Condé Nast TravelerAug 6
One of the Happiest Places in Europe Is This Charming Walled City in Montenegro
From climbing ancient fortress walls to lingering over seafood beside the bay, discover why Kotor has earned its reputation as one of Europe's happiest places.
housed in 18th-century Grgurina Palace
24 things in this story
- VrmacSightpine-clad ridge between the bays of Tivat and Kotor
- PerastNeighborhoodBaroque merchants’ palaces reflect in the water
- Our Lady of the RocksPlace of worshipisland church reflects in the water
- Mount LovćenSightblack mountain from which Montenegro takes its name
- St John’s FortressAttractiondefenses snaking up the precipitous limestone slope
- farmers’ marketMarketbeneath the city walls selling local produce
- Sea GateSightpedestrian entrance to the Old Town
- Clock TowerSightearly-17th-century structure leaning jauntily
- Pillar of ShameSightobelisk used as town pillory until Venetian rule ended
- Square of ArmsViewpointbusiest part of town, lined with cafés
- Cinema SquareNeighborhoodcoffee beneath a spreading black poplar planted in 1667
- Kotor krempitaRestaurantlocal speciality of puff pastry and sweet custard
- Kotor Cat MuseumMuseumfunds care of town’s cats descended from Venetian sailors’ mousers
- Church of St MichaelPlace of worshiptiny Romano-Gothic church housing the Kotor Lapidarium
- Kotor LapidariumMuseumstone artifacts from Illyro-Roman period to 18th century
- St Luke’s SquareNeighborhoodpretty square to walk through
- Trg od DrvaNeighborhoodWood Square, where you can mount the ramparts
- Castle of St JohnTrailclimb involves about 1,350 steps for exceptional views
- Church of Our Lady of RemedyAttractionlocated halfway up the climb to the fortress
- BastionRestaurantdependable Old Town fish restaurant beside northern gate
- Cathedral of St TryphonSightKotor’s most important monument, finest Romanesque church
- Maritime MuseumMuseumhoused in 18th-century Grgurina Palace
- Moritz EisIce cream shopartisan ice-cream shop near the southernmost Gurdić Gate
- Kotor–Lovćen cable carSightgondola climbs more than 4,265 feet in 11 minutes