What To See In Perast Montenegro

If you are looking for a relaxing day trip that is only 30 minutes away from Kotor, look no further than visiting Perast. It can be reached by boat or car, and it will take you no more than 30 minutes.

Perast is well known for a small island in the Bay just across from the town. The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks on the island is one of Montenegro’s most popular tourist attractions. But Perast has a lot more to offer!

The Best Things To Do In Perast Montenegro

Perast was a little fishing hamlet until the Venetians’ war with the Turks brought it to prominence. Perast prospered under the Venetians, who constructed several mansions and churches.

With palm trees and castles, bougainvillea bursting over fences, and the lovely bay right across the street, preserves much of its 18th-century beauty today. It is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor’s Natural and Cultural-Historical Region.

Perast, situated at the foot of Sveti Elijah Hill, is a stunning blend of natural beauty, history, culture, and charm. It’s the ideal spot for soaking in the splendor of the Bay Of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) for a few hours. And if you love photography, is a must-see since it is stunning from every perspective!

On your day trip from Kotor, here are a few activities to do in Perast.

Boat Tour To The Island

The boat ride to the island in the center of the bay is the most popular activity in Perast. Be sure to spend enough time exploring, not just thinking about getting back home.

Be prepared with your smartphone or camera as you depart Perast’s pier since the sights of Perast from the water will steal your breath away. Even though the weather was bad on the day we went, I was taken away by how lovely the tiny village looked.

Although there are two islands in the Bay of Kotor, you may only disembark on one of them. Both of these little islands are breathtakingly beautiful, so bring your camera!

The island of Saint George is the only one on which you are not allowed to go ashore. It’s a natural island with a historic monastery on it. The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is located on the second island.

Water taxis to the island depart every few minutes from Perast’s pier. The round journey cost us 5 Euros for each person. Our boatman said we could stay on the island for an hour, which was sufficient for us.

Visit Our Lady Of The Rocks Church

In the Bay of Kotor, Gospa od Skrpjela is a man-made island. After an icon of the Madonna and Child was discovered on a rock in the ocean, the fisherman in the vicinity placed it in place stone by stone. The custom of adding additional boulders to the islet is still carried out every year in July at a ceremony.

The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is located on the islet. Take a walk around the church to see it from all sides. Then go inside to see the lovely frescoes, many of which were created by a local artist.

A tapestry woven by a lady from Perast hangs in the church’s sacristy. Over 25 years, she meticulously constructed it. Aside from the length of time it took to finish, the tapestry is notable for including some of the lady’s hair weaved in with the gold and silver threads. The altar is stunning.

A modest museum adjacent to the church houses a handful of votives and other religious items in a small space. The church is free to enter, however, the museum charges a modest fee.

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Enjoy Waterfront Promenade in Perast

Here a walk along the waterfront promenade is a must! The walk takes only a few minutes, but the views are breathtaking.

The city’s Venetian Campanile rises from the houses at the bottom of the hill, and boats bobbing on the lake may be seen from the dock. You may obtain great postcard shots of Perast from the end of the promenade on the side farthest from the Campanile.

If the weather permits, you may unwind with a drink at an outside table. Outdoor dining is available at many of the restaurants along the Boulevard, several of which are directly on the lake. Choose a vantage point with a clear view of the bay and the two small islands, and relax!

Visit The Old Town Of Perast

Perast has only one main street, which runs parallel to the water. Behind the buildings, a tiny alley runs parallel, and even narrower passageways with steps link the hilltop to the ocean.

You may take a brief stroll through the alleyways, which are lined with stone-walled buildings and a plethora of cats! Although we were told that Perast is being renovated, the alleyways of Kotor are more fascinating and in better shape.

If you only have a short amount of time, admire the architecture along the main street’s front and visit one or two of the lovely Baroque palaces that flank the street.

In this little town, there are 17 Baroque palaces! They were all constructed under the Venetian administration in the 18th century.

Some are now in ruins, yet they nevertheless have a charming appearance!

The Bujovic Palace, with its exquisite architectural detail, is a must-see. It is situated on the town’s eastern outskirts. The Perast Museum is situated within the palace, so you may take a tour of the inside as well.

Visit Churches in Perast

Perast also has a large number of churches. Sixteen, to be exact, which is a lot for a little town! The town’s wealth and significance in the 18th century may be seen in the number of palaces and churches.

The inside of St. Nicholas’ Church is magnificent, although it remains unfinished. Climb to the top of the 180-foot bell tower for a 360-degree panorama of the town and bay!

The Smekja Palace is directly adjacent to St. Mark’s Church. It is not a functioning church any longer, but the facade is pretty, with the Venetian winged lion above the door and two statues of St. Mark on either side at the highest.

The towering bell tower of St. Anton of Padua Church is visible from the sea, albeit it is not on the waterfront. Climb to the top of this bell tower for spectacular views of the Bay of Kotor.

Try The Most Popular Restaurants in Perast

Armonia, a wonderful restaurant on the main street, served us lunch. Even before we arrived, the huge jasmine on the terrace blowing its fragrant smell onto the road had me sold. We sat indoors because it was raining the day we went.

When we were seated, I peeked around and was instantly enthralled by the design! Some of the chair backs have a stunning fresco-like image and it’s really easy to spot there’s been a lot of thought put into the décor.

Our food was also excellent, making us an overall five-star experience. I had some cutlets with veggies and cheese from the meat-free menu. My spouse ordered the lamb, and we shared the chocolate dessert. It’s all delicious!

Later, we had some cake at Djardin. It’s an restaurant with excellent reviews. They also serve fish and seafood, and most of the tables were filled during lunchtime.

Enjoy Amazing Views Of The Bay of Kotor

The major route that round the Bay of Kotor travels above, rather than through, Perast. There are a few turnouts or wide spots where you’ll park and obtain out of your car for the foremost amazing views of the Bay of Kotor.

We didn’t do it on the day we went to Perast, but we did it on another day when the weather was nice. We also got some amazing shots of the river and Perast’s roofs.

You’ll also notice a lot of lovely wildflowers along the road while it’s in bloom. When driving by, the vistas are definitely worth a brief stop!

How Long Should I Stay In Perast?

Perast is just approximately 7.5 miles from Kotor, making it easy to go from one to the other whether you have a vehicle or take public transportation.

A leisurely visit to Perast, including the boat ride to the island, should take around 4 to 5 hours. We spent approximately 5 hours in Perast, including a relaxing lunch, and we felt that this was plenty of time to wander around the town, see a few churches/palaces, and do the boat trip, which included an hour on the island.

Enjoy Perast Near By Area

If you just have one day in Montenegro, you may combine Perast and Old Town Kotor in one day, giving yourself ample time to experience both towns.

If you have a few days in Montenegro and are staying in Kotor, you may take a one-day trip to Herceg Novi, Risan (for a quick look at the Roman mosaics), and Perast. That’s exactly what we did.

You could alternatively spend half of your day in Perast and half in Budva’s Old Town. Any of these activities will guarantee a pleasant day in Montenegro!

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