Kotor

Tourists to Montenegro will most likely spend the bulk of their time exploring the small Balkan country's natural landscape. From snowy peaks to tall pine forests, from the coastlines to the fjords, Montenegro is an outdoor lover's dream come true.

However, for those looking to get to grips with the culture of Montenegro, the medieval city of Kotor is certainly the place to visit. In recent years, as Montenegro swiftly establishes itself as one of Europe's top tourist destinations, particularly the small coastal city of Kotor.

It's not hard to see why this is, the surrounding Mediterranean coastline, with its limestone cliffs and thick vegetation, is punctuated by the port of Kotor, which is itself surrounded by city walls that were built by the Republic of Venice. These ramparted and bastioned city walls, as well as the Venetian-inspired old city, are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, lauded for its role in the diffusion of Mediterranean culture in the Balkan region.

A small city, with a population of just under 14,000 permanent inhabitants, Kotor is a wonderful place to navigate on foot, soaking up the scenery and admiring the medieval buildings. In terms of tourist sights, the Maritime Museum is a must-visit attraction, as is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (built in 1166) and the Church of Our Lady of Health, which is located on a small promontory overlooking Kotor and provides unbeatable views of the bright blue Adriatic Sea beneath.