The tour guide said there are 1400 steps to the top. I didn’t count the steps, but it could easily have been 1400, there were a lot of steps. You pretty much need to walk the steps, as the ground is covered in large rocks that are difficult to walk on. You need to pay to walk up. I don’t recall how much, but I think less than 10 euros. The guy at the kiosk also takes credit cards. You also need to save your receipt as it is checked again on the way down – and if you do not have it, you need to pay again. You first reach an old church which was not open when we were there. You then pass ruins from the lower fortress. Go around to the right to find the stairs to continue walking up. You will then reach the second set of ruins. Continue some more to reach the top. When we were there, there was someone who apparently lugged a cooler with soft drinks, juice, and water to the top and was selling them. The views from the top are as amazing as you’d expect them to be. But if you can’t make it the entire way to the top, the views are wonderful all along the intermediate points as well. Be sure to wear good shoes and you really should bring enough water. We enjoyed the hike up and would do it again.

One of the 'must do' things while staying in Kotor. We opted to go up via the 'serpentine walk', which is actually a walk up to a different vantage point further up and a small shack cafe but we came down the traditional steps route. Cost is 15 euros, from a rather grumpy and unbothered ticket attendant, which we understand is higher price than in previous years, so I suspect they're milking the tourists while it's tourist season? Anyway, we walked right to the top. There's some info plaques but I think most of the information about this you would be better finding online beforehand, so you're clued up. The views at the top are stonking and there are some little gems, which a lot of people seem to miss, such as the view of a tiny abandoned church through a window in the wall part way down and an abandoned church on the route up near the bottom. Don't go climbing about on the walls (easy to be tempted to do) as there's little real safety railing as such in places and it's a good drop over the side if you lose your footing!

Hike was beautiful and breath-taking, in more ways than one. Total hiking time is 1 to 1.5 hours. Distance isn't far, but the climb is steep and the footing uneven. Not recommended for all ages/abilities. View of the city and fortress ruins was fantastic. I was surprised by the €15/person entry, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the hike. Would have thought twice if going as a group. On the way down, I learned of an alternate route, via the Ladder of Kotor trail which is slightly longer, but less steep, and FREE. I returned on this trail for some diversity and had a very pleasant time. NOTE: Getting into the fort this direction is potentially a risky climb (see picture). Bring water or buy from the occasional vendor along the way.

This place has excellent views of the bay and the mountains inland - I actually prefer the views of the old town from lower down the hill around the area of the Church of Our Lady of Remedy as you can see the details better and the view of the town is better framed by the opposite hills from there. In the morning its an easier climb as its cooler and in shade until mid-morning. Make sure you take the detours as they provide different aspects and views. For example, there's one place where it isn't clear whether you take the path to the right or the steps to the left. Actually its the path to the right, but the steps to the left lead to an interesting turret and section of walls even if it is a dead-end. Once at the top, the views are better than the fortress itself, that said, the views aren't fundamentally different from those you get from the higher part of the walk up. Downside is that on the official route up its now 15 euros per person to walk up for adults. Our kids were free.