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Searching for some of the lovely cities on the Adriatic Sea? Welcome to Perast Montenegro. This small city on the Bay of Kotor is likely one of the greatest locations to go to on this mountainous nation.
Most individuals who go to Montenegro base themselves in additional well-liked Kotor, the city 20 minutes away that pulls the lion’s share of Montenegrin tourism. In actual fact, it was Kotor that made me first fall in love with Montenegro 11 years in the past.
However for my newest go to to Montenegro, I wished one thing completely different — I made a decision to base in Perast, with a inhabitants of 300 residents. My husband and I spent 4 nights right here, celebrated my thirty ninth birthday, and I found that 4 days in a really small city isn’t overkill. Not when it’s as lovely as this.
Let me present you what makes Perast an idyllic place to go to.
(Planning a visit to Montenegro? Be sure you try my Montenegro Travel Guide and record of the 30 Best Things to Do in Montenegro!)
This submit was revealed in September 2022.
Issues to Do in Perast Montenegro
First off — will you be staying in a single day in Perast, or visiting Perast from one other city like Kotor? In the event you’re staying in Perast, you might have plenty of time to discover the place.
However for those who’re visiting from one other city, I encourage you to go to independently and spend greater than the everyday one to 2 hours in Perast. There are such a lot of cool issues to do in Perast, and it might be a waste to return all the best way right here simply to depart an hour later.
See beneath for data on the best way to get to Perast. No matter you resolve, give your self a minimum of half a day to take pleasure in this place.
Listed here are a few of the greatest issues to do in Perast Montenegro:
Stroll Perast’s waterfront from finish to finish
Perast Montenegro is a tiny city wedged in between the principle street and the Bay of Kotor. Your complete city is a few 1.5 km stroll from finish to finish and will take you round 20 minutes in case you have an honest tempo and don’t cease — which implies it might take you an hour or longer for those who cease for a drink, for an ice cream, for a photograph shoot.
Alongside the best way you’ll go palaces, church buildings, tiny retailers and visitor homes, and yet one more luxurious resort that has taken over the plaza on the town.
Some palaces of observe embrace Smekja Palace, which was house to the well-known seafaring Smekja household and nonetheless bears its coat of arms on the edifice; and Bujović Palace, which is house to the Museum of Perast (extra on that beneath).
So far as church buildings go, don’t miss the Church of St. Nicholas (St. Nikola Church), a Catholic church house to the well-known bell tower of Perast. You possibly can discover the small chapel downstairs and climb to the highest of the tower for 1 EUR ($1 USD) — there’s a wonderful view from up there.
One other church price photographing (however not going inside) is the Church of St. John the Baptist, which is closed to guests however is a reasonably little constructing, sandwiched between two taller ones.
Perast is likely one of the most photogenic small cities I’ve ever visited — so preserve turning round each jiffy to ensure you don’t miss a wonderful angle you didn’t know existed. And don’t suppose it’s simply fairly on a sunny day! A few of my favourite Perast pictures on this submit have been the day we had a morning thunderstorm.
Go to Our Girl of the Rocks
There are two tiny islands within the Bay of Kotor, every topped with a chapel, simply off the shore from Perast. One is named Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Girl of the Rocks); the opposite is Sveti Đorđe (St. George). Whereas St. George is off-limits to guests, boats from Perast go to Our Girl of the Rocks all day.
Our Girl of the Rocks is the one synthetic island within the Adriatic Sea, and legend has it that native fishermen discovered a picture of the Madonna and youngster right here, and determined to maintain returning to drop rocks till the island was created.
In the present day, guests sail out to the island to go to the chapel. The chapel is roofed with 68 work and frescoes by Perast artist Tripo Kolkoja.
To get to Our Girl of the Rocks, merely head all the way down to the waterfront and take one of many excursions, which price about 5 EUR ($5 USD) return. In the event you’re driving to Perast, a number of of the parking tons offer you free parking for those who purchase one of many excursions; you could find out particulars from their parking attendants. (You may as well e-book a personal water taxi for about 10 EUR, or $11 USD.)
From Perast, you might have the selection of simply visiting Our Girl of the Rocks, or happening an extended boat tour that features the Blue Cave (together with swimming!) and a go to to the submarine tunnel.
If visiting from Kotor, this boat tour features a brief journey to Perast, Our Girl of the Rocks, the Blue Cave, and the submarine tunnel.
In the event you occur to be in Perast on July 22, Favižana is a vacation when locals throw rocks into the ocean at sundown, identical to the fishermen of legend.
Swim at Perast Seashore
Certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Perast was get up and head straight to the seashore for a swim within the clear teal water. With the mountains of the Bay of Kotor rising up round me, this might need been probably the most lovely place I had EVER gone for a swim.
