Kotor: My Dramatic Fjord Climb
The sail-in at dawn is one of the most beautiful approaches on Earth — the ship twists through narrow straits with mountains rising 5,000 ft on both sides. We docked right at the Old Town gate and climbed the fortress walls at 8 a.m. sharp. The 1,350 steps are steep but the view from San Giovanni at 280 m above sea level made me cry — the red roofs, the bay, the cruise ship looking like a toy below.
In the afternoon, we took a speedboat to Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast — the man-made island church is tiny and perfect. We swam in water that was 18°C but felt amazing after the climb. We had dinner at Konoba Catovica Mlini — mussels in buzzara sauce so good we ordered seconds.
Kotor feels undiscovered compared to Dubrovnik, even though it's not.
Getting Around Kotor
Ship docks 100 m from Sea Gate — literally walk off into 12th century.
Positively Worded Word of Warning
The fortress climb is serious — 1,350 steps — but the reward at the top is one of the best views in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Kotor worth it?
A: Best sail-in in Mediterranean.
Q: Best thing?
A: Fortress climb plus boat to Perast.
Q: How long for fortress?
A: 2–3 hours round-trip.
Q: Walk from port?
A: Yes — you're already there.