Perast: A Baroque Beauty in the Bay of Kotor
The charming and elegant coastal town of Perast is admired for its splendid Baroque architecture, offering history, culture, and a peaceful atmosphere year-round. Lying just 12 kilometers north of Kotor and 30 kilometers away from Herceg Novi, it is the ideal place to taste rich Montenegrin heritage, without having to stray too far off the tourist trail.
Once an overlooked and underrated resort only insiders had heard of, Perast has grown in self-esteem, effortlessly drawing attention to its Baroque palazzi and centuries-old churches. Here we provide all the information you’ll want to digest before visiting this picturesque town of just 300 souls that is located on the shores of the fascinating Bay of Kotor.
Herceg Novi
The coastal town of Herceg Novi is one of the most beautiful in Montenegro. It is a desirable hideaway option and a paradise for sunseekers and gourmet lovers.
History and Culture
Dramatic historical events have shaped the destiny and left their mark everywhere in Perast. First inhabited by Illyrians and Romans, then settled by Slavic tribes in the Early Middle Ages, it was at the forefront of the centuries-long battle between the Venetians and Ottomans who conquered neighboring Risan but never subdued Perast.
Together with Kotor, Perast benevolently asked to join the Venetian Empire to fend off lurking Ottoman invaders. The Venetian period lasted from 1420 to 1797, leaving behind an impressive cultural heritage in the form of many well-preserved stone buildings. Unlike other Montenegrin coastal towns, Perast is not enclosed by a town wall but boasts the Fortress of the Holy Cross and a series of defensive towers instead.
Perast is probably best known for its skilled sailors and its naval school under Captain Martinovic, a place where generations of seafarers learned the skills needed for a rigorous life at sea. Taking advantage of shipbuilding and maritime trade, Perast reached its peak at the end of the 18th century when it had four busy shipyards and a fleet of a hundred or more ships.
Hard to believe now but Perast was a renowned naval power back in the day. The wealth and splendor of that epoque can still be seen and felt today. Many beautiful churches and Baroque palaces have gracefully withstood the test of time. And, as a result, it’s one of Montenegro’s most visited towns.
Major Attractions in Perast
The Perast coastal promenade offers enticing cafes and restaurants, with pretty oceanfront terraces and intimate backyards, artisan ice cream parlors, and Montenegrin specialties. Meander along beautiful churches (Perast has 19 of them), the proud Perast Maritime Museum, and the so-called palazzi, the Baroque houses of past sea captains that line the promenade.
St. Nicholas Church & Town Square
There would be no Perast today without the hard-working sailors of past centuries. Perast is the city of sailors and Nicholas is their patron saint. No wonder then that Perast’s largest church is also dedicated to him. Its 55-meter-tall bell tower is the main feature of the town’s silhouette and is displayed on almost every Perast postcard.
The 17th-century Catholic Church of Sveti Nikola features both Romanesque and Renaissance design elements. Its gorgeous bell tower was finished in 1691 and is the tallest on the Eastern Adriatic coast together with the Anastasia Bell Tower in Zadar, Croatia which measures 56 meters.
You can access the clock tower for a small entrance fee. It is worth climbing up the 60 narrow stairs leading to the top of the belfry from where panoramic views of Our Lady of the Rocks and the Verige Strait can be enjoyed. The church has a simple yet pretty altar and a museum with ancient relics, beautiful vestments, and various historical treasures.
In front of the church unfolds Perast’s main town square, serving as a gathering and community spot for its residents and visitors. Three stone sculptures of Perast’s most notable people are dotted around the square. Marko Martinovic was a sailor and founder of the naval academy, Andrija Zmajevic was a poet and archbishop, and Tripo Kokolja was a renowned painter.
Perast Museum
The Perast Museum boasts a rich collection of maritime, ethnographic, and art exhibits. It is housed in Captain Bujovic’s 18th-century palace on the western end of town and it was inside this edifice that Montenegro’s most acclaimed poet Njegos wrote the poem “A Night More Precious than a Century”.
Learn all about the interesting history of Perast, including the pivotal battle of 1654 when Ottomans laid siege to Perast, with an army that far outnumbered the defenders, and were still defeated. In addition to numerous paintings, weapons, traditional attire, and artifacts, visitors have the chance to see the original Perast Sword and a pristine flag of the Venetian Republic with the coat of arms of Perast.
Things to do in Perast
Combine hours of outright relaxation with adventurous excursions at beautiful Perast. The UNESCO-protected Bay of Kotor delivers a blissful Mediterranean escape thanks to its awe-inspiring coastal landscape, boat-filled harbors, delicious restaurants, and cultural events. Nature enthusiasts and cultural tourists are both catered for here. Perast is a destination with a wide appeal, attracting couples and families.
