One Of The Amazing Things To Do In Kotor Montenegro

When you’re in Kotor Montenegro, you’ll see some of the most picturesque views in Europe. With its endless mountain landscape and clear, turquoise color water from the Bay of Kotor… it’s a photographer’s delight. Plus, you can treat yourself to some delicious traditional food and drinks from Montenegro.

Yet, if you want to combine both of those in one activity… then what you’re about to discover is one of the most memorable things to do in Kotor, Montenegro.

So, if you’ve read our previous, We Drink Eat Travel blog posts on Kotor… you’ll be aware that we’ve mentioned the Rakia Man several times. So now, in this blog… we’re going to run through our experience of getting there, and being there! Then, you have the knowledge and tips before you go.

Hiking Kotor Mountain for Montenegrin Food and Drinks

If you’re hiking Kotor Fortress using the “Secret Entrance,” that we detailed in a previous blog… then you’ll know that you can take a detour to the Rakia Man.

Now, if you’re going to look at Google Maps to find the Rakia Man… then look for a place called, Cheese Shop. Oh, and by the way, even if you don’t like cheese or rakia… there’s other home-made produce you can try like pomegranate drink, wine, and meats.

So, to get to the Rakia Man, look for the hiking route for the Ladder of Kotor… which starts at the end of Trabacina Street, nearby River Skurda. And, on Google Maps you’ll see something called, Start of the Ladder of Kotor. And, from here there’s a hiking trail with lots of switchbacks… winding all the way up the mountain.

One of the amazing things to do in Kotor Montenegro - scenic winding road with stone walls ascending a steep, rocky mountain in Kotor, offering breathtaking views and an adventurous hike.

Now, don’t let that windy path deter you, as it’s not as hard as it looks. Surprisingly, the walk up this path is not that steep, and has a gentle incline most of the way. It does get rocky in some parts, yet don’t worry if you don’t have hiking boots. It’s do-able with normal sneakers, as that’s what we did.

So, as you get higher the views of the switchbacks, hiking trail and Kotor is awesome…

Scenic winding hiking path in Kotor, Montenegro with a bird's eye view of the town between a rocky mountain landscape, offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor.

Then, after 25 minutes or so depending on how fast you walk… you’ll reach a place that looks like this…

Old stone house and local cade in Kotor mountains with rusted signage and outdoor seating in the sunshine. In the background are ancient fortress walls with a brilliant clear blue sky.

Now, this is NOT the Rakia Man’s place. Yet, if you don’t intend on going further up the mountain… then you could stop by here for refreshments. However, we highly recommend you keep walking up as the views are incredible… and from there it’s not that far anyway. Plus, you need to try his local Montenegrin food and drinks.

At this point, it’s like a T-intersection. So, you can either go left or go right. And, to get to Rakia Man’s place you need to follow the switchbacks on the left. If you take the path to the right… then on the way are the remains of a little dilapidated old church, Sveti Juraj. And then, the path can take you to Kotor Fortress, for the “Secret Entrance.”

Save on Activities for Your Next Trip

Hiking in Kotor is one of the many things you can experience here. But what else can you do? Traditional street food tours, explore hidden alleyways on bicycle, gourmet private speedboat tours on the Bay of Kotor… through to local food cooking classes, Old Town Walking Tours, and more. CLICK HERE or below to find your adventure!

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Hello, Is Anybody Home?

So, after about 35 minutes of walking for us and stopping to take pics, we were at the infamous Rakia Man’s place – otherwise known as the Cheese Shop. It’s an unassuming place, with lots of cats roaming around. Now, if you’re not sure if it’s open… simply walk up the steps and yell out a, “Hello.” Eventually, someone will come out.

Once you’re walking beyond the entrance there are tables and chairs that are set up undercover. There are many tables and chairs to cater for hungry and thirsty folks like us. Yet, when we were there it was only us.

Wooden tables and chairs set up undercover with fridges filled with drinks at a local cafe in Kotor, Montenegro.

