【Kotor】 A spectacular spot with a panoramic view of the “world’s most beautiful bay”! How to walk around the city walls of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is often called one of the “most beautiful bays in the world.” With its fusion of nature, history, and diverse cultures. Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in recent years more visitors from around the world have begun arriving on cruises and tours.

Kotor has also become a popular **day trip** destination from Dubrovnik, Croatia.

From the walls you get sweeping views of the orange rooftops and the calm, beautiful Bay of Kotor—**the best viewpoint in town!** If you visit Kotor, make sure you don’t skip the **city walls**.

Below is practical information for touring Kotor’s walls that will definitely come in handy.

Steep mountain path—prepare properly in advance

Kotor’s walls were built along the mountain slopes rising directly behind the town. Construction began in the 9th century, and the current form was completed around the 15th century.

The walls stretch about **4.5 km** in total and climb all the way to the summit. The point where the **St. John (Sveti Ivan) Fortress** stands is about **260 m above sea level**, and you’ll climb **1,355 steps** to reach it.

So rather than a casual “stroll along the walls,” it’s closer to a **hike**—you’ll need proper preparation.

There are **two entrances** to access the walls: the main one is near the **North Gate**, and the other is on **Trg od Salate (Salad Square)**. Kotor’s Old Town is very small, so once you’re there you’ll find the entrances easily—no worries!

As mentioned above, the walls follow a steep mountain trail with endless steps. Continue along the lane between atmospheric homes and you’ll soon see a counter selling tickets (it’s literally just a desk). **Admission is €15 per person**. It’s **cash only**, so be prepared.

And off we go—**the wall walk (mountain climb)** begins! **It takes about 1 hour from the Old Town to the top at St. John Fortress.** If you stop for photos and short breaks, plan on about **1.5 hours**.

As you can see from the photo below, the route is a rugged stone path. I climbed it myself and, honestly, it’s **not easy walking**—but once you think about the view waiting up there, you’ll forget the struggle.

That’s why **good walking shoes are essential**!

Ideally, wear comfortable sneakers that fully support your feet. I strongly advise **against** heels or beach sandals.

You’ll keep climbing a path like the one above.

A local guide told me, “Especially in summer, be careful—there can be **wasps** and **snakes**.” The scenery becomes more and more beautiful as you go, and it’s easy to get distracted—so watch your step and, to avoid snakes as well, **keep your eyes on where you’re walking**.

As you gain elevation, the panorama below grows even more spectacular.

The first checkpoint is **Our Lady’s Church**. It was built in the 15th century by the townspeople of Kotor, praying for the end of the plague that was ravaging Europe at the time.

It’s a small, atmospheric stone church, and you can visit the interior for free. In the past, people hiked up from town to worship here and pray for their own health and that of their families.

By the way, reaching **Our Lady’s Church** means you’ve covered about **one-third** of the total distance to the top—roughly **20 minutes** from the Old Town.

Unfortunately, the day I visited the walls I didn’t have enough time to go all the way to the top, but an even more stunning view awaits at the **St. John Fortress**!

Since you’ve come all the way to Kotor, do your best to make it to the summit!

Use the restroom before you start

As you can see, the walls follow a **mountain trail**. There are **no toilets** along the way, so be sure to use the restroom **before** you start your climb.

In summer in particular, avoid heatstroke by hydrating frequently. The day I climbed there happened to be a man selling water en route, but he’s not there every day—so **bring a bottle of water with you**.

What’s the best time of day to go?

**Morning** is hands-down the best time for the wall walk—especially in summer, start while it’s still cool.

In summer the sun beats down and it gets very hot, so in addition to water, be thorough with **sun protection** such as a hat and sunscreen.

What to bring for the wall walk — summary

Finally, here’s a quick list of what to bring. Keep your load **compact and light**, and dress for easy movement.