Visit Our Lady of the Rocks
Perast would only be half as interesting without the two islands lying in front of it. Saint George Island is home to a 17th-century monastery which is closed to the public. Taking a boat trip from Perast Marina to Our Lady of the Rocks and visiting the island church and the adjacent museum is a must-do on your trip to Perast. You’ll be able to see more than 60 paintings by Tripo Kokolja including the 10-meter-long ‘The Death of the Virgin’.
Our Lady of the Rocks
The Our Lady of the Rocks Island is home to one of Montenegro’s most picturesque churches, offering spectacular views of Perast’s coastline.
Admire Perast from Above
Perast is pretty from all angles but one of the best panoramas can be enjoyed from a viewpoint above town. You can go all the way up by stairs starting at Perast Marina or arrive by car via the coastal road. If you appreciate discovering the best views free of crowds, this viewing point shouldn’t disappoint.
You’ll look over the orange rooftops of Perast’s stone houses and have St. Nicholas Church and the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, with its characteristic octagonal bell tower, in plain sight. The panorama with the Verige Strait and the Lustica Peninsula in the background is purely breathtaking.
The Lustica Peninsula
Discover the hidden wonders of the Lustica Peninsula, an unspoiled region between Tivat and Herceg Novi that is known for its hidden beaches and quaint stone villages.
Visit a Mussel & Oyster Farm
The Bay of Kotor is home to more than a hundred species of mussels of which 60 are edible. There is a long tradition of mussel farming in this area and Boka residents insist their sodium-rich water is required to flavor them properly. Oysters in particular are arguably one of Montenegro’s best-known culinary secrets.
The Pescatore oyster farm sits halfway between Perast and Risan and is known for its fresh oysters that are cultivated just a couple of meters from the restaurant’s waterfront patio. Besides mussels and oysters, you’ll find grilled prawns, sea bass, and excellent homemade white wine on the restaurant menu.
Explore the Ancient Town of Risan
Risan is the oldest bay settlement with a history that dates back to the 4th century BC and is situated just 5 kilometers north of Perast. The traditional stone houses with their green shuttered windows incorporate an eclectic mix of architectural styles, a testament to the town’s turbulent history.
In Roman times, during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when Rhizinium was at its peak, rich patrician hillside villas popped up on Risan’s Riviera and were often decorated with beautiful mosaic tiles. Well-preserved splendid mosaic floors can be seen in the museum’s collection in Risan’s town center. A combo ticket gives you access to the Perast Museum as well.
Visit the Sopot Waterfalls
The impressive Sopot Waterfalls close to Risan are well worth a visit after periods of heavy rainfalls. What makes them special is the sheer quantity of water that gushes out of the Karst massif and the Sopot cave. Marvel at this stunning natural phenomenon from the observation deck along the coastal road.
Risan
Risan is a small Montenegrin coastal town between Herceg Novi and Perast, known for its Roman Mosaic displaying God Hypnos among others.
Relax at the Beach
Perast provides all the facilities for a relaxing day by the sea, including a small pebble beach and the Pirate Bar where parasols are available for rent, and snacks and drinks can be ordered straight to your sunbed, while views open up to Our Lady of the Rocks and its beautiful surroundings. Getting into the water from the concrete deck is easy with the help of the safety rails.
You can also escape to neighboring Drazin Vrt and luxuriate in the trendy Bajova Kula Beach Club, which boasts an outdoor pool and is a favorite with the locals. There are numerous ways to enjoy your time by the sea, including unwinding on a lounger and listening to the sound of waves or indulging in Adriatic cuisine.
Perast Beach
The picture-postcard Bay of Kotor with its clean waters is framed by rocky outcrops and and beautiful stone houses at Perast’s Beaches.
Hike to Fort Sveti Andrija
Situated high above Perast, the fortress of Sveti Andrija offers some of the most striking views of the Bay of Kotor. Several hiking trails lead up to the 743-meter summit on which the fort is located. Previously one of the Austro-Hungarian defense structures, Sveti Andrija is just one of the many stunning viewpoints on Kotor.
The Best Views of Kotor
Abandoned Austro-Hungarian fortresses, picturesque hiking trails, restaurants, and cable car cabins offer the best views of Kotor from every angle.
Stock up on Monastery Delicacies
Christian Orthodox sisters who live in the Banja Monastery, north of Perast, grow medicinal herbs and fruits to produce essential oils, organic teas, delicious jams, and black locust and lavender honey, which are available to buy in the estate shop. The monastery and its community date back to the 12th century and play a vital part in the ecological preservation of the bay area.
