Church of St. Luke

The basics

Shoehorned into Kotor’s St. Luke’s Square, the Church of St. Luke is a treasure trove. Inside, admire original fragments of 12th-century frescoes, gold-painted 17th-century icons, engraved floor tombs, and two candlelit altars. While the church is a popular stop on Kotor Old Town walking tours, many only stop outside. Choose a tour that zooms in on Kotor’s religious history if you want to explore inside. The church also features on some Montenegro day trips and wider Balkan multi-day itineraries leaving from Tirana.

Things to know before you go

The Church of St. Luke will appeal to travelers wanting to explore Kotor’s cultural, architectural, and religious heritage. The church is free to enter. It’s respectful to remove hats and refrain from flash photography while inside the church. Wheelchair access may be limited due to steps at the church entrance. This compact church only takes around 10 minutes to explore.

How to get there

The Church of St. Luke sits in St. Luke’s Square in old Kotor and is only reachable on foot: Enter Kotor through its Sea Gate and make the 5-minute walk eastward to the square (which is sometimes called Piazza Greca). Kotor is a straightforward road trip from Dubrovnik: Count on a 2-hour car trip or 2.5-hour journey by one of the regular buses that link the two cities.

When to get there

The Church of St. Luke is typically open daily year-round, although it might be closed during religious services. Opening hours are generally 9am-7pm Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm Saturdays, and 11am-7pm Sundays. The church is usually at its busiest between around 12pm and 3pm, so to experience it at its quietest, visit near opening time or at the tail end of the day.

What to see in St. Luke’s Square

Once you’ve visited the Church of St. Luke, head to the other end of the square to the Church of St. Nicholas. An altogether bigger affair, this Serbian Orthodox church dates from the early 20th century and exudes mystique. After admiring its black-domed bell towers, take time to absorb its atmospheric interior, which glints with silver chandeliers, gold icons, and light from its simple, stained glass windows.