Kotor

By far the most picturesque town in Montenegro is Kotor. In fact, some prefer visiting it to Dubrovnik because, while not quite as dramatic, it retains a sleepy, off-the-beaten path quality and far fewer tourists. The medieval walled town was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and bears traces of the many empires that influenced it from the Greek, Roman, Venetian and Napoleonic. Though damaged by a major earthquake in 1979, the town has been carefully restored.

Once you enter the city gates, you will find yourself in a maze that includes pretty open squares (one dominated by the Cathedral of Sveti Tripun) and little alleys and stairwells leading up to the ramparts. If you climb the city walls, you may face the harbor on one side and the town on the other and see walls that snake all the way up the steep mountain, giving a sense of the siege mentality that existed here. Scattered within the city walls are many lovely churches from various eras. Among the sites to look out for are the Prince’s Palace and Napoleon’s Theater. The best view in town is from the café on the ramparts by the Sea Gate.