Where to Stay in Kotor: 6 Best Areas, Hotels and Accommodations

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

When you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Kotor, it’s important to understand the geography of Boka Bay. 

The long barrel-shaped mountain Vrmac divides the Bay of Kotor into a triangle-shaped outer bay and a fjord-shaped inner bay. 

Though these interconnected inner and outer bays are one bay (Bay of Kotor), some people call the outer bay “Tivat Bay” and the inner bay “Kotor Bay.”

Cradled between Vrmac and the dramatic Lovćen mountains, the scenic inner bay harbors the UNESCO-protected Old Town of Kotor along with the neighboring settlements of Dobrota, Muo, Prčanj, and Perast. 

The outer bay, home to Tivat and Herceg-Novi, opens up into the Adriatic Sea and is flanked by Luštica Peninsula and Vrmac. 

First things first, where should you stay in Kotor Bay? We recommend staying in the inner bay in the Old Town of Kotor (Inside City Walls), Kotor (Outside City Walls), Dobrota, Muo, Prčanj, or Perast.

This guide will help you determine where to stay in Kotor, based on travel style (with or without a car), budget (affordable apartments to luxury seafront boutique hotels), atmosphere (lively, sedate, etc…), and other considerations.

Read Best Things to Do in Kotor to uncover top experiences, wonderful restaurants, and more.

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Kotor Accommodation Map

How to use this map | Click on each icon to display more information about the selected accommodation. Color signifies area.

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6 Best Places to Stay in Kotor: Quick Overview 

If you’re traveling without a car, stay in the fortified Old Town of Kotor, or nearby (Katareo apartments, Hotel Vardar, Hotel Hippocampus). But, don’t stay in the Old Town on weekends, if you’re sensitive to loud music. 

If you’re traveling with a car, it’s better to book an accommodation with on-site parking outside the Old Town of Kotor. 

Kotor is nestled between Dobrota and Muo, two settlements that are part of the greater Kotor Municipality. Many accommodations in Dobrota and Muo are still within walking distance of the UNESCO-listed Old Town (Apartman Castello and Enyana Luxury Suites in Dobrota and Nikola Lux apartments, House 44 Apartments, and DekaderonLux in Muo). 

The finest seafront boutique hotels are located further away (short drive to the Old Town, but no longer walkable), including Palazzo Sbutega in Prčanj, Corso Levante Luxury Suites in Dobrota, and Hotel Forza Terra in Dobrota. 

Perast is a lovely, car-free seaside village, which is a nice place to stay for 1-2 nights (Casa Vita Nova Perast and Heritage Grand Perast).

Tivat is dominated by the Porto Montenegro development, which looks like an upscale designer mall. It’s posh and sleek, but it’s not charming. It feels artificial and purpose-built. So, I fundamentally don’t understand the appeal of Tivat. Please enlighten me. But, I certainly understand the appeal of Regent Porto Montenegro.

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1. Old Town of Kotor: Inside City Walls

The UNESCO-protected Old Town of Kotor is the beating heart and main attraction of Boka Bay. 

The Old Town is enclosed in an extravagant fortification system, dating back to medieval times. 

There’s something exceedingly charming about staying in the fortified city, a labyrinth of narrow streets and squares lined with historic buildings. 

The pedestrian streets are brimming with bustling restaurants, bars, gelaterias, hotels, and shops. 

The entire Old Town is a pedestrian zone, so naturally, accommodations do not offer on-site parking. This is a great area to stay if you’re traveling without a car. 

If you’re traveling with a car, I wouldn’t write it off altogether, especially if you’re visiting Kotor between October and early May. 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, we don’t suggest staying in the Old Town on Friday, or Saturday nights. Though there’s a midnight curfew on music, it’s not strictly enforced. 

When you stay in the Old Town of Kotor, you can enjoy quiet mornings and atmospheric evenings. You can walk up to the Kotor Fortress and amble along the City Walls. The Ladder of Kotor hiking trail starts just outside the River Gate/North Gate. 

You can also venture outside of the city and walk along the seaside promenade to Dobrota. 

