Kotor

At the head of the Bay of Kotor, known as Europe's southernmost fjord, a Venetian-style old town climbs the hillside, and a zigzag walk along the city walls overlooks the whole bay.

Kotor is in southwestern Montenegro, at the innermost point of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska). The Bay of Kotor is a winding set of inlets where the Adriatic reaches into the Dinaric Alps; narrow straits link it into four bays, and limestone peaks rise more than a thousand meters straight from the water around it. It is often called "Europe's southernmost fjord" (geologically it is actually a drowned river valley). Kotor's old town has a long history. It was ruled by the Republic of Venice for long periods between 1420 and 1797, which left Venetian-style streets, squares and churches, and city walls climbing the ridge. In 1979 the "Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor" was inscribed as a World Heritage Site. Areas to explore: first, Kotor Old Town, its walls and St. John's Fortress. Second, the Baroque town of Perast, about 12 km northwest along the bay, and the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks just offshore. Third, the Adriatic coast outside the mouth of the bay: Budva Old Town and its beaches, about 23 km to the south, and, further south, the island of Sveti Stefan. Fourth, Lovćen National Park in the mountains behind Kotor, reached by the famous road with 25 hairpin bends. The climate is Mediterranean: May–June and September–October are the best times, at about 20–26°C. July–August is hot (above 30°C) and crowded with cruise ships and visitors. Winters are mild but rainy, and many seaside facilities close. Getting there: the nearest airports are Tivat (about 8 km) and Podgorica (about 90 km). You can also take a bus from Dubrovnik in Croatia, about 2–2.5 hours (it crosses a border, and queues at the checkpoint can be long in high season). Buses around the bay connect Kotor, Perast and Budva, and boats and speedboats run to sights around the bay. We suggest staying 2–3 days: one day for the old town and the wall climb, half a day to a full day for a boat trip around the bay (Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks), and one day for Budva or Lovćen. Notes: Montenegro uses the euro. Montenegro's visa policy for Chinese passport holders has changed in recent years, so be sure to confirm with the Montenegrin embassy in China or official channels before you travel. On cruise-ship days the old town is extremely crowded during the day, so visit early or late. There are many stray cats in the old town, and Kotor proudly calls itself the "city of cats."

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