Perast

Perast

The small ancient town of Perast is located on the shore of the Bay of Kotor, at the confluence with the Risan Bay. The hill of St. Elijah, 873 m high, proudly rises above the town. 

On the map of Montenegro, Perast, slightly lost against the backdrop of fashionable resorts, still has its own distinctive flavor. It does not tolerate noise and fuss, life here flows slowly, and tourists, understanding this, themselves join this rhythm.

Perast Climate

The average annual temperature here is moderate, +18°C. This means that the summer is sunny and warm, and the winter is mild and frost-free, with little precipitation.

Perast Entertainment and Attractions

Looking at photos of Montenegro and among them - images of the city of Perast, you involuntarily want to wander along its ancient streets and certainly look into every corner breathing centuries-old history. You should definitely visit:

The Naval School, where famous sailors learned their trade, including midshipmen of Peter the Great.

The Bronze Palace is an amazingly beautiful old building, which has belonged to the famous dynasty for centuries.

The Bujović Palace, which was built from the remains of the city walls of Herceg Novi.

The Visković Palace Complex, located on the embankment. The tower once housed guns that protected the city from pirates.

The Smekja Palace, perhaps the most famous landmark of Perast and Montenegro.

Located on the embankment, near the Church of St. Mark, this magnificent palace is a wonderful example of the Baroque style.

The Holy Cross Fortress was built in 1570 at the confluence of two bays to protect the city from invasions from the sea, to which the state was often subjected.

Our Lady of the Rocks (or Madonna) is an 11 m high church located on a man-made island near the city. Once a miraculous icon was found here that healed a sailor, after which it was decided to create a place of worship.

The island of St. George, or the Island of the Dead, is frightening and attractive at the same time. 

Its Benedictine abbey has survived numerous attacks, destruction due to earthquakes, but still survived. There is a large burial site of sea captains, whose tombstones are decorated with heraldic symbols. 

Officially, excursions are prohibited here, but locals will take history buffs here for a small fee, fortunately, the islands of Perast are located near the city.

The tower of the Church of St. Anthony rises above the bay to a height of 55 m. Tourists love to take photos against its background, as it has a very exotic and noble appearance.

The Church of St. Nicholas is the main active cathedral of Perast, greeting its pastor with the sounds of an ancient organ.

Perast Hotels and Restaurants

Since Perast mainly provides excursion services, you will have to go to neighboring towns for vibrant entertainment. After all, this is not a resort town, but a historical monument. The exception is such hotel services as a swimming pool, spa salons and gyms - there are enough of these here, but the prices are quite high.

Accommodation in Perast is somewhat more expensive than in neighboring towns, because there are not many of them. You can find accommodation here for every taste - modern hotels and apartments, small cottages and modest hotels. 

You can choose:

Hotel Conte - the best hotel in the city, according to tourists, with a beautiful view from the windows.

Hotel Per Astra - a wonderful hotel for a romantic getaway with a steep staircase leading to the sea.

Monte Bay Retreat panoramic windows offer a beautiful view of the area.

GuestHouse Mrshe Palace – homely and cozy.

Palace Jelena hotel consists of only five rooms and is located in an old historical building.
You can have a delicious lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants located right on the waterfront. 

They serve simple seafood dishes, traditional for this region. The cafe accepts plastic international cards, and even has free Wi-Fi. 

Here are some of them:

Conte Hotel Restaurant serves the best desserts and wines in town.

Skolji. They have excellent mussels, lamb, large portions and a cozy atmosphere.

Caffe Pizzeria Djardin.

Here you can sit in a cozy courtyard or overlook the sea. You can order a huge pizza or just have a coffee.
Palace Jelena. There is a beautiful sea view, delicious fish dishes and fresh beer.

How to get to Perast?

Just half an hour from Kotor, and you find yourself in a town literally growing out of a rock – this is Perast. 

You can get here via highways No. 2 and E65, which stretch along the coast of the Bay of Kotor. Regular buses run from nearby towns, and in the summer, ferries and pleasure boats run from Tivat and Kotor.