Perast: photos and reviews. Perast - the most beautiful city of the Boko Kotor Bay Montenegro city of Perast
When planning our trip to Montenegro, we chose Perast as our final destination. In this place we decided to quietly spend the last few days of our vacation and take a little break from relaxation - active travel from place to place and constant change of impressions also, in the end, tire you, you must admit.
We chose Perast not by chance. First of all, because of its history, we didn’t want to relax at a typical seaside resort.
Perast was once a large medieval seaport, part of the Republic of Venice, an ancient haven of pirates, an example of Baroque architecture... It is a town with a special character, which, without a doubt, must be visited and in which - I say this from my own experience - it is worth staying for a few days to experience how slowly and peacefully time can pass in this corner of the world.
If you are planning a trip to Montenegro, I strongly recommend that you include this idyllic city in your itinerary. I am sure that he will conquer your heart - just like he conquered mine.
How to get there
Perast is located on the shore of the Bay of Kotor, directly opposite the bottleneck of the Verige Strait, where ocean liners squeeze through several times a day, going to Kotor and back.
By plane
Planes do not fly to Perast - the town is tiny, and the entire town itself could fit on the territory of some large airport.
The closest international airport to Perast is in Tivat. A ticket from Moscow, if you fly during the season and purchase it in advance, can cost from 16,000 RUB - it all depends on your foresight and luck with special rates and promotions. Of course, the closer the travel date and the more comfortable the season, the higher the ticket prices.
Since public transport in Montenegro is not great, I highly recommend renting a car right at the airport and moving freely around the country.
You can explore other ways to get to Montenegro.
By bus
Once a large trading city and port, now Perast is just a picturesque town, which is not so easy to reach by public transport.
For example, from Tivat, Budva or Kotor you need to take a bus going to Herceg Novi, but even in the official schedule of stops along the route, Perast is not listed. The presence of a stop can be assumed by the travel time of the bus from point A to point B - those flights that take the longest stop in many settlements, including Perast. A bus ticket will cost approximately 2–3 EUR, depending on the carrier.
In general, I once again urge you to rent a car and have a carefree vacation.
By car
So, a car is the most convenient means of transportation around Montenegro.
The cost of renting a small car per day ranges from 25 EUR to 35 EUR, depending on the number of days of rental and the company providing the service. Again, booking a car in advance is significantly cheaper than renting it upon arrival.
By the way, I do not recommend saving in this matter. Take a car from a reputable rental company and be sure to supplement the standard insurance with a package that fully covers all damages. If you do not have such an extension, upon reception your car will be examined like a bride in a Caucasian village, and if even the slightest scratch is found, the consequences will be disastrous for you. For example, a scratch that can be easily removed by simple polishing cost us 300 EUR. And this is in a decent European office.
Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !
Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!
Anything to add?
Nowadays, anyone can climb the bell tower and see that the coast of the bay is extremely beautiful.
A global restructuring of the church was launched, but the existence of the Venetian Republic ceased, funding also ceased, and the Church of St. Nicholas remained unrebuilt. Also of interest are the churches of Our Lady of the Reef, the parish, and St. George. All of them are bright touches in the appearance of the city.
Perast Islands
The peculiarity of the local landscape is such that the city is no longer growing: the rocks approach almost the water itself, there is only room for 3-4 streets, which were built a long time ago. But two islands are also considered the territory of the city. The island of Gospa from Skrpjela is artificial, created by pouring stones. A legend has long been passed down from mouth to mouth that an icon of the Virgin Mary was found on the island. In honor of her, a church was built on the island, and every year, on July 22, a unique holiday is celebrated: residents of the surrounding villages bring new stones to the island on boats to strengthen it. The holiday is very picturesque; many tourists time their holidays to coincide with its date.
The island of St. George is famous for the Benedictine abbey, located here for a long time. You can get to both islands by charter boat, with a tour, or by agreeing on a boat with local residents.
Hotels and apartments in Perast
The tiny town of Perast, which clings to the mountains, literally grown into the rocks, of course, cannot offer a large number of hotels, but in the vicinity of Perast you can find accommodation that will satisfy the most discerning taste. As throughout Montenegro, these can be modern hotels, villas on the seashore, or more or less modest apartments. In any case, tourists are welcome here, and the hospitality is not ostentatious.
Restaurants
There are several restaurants on the embankment offering a menu that is not extensive, but pleasant. The cuisine is mainly Mediterranean, replete with seafood. Civilization is not just empty words here: most restaurants accept plastic cards, some have Wi-Fi. Despite the almost ridiculous size of the city of Perast, there is property for sale here, and among the residents there are several Russians.