And, it was even more surprising that at the Rakia Man’s place… there are toilets, separated for males and females. So, he must get a decent number of people coming to visit!

As we were looking around the area, an older gentleman came out who must’ve been the Rakia Man. Oh my gosh… he is REAL! He is so proud of his place, and happy to pose for a photo…

Photo of the Rakia Man in Kotor, Montenegro with his thumbs up in front of his stone house and cafe.

Relax With Amazing Views and Montenegrin Food and Drinks

So, we already made ourselves comfortable in one of the front tables and chairs. And, while attempting to speak to him in the Montenegrin language that I’d learnt… he understood! Don’t worry, you’ll be able to get by, especially if you have the right travel tools.

He has a fridge full of home-made goodies, as well as other standard food and beverages. We could go to the fridge and pick what we wanted. So, we had a couple of rakias, which were like rocket fuel… with an amazing view in front of us.

And, at a few Euros for a shot of rakia, you could down quite a few if you wanted!

Plus, we had some bread, goats cheese, a glass of red wine filled to the brim, and a beer.

One of the amazing things to do in Kotor, Montenegro with a close-up of cheese on a wooden board with bread, empty rakia glasses, glass of red wine, and can of local beer with breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor, township and mountainous landscape.

So, the price for all that including the 2 rakias, was around 20 Euros. We thought it was cheap, especially because it included home-made produce. Plus, the amount of wine that was given was more than decent, maybe around 250ml? Anyway, it was much more than the measly pour of a glass of wine in Croatia… which is only about 100-125ml. Yet, you get charged a ridiculous amount, for a “mouthful” of average wine in some places.

Now, we could’ve stayed longer at Rakia Man’s place. It was so relaxing and peaceful. Plus, he was so friendly, laid back, and the cheese was to die for! Yet, we had our plan to walk further up the mountain… and zig-zagging along the already windy switchbacks was enough for one day. And really, if you want to keep fit to walk off all the delicious food and drinks you’ll enjoy in Kotor – you could do this hike every day if you’re keen!

For us, Kotor is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro. And, we highly recommend that if you can make the time… do yourself a favor, and make your way up to the Rakia Man’s place. It’s a memorable experience for some great local hospitality… as well as delicious home-made Montenegrin food and drinks.

ENJOY!

Plan Smarter, Travel For Less

Now that you have your trip inspiration, it’s time to start planning the logistics. To help you cut down on costs and stress, we’ve put together our top-tier travel tools in one convenient place. You can easily compare accommodation rates, secure reliable airport transfers, grab convenient eSIMs, and lock in peace-of-mind travel insurance. Head over to our curated travel resources to map out your perfect itinerary and keep your budget in check.

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Need Accommodation in Kotor, Montenegro?

To make your booking process easier, here are popular accommodations categorized by budget and location:

Luxury

Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort – A polished 5-star sanctuary nestled right along the water’s edge of the breathtaking Bay of Kotor. Featuring sophisticated contemporary design, world-class dining and bars. Relax in an upscale spa, and both indoor and outdoor pools offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and sea.

Mid-Range

Hotel Vardar – A traditional favorite situated right on the main square of Kotor’s historic Old Town. It blends classic charm with modern comforts, offering cozy rooms, a fitness center, and a streetside terrace cafe ideal for people-watching.

Boutique

Historic Boutique Hotel Cattaro – Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century building right in the heart of the Old Town. It features uniquely decorated, maritime-themed rooms and an atmospheric rooftop terrace overlooking the bay and fortifications.

Budget / Backpackers

Old Town Hostel – A highly-rated social hub located directly inside Kotor’s medieval Old Town. Tailored for backpackers and independent travelers, it offers atmospheric dorms and private rooms inside a historic stone building, alongside organized social activities and walking tours.

Families

D & Sons Apartments – A cozy collection of self-catering units tucked right beneath the historic San Giovanni fortress in Kotor’s medieval Old Town. Featuring comfortable living spaces, and striking views of the fortress walls, offering a home-away-from-home experience just steps from local cafes, shops, and attractions.