History of Perast
Perast, a charming coastal town in Montenegro, has a history that traces back to the medieval era. Established in the 14th century, Perast flourished as a maritime center under Venetian rule, contributing to its architectural heritage with notable Baroque and Renaissance influences. The town’s prosperity was evident through its maritime trade and skilled seafaring community. During the era of the Bay of Kotor’s naval strength, Perast had two iconic islets—Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George—each home to a distinctive church. Today, Perast stands as a well-preserved gem, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich maritime past and cultural significance.
- Things to do
- Wander the waterfront and watch the movement in the marina. I recommended starting the walk from west to east, start near the beach by the Penčići district, pass the marina, and finishing all the way down to the Luka district area. There will be plenty of options for food on this walk. Most are on the waterfront, but I have a list below of recommendations.
- Search for palaces! There are 18 preserved palaces in Perast. Each is a splendid showcase of Baroque and Renaissance architectural styles. Keep an eye out for distinctive features such as ornate stonework, intricately carved mascarons (faces) adorning the doorways, heraldic coat-of-arms symbols, defensive loopholes, and elegant round or oblong portal windows.
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus – which services Kotor, Perast, Risan and Bajova Kula Beach. It runs every 30 minutes and includes a walking tour of Kotor. Tickets cost €25 and are good for a full day.
- Boat tour– Embark on a meticulously organized 3-hour group tour encompassing the renowned Blue Cave, Mamula, Submarine Tunnel, and Lady of the Rocks. This immersive experience allows you to delve into the Bay of Kotor’s highlights, featuring activities such as swimming within the enchanting Blue Cave, panoramic sightseeing from a speed boat, venturing inside the Submarine Tunnel, and making a memorable stop to explore the island of Our Lady of the Rocks on foot.
- Visit St. Nicholas Church– The bell tower can be seen from anywhere in Perast. The staircase is a snug fit so be aware of large backpacks holding you back. A perfect 10 minute side quest for one €1.
- Restaurants to try
- Armonia– Perfect spot for a drink and small bites
- Fish Restaurant Djardin – The freshest seafood I’ve ever had!
- Restaurant Conte– Known for their black risotto.
- Konoba Skolji – Go for a hearty dinner and wine options.
- Bocalibre– Pizza on the water anyone?
- Konoba Otok Bronza– Known for their Greek salad and fish plates.
- Things to know
- Be sure to set your alarm early and go up on deck to take in these beautiful sights on your way to port. You should also plan time after you board the ship to leave for the views of the bay at sunset.
- It is an anchorage town, so be prepared to take a vessel to the shore.
- When visiting sacred or religious sites remember to wear conservative attire. Clothing should cover the shoulders and knees. Shorts are not allowed.
One thing I wish we did, that was suggested to us, was get up early to go up on the boat deck and watch the scenery as the ship docks into the bay. We did this while leaving and it was so stunning! It’s the one thing I wished we had set alarms for during this trip. Boo jetlag!
Koter was our third stop on our eight day cruise on Princess. We were there in August, while it was very humid. Something to keep in mind while booking. However if you’re not from Arizona (It’s a dry heat) Im sure youll be fine with the weather. Plus you always have the option of the beaches there to cool off.
Getting to Perast from the boat was very easy. We opted for the hop-on hop-off bus that picks you up right at the dock. It services Kotor, Perast, Risan and Bajova Kula Beach. It runs every 30 minutes and includes a walking tour of Kotor. Tickets cost €25 and are good for a full day.
I do recommend going and exploring Kotor early in the morning beforehand while the crowds are minimal. You can always come back in the afternoon to explore more. Our hop on hop off bus did include a tour with a guide but they didnt start till later in the morning.
The nice thing about the hop on hop off bus was that you get a tour while also on the bus. A set of headphones is provided and we had a lovely tour guide pointing out historic landmarks and things to do all while telling quaint stories about the city and its medieval heritage. If you can, snag a seat on the second story of the bus on the left hand side. You’ll get a nice breeze to cool you off and the left side will be facing the waterfront as you travel to Perast. Best for taking pictures and not having glass glare.
The bus drops you off right in front of Our Lady of the Rocks at one end of Perast which is perfect because it pushes you to walk through the town to get the full experience. We decide to opt out of visiting Our Lady of the Rocks, that was a separate boat tour you could do. Instead we opted to walk around and explore everything ourselves. I feel like we saw more and actually got to enjoy ourselves with free time as opposed to having a very restricting schedule.
Our Lady of the Rocks is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast. It is an artificial island created by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks.
The story behind the man made island is that it originally began as a pile of rocks, on 22nd of July 1452, two fishermen, brothers Moršić discovered an image of the Virgin Mary there. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. A tiny Orthodox chapel was built on the site. In the 1600s Venetians took over the region of Boka and the city of Perast.
The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays. Every year on the sunset of 22nd of July, an event called fašinada in the local dialect takes place, where local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island.
As you walk through town you’ll notice how all the restaurants sit right at the waterfront. A must visit would have to be Fish Restaurant Djardin. By far the freshest seafood weve ever had was here. If you go in the morning you get their breakfast menu, I would recommend the doughnuts however they aren’t the typical American doughnut your thinking of. Read my review of Fish Restaurant Djardin here.
Perast is one of those places that, as a millenial, you visit once and say “I could live here” and then nothing happens.
Walking on the cobblestoned streets and exploring the little nooks and crannies of this historic place was a perfect morning for me. Every part of Perast was rich with history, culture, and was a dream location that just kept on giving.
It was by far my favorite stop during our cruise and I would go back in a heartbeat. Quaint sleepy cafes kissing the waterfront as swimmers and boats glide by was my picturesque idea of what a summer morning in Europe should be like and I highly recommend!
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