Things to Do in Kotor in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Kotor
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Dramatically fewer tourists than summer months - the Old Town feels like it belongs to locals again, with restaurant tables actually available and no cruise ship crowds blocking Trg od Oružja. You can photograph St. Tryphon Cathedral without 50 people in your shot.
- Hotel prices drop 40-60% compared to July-August rates. A waterfront room that costs 180 EUR in peak season runs 70-90 EUR in December, and you have actual negotiating power for longer stays.
- The Ladder of Kotor fortress hike becomes genuinely pleasant instead of a sweaty ordeal. At 13°C (55°F) highs, the 1,350-step climb to 280 m (920 ft) elevation is comfortable, with crisp mountain air and crystal-clear visibility across the Bay of Kotor on sunny days.
- December brings a surprisingly festive atmosphere locals actually participate in. The Christmas market in Trg od Oružja runs mid-December through early January with mulled wine stands, local craft vendors, and live music - but it's scaled for a town of 13,000, not a tourist spectacle, which makes it feel authentic.
Considerations
- Weather genuinely varies day to day - you might get three sunny days followed by two of persistent drizzle. The 10 rainy days statistic means you'll likely encounter at least 2-3 wet days during a week-long visit, and the moisture makes that 7°C (45°F) nighttime low feel colder than the number suggests.
- Most boat tour operators shut down completely or run severely reduced schedules. The popular Blue Cave tours to Herceg Novi typically don't operate December-March, and water taxis to Perast run maybe 3-4 times daily instead of every 30 minutes. If boat access is central to your plans, December creates real limitations.
- Daylight ends around 4:30 PM in early December, which compresses your sightseeing window. That fortress hike needs to start by 2 PM latest if you want to descend in daylight, and evening activities essentially mean indoor dining or wandering the lit Old Town - outdoor terraces are mostly closed or empty.
Best Activities in December
Ladder of Kotor Fortress Trail Hiking
December transforms this into arguably the best month for the fortress climb. The 1,350 limestone steps to San Giovanni Castle gain 280 m (920 ft) elevation, which becomes brutal in summer heat but perfectly comfortable at 13°C (55°F). Start between 10 AM-2 PM for optimal light and warmth. The 70% humidity means the stones can be slippery after rain, so check conditions the morning of. On clear days, visibility across Boka Bay extends 20+ km (12+ miles) - you'll see all the way to Tivat and the Vrmac Peninsula. Budget 90 minutes up, 60 minutes down, plus 30-45 minutes at the fortress. The entry fee is 8 EUR, though locals will tell you the side entrance near the Church of Our Lady of Remedy sometimes goes unmonitored early morning.
Old Town Walking and Photography Tours
December's softer light and empty streets make this the photographer's month. The marble-paved Stari Grad catches golden hour beautifully around 3:30-4 PM, and you can actually frame shots of the Maritime Museum, St. Tryphon Cathedral, and the medieval gates without tourists photobombing. The Christmas decorations add visual interest mid-to-late December without overwhelming the architecture. Morning walks work best 10 AM-1 PM when the low winter sun illuminates the bay-facing facades. The narrow streets stay relatively dry even on rainy days thanks to overhanging balconies, so light drizzle doesn't ruin plans. Budget 2-3 hours for a thorough self-guided walk, or 90 minutes for guided historical context.
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks Visits
The 12 km (7.5 mile) drive north along the bay to Perast takes 20 minutes and delivers December's most serene experience. This tiny baroque town of 300 residents empties almost completely of tourists, and the artificial island church of Our Lady of the Rocks becomes genuinely contemplative. Water taxis to the island run fewer trips - typically 10 AM, noon, 2 PM, and 4 PM - but you'll often have the church museum nearly to yourself. The 5 EUR round-trip boat ride plus 2 EUR museum entry is absurdly good value for a 15th-century treasure trove. December's cooler temperatures make the 30-minute walk along Perast's waterfront promenade actually pleasant. Plan 3-4 hours total including the drive, island visit, and lunch at one of the three waterfront restaurants that stay open year-round.
Lovcen National Park Day Trips
The 22 km (13.7 mile) drive up Mount Lovcen to Njegos Mausoleum at 1,657 m (5,436 ft) elevation becomes an entirely different experience in December. The serpentine road gains over 1,400 m (4,600 ft) through 25 hairpin turns, and December brings occasional snow above 1,200 m (3,900 ft) - check road conditions that morning. When clear, the panoramic views from the mausoleum encompass the entire Bay of Kotor, Adriatic coast, and on exceptional days, the Italian coast 200+ km (124+ miles) away. The 461 steps up to the mausoleum feel easier in cool air. December sees maybe 20-30 daily visitors versus 500+ in summer. The park entry is 3 EUR, mausoleum entry another 3 EUR. Budget 4-5 hours round-trip including the drive and 90 minutes at the site. Note: The road closes during active snowfall, which happens maybe 3-4 days per December.
Traditional Konoba Dining Experiences
December is when Kotor's family-run konobas shift fully to locals and serve the heartiest traditional dishes. The cooler weather makes this the natural season for ispod sača - lamb or octopus slow-cooked under a metal dome covered with coals - which restaurants rarely bother with in hot months. Pršut from Njegusi, local cheeses, and fish stew become the menu focus. Prices drop noticeably - a full meal with wine runs 15-25 EUR per person versus 25-40 EUR in summer. The konobas in the Old Town's back alleys stay open year-round, while those outside the walls keep shorter hours. Locals eat late - 8-9 PM - and December tables actually fill with Montenegrin families, which creates better atmosphere than the tourist-heavy summer vibe. Budget 2-3 hours for a proper meal with multiple courses and local wine.
Bay of Kotor Scenic Drives
The 88 km (55 mile) loop around Boka Bay becomes December's understated highlight. The route from Kotor to Tivat, around to Herceg Novi, and back through Risan and Perast takes 3-4 hours with stops, and you'll encounter maybe one-tenth the traffic of summer months. December's clear air - when it's not raining - provides exceptional visibility across the water. The drive passes through a dozen small coastal villages, medieval fortifications, and offers constant bay views. Stop at Savina Monastery near Herceg Novi, the Risan Roman mosaics, and multiple viewpoints along the Vrmac tunnel road. The route requires comfortable driving narrow roads with occasional tight turns, but December traffic makes it far less stressful than peak season.
December Events & Festivals
Kotor Christmas Market
The Trg od Oružja square hosts a modest but genuine Christmas market from mid-December through early January. Expect 15-20 wooden stalls selling local crafts, honey, rakija, smoked meats, and handmade ornaments - this is scaled for locals, not a major tourist market. The mulled wine costs 2-3 EUR and is actually good. Live music happens most Friday-Saturday evenings, usually traditional Montenegrin folk groups. The market opens around 10 AM and runs until 8-9 PM. It's worth 30-45 minutes if you're already in the Old Town, but not a destination event in itself.
New Year's Eve in Old Town
December 31st brings a surprisingly lively celebration to Trg od Oružja with a midnight countdown, live music, and fireworks over the bay. The crowd is maybe 60% locals, 40% visitors - a few thousand people in a compact square. Restaurants run special menus at inflated prices, typically 40-60 EUR per person with mandatory reservations. The better approach is eating dinner earlier at normal prices, then joining the square around 11 PM. The celebration peaks at midnight and disperses by 1 AM. Accommodation prices spike 50-100% for December 30-31, so book 6-8 weeks ahead if planning to be here.