Why Tiny Perast Is Worth a Stop on the Bay of Kotor

If you’re not paying attention, you’ll just drive right past the tiny town of Perast on the Bay of Kotor. But in this article, I’ll tell you why it’s still worth stopping here!

Around the Bay of Kotor: Traveling From Kotor to Perast

I nearly missed my stop: On a bright summer afternoon, I took the local bus from Kotor to Perast—an adventure on its own. Traffic around the Bay of Kotor is chaotic during summer, and public buses rarely run on a fixed schedule. They appear randomly—sometimes a quarter to, sometimes a quarter past—the bus would show up. The bus stop? There isn’t an official one, just a spot in front of the city gate. No sign marks the stop; the bus just stops where it always does. I was somewhat proud to have managed to catch the bus, but I had no idea where I should get off either.

A woman looks out over the coastal town of Perast in Montenegro

Traveling alone as a woman can sometimes feel challenging, but it often brings wonderful opportunities as well. In my experience, young women frequently come up to me on their own, kindly helping me out during my travels, guiding me around, or sharing the latest hotspots and insider tips. I always enjoy answering their questions about what it’s like to travel solo and exchanging stories.

Arched window with stained glass, view of the lake and mountains

That was also the case with the woman sitting next to me, who was so kind to explain the bus system (which doesn’t actually exist) to me and make sure I got off at the right stop. I don’t know what it is, but I always feel so touched when I see kindness and helpfulness in unfamiliar places. We said goodbye, and once again, I promised myself to keep spreading good travel karma and help others if I see lost tourists somewhere in the world.

The Perast Waterfront Promenade

Perast is really just a cluster of a handful of houses lining the small main street, which also doubles as the lovely waterfront promenade. Like in other parts of the Bay of Kotor, some land here has been bought by foreign investors, resulting in the creation of several luxury and boutique hotels that add to its charm.

Sign in Perast at the harbor, with the mountains and the Old Town in the background

The main street in Perast is usually closed to regular car traffic, so the only vehicles passing through are golf carts from nearby hotels. Combined with the stunning mountains in the background and the turquoise waters of the Bay of Kotor, this scene resembles Lake Como in Italy.

Historic building at the Perast harbor with mountains in the background

Boats on calm water with mountains and a church in the background

Our Lady of the Rocks

Perast is a charming place, perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon at one of the lovely waterfront cafés. Many visitors are drawn here by the main attraction: the small island of Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks), home to its beautiful pilgrimage church. Nearby, there’s also another island with a church called Sveti Đorđe, although it’s not open to visitors. This makes Perast a wonderful spot to enjoy both its scenic beauty and its rich history.

View from the boat of the monastery island of Sveti Đorđe in the Bay of Kotor — Sveti Đorđe

Our Lady of Škrpjela near Perast — **Our Lady of the Rocks**

Church of Our Lady of the Rock on a small island in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro

You can take a boat straight from Perast to the island. Several boat operators are waiting for customers in Perast’s small harbor—just head over to one of the boats. Or you can book your ticket online in advance*.

On the island, you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor and Perast, along with the opportunity to visit a charming chapel and its attached museum. During my visit, the staff at the entrance were somewhat brusque, frequently requesting visitors to pay an admission fee. However, I later learned that entry to the chapel is free, and only the museum charges an admission fee. Feel free to visit both, but it’s not necessary to pay if you only want to see the chapel.

Baroque church altar with a painting of the Madonna and golden candlesticks

Magnificent Baroque church ceiling with religious paintings and gold embellishments

In addition, great care is taken to ensure modest clothing; crop tops and shorts are not allowed here—after all, this is a religious site.

Many sightseeing boats in Kotor also stop at Gospa od Škrpjela, so you won’t need to travel all the way to Perast and handle arrangements on your own. However, catching a boat from Perast offers greater flexibility—you can stay as long as you want and, if you’re lucky, experience the peaceful moments between tour groups.

However, if you don’t have much time or don’t want to organize the trip to Perast on your own, you can book a tour here that includes a stop at Gospa od Škrpjela:

Boat Tour from Kotor to Gospa od Škrpjela (including the Blue Grotto)*

Church of Gospa od Škrpjela on a small island

Tourist boat in the Bay of Kotor with a jet ski and mountains

Cruise ship in the Bay of Kotor with green mountains

Architectural Highlights: Churches & the Seafarers’ Palaces

Despite its small size, Perast is home to several churches and former palaces of Venetian captains. That’s right—the Bay of Kotor was part of the Republic of Venice from the 15th to the 18th century, and that influence still lingers in its architecture and culture. The Church of St. Nikola, with its striking bell tower—the town’s landmark—is especially worth seeing. You can climb the tower and be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Bay of Kotor.

An old church tower in a Mediterranean village set against forested mountains

Many of the magnificent Baroque palaces date from the 17th and 18th centuries, when Perast flourished as an important seafaring town. Today, the Bujović Palace houses a museum that showcases the region’s maritime history. The Smekja Palace and the Visković Palace are also very impressive from the outside.

Stone church with religious statues set against a backdrop of forested mountains

Beaches in Perast

Although Perast doesn’t have any large beaches, there are a few small swimming spots along the promenade. The crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming on hot summer days, and the mountain backdrop makes it a special experience. In any case, I’d much rather swim here than at Kotor’s city beach in Dobrota, since the bay here is a bit more open and the cruise ships don’t pass by or dock as close.

Three boats are anchored in the calm waters of the Bay of Kotor

Boat Tours and Kayaking

In addition to the boat trip to Gospa od Škrpjela Island, you can rent kayaks and explore the bay on your own. Local operators also offer sunset tours or private boat trips to hidden coves.

Book a boat tour from Perast here

View from the boat of a picturesque Mediterranean harbor with an outdoor café

A white boat named Perast in the Bay of Kotor

Boats in the harbor of Perast with mountains in the background

Where To Stay in Perast

If you’re seeking that unique experience away from tourist crowds, consider the peaceful town of Perast. Unlike the lively Old Town of Kotor, Perast has limited evening entertainment, but its calm atmosphere by the bay and breathtaking scenery make up for it.

Here you’ll find charming boutique hotels in Perast*

Restaurant terrace by the bay with a white boat and mountains

Is a Trip to Perast Worth It?

Perast may be small, but it’s charming—allow approximately 2–3 hours for a relaxed exploration, or dedicate an entire day if you’d like to soak in the laid-back atmosphere. I enjoyed the vibe, and I felt a bit regretful for choosing Kotor’s Old Town as my base instead of Perast. However, this choice ultimately depends on personal preference.

Here you’ll find my complete guide to Kotor