Change pace from the busier resorts with a trip to this tranquil town, where you can explore the many churches and visit islands.
With a range of religious sights and a pair of fascinating islands, Perast is a charming village on the spectacular Montenegro Coast. It attracts sightseers with intriguing activities and historic relics. Tour its dozen or more palazzos, churches and the fascinating ruins dotted around the historic center.
Among the highlights is St. Nicholas’ Church, which overlooks a plaza of statues and date palms. Pay the fee to climb to the top of the belfry and appreciate the view.
Enjoy the hot summers by sunbathing on one of the concrete docks. Take a boat trip on the Bay of Kotor to Our Lady of the RocksOpens in a new window island, which hosts a church containing myriad works of art. Walk the perimeter of the small islet in a few minutes and stop for a look around the gift shop and museum. Join in the local tradition of throwing rocks into the water, a custom that derives from legends surrounding the church’s inception.
You can also visit St. George Island for the St. George Benedictine Monastery, which dates back to the 1100s. Wander through the graveyard where the remains of Perast’s former noble class are buried. Snap photos of the monastery with a stunning backdrop of green mountains and sparkling blue bay. In the winter months, snow covers the peaks of the glorious mountains that enclose the town.
Use Perast as a quiet base to visit some of the larger resorts, such as the walled town of KotorOpens in a new window as well as Budva, which is known as the Miami of Montenegro, in reference to its popular beaches and energetic nightlife.
Find the village on the Montenegro Coast in the northwestern part of the country. Fly to nearby Tivat Airport and drive north for 12 miles (20 kilometers) to get to the town. Other nearby airports include those of Podgorica and DubrovnikOpens in a new window.
Perast is a peaceful alternative to the bright lights of other cities and vast resorts along the Mediterranean Sea.
