Perast sits on the western shore of the Bay of Kotor — a small Baroque town of stone palaces and bell towers that has changed almost nothing since the Venetian era. Anchored just offshore are two tiny islands: the natural island of St. George, home to a Benedictine abbey, and the man-made island of Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela), built by sailors over centuries and topped by a church that is one of the most beautiful interiors in the Adriatic region. Getting here by rental car is straightforward from anywhere in the Bay of Kotor.
Driving to Perast: Distances & Times
The drive from Kotor to Perast follows the bay coast on a narrow two-lane road — it is one of the most beautiful short drives in Montenegro. Take the coastal road rather than the inland tunnel; the tunnel saves time but misses the water entirely.
Parking in Perast
Perast is a small village with one main street running along the waterfront. There is no large car park — parking is on the road itself, either at the village entrance or along the main coastal road approaching from Kotor.
- Village entrance lot: a small paid area at the southern approach to the village. Fill this up in summer by 10am.
- Roadside along the approach: spaces on the verge of the coastal road in the kilometre before the village. Free, and usually available even in peak season.
- Do not block the coastal lane — it is the only through route and local traffic needs it.
- In July and August, arrive before 9:30am or after 4pm to find a space easily.
Perast gets very busy with tour buses between 10am and 2pm in summer. Arriving early or late afternoon gives you a quieter village and much better photos of the bay without crowds.
Getting to Our Lady of the Rocks
The island of Our Lady of the Rocks lies about 150 metres offshore. You reach it by a short boat trip from the Perast waterfront — small wooden boats operated by local boatmen run the crossing on demand throughout the day whenever the church is open.
-
Walk to the waterfront From anywhere you park, the bay is a short walk. Look for the boats lined up at the small stone jetty along the main promenade.
-
Negotiate the crossing — ~€5 per person The boat trip takes about 5 minutes each way. The return is included in the price. The crossing runs roughly April–October; in winter the church may be closed.
-
Visit the church The interior contains over 2,500 silver votive plaques given by sailors, and a collection of paintings by Baroque master Tripo Kokolja. Entry is free; a small donation is welcome.
-
Return to the village The boat waits on the island or returns for you. Signal from the island shore when you're ready and a boatman will come.
What Else to See in Perast
The village itself deserves an hour beyond the island trip. Perast once had 16 churches and palaces for its wealthy sea-captain families — several are still standing and visible from the waterfront walk.
- St Nicholas Church tower: climb for panoramic views over both islands and the bay. Small entry fee.
- Bujović Palace Museum: Baroque palace turned museum, showing the maritime history of the town.
- Waterfront cafés: sit at any of the stone terrace cafés and watch the bay. The views are as good as anywhere in Montenegro.
Best Time to Visit
May and June are the best months — warm enough for the boat crossing, far fewer tour groups than July and August, and the bay is at its clearest. September is also excellent: summer crowds drop sharply after the first week but the weather remains good. The church boat typically runs April through October.
If you're combining Perast with the Bay of Kotor loop, the natural sequence is: Tivat or Kotor → Perast → Risan → Verige ferry → Herceg Novi. Perast sits at the midpoint of the loop and works perfectly as a two-hour stop.