Things to Do at Kotor City Walls

Complete Guide to Kotor City Walls in Kotor

About Kotor City Walls

From the Old Town gate, 1,350 stone steps zigzag up the mountainside through 4.5 km of fortification walls that took 1,000 years to build. Byzantine foundations from the 9th century support Venetian additions from the 15th, topped by Austrian reinforcements from the 19th. At each switchback, the Bay of Kotor widens below you - fjord-blue water, terracotta rooftops shrinking to postage stamps, cruise ships that looked enormous at dock now the size of bath toys. The fortress of St. John (Sveti Ivan) at the top sits at 280 meters above sea level. The climb takes 60-90 minutes depending on fitness and how many times you stop for photos (you will stop many times). The last 200 steps are the steepest and the most rewarding - the view from the fortress ruin encompasses the entire bay, the mountains of Lovcen behind, and on clear days the Adriatic shimmer beyond the bay mouth. There is no shade, no water for sale on the route, and in July the stone radiates heat. Start before 8 AM or after 5 PM, and bring a full water bottle per person.

What to See & Do

Church of Our Lady of Remedy

About halfway up the climb, this small 15th-century church offers a perfect rest stop and houses some beautiful frescoes - plus it's where locals traditionally come to pray for protection

St. John's Fortress

The ultimate destination at the top, this fortress gives you panoramic views that stretch across the entire Bay of Kotor and surrounding mountains - on clear days you can see all the way to the Adriatic

Medieval Wall Sections

You'll walk along and through various sections of the original medieval walls, each telling a different chapter of Kotor's defensive history through their architectural styles

Lookout Points

Multiple scenic viewpoints along the way offer increasingly dramatic perspectives of Kotor's red-roofed Old Town and the fjord-like bay below

Mountain Flora

The higher sections surprisingly showcase Mediterranean mountain vegetation - you might spot wild herbs, hardy shrubs, and seasonal wildflowers that thrive in the rocky terrain

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Generally accessible 24/7, though it's safest and most enjoyable during daylight hours. Best avoided during heavy rain or strong winds.

Tickets & Pricing

EUR 8 adults from June-October (free November-May). Pay at the gate near the Church of St. Mary at the north end of the Old Town. Cash or card. No advance booking needed. An unofficial "back entrance" via the road behind the town exists, but the main path is better maintained and safer. The walls are open dawn to dusk; summer evenings with sunset from the top are spectacular but require bringing a headlamp for the descent.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning (7-9 AM) or late afternoon (after 4 PM) to avoid the midday heat. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures, though summer sunrises up there are genuinely magical.

Suggested Duration

Plan for 2-3 hours total - about 1-1.5 hours up, 30-45 minutes at the top, and 45 minutes down. That said, some people take longer if they're stopping frequently for photos or rest.

Getting There

The entrance sits right by the North Gate of Kotor's Old Town, next to the Church of St. Luke. From anywhere in the Old Town, you can walk there in under five minutes since the medieval center is tiny. Easy to spot. Parking is scarce near the entrance, so drivers should use the lots outside the old town walls and walk in. The trailhead has clear signs, and you'll see plenty of other hikers heading up-this hike draws crowds now. You won't miss it.

Things to Do Nearby

Kotor Old Town
The UNESCO World Heritage medieval town right at the base of the walls, with its maze of narrow streets, historic churches, and charming squares

Cathedral of Saint Tryphon
Kotor's impressive 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, one of the most significant religious monuments in the region

Maritime Museum
Housed in an 18th-century baroque palace, it tells the story of Kotor's seafaring heritage and the Bay of Kotor's maritime culture

Perast
A picturesque baroque town about 20 minutes away by car, famous for its two small islands and well-preserved Venetian architecture

Blue Cave
A natural sea cave accessible by boat tour, where sunlight creates an ethereal blue glow in the water - popular day trip from Kotor

Tips & Advice

Bring way more water than you think you need - there are no facilities once you start climbing, and the Mediterranean sun can be deceptively draining

Wear proper hiking shoes or at least shoes with good grip - some sections can be slippery, especially if there's been recent rain

Start early if you're visiting in summer - not just for cooler temperatures, but also for better light for photography and fewer crowds

Don't feel pressured to reach the very top if you're not feeling up to it - there are beautiful viewpoints at various levels, and the Church of Our Lady of Remedy makes a perfectly respectable turnaround point