Kotor, nestled on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. The city sees significant seasonal contrasts, with abundant rainfall in winter and long, sun-drenched days in summer, making it ideal for both beach holidays and cultural sightseeing throughout the year.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Kotor’s climate is strongly influenced by the Adriatic Sea, resulting in mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Winter (December–February) daytime highs average 9–13°C, while nights can dip to 2–4°C. Snow is rare but possible, and winter is by far the wettest season, with November and December each seeing over 130 mm of rain and frequent overcast days. The Bura wind can occasionally bring fierce cold spells. Despite the rain, sunny intervals are common and perfect for hiking or exploring the old town’s quieter streets.
Summer (June–August) is hot and sunny, with average highs of 29–32°C and lows around 17–18°C. July and August are the driest and sunniest months, with up to 11 hours of sunshine daily and minimal rainfall. The sea warms to 24–25°C, making it perfect for swimming and water sports. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 35°C, especially in July. Spring and autumn are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (15–27°C), moderate rainfall, and fewer crowds. May and September are particularly pleasant, offering comfortable weather for both sightseeing and beach activities. Kotor receives about 2,400–2,500 hours of sunshine annually and over 2,200 mm of precipitation, making it one of Europe’s rainiest coastal cities in winter but delightfully dry in summer. Winds are generally light, though can be brisk during storms or Bura events.
| Average climate data for Kotor, Montenegro | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 149 | 137 | 121 | 117 | 85 | 66 | 42 | 59 | 103 | 153 | 192 | 176 | 1,401 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 133 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
The best time to visit Kotor is in late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September), when temperatures are warm but not extreme (22–29°C), rainfall is low, and the city is lively but less crowded. These months are ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying the coast without the peak summer crowds.
The least favourable time is from November to February, when days are shorter, temperatures are mild but rain is frequent, and the city experiences overcast skies. While winter is still pleasant for urban exploration and cultural events, outdoor activities may be limited by wet weather and fewer daylight hours.
Kotor’s annual average temperature ranges from 7–8°C in January to 24–25°C in July and August. Winters are mild (9–13°C), while summers are hot (29–32°C).
Kotor receives over 2,200 mm of precipitation annually, making it one of Europe’s rainiest coastal cities in winter. Rain falls mainly from November to March. Snow is rare but possible in winter.
Kotor enjoys about 2,400–2,500 hours of sunshine per year. July and August are the sunniest months (up to 11 hours/day), while December and January are the least sunny (3–4 hours/day).
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) are best for outdoor activities, with warm temperatures, low humidity, and plenty of sunshine. Summer is ideal for swimming but can be hot for hiking.
Kotor itself is not a winter sports destination. Snow is rare on the coast, but nearby mountains offer opportunities for skiing and snow-based activities from December to March.
Swimming outdoors is most comfortable from June to September, when air temperatures reach 27–32°C and sea temperatures rise to 24–25°C. The bay is popular for water sports in summer.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and sun protection for summer, and waterproof clothing for winter. An umbrella is useful from November to March.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (28 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (16.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 8.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (24.9 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is January (14 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 18.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (192 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (42.3 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,400.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (13.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (6.9 days). Over the whole year there are 133.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 6.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 9). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.8.
