01Personal safety in town
Personal safety in town
Busy streets in Kotor's Old Town and crowded transport call for more attention to your belongings. A bag or phone can more easily slip out of sight, so the main concern is the possibility of petty theft.
If something is stolen, report it to the police at 122. If a payment card was taken along with your wallet, contact your bank to block it. The bank stops further use of the card, while the police take the theft report and establish what happened.
02Going out at night and traveling alone
Going out at night and traveling alone
Kotor is suitable for a solo visit or an evening out with ordinary personal precautions. If you return to your accommodation by taxi, an official service lets you book a ride with an identifiable operator and gives you a contact to turn to. Contact details for regular Kotor taxi services are available in Kotor's practical information.
03Problems with tourist services
Problems with tourist services
If a tourist service differs from what was agreed or you are charged for something you did not use, you have grounds to ask for an explanation and make a complaint. Such a disagreement is not, by itself, evidence of fraud. The responsible inspection authority handles irregularities in service provision, while suspected criminal offenses are reported to the police.
Taxis and unlicensed transport
For rides within Kotor, choose an officially licensed taxi service rather than a provider whose identity and authorization to operate are unclear. Contact details for regular services are available in Kotor's practical information.
If you disagree with the amount charged for a ride, first ask the operator to clarify it. You can report a taxi service irregularity within Kotor to the municipal Inspection Service at [email protected] or +382 67 023 909. The vehicle's registration number and the place and time of the ride connect the report to a specific incident. Include the receipt if you have one.
Accommodation and restaurant services
For a problem with accommodation or restaurant service, the complaint should address what was agreed and what you received. A receipt, booking confirmation or correspondence may show the difference, so first contact the establishment with the documentation you have. You can report an irregularity in accommodation or restaurant service to the tourism inspection authority at [email protected].
Reporting suspected fraud
The police handle suspected criminal fraud, theft or threats. You can make a report by calling 122 or visiting a police station. Any payment confirmation, correspondence and provider details you have can help explain what happened. A police report is used to establish whether a criminal offense may have occurred, but does not by itself mean that money will be refunded.
04Renting a vehicle
Renting a vehicle
The deposit you provide when renting a car is separate from the rental price and is a normal part of the contract. A problem arises if the agency does not explain why it is retaining the deposit or charges you for damage you dispute. Such a dispute is addressed under the agreed terms and by comparing the car's condition at pickup and return.
Registered agencies and rental terms
Rent a car only from an agency with a registered business and approval to operate, or through the Hire And Travel platform, which brings together offers from such agencies. The contract should clearly identify the agency, the rental price and the deposit terms. These details tell you who is responsible for the contractual obligations and where to direct a complaint.
For questions about a car rental agency's approval to operate in Kotor, you can contact the Secretariat for Entrepreneurship Development, Municipal Services and Transport at [email protected]. This authority handles the approval process for vehicle rental businesses.
Deposits and damage charges
A deposit may be a card hold or a payment, depending on the contract. If you are charged for damage when returning the car, the inspection reports and photos from pickup and return provide a comparison of the vehicle's condition. They help clarify which damage is being charged for and whether it was already there. For damage or an extra charge you dispute, ask the agency for a written breakdown and the basis for the charge.
Releasing a card hold does not mean that the funds are immediately available in your account. If the agency has released the hold but the money is still unavailable, check the processing with your bank. This differs from a case in which the agency retains the deposit. Suspected criminal fraud should be reported to the police at 122.
Comparing offers and booking support
The Hire And Travel platform lets you compare offers from verified, legal car rental agencies in Kotor for your dates. Alongside the rental price, the deposit and insurance terms show the obligations you accept with the chosen vehicle. If a dispute arises over a booking made through the platform, contact the agency and platform support with your booking confirmation and documentation of the charge.
05Road safety
Road safety
The drive from Kotor toward Lipci follows the main road around the bay. Traffic increases on coastal routes in summer, so allow for time spent in traffic when planning visits elsewhere around the Bay of Kotor. This is particularly relevant if you are returning for an agreed rental car pickup or drop-off.
On main-road sections outside built-up areas, speeds are higher than on city streets, and crashes at higher speeds have more serious consequences. When you leave slower urban traffic for the open road, the change in conditions calls for a speed suited to the section you are driving on.
06Health and weather conditions
Health and weather conditions
A visit to Kotor may include climbing the steps up to the walls, which takes more physical effort than a walk through town. During intense heat, that effort puts extra strain on the body, while a long period outdoors can also be demanding without a climb. Children, older people and travelers with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable. Sightseeing during a cooler part of the day and resting in a cool indoor space reduce the time spent in the strongest heat.
07Outdoor safety
Outdoor safety
The route from the Old Town to the city walls and Sveti Ivan Fortress crosses steep terrain. It is important to allow time to return in daylight because the path is not lit. Choosing an official entrance is also part of that plan, since openings through the walls used as improvised passages are not safe visitor access routes.
Climbing the city walls and returning
The main path toward Sveti Ivan is reached through two official entrances in the Old Town. Parilo is behind the Collegiate Church of St. Mary, also known as the Church of Blessed Ozana, while Skaljarska pjaca is near the southern end of the town, close to Salata. The climb follows steps, so the time allowed for the visit must also include the return over the same terrain.
Entrance hours change by season, so a later start depends on how much daylight remains for the descent. The terrain is steep and unlit, and staying on or climbing the walls after 22:00 is prohibited year-round. The official Kotor city walls website publishes opening hours and entrance locations.
If a weather or fire warning applies to the area you plan to visit, choose a day suited to those conditions. Climbing during intense heat increases heat exposure further, especially for travelers who find even a shorter period in high temperatures demanding.
Improvised passages through the walls
At Renijer and Batalja, some openings in the walls have been used as unofficial entrances with ladders, ropes and other improvised aids. These are not designated visitor access routes, and tourist injuries have been recorded at those locations. Use the official Parilo or Skaljarska pjaca entrances for the climb, even if a map or social media post recommends an unauthorized passage.
08Local rules and documents
Local rules and documents
Foreign visitors in Montenegro should carry a valid identity document and show it to an authorized official when requested. Which document is accepted depends on the basis of your stay and the document that permitted entry. A photo or copy of the original may help establish your details, but it does not replace a valid document.
If you lose the document, report the loss without delay to the responsible police service or your country's diplomatic or consular mission. A saved document number or copy then makes it easier to obtain a replacement.
09Emergencies and assistance
Emergencies and assistance
In an emergency, you can call 112, the common number that connects you with the appropriate service. It is especially useful if you are unsure whether you need the police, fire service or emergency medical assistance. You can also call each service directly using the numbers listed below.
Roadside assistance and rental vehicles
If your vehicle breaks down, AMSCG roadside assistance is available at 19807. If the car is rented, also notify the agency, since the rental terms determine how assistance is arranged and what happens to the vehicle. After an accident, the documentation required by the agency also matters, including a police report when needed for the particular case.
The cost of assistance depends on the vehicle, contract and service coverage. AMSCG assistance is not free for every vehicle, so the cost for a rental car also needs to be clarified under the rental terms.
