Kotor, the best kept secret in Montenegro

In the mountainous land of Montenegro, tucked away at the far end of a complex coastal inlet known as the southernmost fjord in Europe, lies Kotor, a picturesque medieval port that's an ideal holiday destination.

After a major earthquake hit the Montenegrin coast in 1979, causing great damage to the Old Town of Kotor, the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which helped the ensure the reconstruction of this beautiful historical port. The Yugoslav wars of the Nineties caused havoc in the tourist industry along the Adriatic coast, and the ancient gems of Dalmatia such as Dubrovnik, Split and Kotor practically disappeared from the tourist map. Now, though, they are coming into their own again with all the glory of their rich cultural legacy and their stunning natural setting.


A small and accessible town, Kotor is an absolute delight to explore. With its labyrinth of shady cobbled streets, peaceful squares and graceful old buildings, its medieval tiles, moss-covered sculptures, dark alleyways and ancient friezes, it's like a scene from a fairytale. And there is no shortage of cosy cafes, unusual craft shops and boutiques to tempt the visitor. .

Set on the Bay of Kotor, a submerged river canyon that winds some thirty kilometres inland from the Adriatic Sea, and with tall mountains rising at its back, the city appears to boast the protection of nature. Sadly, history shows that this protection has not been sufficient. The earliest fortifications date to the sixth century AD, but the town has changed hands time and again and there's no part of European history that is not represented somewhere in Kotor.


The city's Italian heritage – the great city wall was built when the port was part of the Republic of Venice – is evident in the elegant Baroque mansions, and the Turkish and Mediterranean influence is clear in the warmth of the local people, who are eager to welcome visitors and make their stay unforgettable.

The Old Town, with its main square – the Square of Arms – is home to such architectural gems as the twelfth century Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and the thirteenth century Church of St. Luke as well as a number of fine mansions which show the former economic importance of the city. Look out for Grubonja Palace, dating from 1326, Drago Palace with its fine Gothic windows, the Prima Palace and the Bizanti Palace with their combination of Renaissance and Baroque architectural elements, the Ducal Palace and the nineteenth-century Napoleon Theatre.