Kotor, the luscious seaside town of the Bay of Kotor, is one of our favorites not only in Montenegro but in all of Europe, with its Italian texture, picturesque landscapes and stone houses with green shutters.
Kotor, the luscious seaside town of the Bay of Kotor, is one of our favorites not only in Montenegro but in all of Europe, with its Italian texture, picturesque landscapes and stone houses with green shutters. This is a warm place where you feel the old Italian past as soon as you step in, make you happy with its streets like a movie set and fascinate with its views as you go up to the castle. Also, it's an Adriatic town; which means good beaches and coasts are guaranteed during sea holidays!
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Most of Kotor's architecture that you can see today was built by the Venetians during the Middle Ages. Kotor has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List for a long time, with these structures that were actually used for defense at that time. It is sometimes overshadowed by its neighbor Dubrovnik; however, Kotor is even more beautiful than Dubrovnik for us, with its historical texture, Italian influence, sincerity and economical travel opportunities. No matter how much we can express our admiration for him, it is best to start our Kotor Travel Guide as soon as possible!
Kotor is a small but packed town that can be visited anywhere in 1.5 days. To use your time efficiently, our first suggestion is to go to the castle, then stroll through its side streets and see its main architecture. Especially, since the hot weather suddenly hits in summer days, it would be more logical to visit the castle in the morning and leave the rest in the afternoon. After visiting Kotor, you can take a boat tour in the Bay of Kotor and enjoy the Adriatic coast at the beaches around Kotor.
It is not difficult to guess how important maritime was in the history of Montenegro and Kotor due to its location. The collection in this museum, which tells about Kotor's history and maritime history; It consists of photographs, uniforms, pictures, weapons and ship models. Although the main theme is maritime, we can also say that ethnographic elements of Kotor and Montenegro culture are exhibited. The reliefs of the museum depicting the historical moments of Kotor are also worth seeing. The entrance fee is €4.
Sveti Luke Church, the only structure in Kotor that was not damaged in the earthquake in 1979, is located in Piazza Greca, one of the famous squares of the old city. This building, which contains details of both Byzantine and Romanesque styles, was built in 1195 as a Catholic church; however, he later served both the Catholic and Orthodox sects. Although it was given as a gift to the Orthodox, Sveti Luke Church is very important for Christians as it hosts two altars belonging to two denominations.
Aside from places to visit, Kotor's old town streets surrounded by city walls are like a movie set. It is obvious from the very first moment that it is the cultural center of Montenegro, and the best way to explore the old city is to casually wander through its side streets. Knowing that it is one of the best preserved old town centers in the Mediterranean is another detail you should know before taking a tour in the streets.
There is a medieval texture in every corner, squares lined with houses with green shutters and plenty of stairs, sweet cafes and small boutiques in between. However, the farther you go from the touristic points, the more beautiful it becomes in our opinion. Another beauty of spending the afternoon in the streets of the old town is to take numerous breaks in the cafes here when it gets hot or when you are tired. It is already so hot in the afternoon that we are sure that you will catch your breath in any shade you find.
The first place you enter the old city center from the walls of Kotor is Ordu Square. In the square, there are the town hall, a hotel that used to serve as a theater, a clock tower built in the 17th century, and cafes around it.
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