4 Best Hikes in Kotor, Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is nestled in the Bay of Kotor (aka Boka Kotorska Bay) on the Adriatic Coast of Montenegro.

Boka Bay is rimmed with vertical limestone mountains, which form part of the greater Dinaric Alps mountain chain.

The sea and mountains collide in what can only be described as divine perfection. 

While you can appreciate the unique beauty of Kotor Bay from the Old Town of Kotor and the Serpentine Road, Kotor’s hiking trails afford even more interesting perspectives. 

Whether you’re visiting Kotor on a day trip from Dubrovnik, or on a longer Montenegro road trip, you can easily integrate a hike into your trip. Some hikes start directly in, or just outside the fortified city of Kotor, while others start further away and require a rental car to get to the trailhead. 

Our Kotor hiking guide only highlights trails that are easy-to-follow, waymarked, and safe. Below, we’ve briefly summarized each trail and linked to their respective trail guides, where you’ll find detailed trails descriptions.

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Kotor Hiking Map

How to use this map | Click on each icon, or trail to display more information.

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1. Vrmac Ridge Trail 

Vrmac is the long, barrel-shaped mountain that rises between Kotor and Tivat. It forms the backbone of the peninsula that divides the Bay of Kotor into a triangular-shaped “outer bay,” and a fjord-shaped “inner bay.”

The Vrmac ridge trail follows an old military road built by the Austro-Hungarians. It connects the Fort Vrmac ruin to Sveti Ilija (765 m), the highest point along the crest. 

The hike begins at Fort Vrmac, which is a 17-minute drive from Kotor. If you’re traveling without a car, you can hike up to the fort from Kotor.

The Vrmac trail leads north, in the opposite direction of the Fort Vrmac ruin, into a pine forest.

You may encounter free-roaming cows and goats along this trail. 

Soon after passing a broadcasting tower, views open up to the inner Kotor Bay and the Lovćen mountains. Later on, views open up on to the outer Kotor Bay and the Adriatic Sea. 

The path ascends gently to Sveti Ilija, crowned with a concrete box-shaped building and an old advertising billboard. 

The summit views are mesmerizing, especially leading up to sunset. 

Follow the same wide track back to Fort Vrmac. 

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Fort Vrmac to Sveti Ilija Trail Stats 

Trailhead | Fort Vrmac (parking area)

Distance | 8.5 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 3 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 282 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Minimum Elevation | 469 meters

Maximum Elevation | 765 meters

Learn More: Vrmac Trail Guide

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2. Ladder of Kotor 

The Ladder of Kotor is a hiking trail that connects Kotor with Krstac Pass. 

It’s a historic track, which was built in the 19th century by the Austrians, in order to connect Kotor with Njeguši and Cetinje, Montenegro’s former royal capital.

The Kotor Ladder hike begins on Tabačina Road, just outside of the fortified Old Town, near the River Gate (North Gate). 

The trail rises steadily up the mountainside in 70 switchbacks, between the Scurda Canyon and the ramparts of Kotor. 

Along the way, you’ll pass two stone buildings, which sell refreshments to hikers. From the higher building, you can detour to the Sveti Đorđe (St. George) chapel, located in the deserted village of Špiljari. 

It takes about 2 hours to ascend to the Top of the Kotor Ladder viewpoint. This is where most people smartly turn-around and hike back down.

Trail 759 continues for another 40 minutes to Krstac Pass. When you reach the P1 road, turn right in the direction of Žanjev Do. Walk along the road and through the road tunnel and then descend along trail 753 in the direction of Kotor.  

When you return to the trail 759/753 junction, follow the familiar switchback-trail down to Kotor. 

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Kotor Ladder Trail Stats

Trailhead | Tabačina Road, the street parallel to the Scurda River

Distance | 14.1 km lollipop-circuit

Time Needed | 6 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 1009 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 7 meters

Maximum Elevation | 950 meters

Entrance Fee | FREE

Learn More: Ladder of Kotor hiking guide

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3. Pestingrad Peak 

Pestingrad is considered the “Hausberg” (home mountain) of Kotor. In fact, you can see the rounded summit of Pestingrad from the Old Town, the Ladder of Kotor, and many other places. 

Technically, you can hike to Pestingrad from Kotor, by initially following the Ladder of Kotor to Krstac Pass, and then continuing on to the summit of Pestingrad. While feasible, this is a very long out-and-back hike (20 km out-and-back, 8 hours). 

We started the hike at Krstac Pass. We parked at the roadside parking area facing the playground of Etno Selo Sveti Georgije (Sveti Đorđe). 

Across from the parking area, there’s a gravel side road, which leads to a few rustic holiday homes. Follow this road towards the cone-shaped Mrajankik mountain (1336 m). 

At the first signed junction, turn left in the direction of Derinksi Vrh (1 hour) and Pestingrad (1:30 hours). At the next junction, turn right to Pestingrad. 

The undulating path skirts Derinski Vrh, leading through forest. When we hiked to Pestingrad, the trail was a bit overgrown, but still easy-to-follow, because of the plethora of waymarks. 

When the trail emerges from the forest, descend the exposed (but secured) western flank of Derinski Vrh to the slender saddle between the two peaks.

Hike up the saddle and climb up to the rocky summit of Pestingrad, marked with Montenegro’s proud red and gold flag. 

You can see the fortified Old Town of Kotor, the whole Bay of Kotor, and the Adriatic Sea. 

Follow the same trail back to the starting point. 

