Things to Do in Kotor in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Kotor
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means you'll find accommodation rates 30-40% lower than summer peak, with plenty of availability even if you book just 2-3 weeks ahead - the Old Town guesthouses that go for €150+ in July are typically €80-100 in March
- The weather hits a sweet spot where daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) make hiking the fortifications actually pleasant instead of punishing - you can tackle the 1,350 steps to San Giovanni fortress without feeling like you're melting, and the views are clearer since humidity stays around 70% instead of the summer's oppressive 85%
- Tourist numbers are roughly half what they'll be by June, which means you can actually photograph Kotor's cat square and the Trg od Oružja main square without crowds photobombing every shot - cruise ships average 2-3 per week instead of 4-5 daily in peak season
- March catches the tail end of Kotor's cultural season before everything shifts to beach mode - the Don Branko Music Days festival typically runs late February into early March, and locals are still doing their evening korzo promenade walks through town rather than disappearing to coastal spots
Considerations
- The Adriatic is still winter-cold at 13-14°C (55-57°F), so swimming is realistically off the table unless you're particularly hardy - the bay beaches like Dobrota won't be swimmable, and even the outdoor pools at hotels stay closed until April
- March weather is genuinely unpredictable here - those 10 rainy days can cluster into a miserable wet week, or spread out as brief showers, and you might get a bura wind that drops temperatures and makes the bay choppy for boat trips (happens maybe 3-4 days per month typically)
- Some seasonal businesses haven't fully reopened yet - about 20-30% of Old Town restaurants and tour operators run reduced hours or stay closed until Easter, and boat tours to places like Our Lady of the Rocks run less frequently (maybe 2-3 times daily instead of hourly)
Best Activities in March
Kotor Fortifications Hiking
March is genuinely the best month for tackling the 1,350 stone steps up to San Giovanni fortress at 280 m (919 ft) elevation. The 15°C (59°F) daytime temperatures mean you're not overheating halfway up, and morning starts around 8-9am give you those clear views before any afternoon clouds roll in. The path takes 45-60 minutes up at a reasonable pace, and you'll actually enjoy it instead of suffering. The UV index hits 8, so you still need sun protection, but the cooler air makes it manageable. Worth noting that after rain, the stones get slippery for about a day, so check conditions if it rained the night before.
Bay of Kotor Coastal Drives
March gives you ideal conditions for driving the bay perimeter - clear visibility (that 70% humidity actually helps rather than creating haze), minimal traffic compared to summer chaos, and temperatures perfect for stopping at viewpoints without roasting in your car. The full loop from Kotor to Perast to Herceg Novi and back is about 90 km (56 miles) and takes 4-5 hours with stops. The road hugs the coastline with constant photo opportunities, and in March you can actually pull over without fighting for parking. Perast is particularly worth an hour - the town is quiet, and you can catch boats to Our Lady of the Rocks island (€5 round trip, runs every 30-40 minutes in March).
Lovcen National Park Day Trips
The national park sits at 1,749 m (5,738 ft) and March weather makes it accessible but dramatic - you'll likely hit snow above 1,200 m (3,937 ft), which creates stunning contrast with the bay views below. The drive from Kotor takes 45 minutes up the serpentine road (25 hairpin turns, genuinely spectacular). The main draw is Njegos Mausoleum at the peak, reached by 461 steps from the parking area. March means you might be walking through snow patches, but temperatures at the summit hover around 2-5°C (36-41°F), manageable with proper layers. The park entry is €3, mausoleum another €3. Visibility in March tends to be excellent - on clear days you can see the Italian coast across the Adriatic.
Kotor Old Town Food Walking Routes
March is when locals are still eating winter comfort foods before switching to summer seafood mode - you'll find pasticada (slow-cooked beef stew), prsut (smoked ham), and hearty bean soups on menus. The Old Town's maze of streets is perfect for wandering in cool weather, and the 15°C (59°F) temperatures mean you're comfortable walking for 2-3 hours. Hit the morning market (pijaca) behind the Old Town walls around 8-10am when it's most active - vendors sell local cheeses, olives, and produce. Restaurant lunch service runs 12-3pm, dinner 6-10pm. March means you'll get tables without reservations at most places (except maybe Friday-Saturday nights).
Budva Riviera Exploration
Budva is 20 km (12 miles) south and makes a solid day trip in March - the medieval old town is less crowded, and you can actually walk the coastal path without summer's masses. The beaches aren't swimmable (water's still 13°C/55°F), but the promenade walk from Budva to Becici is 3 km (1.9 miles) of scenic coastline that's pleasant in cool weather. Sveti Stefan island (the famous postcard photo spot) is 8 km (5 miles) further - you can't access the island itself (it's a private resort), but the viewpoint is free and spectacular. March means clearer photos without heat haze, and the light is softer for photography.
Skadar Lake National Park Boat Tours
March catches Skadar Lake in transition - winter bird migrations are still happening (pelicans, herons, cormorants), and the water levels are high from winter rains, which makes boat access better to the lake's monasteries and islands. The lake sits at the Montenegro-Albania border, about 45 km (28 miles) from Kotor, and is the Balkans' largest lake. Water temperatures around 10°C (50°F) mean no swimming, but boat tours focus on wildlife watching and visiting Kom Monastery and the old fortress ruins. March weather means you'll want layers on the boat - it's cooler on the water - but the 15°C (59°F) air temperature is comfortable for 2-3 hour tours.
March Events & Festivals
Don Branko Music Days
This classical music festival typically runs from late February through early March, featuring chamber music and solo performances in venues around Kotor Old Town, including Napoleon's Theatre and various churches. It's a genuinely local cultural event rather than tourist-focused - tickets run €10-25 and locals actually attend. The festival has been running since 1988 and showcases regional and international classical musicians. Performances usually happen in the evenings around 7-8pm.
International Women's Day Celebrations
March 8th is genuinely celebrated in Montenegro as a public holiday - you'll see women receiving flowers (mimosa is traditional), restaurants offer special menus, and there's a festive atmosphere in town. It's not a tourist event but worth experiencing if you're in Kotor that week. Many businesses close or run reduced hours on March 8th itself, so plan accordingly. The evening of March 7th tends to be busy in restaurants as locals celebrate.