Trg od Oruzja (Arms Square), Kotor (must see)

This is the big city square you'll step into when entering the walled city of Kotor through the Sea Gate. It's a hub of activity with shops, banks, cafes, restaurants, and some pretty significant historical landmarks. Back in the Venetian days, this place was all about making and storing weapons, especially in the Arsenal building, with the Prince's Palace and Town Guard Tower backing up the military effort.

Soldiers who defended the city would gather here to gear up with weapons and stand their ground. One of the most legendary moments was when they held off the Turkish pirate Hajrudin Barbarossa for three intense days back in 1539.

Besides the Sea Gate, which is the biggest of the three entrances to the city, you'll also spot the 17th-century clock tower (looking older than it really is, thanks to its mix of Baroque and Gothic styles) and a medieval pillar located adjacent. On the west side of the square stands the Rector's Palace, now part of Hotel Cattaro, while the Napoleon Theatre, originally built in 1762 for storing military supplies and food, became one of the very first theaters in the Balkans during the French occupation.