Kotor Old Town

Kotor Old Town sits at the head of the Bay of Kotor, with its walls climbing the mountain behind. The lanes inside are narrow and easy to get lost in, which is part of the appeal: small squares, stone churches and cafés open out without warning.

The fortress path above the town gives the best view of the bay, but it is a steep climb on many steps, so we would go early or late and avoid the hottest hours in July and August. The town is popular, so a weekday morning or an evening stay is much quieter than midday. It is a good swap for Dubrovnik if you want the walled-town feel with a smaller scale and, outside peak weeks, fewer people.