Kotor, Montenegro: Medieval Walls, Cat Overlords, and Adriatic Awe
Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 5:53 pm
Just got back from Kotor, Montenegro, and I’m convinced it’s where old Europe hides its secrets (and its surplus cats).
You enter the Old Town through gates that look straight out of a fantasy novel—stone arches, ancient crests, and alleyways that twist and turn like a labyrinth built by a slightly drunk wizard. I spent my first afternoon happily lost, dodging tabby cats who act like they own the joint (because, honestly, they do).
If you’re feeling ambitious (or just trying to work off too many bakery pastries), climb the 1,350 steps up to San Giovanni Fortress. It’s basically cardio with a view—think “mountains drop straight into the bay” level drama. I got overtaken by goats on the way up and only mildly questioned my life choices, but the panorama at the top is worth every wheeze.
Had coffee on a rooftop, wandered the old stone churches, then hopped on a little boat to Our Lady of the Rocks—a church on an island built from shipwreck stones and a healthy dose of local stubbornness.
Food tip: try the grilled fish, the “priganice” (fried dough with honey), and the local wine. Avoid challenging anyone to a rakija drinking contest unless you want to forget the difference between night and day.
Kotor is like Dubrovnik’s quirky little sibling—less crowded, equally beautiful, and way more chill. Go now, before the secret’s out!
Highlight:
Medieval maze vibes
Cat encounters: 27 (pet: 9, ignored: 18)
Steps climbed: Too many to count
Regrets: Zero
You enter the Old Town through gates that look straight out of a fantasy novel—stone arches, ancient crests, and alleyways that twist and turn like a labyrinth built by a slightly drunk wizard. I spent my first afternoon happily lost, dodging tabby cats who act like they own the joint (because, honestly, they do).
If you’re feeling ambitious (or just trying to work off too many bakery pastries), climb the 1,350 steps up to San Giovanni Fortress. It’s basically cardio with a view—think “mountains drop straight into the bay” level drama. I got overtaken by goats on the way up and only mildly questioned my life choices, but the panorama at the top is worth every wheeze.
Had coffee on a rooftop, wandered the old stone churches, then hopped on a little boat to Our Lady of the Rocks—a church on an island built from shipwreck stones and a healthy dose of local stubbornness.
Food tip: try the grilled fish, the “priganice” (fried dough with honey), and the local wine. Avoid challenging anyone to a rakija drinking contest unless you want to forget the difference between night and day.
Kotor is like Dubrovnik’s quirky little sibling—less crowded, equally beautiful, and way more chill. Go now, before the secret’s out!
Highlight:
Medieval maze vibes
Cat encounters: 27 (pet: 9, ignored: 18)
Steps climbed: Too many to count
Regrets: Zero