The best areas to stay in Kotor
Kotor Old Town is tiny, so many visitors stay just outside it or elsewhere on the bay. These are the six areas we would look at first.
Old Town
Best for first-timers and sightseeingThe walled, UNESCO-listed medieval town, a maze of stone lanes, churches and squares beneath the climb to St John's Fortress. Staying inside the walls means you can explore early and late, when the cruise crowds have gone. It is car-free, can be noisy in summer, and rooms are small and in demand, so book early.
Dobrota
Best for quiet waterfront staysA long, narrow village stretching north along the bay from the Old Town, with stone captains' houses, small swimming platforms and waterfront restaurants. It is calmer than the Old Town, a 15 to 30 minute walk or short drive away, and most places have parking.
Muo and Prčanj
Best for views of the Old TownSmall villages on the opposite side of the bay, with views back across the water to the Old Town and the fortress. They are quiet and good for apartments with a pool or a sea view, and about 5 to 10 minutes by car from the Old Town.
Škaljari
Best for value near the Old TownThe residential area just south of the Old Town walls, with supermarkets, local cafes and a good choice of apartments and guesthouses. It is a few minutes' walk from the Old Town gates and usually cheaper than staying inside.
Perast
Best for romance and a slower paceA small baroque town about 15 kilometres up the bay, with palaces on the waterfront and boats out to the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks. It is one of the most beautiful spots in Montenegro and very peaceful in the evening, but you will need the bus, a taxi or a car to reach Kotor.
Tivat
Best for the airport and marinasA modern town on the other side of the peninsula, close to Tivat airport, with the Porto Montenegro marina, a long promenade and newer hotels. It is a good base if you want restaurants and bars by the water, and Kotor is about 20 minutes away by car.
Our 6 recommended places to stay in Kotor
These are the six places we would book first, ordered from budget to premium, with a guesthouse in Perast, waterfront apartments in Dobrota and Muo, an apartment and a hotel inside the Old Town and a palace hotel in Perast.
Budget pickGuesthouse · Perast
BellaVistaZmukic Guesthouse
A friendly, family-run guesthouse above the baroque waterfront of Perast, a four-minute walk from the water, with a sun terrace and garden looking out over the bay and the mountains. The rooms have air conditioning and share bathrooms, there is a communal kitchen, and guests rate the location 9.7 and single out the terrace and the host.
- Sun terrace with sweeping views over the Bay of Kotor
- Shared kitchen and a garden, with location rated 9.7
- Best for couples and solo travellers on a budget who want a quiet base
Budget pickApartments · Dobrota
Apartments Dragan
Simple apartments by the water in Dobrota, the quieter stretch of the bay north of the Old Town, with balconies and sea views. There is a terrace and a restaurant, free parking and a free airport shuttle, and a small beach is a three-minute walk away. Guests rate the staff 9.4.
- Sea views, balconies and a terrace
- Free parking and a free airport shuttle
- Best for travellers with a car who want a quiet base by the water
Mid-range pickApartments · Muo
Dekaderon Lux Apartments
Modern apartments in Muo, across the bay from the Old Town, with an outdoor pool looking straight out over the water and a private beach area. Every unit has a kitchen or kitchenette and a terrace or balcony, guests can use a fishing boat for free, and the staff are rated 9.7.
- Pool and private beach area facing the Old Town
- Kitchens, balconies and a free fishing boat
- Best for couples and families who want space and views
Mid-range pickApartments · Old Town
D & Sons Apartments
Cosy apartments inside the walls of the Old Town, right beneath the climb to St John's Fortress, with stone walls, a fully equipped kitchen and views up to the fortress. Some have two balconies, the owners run an airport shuttle and a rent-a-car service, and restaurants, bars and supermarkets are on the doorstep.
- Inside the Old Town walls, beneath the fortress
- Fully equipped kitchens and an airport shuttle
- Best for first-timers who want to step straight into the Old Town
Premium pickHotel · Perast
Heritage Grand Perast
A luxury hotel in an 18th-century palace on the waterfront of Perast, with a spa that has an indoor pool, a hammam and a sauna, a fitness centre and a restaurant serving international dishes. The modern rooms come with bathrobes and slippers, there is a buffet breakfast every morning, and guests rate the comfort 9.8 and the location 9.8.
- 18th-century palace on the Perast waterfront
- Spa with a pool, hammam and sauna
- Best for couples who want a special stay away from the crowds
Premium pickHotel · Old Town
Hotel Vardar
An elegant hotel on the Main Square of the Old Town, with a terrace for drinks and dinner and a wellness centre with a sauna, a Turkish bath and a small gym. Breakfast is a rich buffet, and guests rate the location 9.8, right among the old churches and squares.
- On the Main Square, with location rated 9.8
- Wellness centre with a sauna and Turkish bath
- Best for first-timers who want comfort in the heart of the Old Town
Ratings are from Booking.com guest reviews at the time of writing and can change. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Getting to and around Kotor
Tivat airport is the closest to Kotor, around 15 to 20 minutes away by taxi. Podgorica airport is about 90 minutes away, and many travellers fly into Dubrovnik in Croatia, about two hours away by car or bus, including the border crossing.
The Old Town is car-free and best explored on foot, and the climb to St John's Fortress takes around an hour up and down. Local buses run along the bay to Dobrota, Perast and Budva, and taxis are easy to find. Water taxis and boat tours are a lovely way to reach Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks.
To stay connected, see our guides to the best eSIMs for Montenegro and the best digital nomad insurance for Montenegro.
Still deciding?
Kotor's best rooms go early for the summer season. Check availability for our top budget pick, BellaVistaZmukic Guesthouse, on Booking.com.
Check availability on Booking.com
