Free things to do · Kotor · Montenegro
5 free things to do in Kotor
Kotor without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Kotor without paying an entry fee: Kotor Old Town, Ladder of Kotor trail, Church of St Luke and St Nicholas Church and Dobrota waterfront walk are all free. The Ladder of Kotor trail gives similar views to the paid wall climb at no cost.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Neighbourhood · Old Town (Stari Grad)
1.Kotor Old Town
Explore before about 9am or after 6pm on days when cruise ships are docked, when the lanes are calm.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
Nature · Old Town (Stari Grad)
2.Ladder of Kotor trail
Allow two to three hours up to the higher switchbacks and wear proper shoes; the stone is loose in places.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
Religious site · Old Town (Stari Grad)
3.Church of St Luke and St Nicholas Church
Step inside both to compare the plain medieval interior with the gilded Orthodox iconostasis next door.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Waterfront · Dobrota
4.Dobrota waterfront walk
Walk out in the late afternoon and swim from one of the platforms, then return as the walls light up after dark.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
Market · Old Town (Stari Grad)
5.Kotor green market
Buy cheese, ham, figs and bread here for a picnic on the walls or by the water.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town (Stari Grad) | Kotor Old Town, Ladder of Kotor trail, Church of St Luke and St Nicholas Church and Kotor green market | 2–3 hours + Half a day + 30 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Dobrota | Dobrota waterfront walk | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Castle · Old Town (Stari Grad)
City walls and San Giovanni Fortress
Start at sunrise or in the hour before sunset; in summer the climb is fully exposed to the sun, so carry plenty of water.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Old Town (Stari Grad)
Cathedral of Saint Tryphon
Climb to the upper-level treasury for a close look at the silver reliquaries and a view down into the nave.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Island · Perast
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
Go in the late afternoon when tour boats thin out, then have dinner on Perast's waterfront.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Couples
- Photo spot
- History
- Views
Museum · Old Town (Stari Grad)
Maritime Museum of Montenegro
A good stop in the midday heat or on a rainy day, and a useful introduction before visiting Perast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Old Town (Stari Grad)
Cats of Kotor and the Cats Museum
Children enjoy a 'cat hunt' through the old town; the squares near St Luke's are reliable spots.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- The Ladder of Kotor trail gives similar views to the paid wall climb at no cost.
- Stay in Škaljari or across the bay in Muo for lower prices than inside the old town.
- Eat away from the main old-town squares, where prices are highest.
- Visit in May, June or September for lower prices and warm weather.
- Buses along the bay are cheap; use them for Perast, Tivat and Budva rather than taxis.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kotor expensive to visit?
Kotor is affordable for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Kotor?
Kotor Old Town: Explore before about 9am or after 6pm on days when cruise ships are docked, when the lanes are calm.