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Old Town of Kotor Hotels and Accommodations 

Budget | Old Town Youth Hostel is a social hostel with raving reviews for the young party types, who enjoy a game of beer pong. 

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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2. Kotor: Outside City Walls

The immediate vicinity around the Old Town of Kotor is teeming with apartments, restaurants, supermarkets, and paid car parks. 

The benefit of staying outside the city walls is private parking (do confirm) combined with the close proximity to the Old Town. 

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Accommodations Walking Distance to Old Town of Kotor

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. 

More options: Apartment Vento di Bocche (apartment) and Apartments Mezini 11 (apartments)

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Accommodations Driving Distance to Old Town of Kotor 

If you’re traveling with a car, you can also stay up in the hills overlooking Kotor Bay. 

These accommodations are not walking distance to the Old Town. 

But, they offer panoramic views, budget-friendly rates, as well as closer proximity to Vrmac and the Serpentine Road. 

Budget | Apartments Golden View in Vidikovac, Kotor, offers clean apartments with 1-3 bedrooms. The property has an outdoor swimming pool and a terrace overlooking Kotor Bay. 

Midrange | Carpe Diem Apartments in Trojjica, Kotor, features beautiful and spotless apartments with well-equipped kitchens and washing machines. Guests have access to an outdoor swimming pool, lined with loungers, and a terrace. The views are spectacular. 3 nights minimum stay.

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3. Dobrota 

Dobrota is the sprawling settlement to the north of Kotor, at the base of the stunning Lovćen mountains. 

This seaside settlement stretches for several kilometers between the walled city of Kotor to Ljuta. 

Dobrota doesn’t have a nucleus, or village center. It’s basically the “suburbs” of Kotor. The most vibrant area of Dobrota is the area adjacent to the Dobrota Promenade, which is lined with al-fresco bars and cafés. 

The sun sets behind Vrmac mountain, which means Dobrota enjoys the most sunlight at the end of the day. 

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Dobrota Accommodations Walking Distance to the Old Town

Many accommodations in Dobrota are within walking distance of Kotor’s Old Town.

Locate the Dobrota Promenade on the map above (teal). If you stay near the seaside promenade, you can easily walk from Dobrota to Kotor. The closest entry point is the River Gate (North Gate). 

Midrange | Apartman Castello is a top-rated accommodation, featuring 1-bedroom apartments with well-equipped kitchens and on-site parking. 7 minute walk to the Old Town. 

Midrage  | Solaris Lux Apartments is a modern property with four stunning, air-conditioned, sea-view apartments and on-site parking. 10 minute walk to the Old Town. 

Midrange-Luxury | Enyana Luxury Suites are new, exquisitely-designed apartments with modern amenities and sea views. Extra Perks: daily housekeeping, air-conditioning, luggage storage. No parking available. 2 nights minimum stay. 15 minute walk to the Old Town. 

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Dobrota Seafront Accommodations: Driving Distance to the Old Town

Other accommodations in Dobrota are 3-4 kms away (10 minute drive) from the Old Town of Kotor, including some of the finest seafront hotels in Kotor Bay. 

These Dobrota accommodations provide private sea access, minimal traffic, and a more peaceful and private environment.

One thing to be aware of is that there are two roads that lead through Dobrota. The busy E80/E65 is the default road for all traffic moving between Kotor and Perast. There is also another road, along the Bay, which is only used by residents.

If you’re going to stay 3-4 km away from the Old Town, then I would only book accommodations on the waterfront along the quiet residential road. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Hotels like Boutique Hotel Casa del Mare – Vizura, Boutique Hotel R Palazzo, and Boutique Hotel Casa del Mare-Pietra are very nice, but they are located on the east side of the E80, not on the sea. 

Here are the best waterfront hotels, apartments, and villas in Dobrota:

Apartments | Villa Maestral houses lovely sea-view apartments with balconies. Guests have private sea access and on-site parking. 

Luxury Suites | Corso Levante Luxury Suites are four, impeccably-designed suites with elegant furnishings, contemporary accents, and bay views. This seafront accommodation boasts a private beach and a rooftop pool. Breakfast included. 2 nights minimum stay. 

