Uncovering the Best Things to Do in Perast in Montenegro

Set along the stunning Bay of Kotor, Perast in Montenegro is one of the country’s most picturesque coastal towns. Whereas Kotor is a busy city; Perast felt to us like a serene seaside getaway, with spectacular views of the fjord-like Bay of Kotor (actually an underground river). Perast’s Baroque architecture and historical buildings are part of the UNESCO Heritage Site: Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. Given its proximity to Kotor, Perast is the ideal place to base yourself or simply to spend a quiet afternoon. Visitors enjoy a blend of maritime history, nature, and relaxation. Here is our guide to uncovering the best things to do in Perast in Montenegro to make the most of your trip.

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A Brief History of Perast

Perast in Montenegro has a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. While the town was started by the Ilyrians, it came to prominence during the 17th-18th century Venetian rule. Many of the towns Baroque palaces were built during this era. The town is well-preserved, and is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in Montenegro’s maritime history.

How to Get to Perast in Montenegro

Getting from Kotor to Perast in Montenegro is relatively easy, whether you’re coming from within Montenegro or traveling from a nearby country. Kotor is just 12 kilometers away, making it a quick 15-minute drive along the scenic coastal road. For those traveling from Tivat Airport, which is about 20 kilometers from Perast, you can take a taxi or rent a car for a short 30-minute drive. We use and recommend DiscoverCars.com for our car rental bookings, to ensure there are no hidden fees.

If you are planning to visit Our Lady of the Rocks while in town, the best place to park is one of the parking lots labeled FREE Parking – Lady Of The Rock and Blue Cave visitors. Parking, water, and restrooms are free with the purchase of your boat tour tickets. If you’re not planning to take a boat tour, either pay for parking or look for free spots as you’re leaving Perast heading towards Kotor (on the side of the road). These are not formally spots, so exercise caution when parking here.

There is a Blue Line bus between old town Kotor and Perast, which takes about 35 minutes. During high season, the schedule can be a bit unpredictable. Can you bike from Kotor to Perast? Yes, we saw cyclists, but we wouldn’t recommend it (and we do a lot of cycling). The road is narrow with sections with no shoulder. Add to this quite a few trucks and buses and we didn’t feel safe biking here.

If you’d just like a quicker stopover in Perast, take a boat tour from Kotor, which stops in Perast for 30 minutes and at Our Lady of the Rocks for another 30 min.

1. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks

One of the most iconic things to do in Perast in Montenegro is to visit Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela), a beautiful man-made island with a historic church and museum. Legend has it that local sailors found the icon of Madonna and Child on the rocks. Sailors placed a rock at this spot each time they returned safely from a voyage, eventually creating the island. The church is adorned with stunning frescoes, and the museum displays maritime artifacts that tell the story of Perast’s naval history.

To get to the island, head to Perast’s marina and hail a boat (in all likelihood, they’ll approach you first). Roundtrip ticket typically cost 5 Euros. These boats typically circumnavigate St. George Island before or after stopping at Our Lady of the Rocks.

The Catholic Church is the largest building on the small islet. Explore the island, then be sure to stop inside to visit the incredible alter and prayer hall. There is a small entry fee (around 3 Euros), which gives you access to both the church and the museum. The museum houses a collection of paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a local artist from the 17th century, among others.

2. Explore St. George Island

Located near Our Lady of the Rocks, St. George Island (Sveti Đorđe) is a natural island housing a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. While the island itself is not open to the public, you can admire its beauty from the water or take a boat tour that passes by for a closer look. We visited on a fairly windy day, making photo taking quite a bit of a challenge.

3. Wander Through Perast’s Old Town

Old Town Perast is quite compact and flat, making a stroll through Perast’s Old Town not only quite easy but also a must. This charming area is lined with well-preserved Baroque palaces, stone houses, and churches. The town’s mostly car-free streets make it an ideal place for a leisurely walk while taking in stunning views of the bay. While it is technically car free, we did see local cars periodically driving in and out.

4. Climb the Bell Tower of St. Nicholas Church

For one of the best panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor, climb the Bell Tower of St. Nicholas Church. St. Nicholas Church was built in the early 17th century. The town decided to convert this to a cathedral, and started construction on this in the 18th century. Since this construction was never completed, you have a mix of the old and new styles.