Needless to say the phrase “seashore” is a little bit of a misnomer right here. In Perast, as in a lot of the Bay of Kotor, seashores are cement blocks perched on the sting of the water. There are not any “actual” sandy seashores in Perast.
(I noticed plenty of sources on-line declare there was one tiny “seashore” in Perast, however I stored strolling the city from finish to finish and couldn’t discover something aside from a small pile of stones on the japanese fringe of city. That may be Plaža Velemira kraj Perasta; actually, the rocks have been too massive to sit down on comfortably, and it was barely sufficiently big for 2 folks.)
However there’s nothing fallacious with having fun with what you might have! Head to “Perast Seashore” (marked on Google Maps) close to the japanese fringe of city, seize a spot beneath some shady pine timber, and climb the steps into the water. You’ll find it irresistible.
Have Oysters and Mussels on Boka Bay
As you drive across the Bay of Kotor, you’ll see plenty of seafood farms, some with little orange and white markers set out in neat rows on the intense turquoise water. Many of those farms have little eating places connected
I spent my birthday lunch in Perast at Pescatore Oysters and Mussels Farm, which is a few 10-minute stroll previous the western fringe of Perast and is marked as “oysters mussels farm” on Google Maps. It’s a ramshackle little constructing perched proper on the sting of the bay.
It’s a easy restaurant, with just a few meals and beverage selections — however you may’t beat this degree of freshness! There’s nothing like seeing your lunch be pulled from the ocean.
Go to the Perast Museum
The Perast Museum (Muzej Grada Perasta) is a perfect alternative for a wet day in Perast — or when the solar is attending to be a bit a lot. This museum is situated in what was as soon as Bujović Palace, on the western facet of Perast, proper on the Strada.
There’s a small and quirky assortment right here, that includes native work, mannequin ships, vintage maps, and paperwork associated to Perast’s maritime historical past.
It’s price stepping out on the balcony to get a wonderful view of Perast, full with the bell tower, the palaces, and the encircling mountains.
Strive Montenegrin Wine and Meals at Purple & White Wine Bar
On the western fringe of Perast, near the Pirate Bar, you’ll discover a little bit place referred to as Purple & White Wine Bar. It doesn’t look that fancy on the surface — however inside you’ll be having among the best culinary experiences in Perast!
Montenegro has the right atmosphere for wines — Mediterranean local weather, plenty of mountains, first rate sunshine — however producers listed below are so small that they’ll’t realistically export a lot. There’s no higher place to pattern the products than proper right here in Montenegro.
Purple & White Wine Bar affords plenty of completely different wines by the glass — Montenegrin, Balkan, and from areas past. Moreover, they’ve a deli and might put collectively a pleasant Montenegrin charcuterie platter personalized to your liking.
There’s a smoked cheese I had right here that I’m nonetheless attempting to get out of my head. I want we had gone 3 times!
Spend a day at Pirate Bar
By now, you’re considering that Perast appears to be like like a quiet, low-key place. Which may be true — however on the western fringe of the city, the celebration rocks all day. Welcome to Pirate Bar, matey!
This seashore bar (once more, right here a “seashore” means wood or concrete blocks set on the water) options music, cocktails, and swimming in Boka Bay. It’s the right place to relax for the day, and it’s open from 8:00 AM till 9:00 PM (although I don’t know anybody who has made it by means of a 13-hour stint there!).
You possibly can drop into the bar, or reserve a desk or day mattress with an umbrella. To order one, name the bar or go see them in individual. Be sure you specify what you need — not all tables have shade.
I extremely suggest reserving a desk or day mattress as removed from the bar stage as doable. Someday there was a band performing they usually have been SO LOUD, Charlie’s iPhone stored warning him of audio hazard and we stored swimming distant to have some peace! (However for what it’s price, there was solely a reside band someday out of 4.)
Dine on the waterfront at sundown
Most of Perast’s eating places are located proper on the water, or on the strada dealing with the water, for unbelievable views at sundown. I like to recommend making reservations prematurely if visiting throughout July or August.
Listed here are a couple of nice eating places in Perast, Montenegro:
Konoba Skolji — This was my favourite restaurant in Perast. They make great seafood pastas and risottos.
Palace Jelena — This resort incorporates a restaurant with an excellent breakfast, in addition to some hard-to-find worldwide selections.
Bocalibre — In the event you’re in a pizza temper, this place dishes up higher pizza than you normally get within the Balkans. It’s not QUITE Neapolitan-style, nevertheless it’s shut.
Restaurant Armonia — We loved some tasty fried calamari right here, overlooking the ocean.
And for those who’re up for one thing candy, Moritz has some uncommon ice cream flavors, together with lemon charcoal. (For one thing a bit extra lowbrow, we discovered Mars Bar ice lotions in a couple of of the small grocery retailers!)
