Kotor Fortress: How to Visit, What to See and Tips

Last updated: May 2026

Kotor Fortress is a major stop on an itinerary through the city. Set on the mountainside above the Old Town, it overlooks the walls, stone rooftops, harbour, surrounding peaks and the Bay of Kotor.

Also called San Giovanni Fortress or St. John's Fortress, the site forms part of Kotor's historic defensive system. The route begins in the Old Town and climbs past stairs, walls and viewpoints towards the highest ruins.

The climb is physically demanding and should not be rushed. Stairs, stones and uneven sections lead to a series of viewpoints, with the Church of Our Lady of Remedy providing a principal stop before the higher fortress ruins.

How to include Kotor Fortress in your Kotor itinerary

Kotor Fortress can be combined with Kotor Old Town on the same day. The best plan is to start with the fortress in the morning, when the temperature is usually more pleasant, and leave the historic center for after the descent.

Allow between 1h30 and 3 hours to complete the visit calmly. That time allows for breaks at the viewpoints, a stop at the Church of Our Lady of Remedy and the decision on whether to continue to the highest part of the fortress.

If you're short on time, you can climb only to the first viewpoints or up to the church. The view of the Old City and the bay starts appearing before the top, so the visit can be adapted to each traveler's pace, the weather and how you're feeling.

After the descent, the itinerary can continue through the streets, squares, churches and walls of the Old Town. That way, the fortress and the historic center fit into the same day without making it overly rushed.

What is Kotor Fortress?

Kotor Fortress is an old fortification built in the mountains above Kotor's Old City. It was part of the city's defensive system, together with the walls that surround the Old Town and climb the hillside.

The visit follows a stone path and stairs starting in the historic center. On the way up, the route passes stretches of wall, ruins, viewpoints and the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, a small church that has become one of the attraction's best-known spots.

At the top are the ruins of the San Giovanni Fortress and one of the widest views of the Bay of Kotor. From up there, you can see the Old City, the harbor, the mountains and different parts of the bay.

How to get to Kotor Fortress

The most practical way to reach Kotor Fortress is to enter Kotor Old Town and follow the official access that climbs through the walls.

The main options are:

• Climb via the official Old Town route: the most direct and best-known way to visit the fortress
• Walk along the walls: route with stairs, stones and viewpoints on the way up
• Ladder of Kotor: a longer alternative trail, located off the main route in the mountains behind the fortress

For most travelers, the official route from the Old Town is the easiest option to find and organize. As the main access, it can get busier during high season.

The Ladder of Kotor is an alternative for those looking for a longer hike. This option demands more attention, preparation and planning, so it's not the most practical choice for every visitor.

How to plan your visit to Kotor Fortress

The visit starts inside the Old Town, following the official access toward the walls. Right from the start, the path gains height through stairs and stone stretches.

During the first part of the climb, views of the rooftops, walls and squares of the Old City already start to appear. These viewpoints allow for breaks and let you watch the landscape change without needing to reach the top right away.

The Church of Our Lady of Remedy appears along the route and serves as one of the main reference points of the climb. The small church also offers a good perspective of the Old Town and the Bay of Kotor.

After the church, the path continues along the walls to the fortress ruins. This part can be more tiring, especially on hot days, so continuing should depend on your pace and the conditions at the time.

At the top, the view brings together the Old City, the harbor, the mountains and the bay. After seeing the ruins and the viewpoints, the return is normally made along the same route back to the Old Town.

The route includes:

• View of the Old Town: perspective of Kotor's rooftops, walls and squares
• View of the Bay of Kotor: panorama of the water surrounded by mountains
• Church of Our Lady of Remedy: small church located along the climb
• Historic walls: stretches of the city's old defensive system
• Fortress ruins: upper part of the route, with a wide view of the bay and mountains

The route has many stairs, loose stones and uneven parts. Trainers or other comfortable footwear are better than flip-flops. It's also important to bring water, especially during summer.

Tickets

Entry via the official Kotor Fortress route usually costs around €15 per person.

Montenegro uses the euro, so the ticket is charged in €. The price can vary with the season, local management and possible changes at the ticket office. Confirm the updated price on the day of your visit.

The Ladder of Kotor is a different, longer route through the mountains behind the fortress. For most visitors, the official access through the Old Town remains the most practical way to organize the visit.

How much time to allow

Allow between 1h30 and 3 hours to visit Kotor Fortress. The duration depends on your walking pace, the heat, the number of breaks and whether you decide to continue to the top or turn back from the first viewpoints.

There's no need to rush the climb. The landscape changes along the way, and different views of the Old Town and the Bay of Kotor appear before the highest part.

If you plan to visit the fortress in the late afternoon, calculate the time needed to climb and return safely, avoiding a descent after dark.

Best time to visit

Each part of the day offers different conditions:

• Early morning: best option for more pleasant temperatures and fewer people
• Late afternoon: beautiful light over the Bay of Kotor, as long as there's enough time for the descent
• Midday: the least recommended period in summer, because the path is exposed to the sun and can get very hot

For most itineraries, early morning is the most practical time. Besides avoiding part of the heat, it leaves the Old Town for after the descent.

The late afternoon can also work, but the timing needs careful planning so the return doesn't happen in the dark.

Practical tips

• Wear trainers or comfortable footwear, as the route has stairs, stones and uneven stretches
• Bring water, especially during summer
• Avoid the hottest part of the day
• Start early for fewer crowds
• Carry cash in case the ticket office doesn't accept cards
• Don't underestimate the effort needed to complete the climb
• Take breaks at the viewpoints along the way
• Combine Kotor Fortress with the Old Town on the same day

Suggested itinerary

Start the day with Kotor Fortress, using the official access inside the Old Town. Climb at your own pace, stop at the viewpoints and visit the Church of Our Lady of Remedy before deciding whether to continue to the ruins of the San Giovanni Fortress.

After the descent, set aside the rest of the day to explore Kotor's Old City. This plan combines the fortress's panoramic view with the streets, squares, churches and walls of the Old Town, forming a more complete itinerary through the city.