Things to do in Kotor
Here is a list of the 30+ best things to do in Kotor, from enjoying yourself at the biannual carnival celebrations to outdoor adventures for the whole family.
Hotels in Perast
One of the most established hotels at Perast’s waterfront is the 5-star Heritage Grand Perast. This zealously restored historic 18th-century palazzo is full of character, and boasts both an outdoor swimming pool with incredible views and a Spa Center with a heated indoor pool, a Turkish hammam, and a Finnish sauna, as well as a sea-facing panoramic terrace.
The interior is warm and unobtrusive with earthy tones and hardwood flooring, and each of the 130 residences is thoughtfully appointed, with contemporary fixtures and furniture. The Duplex Deluxe Suites extend over two floors, accommodating four adults on heavenly king-sized beds.
The Heritage Grand Perast
Welcome to the 5-star Heritage Grand Perast where modern luxuries blend with a historically one-of-a-kind property for an unforgettable stay.
The palatial fourteen-bedroom Boutique Hotel Leon Coronato in the heart of Perast opened in 2019 after extensive renovations to fantastic reviews. A labor of love, it features exposed stone walls and is housed inside a 17th-century Baroque mansion with a picturesque front garden, making it the talk of the town that it is today.
The Conte Hotel Perast is a good 4-star boutique hotel with 39 rooms and suites spread over five separate stone houses, decorated in a rustic, traditional style, and an ambient waterfront restaurant perfect for watching the sunset behind St. George Island and Our Lady of the Rocks.
Conte Hotel Perast
One of the best hotels in town, the Conte Hotel Perast stands out with exceptional hospitality and rooms and suites housed in beautiful stone buildings.
Restaurants in Perast
For a genuine taste of the Mediterranean right at the scenic waterfront, visit Locanda Perast, an intimate restaurant serving breathtaking vistas and palatable cuisine from Italy and the Adriatic region. The Napoletanean pizza at Bocalibre on the southern edge of the old town is the real deal. Dine outside on their lovely patio while smooth music plays in the background.
For something a little different, the Pescatore Oyster Farm, one kilometer or so north of town, along the coastal road towards Risan, serves farm-fresh oysters, other mussels, grilled fish, and shrimps. Well worth the trip and coming with superb sea views, this oyster farm sits right by the sea and you can see the breeding lines marked with red and white buoys from their lofty terrace.
Conte Restaurant
Engage your senses with striking sea views and fine Adriatic cuisine in one of the town’s best eateries. Welcome to the Conte Restaurant Perast.
Retreat to the Conte Restaurant’s oceanfront terrace for a taste of Adriatic cuisine with a contemporary twist. Sitting within the calm pedestrianized zone, where unspoiled natural beauty abounds, you’ll eat what is arguably some of the best grilled octopus in Perast. Fresh and delicious, this typical Mediterranean dish is served with Swiss chard and potatoes.
No visit to Perast is complete without trying their traditional dessert – Perast Cake, a staple in the local cuisine and available in most restaurants and cafes. The recipe dates back centuries to a period when the delicious cake was a staple food of Perastian seafarers. Its scent is vanillic, sweet, and zesty, and the cake is often topped with vanilla ice cream.
Perast Cake
A local delicacy with a centuries-old tradition. The vanilla-and-almond-scented Perast Cake is a must-try on your trip to Perast.
Best Restaurants in Perast
Discover the best restaurants in Perast, loved by locals and visitors alike. The Perast waterfront is the perfect setting for a lovely dinner by the sea.
Surrounding Areas of Perast
The scenic coastal villages neighboring Perast towards Herceg Novi and Kotor promise peace and alleviation far from the crowds. Risan, the oldest bay settlement, is just a 5-minute drive away. Bajova Kula in Drazin Vrt, Grota Beach Bar, and El Cortez in Orahovac all lie within just 3 kilometers of Perast.
What these trendy beach bars and clubs lack in fine sand (there are no sandy beaches within the Bay of Kotor), they make up for in gin-clear water and breathtaking scenery. The next stops after Risan are the delights of Morinj and Kostanjica. Set in a fertile valley of lush Mediterranean vegetation, Morinj is home to one of the best restaurants in the region – Catovica Mlini.
The Verige Strait
Connecting the inner with the outer Bay of Kotor, the Verige Strait constitutes the narrowest choke point of the entire bay. People visit for cruise ship watching.
