See Old Town
Kotor Old Town
Beside the quay
The walled town sits between the sea, the Škurda river and St John's hill. Its Cathedral of St Tryphon was built in 1166.
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Bay of Kotor · Montenegro
Kotor
A walled Old Town beneath a mountain fortress.
Kotor's walled Old Town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Climb the city walls to San Giovanni fortress, or ride the cable car up to Lovcen.
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Three Ways to Spend a Day in Kotor
Unwind Old Town Square
Square of Arms
Inside the main gate
The largest square in the Old Town opens just inside the main gate. A baroque clock tower from the 17th century stands on it.
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Explore City Walls
Kotor City Walls
Hill above the Old Town
The walls ring the Old Town and climb the hill behind it. You enter town through the Sea Gate, the River Gate or the Gurdić Gate.
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Tours & Tickets in Kotor
Getting Around Kotor
Your landing decides your route: at the quay beside the Old Town, or by tender from an anchorage in the bay.
If you do one thing here
Climb to San Giovanni Fortress
San Giovanni fortress stands on Mount Sveti Ivan, about 850 feet high, right above the Old Town. The city walls climb the slope to it from the town.
A 2023 news report said foreign visitors would pay €15 to walk the walls; Kotor's own site does not publish the fee. If you would rather ride, the Kotor-Lovcen cable car is an 11-minute gondola trip up to Lovcen.
About Kotor (Municipality) (opens a new tab)Kotor-Lovcen Cable Car (opens a new tab)
Safety and Weather
Official crime data covers Montenegro, not Kotor alone.
- CrimeIn 2023 Montenegro recorded about 92% less theft per resident than the median EU country (54 against 710 per 100,000) and about 84% less robbery (4.4 against 26.7). Very low counts can reflect under-recording. UK advice still warns of pickpockets in tourist hot spots.
- Walking to townYes, if your ship berths: the Old Town is about 330 feet from the quay. If it anchors, the tender brings you to the port.
- WeatherMontenegro's met service says the coast has long, warm summers and mild, wet winters, with the bora wind.
Crime figures: Eurostat police-recorded offences, 2023, per 100,000 residents; Montenegro against the median of 27 EU countries (our maths, read 22 October 2026). Climate: Hydrometeorological and Seismological Institute of Montenegro.
Make it part of your voyage
Cruises Visiting Kotor
MSC, Viking, Seabourn, Princess and Norwegian have the most calls ahead. Find cruises that visit Kotor.
Kotor FAQ
Where do cruise ships dock in Kotor?
At the quay beside the Old Town, or at one of the bay's three anchorages, such as Kamenarovici or Orahovac. Ships at anchor send guests ashore by tender.
Do cruise ships dock or anchor in Kotor?
Both. The port's 2026 arrivals list marks 300 of 566 calls at anchor and 265 at the berth. The same ship can do either.
Can you walk from the Kotor cruise port to the Old Town?
Yes. The Old Town is about 330 feet from the berth. If your ship anchors, the tender lands you at the port.
Is Kotor worth visiting?
Its walled Old Town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Inside are the 1166 Cathedral of St Tryphon and the Square of Arms, with San Giovanni fortress on the hill above.
What can I do in Kotor from a cruise ship?
Walk the Old Town, climb the city walls to San Giovanni fortress, or ride the 11-minute cable car to Lovcen.
How high is Kotor fortress?
San Giovanni fortress stands on Mount Sveti Ivan, about 850 feet high. The city walls climb to it from the Old Town.
Is there a cable car in Kotor?
Yes. The Kotor-Lovcen cable car is an 11-minute gondola ride up to Lovcen.
Is Kotor safe for tourists?
Recorded theft and robbery in Montenegro are far below the EU median per resident. UK government advice still says to watch for pickpockets in tourist hot spots.
What is the weather like in Kotor?
Montenegro's met service says the coast has long, warm summers and mild, wet winters. The bora wind blows on the coast.
How far is Tivat airport from Kotor?
The port says Tivat airport is about 5 miles away by road. Podgorica airport is about 53 miles and Dubrovnik airport about 44 miles.
Where is the Kotor cruise schedule for 2026?
The Port of Kotor publishes its 2026 arrivals list as a PDF and an Excel file. It shows each call and whether the ship berths or anchors.
Photos: Kotor: Gzzz (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Old Town entrance: Tiia Monto (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Old Town square: Rakoon (CC0) · City walls: Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Kotor fortifications: Dennis G. Jarvis (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Cruise ship in the bay: Milica Buha (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped for display.