While in Kotor, Montenegro, I had several options for the best places to visit. Faced with the dilemma, I consulted my host, Mr. Peter Levin, who quickly recommended Perast. I had a rough idea about this historic town and had never considered visiting it. However, when my host and locals gave me exciting accounts, I decided to travel there and have a first-hand experience. From my traveling experience, I have learned that when many people recommend a place, the best course of action is to visit.
Perast is a small town that I uncovered in my research, located near Kotor. By visiting this tranquil and enchanting town, visitors can get away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis next door. Ready to explore the exciting possibilities in Perast? If so, keep reading.
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Brief History of Perast
Perast, Montenegro, lies on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Its exceptional historical architecture has earned it UNESCO recognition. Get ready to dive into an enthralling historical narrative as you explore this place.
Everything from ancient palaces to worship places mirrors the Venetian influence. When you enter this old town, you’ll interact with friendly locals who share exciting narratives about the town’s past. While the Illyrians were the founders, Romans and Christians influenced it in various ways.
How Do You Get to Perast?
Now that you understand this historic town and its treasures, the next step is to visit it. You can take your tour by various means of transport as explored below:
- Drive Your Car: If you have a car, you can drive to the city. Once there, you can park your vehicle on various designated parking lots. Visitors headed to Our Lady of the Rocks will park their cars without paying a parking fee. If you visit the town in July and August, you’ll find it challenging to get a parking spot. Be sure to exercise patience around these times of the year.
- By Bus: For those who want to come to Perast via public transport, the Blue Line bus is a popular option. The bus takes around 30 minutes from Kotor and runs on an hourly basis. While traveling by bus is cheaper, you might experience delays or even find it overcrowded. Besides the Blue Line, you can also take long-distance buses that ply the Kotor-Parest route. Furthermore, visitors can board tourist buses that operate on a hop-on, hop-off approach.
- Use a Boat: You can take a boat at Kotor and alight at Our Lady of the Rock. From this island, you can look at Perast and its adjacent places.
- Taxis: Although slightly expensive, taxis offer quick transport from Kotor to Perast. You can find these cabs online or locate them via apps. I like taxi services because you can tailor them to match your itinerary needs.
- Take a Flight: You can get to Kotor’s Bay by taking a flight in Tivat. While a flight is the quickest means of transport, you’ll dig deeper into your pocket to meet the cost.
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Things You Can Do in Perast
Perast lacks the necessary infrastructure to accommodate large cruise ships for docking. Consequently, the influx of tourists, often identifiable by their distinctive stickers or, shall we say, questionable headgear, is limited to specific times of the day. During the remaining hours, the village offers a tranquil escape from the busy scenes of Kotor and Budva.
Although the town is small, there are multiple things you can partake in to enrich your visit. Here are some interesting things to do when you visit Parest.
1. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks
A visit to Perast is not complete without touring Our Lady of the Rocks. This artificial island is located off the coast of the town. Before I got to Perast, I often heard about this location and its sinking ships loaded with rocks.
So, when I arrived in the town, I decided to visit the artificial island. I took a water taxi and paid 5 euros to get to the island. The sight was breathtaking, and I had a chance to get into the Catholic church located on it. Once I left the chapel, I popped into the nearby gift shop and bought souvenirs for my friends.
2. St. Nicholas’ Church
St. Nicholas’ Church is an enormous 17th-century structure in Perast which remains incomplete. It’s a 5-story tower with a Venetian clock. While in the building, you’ll see impressive vestments and come across tombs for various saints. You can also scale the 55 bell tower to have a scenic view of the bay. I paid 1 euro to get to the main room of the chapel.
I was impressed by the lavish features inside the church, including golden iconostases, lively frescoes, and a fantastic collection of sacred relics. I also visited the church’s museum, where I learned many things about the history behind St. Nicholas’ Church. My tour guide told me that the church is a pilgrimage site that brings in many people worldwide.
3. Stroll Along the Waterfront
Perast borders the water, allowing you to stroll along the waterfront. While taking a leisurely walk, you can enter any hotel near the water and eat your favorite meal. The restaurants here have amazing recipes to meet the demands of various visitors. Also, the walk provides a chance to view many of the historical sites in the town.
