Perast Beach Guide
Once an affluent center of commerce and shipbuilding within the Venetian Empire’s maritime trade network, Perast has since grown into one of Montenegro’s most picturesque holiday resorts, visited every year by thousands of culturally interested travelers and pleasure-seekers who come here to explore and appreciate the town’s unique history and traditions.
Most people visit Perast for its ancient, ornate Baroque architecture and spectacular natural setting in the Bay of Kotor, but only a few come for a swim. Even though Perast’s beaches are not even close to being among the best beaches in Montenegro, you will still find serene corners to jump into the crystal-clear water and refresh yourself.
The coastal promenade provides a picturesque route for walkers to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It connects two swimming places at both ends of town, of which the northern one is run by a beach club, and the southern one boasts a ponta, a man-made concrete pier, as in commonly the case throughout this region.
Bay of Kotor
The Bay of Kotor stretches from Herceg Novi in the north to the Lustica Peninsula, connecting Montenegro’s most charming coastal towns along the way.
The Northern City Beach
Fleets of Ottoman pirates were lurking in Perast’s waters for centuries but times have dramatically changed since the the 1700s. Today, the Pirate Bar Beach Club lures sun-seeking holidaymakers with its dramatic setting and the refreshing drinks and snacks to match – delivered straight to your sunbed.
Tucked between the parking lot on the northern edge of town and the Perast Museum, the Pirate Bar Beach Club is a refreshing escape during the warmer months. It unites all the ingredients for a perfect day by the sea: crystal-clear waters, panoramic bay views, and a relaxed atmosphere.
The Pirate Bar promises a good selection of ultra-refreshing craft cocktails and DJs playing until the sun sets. The food choice is limited with just cheeseburgers and french fries on the menu. From the spacious terrace, perched on the water’s edge, diners can enjoy views of Saint George Island and the emblematic Our Lady of the Rocks. The comfortable sun loungers are in prime position, making the most of what is available of this little stretch of pristine Adriatic coastline.
Our Lady of the Rocks
The church of Our Lady of the Rocks stands on a tiny man-made island in the middle of the beautiful Bay of Kotor, just a few hundred meters off Perast’s coast.
The Southern City Beach
On the southern end of town, between the parking lot and Bronza Palace, you’ll find a small concrete bathing deck with railings leading down into the sea. Thanks to freshwater springs, invigoration is almost guaranteed even on scorching summer days, and the water here is clearer than the rest of the bay.
A scenic walkway all along Perast’s waterfront can transform the journey to this beach into a wholesome and revitalizing experience. Stock up on plenty of water and snacks for a fun day at the beach as you’ll find no facilities here. Despite being close to the town center, this beach rarely feels overcrowded.
The concrete deck is handy for luxuriating in the sun. While it is not as picturesque as some of Montenegro’s more remote bays, it is perfectly adequate to take a refreshing swim, while taking in the incredible surroundings. Don’t worry should you have forgotten your umbrella, there is more than enough shade under the pine trees.
Perast
Situated between Herceg Novi and Kotor, Perast is a beautiful coastal town in Montenegro that is acclaimed for its well-preserved Baroque architecture.
Access and Safety
Both beaches are located along the Adriatic highway which connects all coastal towns in Montenegro. There are two official parking lots at either end of town, either one in footwalk distance to the beach. The Blue Line route stops near the beaches and can be caught from the southern beach in the direction of Herceg Novi, and from the Pirate Bar towards Kotor. Wheelchair access to the beaches is limited and lifeguards are not on duty on the southern beach.
Other Beaches Nearby
In a bay full of concrete beaches and piers, it’s a treat to be able to relax at a picturesque stretch of pebbly beach. That’s what you’ll find at the amazing Bajova Kula Beach Club, which lies just one kilometer south of Perast, hidden amidst lust Mediterranean vegetation. The beach club provides all the facilities for a free and easy day by the sea, including an outdoor pool and a beach restaurant.
If you want a more secluded spot, there is a tiny rocky beach just a few meters away from the parking lot at the southern end of town, which is a favorite with local beachgoers. There are endless ways to enjoy your beach time in Perast. Go on a SUP or kayak trip, swim, snorkel, or just unwind and listen to the waves lap against Boka’s shore.
Restaurants in Perast
There is unquestionably no shortage of dining options in Perast. Along the promenade, there are several high-quality restaurants and bars, with a multitude of cuisines and styles just waiting for you to discover. Sitting right by the water are Conte Restaurant Perast, Restaurant Djardin, and Bocalibre.
While the upmarket and very Mediterranean Conte and Djardin focus unwaveringly on Adriatic seafood delicacies, Bocalibre has a more casual feel and serves some of the region’s best salads and authentic Neapolitan Pizza with a soft and chewy crust with just the right amount of char. There are artisan ice cream parlors, cafes, and more restaurants along Perast’s esplanade.
Perast Cake
No visit to this picturesque Adriatic town is complete without trying Perast Cake, their local delicacy, a moist almond cake, flavored with vanilla and cherry liquor.
Conte Restaurant Perast
For a romantic experience next to the sea, visit Conte Restaurant, primarily a seafood place, which approaches local Adriatic cuisine with an international spin.
Perast’s Restaurants
Perast’s Restaurants are an enticing mix of traditional and contemporary cuisines sharing a privileged position along Perast’s seaside promenade.
Hotels in Perast
Being one of the more sophisticated resorts in Montenegro, there is a good selection of four and five-star hotels in Perast – two of the finest boutique hotels are located a 5-minute walk from the city beaches. The Conte Hotel and the Heritage Grand Perast both offer high-standard accommodation and incredible views from their seaside-facing balconies and terraces.
Heritage Grand Perast
The 5-star Hotel Heritage Grand Perast stands right by the marina. It’s housed in an 18th-century heritage building and has inaudibly amassed a cult following.
Conte Hotel Perast
The 4-star Conte Hotel Perast invites you to stay in one of their century-old Baroque stone buildings in the heart of the historical center of Perast.