What's the weather like in Kotor in December
Temperature
Winter comes to Kotor with just 7°C as the average temperature and plenty of cold air to fill the bay area throughout the month. December records an average low of just 3°C during the night time, while the warmer days are expected to barely reach 13°C (55°F), when the sun makes its way out of the thick clouds that are so typical for this time of the year on the Montenegrin coastline.
Sunshine Hours
The days are short, with a maximum of 3 hours of sunshine per day, and chances of clear skies are low.
Rainfall
Humidity is still quite high at an average of 75%, and rainfall maintains its high volume at 165mm, spread over almost half of December. Chances are that towards the third and fourth week of the month, you'll even see frost taking over the tree branches, as snow blankets the mountains nearby.
Wind
The winds bring cold gusts from the north, where the winter has fully settled on the continent, and speeds of up to 87kmh on average, another characteristic of the capricious Bay of Kotor. While the summers are gloriously hot and sunny, the winters are typical to the Adriatic coastline mild but with plenty of precipitation and low temperature. Fortunately, the Mediterranean influences stop it from reaching any freezing temperature, but given the strong winds we do recommend a solid windbreaker and a hat.
Sea Temperature
The sea drops its temperature as well, reaching a modest 15°C (59°F), enhanced by cold currents from the northern parts of the Adriatic. The waters are beautifully dark blue and misty in the early morning, but cold and choppy, and the presence of the aforementioned strong winds favours high waves and bold tides a wonder to look at from the comfort of your hotel room.
Kotor Hotels in December
Apartments Panorama offers air conditioned self-catering apartments in the heart of Kotor. The units are traditionally furnished with modern amenities, including a fully equipped kitchenette, plush lounge area with flat screen TV and en-suite bathroom with free toiletries included. Some of these apartments also offer a spacious dining area and a private patio offering panoramic views of the sea and its surrounding mountains. Restaurants, grocery stores and novelty boutiques can be found within walking distance, along with numerous historical landmarks and other fascinating points of interest.
Royal House is one of the best options for quality accommodation if you're looking to spend your Christmas holidays in Montenegro. Its self-catering apartments all feature traditional furnishings, as well as modern amenities which include air conditioning, flat screen TV and a standard kitchenette with numerous appliances. The private bathroom is quite spacious and is fitted with a tub or a shower, along with free toiletries. The aparthotel is just 10 miles away from Budva and within walking distance of wonderful restaurants and shops, as well as one of the main bus stations.
Kotor Beaches for December
As you'd probably expect, December is not exactly beach time in Kotor, Montenegro. The temperatures are far too low and the water too cold, but the views from the pebbled beaches of Kotor Bay are still incredible. You can still make your way down to any of the beaches or pontoons of the Old Town, and even spend the afternoons in the Marina. Ultimately, you can still rent a boat or ride the ferry all the way to Our Lady of the Rocks, which is surrounded by dark blue waters and a breath-taking panorama of the mountains and hillsides.
Bars and Restaurants
When the temperatures drop to the point where a good wine is needed to warm you up on the inside, you can make your way down to the popular Old Winery, renowned for its exquisite selection of local and international labels, as well as its impressive variety of Montenegrin cheese and artisanal ham. The sommeliers know exactly what to entice you with, and the staff are very welcoming and professional, while the atmosphere is overall relaxed and extremely pleasant, accompanied by smooth jazz and blues music playing in the background.
Hotel Astoria Restaurant is nestled in a fabulous 13th century palace, combining its ancient setting with modern designs and high end finish elements. The main highlight of its décor is the tree centrepiece in the dining room, its branches sprawling across the high ceiling, surrounded by ancient Greek and other Mediterranean artwork on the walls. But the star of this show will always be the menu a brilliant combination of tradition and contemporary flavours fused into dishes meant to exhilarate any set of taste buds. The wine list is equally impressive and the overall atmosphere is classy with a hint of romance and warmth, perfect for those looking for a candlelight setting in the company of a loved one.
Things to do in Kotor in December
Although the weather is anything but perfect in December, this part of Montenegro still has some incredible sights to offer. All you'd have to do is simply walk out of your hotel room and head in whichever direction you choose there is something waiting for you to discover in all directions. You can make your way to Kotor's most precious historical gem, Saint Tryphon's Cathedral, an impressive Catholic structure erected in the 12th century, and thoroughly reconstructed after several massive earthquakes throughout the following centuries. The façade was completely destroyed in 1667, but tall and intricately designed Baroque towers were added instead, while the interior evokes the master works of Romanesque architects and sculptors, its Corinthian style columns mingled with pink stone pillars in support of a beautiful display of arched ceilings. The altar screen is a masterpiece and steals the show every time, as it is gilded with silver and cast in a stupendous bas-relief, making it one of Montenegro's most valuable artefacts, along with the preserved remains of numerous sanctified individuals, including Saint Tryphon, the patron saint of Kotor.
Another wonderful religious structure worth visiting is Saint Luke's Church, which offers a fascinating insight into the old Serbian and Croatian influences over Montenegro, particularly during the Middle Ages. This little gem was built in 1195 and was initially meant to be a Catholic church, but from 1657 until 1812, the church saw an Orthodox and a Catholic altar side by side in the main hall, with both religions being serviced by taking turns, until it was ultimately gifted to the Orthodox Church, predominant at that time. Some of the frescoes dating back from the 12th century survive in Saint Luke's Church to this day, and are an absolute wonder to behold.
