The medieval old town of Kotor in  Montenegro has been nominated as “Best European Destination 2019”, after qualifying in a competition conducted by European Best Destinations, an organisation based in Brussels and developed to promote culture and tourism in Europe.

For the title of the European Best Destination in 2019, Kotor competes with Brussels, Budapest, Malaga, Bratislava, Vienna, Poznan, Braga, Berlin, Geneva, London, Metz, Monte-Isola, Riga, Paris, Dinant, Florence, Cavtat, Sainte-Maxime and Athens.

Kotor is located at the end of Boka Bay on the Mediterranean Sea surrounded by mountains, notably Lovćen National Park, and the sea. Although the time and place of its origin are not established the history of Kotor is undoubtedly rich. It is situated in the triangle bound by the sea, river Škurda and hill Saint Ivan, on top of which stands the fortress of San Giovanni.

Although Tivat and capital Podgorica are Montenegro’s main international airports, it is often easier for visitors to arrive in Kotor via Dubrovnik Airport (Croatia), since it has a greater range of flights and airlines. The climate in Kotor and its surroundings is Mediterranean with warm and dry flights and mild and humid winters. The average annual temperature is 15.2 °C but if you want to swim along the coast, the water doesn’t really start warming up until May, staying warm until the beginning of October. Boka Kotorska, a unique natural fjord in the Mediterranean, has long since attracted different nations to its origin and beauty.

In 2018, Kotor came in 12th place in European Best Destinations, with more votes than Paris, Vienna and Amsterdam, when Wroclaw took first place. The nomination and placement are the result of continuous communication of the Tourism Organisation of Kotor with European networks of promotion of cultural tourism, and this is the only Montenegrin city on this list.