Montenegro · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kotor scores 83/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Kotor is one of Europe’s safest towns for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong sense of security. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Montenegro · Assessed 29 July 2026
83
/ 100
Safer than ~90% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Travel disruption Due to some large international events taking place over the summer, airports and roads may be more congested than normal. You should: monitor local media and official announcements plan your journey in advance allow extra time for travel follow the advice of local authorities Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-06-04T10:55:51Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Montenegro: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging or armed robbery is rare; incidents are limited to isolated street altercations that are not targeted at tourists.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing spikes during peak cruise‑ship days in the Old Town, bus station and market areas; keep valuables secured.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Recent traveler accounts describe feeling safe walking around the compact Old Town, even at night, though some note occasional petty theft when crowds swell.
Yes — Kotor is one of Europe’s safest towns for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong sense of security.
The multi‑database profile rates Kotor as very safe (composite index 82) and the crowdsourced crime index places it in the low‑risk band. Recent traveler reports and news confirm that petty theft is the main concern, especially in crowded summer periods, but serious assaults or terrorism are virtually absent.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Kotor is exceptionally safe for visitors. The composite safety index of 82 and the low‑risk crime rating (33.6 on Numbeo) show that violent crime is rare; the homicide rate of 0.8 per 100 k is far below the global average, and the country records no terrorism deaths. The main safety concerns are petty‑theft‑related incidents that rise during the busy summer season when cruise ships dock and the Old Town swells with tourists.
Recent dossier items confirm this pattern. In May 2026, a violent robbery involving €100 000 was reported in nearby Ulcinj, but the suspects were quickly arrested and the incident was tied to local gang conflict, not to tourists. Also in May 2026, the historic gun emplacements on the Kotor ramparts were closed for safety and preservation, and road closures began on several routes to manage summer traffic. These closures are part of routine crowd‑control and do not signal a heightened threat to travelers.
Scams that specifically target visitors are well documented. The most common are overpriced taxi fares from the cruise‑ship port, inflated restaurant bills on the Old Town square, and fake “Sveti Stefan beach access” tickets sold to tourists. Travel‑safe‑abroad.com and other guides stress the importance of agreeing on fares or using metered rides, and of checking any paid beach or attraction before paying.
Practical tips for staying safe: keep bags closed and front‑facing in crowded areas, avoid back‑pocket wallets, and stay alert when moving through busy squares or markets. Use only licensed taxis and confirm prices beforehand. The Old Town is well‑policed and safe to walk at night, but the heat in July (often reaching 35 °C) can cause fatigue, so stay hydrated and take breaks in shaded spots. By applying these simple precautions, visitors can enjoy Kotor’s medieval charm and stunning bay views with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Kotor districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kotor safety map.
Kotor Airport Vicinityavoidknown for unlicensed taxis and inflated fares targeting arriving tourists
Old Towncautionhigh tourist density and pickpocketing risk in crowded squares and cruise‑ship days
Kotor Bay (including Perast)cautionbusy marinas and ferry routes see petty theft and occasional scams
Tivat (Porto Montenegro)cautionluxury marina attracts overpriced services and occasional taxi scams
Boka Kokinosaferquiet residential area with low crime and little foot traffic after dark
Risansafersuburban neighborhood with minimal incidents and good street lighting
Igalosaferlow‑risk zone near the border, rarely affected by petty crime
Kotor Suburbs (e.g., Dobro Polje)safermostly residential with limited nightlife and low reported incidents
07 · After Dark
96% of people in Montenegro say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2018).
Mugging or armed robbery is rare; incidents are limited to isolated street altercations that are not targeted at tourists.
After dark, be most careful around Kotor Airport Vicinity, Old Town, Kotor Bay (including Perast), Tivat (Porto Montenegro). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Kotor is one of Europe’s safest towns for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong sense of security. The multi‑database profile rates Kotor as very safe (composite index 82) and the crowdsourced crime index places it in the low‑risk band. Recent traveler reports and news confirm that petty theft is the main concern, especially in crowded summer periods, but serious assaults or terrorism are virtually absent. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Kotor report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Kotor Airport Vicinity as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Kotor ranks #1 of 3 Montenegro destinations we've assessed, scoring 83/100. See the Montenegro safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Browse the Montenegro safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kotor.json (CC BY 4.0).
