Wanderful Excursions: A Visit to Perast, Montenegro
Charming. Stunning. Idyllic. Breathtaking. The small town of Perast, Montenegro has been described as all these endearing descriptions, and I can honestly confirm - they are all absolutely true.
It can be hard to imagine how a town you can walk through in less than 15 minutes can be a highlight of so many people's visits to Montenegro, but something about the pristine, quiet village encapsulated by the most grandeur natural setting, captivated my heart.
It may not take much time to see, but I 100% recommend Perast as a must visit for any Montenegro journey. You only need to allocate a few hours of your day towards this excursion, but trust me you will want to bask in the views of the seafaring town for as long as you can!
About Perast
The town of Perast sits in Boka Bay, also known as the Bay of Kotor, approximately 12 kilometers north of Kotor. Its position in the fjord, opposite the Verige Straight, presents jaw-dropping views all around, including majestic mountains crashing into the bay, quaint islands floating in blue waters, and picture perfect Venetian-inspired buildings rising from fishing boats and palazzos.
Perast may be small, but it is jammed packed with 16 churches, 17 palazzos, a town museum and a handful of waterfront dining options. Its authentic, original aesthetics has earned it the honor of being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, much of Perast's fame comes from outside the actual town, specifically from the two marvelous islands located right off-shore - Our Lady of the Rocks and Saint George.
The man-made island of Our Lady of the Rocks (also known as Gospod od Škrpjela) is a legend for both its dazzling location, and origin folklore. The island's roots date back to 1452 when two sailors discovered an icon of the Madonna and Child on a rock and vowed to build a church around the location. Dropping stones around the icon, the sailors began creating the foundations for what was to become the island. The act of dropping stones soon became a ritual for sailors and fishermen embarking on new voyages, contributing to the islands growth as sea-farers prayed to the Virgin Mary for protection and safety on their expeditions.
Today, the many boats lining up the coastline of Perast will shuttle you over to of Our Lady of the Rocks for €5. The ride includes return to Perast after exploring the island for around 20 minutes, and a close-up look at the restricted Island of Saint George from the boat. Entrance to the Our Lady of the Rocks Church and mini-museum is €1-2.
Even though the Island of Saint George is off limits to tourists, the beautiful 12th century monastery and old cemetery with budding cypress trees are worth seeing even from afar.
Back in Perast, soak in the scenery at one of the waterfront dining options, such as at the delicious Conte. Most restaurants are known for their seafood specialties, but my favorite anywhere in the Balkans will always be the Shopska salad!
Work off your meal with a climb up St. Nicholas' Church's 55 meter bell tower (€1) for an even more stunning view of the bay.
How to Get There
Perast can easily be accessible by car, bus or boat. Its proximity to Kotor, makes it the perfect half day trip from the city - though it can also be a great stop on the way to/from Northern Montenegro, Dubrovnik, or any other of the coastal Montenegrin cities.
By Car
Perast is only a 15-20 minute ride from Kotor. A decent amount of parking seemed to be available directly outside of town for those with their own cars. A taxi from Kotor shouldn't be more than €20, but unfortunately I can't confirm the pricing for sure.
By Bus
Public transportation is simple from Kotor. Grab the Blue Line Bus outside the old town walls at the end of the market between the Main Gate and South Gate. There is also another stop on the North side of the Scurda River, by the Shopping Centre parking lot - however, I would recommend taking the bus from Old Town since it can get quite crowded and you want to guarantee yourself a seat.
The bus costs €1 each way and takes around 30 minutes. Tickets are bought onboard and change can be given. During busy season, buses depart every half hour.
By Boat
There are various different boat tour options that will give you a taste of Perast with added perks of incredible scenery along the way. For €15 you can take a roundtrip boat tour from Kotor, with a stop at Our Lady of the Rock, and an hour or so to walk around Perast before returning back. Some larger boat tours of the bay will take you to Our Lady of the Rock and to see Perast from afar, but this won't properly give you a taste of what Perast has to offer.
Wanderful Tip! If you are like me and want to enjoy Perast on your own time without being rushed (or on the same schedule as masses of people from tours) take the bus or a taxi down to Perast and hop on a boat back to Kotor! I was able to return with one of the tours for €7.5, but also could have negotiated private taxi boat rides for about €20 - which would be great with a group. The wind in your hair as you sail across the glistening bay water, surrounded by cascading mountains, makes for one unforgettable journey!
Want help planning your own Perast Excursion? Contact Wanderful Journeys today to start planning your ultimate Kotor Bay getaway! We can help with itinerary design, hotel and activity bookings, transportation - whatever you need!
Have you been to Perast? We want to hear from you! What were your thoughts? Any other recommendations we missed? Tell us in the comments!
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