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)

Best for: Families who want an authentic, historic apartment at a great price.

Set in a 12th-century building that used to be a warehouse for wine and olive oil, this place is full of character. You get thick stone walls, beautiful arched ceilings, and a very "old-world" feel. It is perfectly positioned near a famous local landmark, the narrowest street in Kotor. It is a fantastic self-catering option, though it is better suited for families with older children since they do not provide cots. Note that you will need to use the public car park outside the gates.

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

Best for: Families wanting modern comfort tucked inside a medieval shell.

This hotel sits very close to the iconic Sea Gate entrance, which makes arriving with your luggage and pram much easier than navigating the deeper maze of the town. The rooms are surprisingly modern, individually styled, and most importantly well soundproofed against the evening buzz. The rooftop terrace restaurant is an absolute highlight, as it looks straight up at the dramatic San Giovanni fortress walls climbing the mountainside above. They can arrange a cot for an extra charge if you need one, just be sure to request this well in advance so they have everything ready for your arrival. It is a lovely choice if you want the medieval atmosphere without sacrificing those 21st-century comforts.

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

Best for: The most central experience possible with dedicated family services.

If you want to be in the absolute heart of the medieval action, this is the pick. It sits right on the Piazza of the Arms, so you can sit on the terrace and watch the town come to life while the kids finish their breakfast. They are exceptionally family-friendly, offering free cribs, complimentary breakfast for children, and even childcare services if you and your partner want an evening out. As a small boutique property, it does book up incredibly fast during the summer months, so it is well worth getting this one booked in quickly. It is essentially the "gold standard" for a comfortable family stay inside the historic walls.

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)

Best for: Self-catering flexibility with the beach literally on your doorstep.

These apartments are a fantastic practical base for any family holiday in Montenegro. You get direct beachfront access, a lovely garden terrace, and large balconies that overlook the water. Having a full kitchen, a dishwasher, and a washing machine makes a week-long stay with a little one much less stressful than being in a cramped hotel room. You are about 4.5km from the old town, but it is a very easy and quick taxi or local bus ride away whenever you want to visit the sights. It is a brilliant way to enjoy the bay without feeling constantly caught up in the tourist crowds of the town centre.

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

Best for: Families who want a mix of resort amenities and bay-side relaxation.

This is a modern 5-star hotel featuring a private beach, a beautiful outdoor pool, and a relaxing spa. It’s a great middle-ground for families: you get the resort feel without being 10km outside of town, meaning you have the best of both worlds. The one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes are perfect for couples with one child, while the 3-bedroom villas are brilliant if you need a bit more space to spread out or have two families staying together. They offer free cots, just remember to confirm it at the time of booking so they can prepare your room. It is a fantastic choice if you want resort-level facilities right on the bay.

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

Best for: A memorable, boutique stay on a private stretch of the bay.

This property is a small 10-suite boutique hotel where each room is themed around a different country or continent, giving it a truly unique and memorable personality. The suites each have their own distinct style and the lovely, quiet private beach where you can spend hours swimming in the bay. It’s very peaceful and perfect if you’re looking for a special, unique experience that feels much more memorable than a stay in a larger hotel chain. It is a small property and, naturally, it fills up very quickly during the summer months, so it is best to secure your booking early.

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

Best for: Maximum relaxation with all the "big resort" infrastructure.

If you want a holiday where you never have to think about logistics or planning, this is your place. It is the largest resort in the area with 258 rooms, multiple restaurants, and a full kids' menu that makes mealtime much easier. It is about 10km north of Kotor, so it’s less about "daily city visits" and more about pool time, bay swimming, and pure relaxation. They are fully set up for families with free cots, plenty of room configurations, and enough space that you never feel crowded. If your goal is to spend the week by the water while enjoying high-end service, the facilities here are easily the best available in the wider area.

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 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.