Start of the Ladder of Kotor — Attraction in Kotor

YES! ONLY CHOOSE THIS ENTRANCE. DO NOT PAY AT THE TURNS!!! The views are truly amazing, but the rest is a complete mockery. The trail is full of trash, the stench of urine and feces. On hot days it’s an explosive mix of smells. And the staff—self-proclaimed gangsters provoking fights and only extorting money. No possibility to pay by card. They also frown upon coins.

We entered from the mountain side along a small stone path. We passed a little ladder and a window. Then we saw some steps. We thought that on our way back we would go down them. To our surprise, it turned out there were gates at the bottom. When we asked why there was NOWHERE any information about the different entry and exit options, one of the staff looked at us with contempt and simply said that either we pay or we go back. Price ticket per person - 15euro. It is too much.

This irritated us a bit, so I asked for an explanation why no one informs visitors about such important things. The staff member became very aggressive—he hurled insults, curses, threats, intimidation, and even performed something resembling a gorilla mating dance. At one point I wanted to hand him my banana to calm his hormones.

The staff are clearly stuck in the Stone Age in terms of development. After the show that man put on, I can confidently say he would make a very good attraction locked in a cage with baboons—although I think his relatives would actually be more civilized and restrained in their behavior.

I’ve been traveling around the world for many years, through both richer and poorer countries, and I have never encountered such rudeness.

ATTENTION!!! Due to too many bad reviews like the one above, you won't find "Entrance fee kiosk Kotor" on Google Maps. They've removed their location...

I’ll start with the most important information first. This path will take you to the Kotor Fortress without having to go through Old Town and you won’t pay the €8 entry fee. You can return down the steps into Old Town and exit without a requirement to pay; or you can return back the same path.

This is a great walk, which will have you stopping regularly for spectacular views and photos. Reasonable fitness, good shoes and a water bottle are recommended (and a hat in summer!). We also saw some cats (of course), donkeys and birds.

You’ll begin by walking past the old Hydroelectric Power Plant, then crossing the Scurda via a small bridge.

From here, the dirt/rock path is wide and easy to follow, following many switchbacks up the mountain for a solid 40-50 minute climb.

When you reach the Cheese Shop, take the path to the right. If you take the path to the left you will continue up the mountain.

A short 5 minute walk will take you to the Sveti Juraj Church and then turn right to the castle for another 5 minute walk to the ladder.

The ladder takes you into a section of the fort and onto the main (Old Town) path up the main Fortress. To the top is about another 10-15 minutes.

Highly highly highly...

Free way to get into Fortress, save 15 euros per person! But be aware that you have to climb a window to get in. Yes, you read that right. There is a chair to help you get up but it’s still a bit of a reach.

Trail is pleasant, although it’s all switchbacks for the most part, there is consistently a nice view into town and of the water. Once you make it past the cold drinks stand at the top of the switchbacks, it’s another 5-8 min to a rock with an F on it. Follow the arrow (right) and you’ll make it to the window to climb into the fortress. It wasn’t hard for us to climb in, there is a chair to help you get up, but there were some people who refused to do it. We also saw a couple with their 5-7 year old climb in with no problem.

Important: as per another review, you will need to leave the fortress the way you came, otherwise you have to pay 15 eur to exit.

Bring 1L of water per person, as it’s quite hot, though there are drink vendors at the top of the switchback and inside the fort if you’re in a pinch. Wear proper footwear. It took us a total of 1h 50 min return trip with plenty of water and photo breaks. We...