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4. Visit the Museum
Most of the things about Perast’s exclusive past are preserved in the Muzej Grada Perasta. Due to its rich history, there are many things you can learn about by visiting this museum. It’s an exclusive building containing artifacts from various eras, including archival remains, arms, and the ancient palace. The museum is strategically situated, giving you a perfect town view. You can get to the second floor and have an exciting view of the town.
5. Sample Peraska Torta
Part of immersing into other people’s culture is tasting their meals. Peraska Torta was on the list of the Perast foods I wanted to taste. Before I traveled to this town, I used to read about Peraska Torta. So, the visit provided me with a chance to taste this unique delicacy. The cake is moist and has various ingredients, including almond nuts, lemon, and vanilla. According to the local stories, it became a staple in the 17th century.
The ingredients are mainly sourced from the local community so that visitors can genuinely sample what the town offers. You can find the Peraska Torta in various places along the waterfront. As I wanted to be more adventurous, I served it with a glass of wine.
6. Scale the Bell Tower
I believe the Bell Tower is one of the reasons UNESCO recognizes Perast. It’s one of the most prominent features of the town by far. I decided to climb to the top for a proper view of the town. While doing so, I learned that the tower was built in the 17th century. It has an enormous clock that stands still at 4. I heard that this was the time when a formidable tremor hit Boka.
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7. Perast Beach and Pirate Bar
After climbing the Bell Tower, I felt exhausted and decided to relax. I decided to walk to Perast Beach but found that it was crowded. Upon inquiry, I learned that the nearby Pirate Bar was the best place to relax.
As I entered the bar, I got a warm welcome from a friendly staff member who directed me to a seat. I looked at the menu and ordered the pirate cocktail. The drinks were lovely, but I decided to limit them because I didn’t want to get intoxicated. Plus, I had already taken that glass of wine earlier. I also remembered that I still needed to complete the list of the places I wanted to visit. Besides delicious cocktails and outstanding appetizers, the bar had incredible music that offered further relaxation.
8. Beach Relaxation
There are various beaches to visit, and have a revitalizing swim if you feel exhausted. But before you indulge in swimming, you should check whether there are rocks in the water. Also, it’s vital to check the depth of the waters as some points can be deep. Here are some of the top beaches in Perast:
- Sandy Beach: It’s situated adjacent to Parking Two. It’s managed like a lido and offers deckchairs and umbrellas. You can get two chairs and an umbrella for 20 euros.
- Hidden Beach: This is a free beach near Parking One. From my quick observation, I realized that Hidden Beach caters to the local community’s needs.
- Central Beaches: The waterfront is dotted with multiple concrete beaches with stairs directing you into the water. These beaches are available for tourists and locals alike. In them, you can indulge in various activities like swimming.
- Private Beaches: There’s only one private beach in Perast — the Heritage Grand Perast. It’s found in the Baroque palace. You can enjoy its exotic offerings if you’re ready to spend a generous amount of money.
9. Watch the Sunset
Do you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of Perast? If yes, then sunset is the best time for you. This time of the day helps amplify the beauty of the town. Many people have left the town at this point, and Perast assumes its natural calm rhythm. To savor the beauty of the moment, I decided to relax at a central beach while taking a bottle of beer.
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10. Enjoy a Romantic Dinner Near the water
A romantic dinner near the water is a must-do activity in Perast, and the best time for this is in the evening when the atmosphere is relaxed. Although lunchtime can be okay for some individuals, the commotion of ships can dampen your spirits. Book a space in one of those seafront restaurants if you want to have an exceptional experience in Perast at the end of the day.
Takeaway
While there are multiple places you can visit in Kotor, Perast is a must-go destination you need to have on your travel itinerary. Although the town is small, there is much to learn about its past. Visiting Perast allows you to view many historical sites, including St. Nicholas’ Church, Our Lady of the Rocks, and the Bell Tower. While many opt for a brief visit, I chose a more leisurely approach, immersing myself in its delights over three blissful days.
While in this vibrant town, you can do numerous things, including climbing the Bell Tower, walking along the waterfront, and sampling a Peraska Torta. You can also relax at the beaches and enjoy the local cuisine while having a lovely dinner near the water. Based on my first-hand experience, I highly recommend Perast as one of the top places you should consider visiting in this part of the world. It’s well worth your time and money!