On the easternmost tip of Kostanjica, at the narrowest stretch of the Verige Strait, sits Verige 65, a popular restaurant offering a pleasing combination of innovative cuisine and a surreal setting. Fifteen minutes in the same direction lies Portonovi, a luxurious marina and resort village with a good range of cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Perast makes an ideal base for exploring all the Boka coastal towns: Kotor is accessible within a 15-minute drive, Tivat is just half an hour away, and Herceg Novi is less than 45 minutes away. The entire region is a haven for boat tours, with the most popular destinations being Our Lady of the Rocks, the Blue Cave, Rose, and the beaches of the Lustica Peninsula, most notably Zanjice Beach and Miriste Beach.
Verige 65
Enjoy contemporary Adriatic Asian fusion cuisine at Verige 65, a trendy restaurant with breathtaking views, sitting at an incredible location inside the Bay of Kotor.
Living in Perast
Living in one of Perast’s historical stone houses is seen as a privilege, and it is no wonder then that residents have a fervid sense of belonging and respect for their hometown. The smattering of artists and bonvivants choosing to make Perast their home acclaim the serenity and charm it offers, and all within easy reach of Kotor and Tivat Airport.
The small-town quality of life, with reduced traffic and clean air, is hard to beat, and while Perast undoubtedly gets its equitable portion of tourists, the general atmosphere in town is calm and relaxing. Its refined Baroque architecture and pristine natural environment, at the foot of the high towering mountains and overlooking the bay, attracts international buyers who are in search of a prime stretch of Montenegrin coastline.
Historical merchant homes with intimate courtyards are picked up by affluent buyers who occupy them for a portion of the year or turn them into boutique hotels. As one of the most sought-after markets in Montenegro, prices are relatively high in Perast, and the choice is fairly limited. Due to strict building codes and UNESCO protection, all houses need to be built from solid stone.
Living in Montenegro
Living in Montenegro means having incredibly easy access to beautiful nature, healthy Mediterranean cuisine, centuries-old culture and traditions.
Montenegro Residency Options
Want to find out more about your Montenegro Residency options? Read this guide for a comprehensive overview of all the current programs.
Kotor
Situated on a triangular stretch of land below high towering mountain ranges, beautiful Kotor finds itself on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Events in Perast
For a chance to hear a variety of regional acapella singers, visit in early September, when Perast hosts the annual Klapa Festival. Klapas (translates to “group of friends”) have a centuries-long tradition in the Bay of Kotor and southern Croatia. This 3-day event takes place in a romantic setting on the main town square adjacent to the St. Nicholas Church. The multipart singing is performed in mixed-voice, children’s, men’s, and women’s ensembles, mostly for performance but also for competition.
The Fasinada is a lovely local tradition of celebrating the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22nd with a regatta to Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island opposite Perast. This 500-year-old custom involves loading up decorated fishing boats with rocks and placing them around the island, to protect it from erosion.
Bay of Kotor
Discover the Bay of Kotor, a picturesque inlet of charming coastal settlements, incredible natural surroundings, and a Mediterranean lifestyle.
Events in Kotor
Come and enjoy yourself at one of Kotor’s festivals together with the friendly locals. Events in Kotor take place year-round, even in the colder months.
The Fortress of the Holy Cross gives its name to an important annual cultural event. The Forteca International Film Festival hosts predominantly Nordic filmmakers and is organized here every summer, with many movie nights taking place between the main town square, Perast Museum, Our Lady of the Rocks, and the Conte Restaurant.
If it’s May 1st and you’re in Perast, then you won’t want to miss the annual May Day Celebrations. According to local traditions, the most recently married bridegroom has to place a young oak tree in the center of the main town square. Locals then decorate the tree with milk bottles, wine, and dry cakes. It involves lots of dancing around the maypole to the sound of traditional tamboura, while local delicacies are being served.
Every May 15th, residents commemorate their victory over Ottoman invaders at the Battle of Perast that took place in 1654. The Shooting of the Rooster is a particular highlight where visitors can witness a long-range shooting competition with a living rooster floating on a wooden plank as the living target. The bird symbolizes the enemy that was defeated against all odds.
Perast Parking
Read our Perast Parking Guide to find out all you need to know when arriving at Perast by car. There are two official parking lots on each side of town.
Kotor Perast by Bus
Perast is well-connected to neighboring coastal towns. Find out how to go from Kotor to Perast by bus and what the schedule is by reading our concise guide.
Arriving by Taxi
Perast is just 12 kilometers away from Kotor and several taxi and transfer companies are operating our of Kotor. Read our Montenegro Taxi Guide for more information.