Strive a Peraška Torta
If there’s anyone meals it is best to strive in Perast, it’s the Peraška Torta — the standard Perast cake. This cake is particular to the Boka Bay area, and it dates again to the seventeenth century.
The cake consists of a standard shell crammed with almonds, butter, eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and liquor (generally rum or cherry liqueur).
The proper ending to a meal in entrance of the sundown! I had mine at Palace Jelena.
Go to the Blue Cave
The Blue Cave is a pure marvel situated not too removed from Perast. At sure occasions of day, this cave lights up with brilliantly blue gentle and makes for nice pictures.
Boat excursions to the Blue Cave are a preferred exercise within the Bay of Kotor, they usually normally embrace a swim cease, a go to to a close-by submarine tunnel, and Our Girl of the Rocks.
Needless to say you may not be capable of go into the Blue Cave if it’s too windy. Sadly, it was too windy on the day of my journey; alas, I’ll put it aside for one more time.
If you wish to be part of a ship journey to the Blue Cave from Perast, merely go all the way down to the waterfront; there are many tour boats searching for passengers. In the event you’re wanting to do this journey from Kotor, you can book it here.
Attend a Perast Competition
In the event you handle to time your journey to Perast throughout one of many city’s annual festivals, you’re in for lots of enjoyable! Listed here are some festivals to bear in mind when planning your journey:
Could 1: Adornment of Mage. On this competition welcoming the summer time season, Perast locals arrange a tree on the principle sq. at 7:00 AM and adorn it with bottles of wine and Comorans bread earlier than marching collectively down the road.
Could 15: Taking pictures the Kokot (rooster). This competition celebrates victory over the Turks by inserting a rooster on a chunk of wooden 300 meters from shore; males compete to shoot it. That is, understandably, a controversial occasion and there’s a motion by animal rights activists to ban it sooner or later.
Final week of June: Perast Music Competition. This occasion options three nights of conventional folks singing performances. Music teams from everywhere in the Balkans attend.
July 22: Fašinada. Perast locals fill their small wood boats with stones and set off to Our Girl of the Rocks. After circling the island, they throw their stones into the water, simply as fishermen did centuries in the past.
Final week of July: Forteca Worldwide Movie Competition. This competition options free screenings of movies on St. Nikola Sq.. I used to be right here for the tail finish of this competition in 2023, although I didn’t watch any of the screenings, and it was nice and low-key.
Go to Risan’s Mosaics
The city of Risan is simply down the road from Perast. It isn’t as fairly and polished as Perast, nor as busy as Kotor, however Risan has one thing particular: historical mosaics which were superbly preserved to today.
The city of Risan was as soon as house to a villa urbana, a sort of city villa that was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. It was constructed within the second century, when Risan was a city referred to as Rhisinium and was a part of the Roman province Illyricum. The villa fell into smash, however was “rediscovered” in 1930 and has been a vacationer attraction in Montenegro since.
There are such a lot of completely different sorts of mosaics in Risan, most of them patterned in geometric formations. There’s additionally a enjoyable, colourful mosaic of Hypnos, the god of sleep.
To get to Risan, you may take the Blue Line Bus, or take the hop-on-hop-off bus that circles between Kotor, Perast, and Risan. Taxis are an alternative choice, and for those who’d fairly get there by yourself two toes, it’s a 50-minute stroll from the western fringe of city.
Go to Kotor
And at last, for those who’re basing in Perast on your time on the Bay of Kotor, you completely should go to the city of Kotor as properly. Kotor is the place that made me fall in love with Montenegro — it’s an impeccable walled metropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Website two occasions over, and the gateway to plenty of enjoyable actions in Montenegro.
My absolute favourite exercise in Kotor is mountaineering to St. John’s Fortress, excessive above the town, the place you should have spectacular views. I like to recommend going as early as doable within the morning for the very best expertise (not crowded, not too scorching, higher gentle for fjord images, beautiful colours).
You may as well wander by means of the outdated metropolis, go to the Kotor Cats Museum, store for souvenirs, or simply sit in an out of doors cafe and benefit from the atmosphere.
To get to Kotor, you may take the Blue Line Bus, or take the hop-on-hop-off bus that circles between Kotor, Perast, and Risan. Taxis are an alternative choice.
How a lot time to spend in Perast Montenegro
How a lot time do you really need in Perast? Most individuals solely come to Perast briefly, visiting from Kotor to take the boat journey to Our Girl of the Rocks. In the event you e-book a boat trip from Kotor to Perast, it should solely offer you scant time to see the city.
In the event you solely have time for a day journey to Perast, give your self a pleasant, juicy afternoon, or even perhaps keep till night. Take the time to do a lot of the issues on this record.