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Krstac to Pestingrad Trail Stats 

Trailhead | Etno Selo Sveti Georgije / Krstac

Distance | 5.7 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2:30 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 243 meters

Difficulty | Difficult

Minimum Elevation | 927 meters

Maximum Elevation | 1027 meters

Learn More: How to Hike to Pestingrad Peak

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4. Kotor Fortress and City Walls Hike

The Kotor Fortress stands on the San Giovanni Hill (St. John Hill) at 260 meters above sea level, overlooking the Old Town of Kotor and the Bay of Kotor.

The Kotor Fortress (aka St. John’s Fort, San Giovanni Fortress) is part of a medieval fortification system that encircles the Old Town as well as the surrounding hillside. These fortifications consist of gates, bastions, towers, and defensive walls (ramparts). 

It takes about 45 minutes to hike up the 1350 steps to St. John’s Fort.

There are two gated entry points within the Old Town of Kotor. The easiest one to find is close to the River Gate (North Gate).

After paying the 8 EUR entrance fee, simply follow the stone pathway up to the Church of our Lady of Remedy and further up to the hilltop fort.

This is one of the most popular things to do in Kotor, because it starts directly in the Old Town and it offers the best bird’s-eye views of the Old Town. 

The fort is in ruins and serves as a viewpoint, more so than a place of interest (at least in my opinion). 

But, while hiking up to the fort, you can better see the thick defensive walls, which safeguarded the city for centuries. 

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Kotor Fortress Trail Stats

Trailhead | River Gate/North Gate, Old Town of Kotor

Distance | 2.5 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 1:30 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 254 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 6 meters

Maximum Elevation | 260 meters

Learn More: Kotor Fortress Hike

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Where to Stay in Kotor

Read our guide to Where to Stay in Kotor to find out the best places to stay in Kotor Bay: best areas and accommodations. 

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Old Town of Kotor (Inside City Walls)

There’s something so romantic about staying within the walled city of Kotor, a tangle of narrow streets lined with historic buildings, which house humming restaurants and bars.

The entire UNESCO-protected Old Town is a pedestrian zone, so naturally, accommodations do not offer on-site parking. If you’re traveling without a car, definitely consider staying in the Old Town. 

If you’re traveling with a car, I wouldn’t write it off altogether. Just ask your accommodation for clear parking instructions in advance of your stay. 

Keep in mind that you’ll have to carry your luggage to your accommodation, as accommodations rarely offer a bellhop service. 

If you’re sensitive to noise and loud music, don’t stay in the Old Town on Friday, or Saturday nights. There’s a midnight curfew on music, but it’s not strictly enforced. 

Budget | Old Town Youth Hostel is a social hostel for the young party types with raving reviews. 

Apartment | Palazzo Sindik is a lovely one-bedroom apartment in the old town of Kotor. 

Apartment | Katareo Apartments offers newly renovated and spotless apartments with kitchenettes. Try to book the apartment with the terrace, if it’s available. 

Luxury | Hotel Hippocampus is a stylish boutique hotel set in a 17th century building with a roof terrace and restaurant. A slow, mouthwatering breakfast is served on the rooftop, featuring local cold cuts and cheeses, freshly baked Montenegrin pastries, eggs-to-order, coffee, and orange juice. All rooms are air-conditioned. 

Luxury | Boutique Hotel Astoria is a luxury hotel, housed in the UNESCO-protected 13th-century Buca Palace. The hotel’s restaurant spills outside onto the square. Rooms are spacious and feature funky, love-it-or-hate-it decor. 

Luxury | Hotel Vardar is a 4-star hotel with classic rooms situated on the main square in the Old Town of Kotor, a stone’s throw from the Sea Gate. Guests have access to a gym, sauna, and steam bath. 

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Kotor (Outside City Walls)

Budget | Apartments Ana is located just steps away from the River Gate (North Gate) of the Old Town at the Kotor Ladder trailhead. This is a great value apartment with private parking.

Budget | Apartments Qualitas offers snug apartments at the marina, very close to the South Gate.

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Dobrota

Dobrota is the sprawling settlement to the north of Kotor, which stretches for several kilometers from the Old Town to Ljuta. 

It’s hard to know where Kotor ends and Dobrota begins, as one bleeds into the other. 

Many accommodations in Dobrota are within walking distance of Kotor’s Old Town. For example: Apartman Castello (midrange apartments) and Solaris Lux Apartments (modern apartments). 

However, many others are 3-4 kms away (10 minute drive), including some of the finest seafront hotels in Kotor Bay. 

Far from the bustling port and city, these accommodations provide private sea access, minimal  traffic, and a more peaceful environment.

Stand-out seafront accommodations: Hotel Forza Terra (5-star boutique hotel) and Hotel Forza Mare (boutique hotel), Villa Maestral (apartments), Corso Levante Luxury Suites (luxury suites), and Three Dots (private villa). 

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Muo

Muo is the seaside settlement to the northwest of Kotor’s Old Town, along the base of Vrmac. From Muo, it’s about a 15-25 minute walk to the Old Town.

Budget | Nikola Lux apartments are two modern and clean apartments with sea-view balconies and private parking. The price is unbeatable. 2 nights minimum stay.

More accommodations in Muo: House 44 SEAFRONT APARTMENTS (midrange apartments), Residence Portofino (midrange apartment), or Dekaderon Lux Apartments (midrange-luxury apartments), and Villa Mima (4-bedroom villa)

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