Holidays in Perast are unlikely to be suitable for lovers of a bright and noisy life, but for natures inclined to contemplation, romance, and lovers of maritime history, this city is perfect. Here there are many opportunities to enjoy beautiful nature, clean air, delicious seafood and reflect “on exploits, on valor, on glory...”
- Where to stay: at one of the resorts of the Hercegnovskaya Riviera. For example, in ancient and rich in attractions Kotor, tiny Perast, picturesque Risan or modern and cheerful Tivat. Families with children and those who want to improve their health will enjoy the “Botanical Garden of Montenegro” - at the resort
Hello to all readers of our blog! Perast is one of the most beautiful cities in Montenegro. All tourists strive to see the beauty of a small but very attractive city. What to see in Perast And how to get there I'll tell you in this article.
The content of the article:
On our last trip we didn’t have time to visit Perast, but we were destined to come to beautiful Montenegro again. And not only relax on the beaches of the Adriatic Sea, but also celebrate the long-awaited wedding.
Since we had a special event planned, every day was thought out to the smallest detail, but despite this, we did not want to miss the opportunity to learn something new about Montenegro
Trip to Perast
For wedding matters, we went to. He is located at 25- ten kilometers from Budva.We had a room booked there for our wedding day, and several organizational issues had to be sorted out. Everything was resolved in the first half of the day. There was enough time leftto see more popular tourist Perast city. A little n After walking around Kotor, we went to the Kotor bus station to purchase tickets.
There are no direct flights to Perast; you need to buy tickets for passing flights.The nearest bus went to Herceg Novi, passing Perast. The travel time took about 30 minutes. The stop was on the highway. To get to the city you need to go down to the sea.
Perast is located northwest of Kotor on the shores of the Bay of Kotor.The ancient city delights at first sight. Once again the views of Montenegro take my breath away... Now I understand why Perast is called one of the most beautiful cities in the country!
As we descended, we admired the stunning views opening before us. The landscapes here are simply fantastic, and the old, medieval town creates an unreal romantic mood.
Perast has won the hearts of tourists with its beauty and ancient history. People come here not only to admire the city and the surrounding beauty, but also to have an unforgettable photo shoot. Wedding couples love to hold special events in Perast, but you just need to take into account that during the season there are probably a lot of people. We abandoned this idea. But the photo shoot here will be very beautiful.
The city acquired its excellent appearance during the era of prosperity (XVII-XVIII). Despite long years of economic decline, Perast is one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture on the shores of the Adriatic. And this is confirmed by the appearance of ancient buildings, soaked in time. There are about 300 buildings in Perast. Each of them has historical value.
Walking along the narrow stone stairs reveals unusually interesting little things. Residents decorate their courtyards with special care. Probably so that they look appropriate against the background of ancient bas-reliefs.I like to explore a new city not only from a tourist point of view, but also, if possible, to dig deeper. Like this, for example, looking into other people's courtyards and windows.
Along the Perast embankment, on the sea side, there are several romantic restaurants and cafes. They attract with amazing views of the Bay of Kotor on one side and the ancient city on the other.
There are only three streets in the small town. The widest embankment is, it stretches in a long strip along the sea. There are few residential buildings in Perast. About 400 people live in the city. It has nowhere to grow, since on one side it crashes into the rocks, and on the other, its rapids are washed by the Bay of Kotor.
Perast is a city of old buildings, made in my favorite Baroque style. Their age is at least 200 years. In order for the city not to lose its charm and unique image, which is so popular with tourists and local residents, the construction of new buildings is prohibited. It is only allowed to restore old buildings. Great idea, in my opinion.
Beaches in Perast
There are no beaches as such in Perast, but people have adapted to sunbathing on concrete slabs. The entrance to the water is also through them. We did, however, notice one small beach behind the Bujović Palace. The water there is lovely, but there is not enough space. Despite the meager beach infrastructure, those who want to swim will find an alternative. And that’s not what people go to Perast for at all. There are many other places for snorkeling in Montenegro, for example, the beaches of Jaz, Mogren, Milocer, etc.
The small town is an attraction in itself. Each building in Perast has its own historical significance. And even if you don’t go inside, but examine the external decoration, you can imagine what Perast looked like long before our time. It is surprising that the city was not hit by a single earthquake, so the buildings of the 15-17 centuries are very well preserved. Inscriptions from the time of Venetian rule are often found on buildings.
Church of St. Nicholas and bell tower
There are about 20 churches in Perast. True, not all of them are open to the public. There are only three of them in the city. The most popular is the Church of St. Nicholas. She was the first one we met when we descended into the city. The church was built in 1616. Next to it, a tall bell tower catches your eye. Its height is 55 meters. The bell tower offers magical views of the Boka Kotor Bay.
