The city’s various religious dwellings, such as the Roman Catholic Saint Tryphon (often said to be Kotor’s most beautiful building,) or the Eastern Orthodox Church Our Lady of the Rocks are just as fascinating as its whimsical Cat Museum. The best way to see the collection of landmarks that call Kotor home is by putting down your phone (and your inhibitions) and exploring them for yourself. 

Hiking through the Lovcen National Park provides a natural world that’s existed here for millennia – plus offers some epic photo-ops, all while offering you a peek into the very land where dueling kingdoms would prepare before heading off to conquer new territory for their crowned leader. 

Whether you’re looking to uncover ancient hidden caves from the comfort of a boat or to spend the day taking advantage of the excess healing marine minerals while getting pampered, Kotor has just what you’re craving. When it comes to self-care, Kotor doesn’t only offer treatments for your body, but for your soul – through your stomach. 

Traditional recipes being passed down for generations is prevalent in the many inspired restaurants, cafes and tavernas who have both perfected the traditional while giving it a twist. For proof of just how fresh the ingredients are, take a day trip into the countryside and meet the farmers and artisans whose celebrated products are used daily throughout the city’s impressive culinary scene.

When traveling through Kotor, getting lost is a welcome part of the territory. A small, unpretentious city, Kotor allows for exciting adventures without fear of wandering too far off the beaten path.

Cobblestone streets, limestone clock towers, illustrious cathedrals and a fortress built to keep out invaders check off all the  boxes that qualify this unexampled city as one of the middle ages – these, of course, are just part of Kotor’s timeless charm. The intentional labyrinth of hidden alleys, random twists and seemingly out-of-place turns were designed to confuse invaders who breached the city walls – but now provide an unsuspectingly beautiful setting for the modern traveler. Sailors can ascend the 1,350 steps of San Giovanni’s spectacular castle to breathtaking panoramic views, regardless of a sunny or overcast day. The tangerine terra cotta shingles sprinkling the rooftops of Boka Bay’s citadel effortlessly contrast the deep green of the surrounding Dinaric Alps, while the Adriatic Sea’s hues of sapphire and emerald dance in the background. 

Spend the day discovering Kotor’s old town on your own or with a guide who can show you secret spots only a local would know. Enjoy the sights beyond the fortress walls, or sit at a cafe with a cocktail and a bowl of pasta that was made just moments prior. Regardless of the journey you choose – Kotor’s echoes of the past combine with an evolving, contemporary scene that encourages visitors to get lost – in order to possibly find just what they’re missing.