Destination
When should you visit Kotor?
Kotor is a walled medieval town at the end of a fjord-like bay, with mountains rising straight from the water. It's also a busy cruise port, so the old town can be packed by midday from spring to autumn. Summer is hot with a warm sea. Winter is mild but one of the wettest in Europe. Late spring and September are the best months. The figures below are for Herceg Novi, at the mouth of the bay. Here is how every month compares.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
May
Warm, green and mostly dry, with swimming starting late in the month and far fewer people than summer.
Best for swimming
June & September
Warm sea, softer heat than July.
Best for festivals
August
Boka Night with decorated boats and fireworks.
Best for quiet
March
A local old town with few ships.
Best value
October
Mild days and lower prices.
May scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- Cruise crowds
- Ship days fill the old town from about 10am to 4pm.
- Heavy rain
- Kotor's winter is very wet.
- Summer heat
- Climb the fortress early, there's little shade.
April–October
November–March
July–August
Kotor travel tip
Check the cruise schedule and plan around it. On ship days, walk the old town before 9am or after 5pm. Climb the fortress walls early for the view over the bay, and spend an evening in Perast, a small town further along the bay that's much calmer.
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- 5–13°C
- Cool and wet, around 13°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Climb the fortress walls on a dry morning.
- Old town
- Food
- Temperature
- 5–14°C
- Cool, around 14°C, often wet.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet, busier on carnival days.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Check the carnival program before you book.
- Carnival
- Old town
- Temperature
- 7–16°C
- Mild, around 16°C, with rain.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Drive the Kotor serpentine road for the bay view.
- Walking
- Old town
- Temperature
- 10–19°C
- Mild, around 19°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Building as cruise ships return.
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate rates.
Check cruise schedules and visit on days with no ship in port.
- Hiking
- Perast
- Temperature
- 14–24°C
- Warm, around 24°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Busy on cruise days.
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate rates.
Explore the old town before 9am or after 5pm.
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Temperature
- 18–28°C
- Hot, around 28°C, mostly dry.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy.
- Prices
- €€€€
- High-season rates.
Stay in Perast or Dobrota for calmer evenings.
- Swimming
- Boat trips
- Temperature
- 20–31°C
- Hot, around 31°C.
- Crowds
- High
- Very busy.
- Prices
- €€€€€
- Peak rates.
Avoid the old town between 10am and 4pm.
- Swimming
- Boat trips
- Temperature
- 21–32°C
- Hot, around 32°C.
- Crowds
- High
- Peak crowds.
- Prices
- €€€€€
- Peak rates.
Book a room with a terrace on the bay for Boka Night.
- Swimming
- Festivals
- Temperature
- 17–27°C
- Warm, around 27°C, with storms returning.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy on ship days.
- Prices
- €€€€
- Prices ease.
Hike the Ladder of Kotor early for the view.
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Temperature
- 13–22°C
- Mild, around 22°C, with heavy rain.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Moderate on cruise days.
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate rates.
Go early in the month for the best weather.
- Walking
- Old town
- Temperature
- 10–18°C
- Mild and wet, around 18°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Pack waterproof shoes, the old town stones get slippery.
- Old town
- Food
- Temperature
- 6–14°C
- Cool, around 14°C, often wet.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Visit Perast for a quiet walk by the water.
- Old town
- Christmas
Climate
Kotor weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C / 55°F | 5°C / 41°F | 231 mm | 14 |
| February | 14°C / 57°F | 5°C / 41°F | 195 mm | 13 |
| March | 16°C / 61°F | 7°C / 45°F | 199 mm | 13 |
| April | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 50°F | 159 mm | 12 |
| May | 24°C / 75°F | 14°C / 57°F | 104 mm | 10 |
| June | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 64 mm | 8 |
| July | 31°C / 88°F | 20°C / 68°F | 47 mm | 6 |
| August | 32°C / 90°F | 21°C / 70°F | 88 mm | 6 |
| September | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 152 mm | 8 |
| October | 23°C / 73°F | 13°C / 55°F | 199 mm | 10 |
| November | 18°C / 64°F | 10°C / 50°F | 256 mm | 14 |
| December | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | 236 mm | 15 |
Climate data: Hydrological and Meteorological Service of Montenegro (Herceg Novi, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
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FAQ
Planning a trip to Kotor
What is the best month to visit Kotor?
May, with warm weather and fewer cruise passengers than summer. September is a close second.
How do you avoid the crowds in Kotor?
Visit the old town before 9am or after 5pm, and check the cruise ship schedule for quieter days.