The 55-meter-high bell tower offers breathtaking scenery and is one of the top things to do in Perast for photography lovers. This is not a good climb for those with mobility issues. There are 150 stairs to the top, with some narrow and uneven sections.

Entrance to the old portion (working part of the church) is free, while there is a 1 Euro admission to visit the bell tower and a 1 Euro fee to enter the museum (in the 2nd half of 2024).

5. Relax at the Waterfront Cafés and Restaurants

Perast’s waterfront is lined with charming cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood, Montenegrin wine, and breathtaking bay views. Dining by the water as the sun sets is one of the most memorable experiences in Perast.

A few of the highlights we’d recommend trying while in Perast:

• Seafood lovers should consider stopping at the Conte Hotel Restaurant, with its amazing seafood platters eaten on the waterfront. Plan to time your visit for sunset to have some of the best views.
• Bocalibre is a more casual option, focusing on creative and excellent pizzas with beautiful views over the harbor.
• Visit the Vine Shop Organic Mendula in Perast to sample local wines and cheeses. One unique wine that we enjoyed from this shop is a pomegranate wine. While we normally prefer very dry wines, this sweet wine hit the spot as a dessert wine.

6. Take a Boat Tour

One of the best ways to experience Perast in Montenegro is from the water. Several boat tours depart from the town, offering trips to Our Lady of the Rocks, St. George Island, and even further into the Bay of Kotor. Many tours include stops for swimming and sightseeing.

Some of the top tours that we’d recommend are:

• Leaving from Kotor, this 2 hour tour includes 30 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks and 30 minutes in Old Town Perast.
• For those short on time, but wanting to see the maximum sights, this top rated 3 hour tour departs Kotor, passes by Old Town Kotor, stops at Our Lady of the Rocks for 20 minutes, a submarine tunnel, Mamula Island, and then spends 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, where you can go swimming.
• For those who prefer slower travel, enjoy this full day tour of Kotor Bay: Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Blue Cave Visit. Some of the opportunities included are to go swimming in Bijela, circle the Mamula Island, swimming at the Blue Cave, enjoy a lunch break, explore Porto Montenegro, and visit the church and museum of Our Lady of the Rocks.

7. Visit the Perast Maritime Museum

For those interested in learning about Perast’s maritime history, be sure to visit the Perast Maritime Museum, located in the 18th century Baroque Bujovic Palace. Exhibits include model ships, paintings, weapons, and artifacts from Perast’s naval past. This small but fascinating and well-presented museum provides insight into how Perast played a crucial role in the maritime history of Montenegro. Entry is 5 Euros per person.

8. Swim in the Bay of Kotor

The crystal-clear waters of the Bay of Kotor provide a perfect opportunity for swimming. While Perast in Montenegro doesn’t have traditional sandy beaches, you’ll find several stone piers and designated swimming spots along the waterfront where you can take a refreshing dip. Be sure to keep an eye out for boats while swimming; this is an active harbor for fishing and for boat tours.

9. Take a Scenic Drive Along the Bay

For a stunning scenic experience, consider a drive along the Bay of Kotor, passing through nearby villages like Risan and Dobrota. The winding coastal road offers spectacular views and numerous spots to stop and take photos of the bay’s dramatic landscapes.

10. Experience Perast’s Festivals and Events

If you visit during the summer, you may witness local festivals and events. Don’t miss watching Fašinada, a traditional boat procession held every July 22nd in honor of Our Lady of the Rocks. Locals deposit rocks to help preserve Our Lady of the Rocks, following the ancient traditions. The Fašinada Cup, a sailing event, is held around the same time each year.The Klapa Festival in Perast is a singing festival held during the summer. We’ll update this when the dates are published for 2025.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Perast in Montenegro

Perast may be small, but it offers a wide range of experiences for maritime history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a quiet retreat along the Bay of Kotor. If you stay right in Kotor Old Town for your visit, take a boat ride, a bus, or drive a car from Kotor to Perast in Montenegro and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and peaceful seaside village.

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