On my most up-to-date journey to Montenegro, I stayed in Perast for 4 nights. And it was completely great, and I didn’t get bored. That stated, I had already explored Kotor extensively on previous journeys and didn’t really feel the necessity to return this time.
General, I believe spending a minimum of one evening in Perast could be a stunning solution to spend your time in Montenegro.
Easy methods to get to Perast Montenegro
How do you get to Perast? First off, it relies upon whether or not or not you might have a automobile. You probably have a automobile, you may merely drive to the city. There are parking tons on both facet of city, and they’ll usually offer you free parking for those who purchase a ticket to go to Our Girl of the Rocks.
If not, there may be free road parking additional down the road. Needless to say July and August are very busy occasions in Perast and also you might need to attend a bit to get a parking spot.
In the event you’re coming by public transportation, take the Blue Line bus, which runs from Kotor to Herceg Novi. It’s a few 30-minute journey from Kotor, runs hourly (and each two hours on Sunday), and prices 1.50 EUR ($2 USD). Blue Line buses have bus stops on both facet of Perast subsequent to the principle street, and westbound (away from Kotor) buses additionally cease proper within the coronary heart of Perast. Needless to say the bus is commonly late and may be crowded.
There’s additionally the hop-on-hop-off bus in Montenegro, which runs from Kotor to Risan through Perast. It prices 25 EUR ($27) for twenty-four hours, which I believe is a bit extreme, however may be price it if you wish to keep away from each taxis and buses.
Talking of taxis, you will get them on the sting of city in Perast. In August 2023, I used to be quoted 30 EUR ($32 USD) for a 20-minute journey between Kotor and Perast, although the speed ought to normally be nearer to 10-20 EUR ($11-22 USD). It’s a few 20-minute drive.
Sadly, there are not any ride-hailing or ride-sharing apps in Montenegro. I sincerely hope this modifications quickly.
As for flying in: the closest airport is in Tivat, Montenegro. Alternatively, you may fly into Podgorica, Montenegro, or Dubrovnik, Croatia, however flying into Tivat is the best solution to get to the Bay of Kotor.
As for the best way to get round Perast itself: The city of Perast is small and about 1.5 kilometers from finish to finish (round a 20-minute stroll). However there are free golf carts that may take you anyplace inside Perast! They’re particularly good when carrying your baggage to the sting of the parking zone.
The place to Keep in Perast Montenegro
Perast, like different Balkan cities, tends to be extra about flats and visitor homes than accommodations. That’s simply a part of the tradition right here within the Balkans; native households have been renting out rooms and flats since lengthy earlier than Airbnb existed.
On prime of that, it is best to know that Perast is likely one of the costliest locations to remain in Montenegro, together with Kotor. However in contrast to Kotor, which has a little bit of sprawl, Perast is restricted by geography. Whereas there are cheaper cities alongside the Bay of Kotor, I nonetheless suppose staying in Perast is price the additional price.
I stayed at Palace Tina, a guesthouse that was easy however good with a pleasant terrace. It’s a 50-step climb from the waterfront.
Listed here are the top-rated locations to remain on the town:
Greatest Time to Go to Perast Montenegro
The very best time to go to Perast might not be what you suppose. Whereas Montenegro usually and the Bay of Kotor particularly are quintessential summertime locations, July and August are peak season and really, very busy. Particularly in the case of crowds (the thickest), costs (the very best), and parking (probably the most tough).
In the event you’re trying to go to Montenegro throughout the summer time months, I like to recommend timing your journey for early-to-mid-June or mid-September to early October. That is nonetheless excessive season, however not as busy as July or August. If you wish to swim, have in mind the water will probably be hotter in early fall than late spring.
However for those who don’t essentially need to be swimming or sunbathing, I extremely suggest a shoulder season journey to Perast. Assume early April by means of late Could, or from mid-October although late November. The climate will probably be cooler however not freezing, costs will probably be decrease, and sightseeing will probably be simply as nice.
The winter season may be very quiet in Perast and far of the city will probably be shut down.
In the event you’re considering visiting throughout a competition, see the dates for the Perast Festivals I listed above.
Perast is ready for you!
I had such a good time in Perast, and I’m so glad that I made a decision to remain right here for 4 days. This city is certainly going to be on the record of my new favourite locations of the yr.
I hope that you just take pleasure in Perast, too — and for those who have been on the fence about the place to remain in Montenegro, I hope you take into account Perast a chance. As a result of there’s much more to Montenegro than simply Kotor!
Extra on Montenegro:
Extra Fairly Cities on the Adriatic Coast:
Extra on the Balkans:
Have you ever been to Perast Montenegro? Share away!
