KOTOR RANKED THIRD-HAPPIEST DESTINATION IN EUROPE FOR 2026

Montenegro’s historic coastal city of Kotor has received major international recognition after being named the third-happiest tourist destination in Europe for 2026, according to an analysis of more than one million online travel reviews.

PHOTO: Pixabay

The recognition has also brought Kotor significant international exposure through the British edition of Condé Nast Traveller, which published an extensive travel guide to the city and the Bay of Kotor, later republished by the magazine’s US edition.

Under the headline “One of the Happiest Places in Europe Is This Charming Walled City in Montenegro”, journalist Jonathan Wiggin presents Kotor as a destination combining medieval heritage, spectacular landscapes, gastronomy and modern tourism experiences.

The article was published on August 6 and was republished by the American edition of Condé Nast Traveller on the same day.

THIRD IN EUROPE ACCORDING TO TOURIST REVIEWS

The ranking that placed Kotor among Europe’s happiest destinations was compiled by Irish travel insurance company JustCover.

The company analysed more than one million online reviews of tourist attractions, national parks, resorts, viewpoints and other sites across 155 destinations worldwide. The research examined how frequently visitors used words and expressions associated with happiness and satisfaction in their reviews.

Each destination was then given a score between zero and 100.

Kotor received 67.9 points, placing third behind Italy’s Positano and Greece’s Santorini.

The remaining destinations in the European top 10 were Florence, London, Funchal, Gdańsk, Munich, Istanbul and Rome. The data used for the analysis was updated through June 2026.

It is important to note that the ranking itself was not created by Condé Nast Traveller. The magazine first reported on JustCover’s analysis in a separate article published on July 23 before subsequently dedicating a much more extensive travel guide to Kotor.

A CITY BETWEEN THE SEA, MOUNTAINS AND CENTURIES OF HISTORY

Jonathan Wiggin writes that he has lived periodically in Montenegro since 2014 and that Kotor and its bay were among the main reasons the country attracted him.

He introduces readers to a city surrounded by historic walls, narrow streets, squares, Romanesque churches and Gothic and Baroque palaces, while highlighting Kotor’s strong Venetian heritage.

Particular attention is given to the city’s spectacular position between the sea and Mount Lovćen, as well as views of settlements along the bay, including Perast and the island of Our Lady of the Rocks.

The article also recalls that the Kotor region is protected by UNESCO, while emphasising that the city is far more than a historic monument. Kotor is portrayed as a living destination where local residents continue their everyday lives despite the large number of visitors.

Mass tourism has not bypassed Kotor, with cruise ships frequently dominating the harbour. Nevertheless, according to the author’s impression, the city has managed to retain much of its local characte.

FROM THE CITY MARKET TO THE FORTRESS ABOVE KOTOR

The travel experience begins outside the historic walls, at Kotor’s market, where visitors can find olives, olive oil, fruit, honey, cured meat products, local wines and rakija.

After entering through the main city gate, the article takes readers through Trg od Oružja and Pjaca od Kina, followed by churches, museums and smaller historic squares.

Among the recommended attractions are the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Cats and the Church of St Michael with its Lapidarium.

The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon is presented as Kotor’s most important monument and one of the most significant Romanesque churches on the Adriatic. The author highlights its 15th-century gilded altar, 14th-century ciborium and the views of the Old Town from its upper terrace.

CABLE CAR AMONG THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS

A prominent place in the guide is reserved for the Kotor–Lovćen cable car, presented as one of the experiences visitors should include in their itinerary.

According to the article, the journey from the lower station to Kuk plateau takes approximately 11 minutes and covers more than 1,300 metres of elevation gain.

From the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor and the Montenegrin coast, particularly spectacular around sunset.

The cable car is therefore presented not simply as an individual attraction, but as part of a wider experience connecting Kotor’s cultural heritage with the natural landscape of the bay and the Lovćen mountain area.

RESTAURANTS, LOCAL FOOD AND HOTELS

Condé Nast Traveller also devotes considerable attention to Kotor’s culinary and hospitality scene.

Among the recommended restaurants are Bastion, Il Pescatore and Galion, while Jazz Club Evergreen and Letrika are highlighted as places for drinks and evening entertainment.

The guide also recommends local specialities and products, including krempita, fresh fish, shellfish, local wines and other flavours associated with the Bay of Kotor.

For accommodation, the magazine recommends Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, Palazzo Sbutega and Casa del Mare – Amfora.

The author notes that hotels outside the historic walls can be a better choice for visitors seeking a quieter stay, as the Old Town can become noisy at night.

The guide consequently expands the destination beyond Kotor’s historic centre, connecting the city with Perast, Orahovac, Prčanj and Lovćen.

WHAT DOES THE RECOGNITION MEAN FOR KOTOR AND MONTENEGRO?

The international importance of the story goes beyond Kotor’s third-place ranking.

Condé Nast Traveller is a major international travel media brand owned by Condé Nast, one of the world’s leading publishing companies, with a global audience interested in destinations, hotels, gastronomy and authentic travel experiences.

The amount of editorial space dedicated to Kotor, the numerous concrete recommendations for visitors and the fact that the British article was subsequently published by the American edition of the same media brand significantly increase the destination’s international visibility.

Such exposure does not automatically guarantee an increase in bookings or tourism revenues. However, it presents Kotor and Montenegro to a global audience through a clear set of reasons to visit — cultural heritage, spectacular nature, gastronomy, accommodation and modern tourism infrastructure.

For Kotor, already one of Montenegro’s best-known destinations, this recognition represents another important opportunity to strengthen its position on the international tourism map in 2026.