantly shortens the journey from Budva to Kotor. Road traffic was formerly diverted to alternative road over Trojica hill above Kotor. It is still possible to travel via this very curvy mountain road, so you might travel from Budva to Kotor a bit longer. From this hill you can enjoy beautiful views not only of the tiny countryside villages, but also of Podgorica (when approaching from Cetinje), and also Kotor bay.
Be aware that when driving in Montenegro that the locals drive very aggressively and think nothing of overtaking across white lines on steep bends. Be careful. There is also a great deal of road building underway and the safety considerations are a little less onerous than those in more developed countries. Don't panic.
- Car rental in Kotor [1] , Car Hire and airport transfer shuttle service from Kotor to Airports Tivat, Podgorica and Dubrovnik.
Be careful if you rent a car in Croatia and drive it to Kotor, sketchy tow operators are targeting Croatian rental cars.
[edit] By thumb
[edit] Get around
Kotor itself is a small town, so pretty much everything is within walking distance. Parking space in the city center is very hard to find, so use your car only when you have to. Be careful where you park, sketchy tow operators target tourists around the old city.
There are no sandy beaches in Kotor, and water is not of premium quality for swimming. The best solution is driving to the Jaz or Trsteno beaches on the Budva riviera, some 20 km from Kotor. Those are very beautiful beaches, and you should make the effort of going there.
[edit][add listing] See
- The old town is a must-see!
- St Triphon's cathedral, in the heart of the old town, built in 1166. 1,5 euro
- Walls of the ancient fort, stretching some 4.5 km directly above the city, on almost vertical cliffs. Climbing up the walls will be rewarded by an excellent view of Kotor and the bay. Only advisable for physically fit people, furthermore only the beginning of the ascent is safe the further you come to the fortress the more holes there are in the steps and the railing. Admission €2.
- In the middle of the bay there are two islands, Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Skrpijela, which are very worth seeing. You can get there with tourist boats.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Strolling through narrow streets of old town, enjoy the unique atmosphere.
- Drink coffee on some of many crowded open bars.
- Enjoy the nightlife.
- Take one-day trip to some of the small magical towns in the bay, like Perast or Risan.
- Go to some of the beaches in half hour's drive from Kotor (Jaz, Trsteno, Plavi horizonti).
- You shouldn't miss some of the great events during the summer, Summer Carnival or Bokeljska Noc.
- Go on a one-day cruise by boat around Boka Bay.
- Disappointingly there seems to be no organized walking tours of the town and the monuments. The tourist office will offer to organize one for €30 which seemed expensive.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Old town has many boutiques, but beware of counterfeited variants of world famous brands. There is an open market just outside the old town; there you can buy almost anything from fresh vegetables to sunglasses.
[edit][add listing] Eat
There is a wide choice of places to eat in Kotor. In old town you can find almost anything - from classy restaurants offering fresh seafood and national cuisine to fast food offering pizzas, barbecue, etc.
You'll find great sandwiches and fine pizzas with original njegos-ham in La Pasteria directly opposite St Tryphons Cathedral. Probably the best Italian food in Kotor!
Cesarica, close to Hotel Marja in the Old Town, serves excellent and cheap Dalmatian food (main dishes from 5 to 15 €). Try the cuttlefish risotto, it's amazing!
[edit][add listing] Drink
Again, old town is the hotspot for relaxed drinking espresso in the shade of the medieval walls. There are many cafes in the old town, but still it's hard to find a place to sit in the sunny day.
Espresso will cost from €1.00. Coke and other soft drinks and juices will cost from €1.00 up to €2.00.
You should also try out famous Montenegrin wines, "Vranac", "Pro Corde", "Krstac", "Cabernet", "Chardonnay" and "Nikšićko" beer. Montenegrin brandy, called "rakija" is good choice to "warm up" before going out in the evening, especially grape brandy "Montenegrin loza", "Prvijenac" or "Kruna".
[edit] Nightlife
A night out in Kotor usually begins in some of the many open bars within the walls of old town. As they are not allowed to play music after 1:00AM - the action then moves to some of the night clubs. The best club, without a doubt, is Maximus, located in the old town.
Note: With prices are high as they are, don't let the waiter make extra money on you. Always ask for a bill, as they must provide it by law. If you don't - it's likely that they'll overcharge your drinks, especially if they see you are a foreigner!
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Accommodation is cheap and plentiful in Kotor. During summer you can expect to pay about €10 per person for accommodation at a private residence in the old town, and €7-15 outside the old town and closer to beaches.
- Hotel Forza Mare is a 5-star hotel, located only 3km from Kotor's town centre [2]
- Hotel Vardar - a 4 star hotel (renovated in 2007) located in the heart of Kotor's Old Town.
- Hotel Maria is a 3-star hotel situated in the town centre.
- Hotel Cattaro [3] is a 4 star hotel, with quoted rates starting from €90 per night between November and February, and €150 per night during the summer. Various hotel reservation websites offer summer deals here of around €100 per nights.
[edit] Contact
Wifi is available in the town center.
[edit] News
- City Calendar in English Kotor City News 365 Days
[edit] Get out
- Prčanj - A small hamlet 4km away.
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