Where to Stay in Kotor, Montenegro with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Hotels and Accommodation

The first time you see Kotor, you understand immediately why people keep coming back. The medieval walls climb straight up the mountain behind the town (4.5km of fortifications rising 260 metres) and the old town sits at their base with the bay in front and mountains plunging into the water on all sides. It's one of the most dramatically positioned towns in Europe, and we arrived as part of our 7-day Croatia and Montenegro road trip with our 10 month old baby on our first ever family holiday.

Kotor works well with young children, with one caveat worth knowing upfront: the old town is narrow, cobblestoned, and full of tourists between 10am and 4pm when the cruise ships stop in. We used the sling more than the pram inside the walls. But arrive early, or linger into the late afternoon once the crowds thin, and the atmosphere shifts completely. The squares empty out, the light changes, and it becomes the kind of place you sit at a waterfront table and can't quite make yourself leave.

For the full 7-day itinerary combining Kotor, Perast and Dubrovnik, read our Dubrovnik & Montenegro: 7-Day Itinerary with a Baby. And if you're planning a night or two in Perast, see our Where to Stay in Perast guide.

Before You Book: Practical Notes for Families

Prams and terrain: The old town is cobblestoned throughout, with steps in many directions. The main pedestrianised streets are manageable with a pram, but a carrier or sling is worth having for the rest of it. The waterfront area around Kotor Beach and Dobrota is flat and much easier with a buggy. For a carrier we'd recommend either the Izmi Breeze Baby Carrier or the Izmi Adventure Breeze Toddler Carrier. We've used the toddler carrier on a 13hr hike with us so we can vouch that it is extremely comfortable - for either you can use the code TTD10 for 10% off.

Cruise ships and crowds: Kotor is one of the busiest cruise ship ports on the Adriatic. On peak days the old town can be very crowded between 10am and 4pm. Arriving early morning or spending the middle of the day at the beach or hotel pool means you avoid the crowds and by late afternoon it will be much calmer again.

Parking and access: No private cars are allowed inside Kotor's old town walls. You park at one of the car parks just outside the gates and walk in, which works fine for a short visit but needs planning if you're arriving with luggage and a pram. Properties inside the walls can usually arrange luggage assistance; those outside typically have onsite parking.

Getting there: Tivat Airport is about 8km from Kotor and is the most convenient option. Dubrovnik Airport is around 90 minutes by car but has more flight choices, particularly from the UK.

Best time to go: May, June and September are the best months for families because it is warm enough for the beach and the bay, without the peak July-August heat and crowds. We visited in September and the sea was still warm and the old town was busy but manageable.

Where to Stay in Kotor with Kids: By Area

Kotor divides naturally into two types of base for families: inside the old town walls for maximum atmosphere and proximity to the sights, or on the waterfront in Dobrota for easier logistics, beach proximity and better hotel facilities.

Old Town — For Atmosphere, the Cats and the Medieval Walls

Staying inside the old town walls is an experience in itself. The streets are pedestrianised, the architecture is extraordinary, and the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, the clock tower and the old fortifications are on your doorstep.

1. Apartments Wine House Old Town (from around £65/night)

A self-catering apartment in a 12th-century building that originally served as a wine and olive oil warehouse with beautiful thick stone walls and the arched ceilings. It sits near the narrowest street in Kotor, only 80cm wide and a local landmark in its own right, with the Maritime Museum less than 100 metres away. Studios and apartments have kitchenettes, stone wall interiors and wooden beams in the larger units, with balconies in some options. Worth noting: cots are not available here, so it suits families whose children are past that stage or sharing existing beds. No parking on site; the public car park is just outside the old town gates.

2. Boutique Hotel Hippocampus (from around £110/night)

A 4 star hotel inside the old town walls close to the Sea Gate entrance, which puts it conveniently near the car park just outside (the hotel also provides guests with a parking pass for that external lot). The rooms are modern and individually styled, and well soundproofed. The rooftop terrace restaurant looks straight up to the San Giovanni fortress walls climbing the mountainside above. Cots are available at an additional charge, subject to availability.