In addition to spiritual shrines, there are about 16 palaces in Perast. The most beautiful of them is the Bujović Palace
Bujović Palace
He met us while walking along the city embankment. The palace was built during the Venetian Republic, in honor of the national hero Vicko Bujović. The palace is crowned with the Bujović family coat of arms. An interesting historical fact is that the palace was built from the rubble of the walls of the city of Herceg Novi, after its liberation from the Turks in 1687. Now the Bujović Palace houses a museum with a huge collection of ship models, nautical charts and weapons.
Perast Islands
From the embankment of Perast, two small islands belonging to the city are clearly visible to the naked eye. The islands of St. George and Gospa od Shkrpela are the attractions of Perast. Every 10-15 minutes excursion boats depart from the embankment to the islands. You can swim to them either as part of a group or individually. It all depends on how much you are willing to pay.
St. George's Island
St George's Island is home to a striking Benedictine abbey. This is a closed monastery. In addition, the island contains works by the famous Kotor artist Lovro Marinov Dobrichevich, written in the 15th century. Island St. George in Perastclosed to visitors. You can view it without going ashore.
Island of Our Lady on the Reef
Next to it, 115 meters away, there is a man-made island of Gospa od Skrpela, which translated means Madonna on the Reef or Our Lady of the Rock. It was built on top of a reef after in 1452 two sailors from Perast, the Mortešić brothers, found an icon of the Mother of God on it, which cured one of them from an illness. After this, the icon immediately became revered. Our Lady of the Reef Island is open to the public.
Every year on July 22, a traditional holiday called Fashinada takes place in Perast. Remembrance Day, when the icon of the Virgin Mary was found on the reef and the man-made island of the Virgin Mary was created on the reef. Traditionally, on this day, residents load stones into boats and dump them around the island, thereby supporting its erosion. Also on July 22, a large-scale regatta is held, in which more than a hundred sailing boats take part.
Souvenirs in Perast
In Perast, as in all tourist cities, you can buy souvenirs. There is not such a huge selection here as in Budva, for example, but of course you can buy something as a souvenir. You can buy souvenirs near the Church of St. Nicholas, in a small square. The prices are a little more expensive, but how can you leave Perast without a magnet. Although they didn't succeed. We have long wanted a painting with seascapes, and one caught our eye.
Oyster farms
Oyster farms are a rare occurrence in Montenegro. On the road to Perast there is the only one on the coast. Interesting place to eat oysters and see how they are farmed. It’s a pity they don’t take tourists there, but it’s quite possible to visit the farm on your own. Guests are welcome at the farm. Driving past, I didn’t immediately understand what these structures were in the water, but Vitya had read about the farm and explained what it was. The farm is open to the public, but it's best to arrive in the morning to catch the staff. Oysters on the farm are cheaper than in the cities of Montenegro, but the main criterion is their freshness. You can eat them at the farm restaurant or buy them to take with you. In addition to oysters, there are also mussels.
Summary. Perast enchanted us with its mesmerizing landscapes. I'm very glad that we got to see him. I hope I was able to answer the question: What to see in Perast? And there is something to see. Both for architecture lovers and for lovers of beautiful views.
How to get to Perast
By bus from Budva
There are no direct flights from Budva to Perast. You need to buy tickets for passing buses. For example, those traveling to Herceg Novi.
Travel time is about 1 hour. Cost 5 euros
By bus from Kotor
We were traveling from Kotor. Moreover, a trip to Kotor can be combined with Perast. There are no direct flights at the Kotor bus station, as well as in Budva. Therefore, you need to buy a ticket for an ongoing flight. Our bus went to Herceg Novi.
Travel time is 30 minutes. Cost 3 euros.
We rode back by minibus from Perast itself. Stop opposite the Church of St. Nicholas (bell tower). He goes to Kotor every half hour.
By car to Kotor
The most comfortable thing, of course, is go to car. We rented a car for a couple of days, but we went to Perast by bus)
Car rental in Montenegro is very popular, the main thing is to contact trusted companies. The cost of gasoline 1 liter = 1 euro. Specifically, I will tell you about car rental in Montenegro separately with all the details.
There is paid parking for cars in Perast. You can park there. Cost 2 euros
Mileage:
From Budva to Perast 40 km
From Kotor to Perast 15 km
Take a tour
If you are not a fan of independent travel, then the “take an excursion” option is suitable for you. You can buy it in principle in all tourist cities (Budva, Tivat, Kotor, etc.). There are exciting boat trips to Perast and bus trips.