5-star boutique luxury | Hotel Forza Terra is an elegant seafront hotel with air-conditioned rooms and suites. Book a sea-view room. Stay here for the dreamy location and facilities: fitness room, outdoor swimming pool, seaside terrace / beach, free private parking, spa, on-site restaurant and bar. On-site bike rental. Breakfast included

Boutique luxury |  Hotel Forza Mare (the sister hotel of Hotel Forza Terra) is another seafront hotel with a seaside à la carte restaurant and private beach area. Rooms are thematically decorated (a little tacky). Free parking available. Breakfast included. 

Private Villa | Three Dots is a 2-bedroom seafront villa with on-site parking. 

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4. Muo

Muo is the seaside settlement to the northwest of Kotor’s Old Town, along the base of Vrmac. It’s possible to hike up to Fort Vrmac and Vrmac Ridge from Muo.

Accommodations in Muo have arguably the best views in Kotor Bay, because they face the Lovćen mountains. 

Depending on where you’re staying in Muo, it can be anywhere between a 15 to 35 minute walk to the Old Town of Kotor. 

Like Dobrota, many accommodations have private beaches, or beach access. But, there’s less privacy, because there’s only one road, unlike in Dobrota.

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Muo Apartments and Villas

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. 

Midrange | House 44 Apartments is a waterfront accommodation with 1-2 bedroom apartments and free on-site parking. Book a sea-view apartment. 

Midrange | DekaderonLux in Muo is an aparthotel with 1-4 bedroom apartments. Book a full sea-view studio, or apartment (not partial view). Accommodation perks: on-site restaurant and bar, outdoor swimming pool, a furnished terrace, and free on-site parking. 

Midrange | Apartments Residence Portofino is a gorgeous accommodation in Muo with an outdoor pool overlooking Kotor Bay. Views are phenomenal. It’s a 35-minute walk to the south gate of the Old Town of Kotor. 

Luxury | Villa Mima is a 4-bedroom villa with an outdoor swimming pool in Muo. 3 nights minimum stay. 

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5. Prčanj

Prčanj is the seaside village in the Bay of Kotor between Muo and Stoliv, about 4.5 km from the Old Town of Kotor.

There are some lovely accommodations here as well, but the distance to the Old Town is no longer walkable.

Like Muo, Prčanj is located at the base of Vrmac, opposite Dobrota.

Like Dobrota, there are accommodations with private beaches and sea access. 

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Prčanj Accommodations

Midrange | Palazzo Sbutega is a boutique seafront property in Prčanj with stylish and contemporary interior and warm-hearted hospitality.

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6. Perast

Perast is an idyllic waterfront town in the Bay of Kotor.

The town is situated across from the Verige Strait, the narrow waterway that connects Kotor Bay’s inner and outer bays. 

Unlike Kotor, this lovely village is not fortified. There’s no barrier between the town and the water.

Perast prospered during the Venetian Period. This is when all the palaces and churches were built, giving Perast its refined and elegant character. 

The village’s main thoroughfare is the seaside promenade, lined by a procession of Venetian palaces and stone villas, which house hotels and restaurants. We particularly loved eating pizza at Bocalibre (Google Maps) and seafood at Konoba Otok Bronza (Google Maps).

It takes only 25 minutes to walk from one end of the town to the other end. 

We stayed two nights in Perast at Conte Hotel & Restaurant. Quite honestly, one night would have been sufficient for us.

As lovely as Perast is, there isn’t a lot to do here. You can hop on a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks, the artificial island with a rich and storied history. You may be able to visit Church of Saint Nicholas (opening times are a mystery) and climb the church’s 55-meter-high bell tower.

While Perast is often positioned as a quiet place to visit in Kotor Bay, far away from the madding crowds of Kotor City, we didn’t find it so quiet. The Old Town is very small and teeming with day visitors. Though it’s a “pedestrian-only town,” locals can drive through Perast. And, hotel staff shuttle their guests to and from the car parks.

Despite being busier than we expected, Perast is definitely worth visiting. If you can splurge, the seafront Heritage Grand Perast is the finest hotel in Perast.

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