3. Boutique Hotel Astoria (from around £130/night)

The best hotel inside the old town walls for families, sitting on the Piazza of the Arms (the main square) with a terrace restaurant seating directly overlooking the medieval activity below. Free cribs are available, complimentary breakfast is provided for children, and childcare services can be arranged. The rooms are individually decorated and the location is as central as it gets in Kotor. Being a small boutique property, it books up quickly in summer. No private parking; use the public car park outside the gates.

Dobrota — For Beach Access, Bay Views and Easier Logistics

The village of Dobrota runs north along the waterfront from the old town walls, and the stretch of bay between Kotor Beach and Dobrota is better for families who want more space, easier pram access, and better hotel facilities. It's flat, the bay views are uninterrupted, and the old town is a short taxi or bus ride away.

4. Apartments Boka Blue Dobrota Kotor (from around £80/night)

A convenient self-catering apartment right on the Dobrota waterfront, with direct beachfront access, a garden terrace, and large balconies looking out over the bay. Family rooms are available with fully equipped kitchens including dishwasher and washing machine. Free private parking on site. The Palazzo Restaurant serving Mediterranean food is 300 metres away. Worth knowing: cots are not available here. The old town is about 4.5km away, easily reachable by taxi or local bus.

5. HUMA Kotor Bay Hotel and Villas (from around £140/night)

A modern 5 star hotel on the bay with a private beach, outdoor pool, two restaurants, a spa and room configurations that scale well for families. The Dobrota suite (one bedroom with kitchenette) works well for a couple with one young child. 3 bedroom villas are available for larger families or those wanting a separate living space. Free cots are available in the Premium Double and selected room types, confirm at time of booking. Breakfast is included. The old town is about 5 minutes by taxi. For families who want resort facilities alongside the Kotor experience, this is the most complete mid-range option on the bay.

6. Hotel Forza Mare (from around £180/night)

A 10 suite boutique hotel in Dobrota, 3km north of the old town on a private waterfront stretch of the bay. Each suite is individually designed around a different country or continent (Africa, India, Japan, Dubai, China) which gives the place a distinct character that guests consistently single out. There's a private beach, an outdoor pool, a spa and an à la carte restaurant using local and Mediterranean produce. Free breakfast and free parking are included. It is a small property and books up quickly in summer.

7. Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort (from around £250/night)

Set in Ljuta about 10km north of Kotor, the Hyatt Regency is the largest and most complete resort in this guide: 258 rooms, outdoor pool, private beach, spa, multiple restaurants and full Hyatt family infrastructure. It sits outside Kotor, which makes it less convenient for daily old town visits, but for families who want maximum relaxation and pool time with the bay as a backdrop then the facilities are the best available in the wider area. Free cots available, children's menus, plenty of family room options, and free self-parking on site.

Our Verdict

For most families visiting Kotor, the choice comes down to whether you want to be inside the walls or on the waterfront. Inside the old town, Boutique Hotel Astoria is the standout option: the location on the main square, the free cribs and the complimentary children's breakfast make it the most family-complete hotel inside the walls, and the terrace restaurant is excellent. Apartments Wine House Old Town is worth it if you want a self-catering option at a lower price.

On the waterfront, HUMA Kotor Bay Hotel is the best all-round mid-range option, with free cots, a private beach and proper pool facilities. Apartments Boka Blue is the pick for self-catering flexibility at a lower price point, with the kitchen, washing machine and beachfront garden making it very practical for families with young children. Hotel Forza Mare is the option to choose if you want something smaller and more distinctive for a special trip.

For the full Dubrovnik and Montenegro itinerary, read our 7-Day Dubrovnik & Montenegro Itinerary with a Baby. For where to stay in nearby Perast, see our Perast accommodation guide.