The cost of a sea excursion from Kotor is from 15 euros
Bus excursion from Budva - 50 euros for adults, 25 for children (from 2 to 12 years old) The excursion is called “The Heart of Montenegro” and includes Ceitinje - Njegushi - Kotor - Perast and a boat trip to the Island of the Virgin on the reef. Others can be viewed by clicking on the link.
If you have any questions, I'm always happy to help. Write to us for feedback or in the comments.
How to buy cheap air tickets to Montenegro
Air travel to Montenegro can be purchased directly on the airlines’ website, but it is most profitable to take advantage of flight offers in the direction from Aviasales, a unit that we use ourselves. The service selects the most advantageous offers in terms of prices and destinations - you just have to choose the best by price, departure time or favorite airline.
Proven resources that help us save when
independent travel planning MyRentacar- booking a transfer from the airport.
Thank you for reading our blog. See you soon on the pages of our
One of the most beautiful cities in Montenegro is Perast, located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor. Many tourists want to get to this city on their own from other parts of Montenegro, including from Kotor, on their own. Often tourists vacationing in Budva, Bar and other cities south of the Bay of Kotor want to get to Kotor on their own, and then go to nearby Perast. How to get from Kotor to Perast? We will talk about this below, but we will immediately note that there are still few options.
Distance from Kotor to Perast
Situated on the shores of the same bay, the cities of Kotor and Perast are located 9 km from each other. But this distance is direct, so when driving along the road the distance will be noticeably greater - approximately 15 km. When traveling by water, the distance from Kotor to Perast will be approximately 11 km.Bus Kotor - Perast
You will need only 1-2 euros to travel by bus from Kotor to Perast. Almost all buses that run from Kotor to Herceg Novi pass through Perast, and this is more than 20 buses daily, which run every 20-30 minutes. The bus ride from Kotor to Perast takes approximately 25 minutes.Taxi Kotor - Perast
You can also get from Kotor to Perast by taxi, and the cost of such a trip will be relatively low. As a rule, you will have to pay about 15 euros for a one-way trip. Late in the evening and at night, the cost of a trip from Kotor to Perast by taxi is unlikely to be less than 20 euros.On the coast of the Bay of Kotor is the ancient and beautiful city of Perast. The first human settlements in this area began to appear during the period of antiquity. Gradually all the settlements formed Perast, located on the cape. On the opposite side of the city there is the Verige Strait, which is the narrowest part of the Bay of Kotor.
The city is located in a favorable climatic zone, due to which the average temperature throughout the year is +18 degrees.
The first mentions of Perast in chronicles began to appear in 1336, and was described in documents as a picturesque, quiet, calm town. This is how Perast remains today. It consists of narrow, intricate streets, an embankment, a harbor, and many old houses. Most of them are made of stone and decorated with wooden shutters and ceilings.
In Perast, 17 houses of the nobility and aristocracy are perfectly preserved. Descendants of 12 ancient clans still live in the city. All attractions are concentrated in a small space, so you can explore them one by one.
There is a legend that in 1452 two sailors arrived on the island and miraculously escaped a storm. Here on the rock they found an icon. The sailors considered this a miracle and decided to build a church on the island. Its construction took two hundred years. The canvas paintings that decorate the ceiling and walls were done by Tripo Kokol.
Also hanging on the walls are silver amulet boxes with relief images of ships. Such amulet was given to sailors who successfully returned from a voyage. Anyone can get to the island, but to do this they need to wear outerwear so as not to desecrate the sacred place.
The second island, which is located near Perast. The island received its name in honor of St. George, after whom the Benedictine monastery is named. It was built on the island in the 12th century. Sometimes this territory is called the Island of the Dead, which is associated with an ancient cemetery. On it until the end of the 17th century. representatives of the nobility were buried. The graves and monuments are surrounded by cypress trees, which add grandeur to the island, the monastery, the tombstones and monuments.
Entry to the island of St. George is prohibited, but local residents and guides do not explain why.
This is a whole complex of coastal areas created by nature and man. Some of them are built of concrete slabs, and some are covered with small pebbles. The total length of the beaches is 320 meters, and are great for having a good time, relaxing, jumping into the water.
In some places the descent into the water is gentle, but a very strong sea current prevails here. Along the coast there are cafes, restaurants, parking and a pier from which you can get to the islands of Our Lady on the Reef or Gospa from Škrpel.
It stretches along the sea coast and is a rather interesting urban site. On the territory of the embankment there is a huge number of buildings erected in the 17th and 18th centuries. Most of them are built in Baroque style, decorated with decorative trees and flowers in clay pots.
