Fortress of San Giovanni: Best View Over Kotor Old Town Kotor Old Town, Cathedral of Saint Tryphon & Maritime Museum Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks & the Bay Drive Drive the Lovćen Serpentine to Njegoš Mausoleum Blue Cave (Plava Špilja) on the Luštica Peninsula Hidden Gems Near Kotor for Drivers Fort Vrmac Risan Roman Mosaics Ćatovića Mlini Restaurant Lipci Rock Art Cruise Ship Schedule — Your Car Rental Advantage Parking & Drive Times at a Glance Parking Near Kotor Old Town Drive Times from Kotor You have the freedom of a rental car in Kotor, Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor on the gives you fast access to Old Town, Perast, and the mountain roads above Boka Kotorska. This guide covers the best things to do in Kotor with practical drive times, parking notes, and road-trip ideas — from UNESCO sites to the Lovćen National Park ascent on the P1 road Fortress of San Giovanni: Best View Over Kotor Old Town 2–2.5 hours In Old Town The hike to the Fortress of San Giovanni starts in Kotor Old Town and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours round trip. The entry fee is €15 per person (children under 12 free), and the route climbs 1,350 stone steps with roughly 280 metres of elevation gain. The fortress is one of the most visited Kotor attractions for travellers with a compact car, because the walk begins close to Benovo parking (€1.90/hr) and Autoboka parking (€0.90/hr). The stone steps can be slippery after rain — closed-toe shoes are essential. The "Ladder of Kotor" — an ancient trade route starting outside the North Gate — lets you bypass the €15 fee. A gap in the fortress wall provides free access to the ramparts. Kotor Old Town, Cathedral of Saint Tryphon & Maritime Museum 2–3 hours FREE entry Kotor Old Town is free to enter, and a first visit usually takes 2 to 3 hours. The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (built 1166) typically costs €3 to €5, while the Maritime Museum Grgurina Palace charges about €4 with a free audio guide. Park outside the walls at, or and walk in. Key stops include the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, the Clock Tower (1602), the Church of St. Luke (1195), and the Cats Museum (€1 — funds stray cat welfare). The Old Town has never been taken by force — the walls were never breached by an invading army. Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks & the Bay Drive 12 km, 15–20 min Boat €5 return Perast is about 12 km from Kotor — a 15 to 20 minute drive on the. A water taxi from Perast to Our Lady of the Rocks costs about €5 return, and the island church and museum cost €2 to €3. Inside the church: 68 Tripo Kokolja paintings and a tapestry by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović who wove her own hair into the angels — you can see it turns from brown to grey over 25 years. Perast parking: €8/day flat rate (free Oct–Apr). Decline "free parking" offers tied to overpriced boat tours (€20–40). Use official lots at the town entrance. Drive the Lovćen Serpentine to Njegoš Mausoleum 30 km, 45–90 min Park €2–3 + Mausoleum €3–5 Lovćen National Park route from Kotor climbs the P1 road through 25 bends. The road is paved but extremely narrow (~5m width) — a compact car is strongly recommended. Featured on Top Gear. At the summit, the Njegoš Mausoleum costs €3–5 with 461 steps from the parking area. The ceiling holds 200,000+ gold mosaic tiles. On clear days, ~80% of Montenegro's territory is visible. Stop at Njeguši village halfway for smoked pršut and cheese. Road and mausoleum close mid-Nov to mid-Apr (snow). Summit parking fills by 10:00 — arrive early. Alternative: gentler route via Budva → Cetinje (60 km, 1.5 hrs). Blue Cave (Plava Špilja) on the Luštica Peninsula ~3 hours tour €35–45/person from Kotor Blue Cave Plava Špilja ) on the Luštica Peninsula is reached by boat, not by road. Group tours from Kotor cost €35–45 per person (~3 hours). The blue glow is caused by solar refraction — you must arrive between 10:00 and 13:00 on a sunny day (overcast eliminates the effect entirely). Park your rental car at the Kotor marina (Autoboka lot) and join an operator like Sea Stars Boat Tours (1,800+ 5-star reviews). Season: May–October. July–August sees 50+ boats/day at the cave; shoulder months have 70% fewer visitors. Hidden Gems Near Kotor for Drivers The best hidden stops near Kotor are easy to reach with a rental car and usually take 20 to 30 minutes each. Fort Vrmac Abandoned Austro-Hungarian fortress with 360° views of both bays. Drive directly to the base — no hiking required. Free entry. 22 min from Kotor. Bring a flashlight (bats inside).