Tourists walk along the embankment to enjoy sea views, mountain peaks, panoramas of Boka Kotorska, and the Verige Strait.
The embankment is a kind of exhibition center where marine painters come to show their own paintings. Car traffic is allowed along the embankment.
This is the symbol of Perast, which can be seen on postcards or paintings. The church can be seen from different parts of the city. The temple was built in honor of St. Nicholas, who is the patron saint of sailors. The church demonstrated the power of Perast as a sea city, which possessed a huge flotilla. At different times, the number of ships in it reached 100 pieces.
The temple was erected in 1616, although earlier there was an older church, which at the beginning of the 17th century. was rebuilt. A century later, an attempt was made to rebuild the church once again. For this purpose, a foundation and an apse were built in 1740, but construction was stopped due to Napoleon's attack.
The temple is complemented by a high 55-meter bell tower. This is exactly what sailors see when entering the harbor of Perast. The author of the bell tower project was an architect from Venice, whose name was G. Beatia. The date of construction of the bell tower is considered to be 1691. At that time, the appearance of such a bell tower in a small town on the coast was a demonstration of the strength, power and wealth of Perast.
The bell tower combines several architectural styles - Romanesque, Baroque, Renaissance. At a height of 55 meters there is a huge bell, installed there in 1713. This is a gift from Bishop Andrei Zmaevich. There are two more bells in the bell tower, donated to the church by Venice.
Belonged to the Bujovic family, which represented the aristocracy of Perast. Now the building houses the city museum, which is a landmark of the city and Montenegro. The museum appeared in Perast in 1937, and twenty years later moved to the Bujović Palace. The museum exhibits are numerous donations from wealthy people of Perast.
Portraits of the nobility, sailors, clothing, weapons, and naval accessories are exhibited here. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the history, culture and economy of the city. Here you can learn about the development, rise and fall of Perast, its time under the rule of Venice and Turkey.
He belonged to the Bronze family, whose representatives built a residential complex in the 18th century. Rod moved to Perast from the Albanian city of Shkoder. The location for the palace was chosen well - on the eastern outskirts of the city, where the city embankment now runs.
The house was used as a customs post in the 19th century, when Perast came under the rule of Austria-Hungary.
The architecture of the building is Baroque, elements of this style can be seen both inside and outside the three-story building. For example, on the facade there is a belvedere with openwork curls, balustrades on the balconies, marble reliefs, and a family coat of arms. The interior design is an original layout that has existed since the 18th century.
Opposite the Verige Strait there is a fort protecting the strait and bay from attack. The fortress was built to protect the population of Perast and numerous other settlements from enemy attacks. Now all that remains of Fort Holy Cross are ruins and dilapidated walls.
The fort was built on the side of a mountain. This area is known among the population as Kashun. Previously, the Church of the Holy Cross stood here, which is why the fort received its current name in honor of the temple. Construction of the fortress ended in 1570, and in 1628 it was rebuilt, strengthened, and modified. The fort was divided into two parts - the old one, which had four floors. And a new one, where warehouses with food, gunpowder, and water were located.
Located on the island of Our Lady of the Reef. Where you can quickly sail by boat or speedboat, rented in the harbor of Perast. The museum was created based on sunken and captured ships, which were then covered with stones and rocks. The museum on the island reflects the history of Perast's navigation and tells about the creation of ships. Household items and household utensils are included in a separate exhibition. The icon, which was embroidered with gold and silver threads, occupies a place of honor among the museum exhibits.
It is located on a cape that divides Boka Kotorska into two bays - Risan and Kotor. The hill has a height of 873 m and has been inhabited by people since Neolithic times. Traces of Neolithic culture were found in the caves, as well as evidence that the hill of St. Elijah was a haven for Roman and Illyrian tribes. It was the Illyrians who founded Perast as a trading and fishing port in this part of the Adriatic.
Installed on the island of the Virgin. The monument was erected in honor of the Croatian writer, traveler, poet and translator F. Alfirevich. He was born and raised in Zadar, studied in Zagreb, and then moved to Montenegro. Here he worked for many years in various educational institutions.
The bust is made of white stone and stands on a pedestal, the height of which, together with the bust, is one and a half meters. The bust of the poet is made of bronze, and is turned towards the sea.
In Perast there are both large and small restaurants that specialize in preparing fish and seafood. The cuisine of most restaurants is Mediterranean, although you can ask them to cook something traditional Montenegrin. Restaurants are located in different parts of the city - on the embankment, harbor, and shores of the bay. It's nice to have lunch or dinner here while watching the sunset.