Perast, more like Urla than Alaçatı, became our heart's favourite in Montenegro. If there are others like us who get tired of crowds and want to get away, we highly recommend this village, Perast, with its lovely coves and quiet shores!
We stopped by one evening, and the walk, the food and the exploring were all a real pleasure.
History of Perast
Perast welcomed us as a small town built along the Bay of Kotor. UNESCO, which named the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor, has taken this place under protection too. Venice, which ruled this land between 1420 and 1790, of course left plenty of traces. During this period the Venetians built 17 Catholic churches, 16 baroque palaces, 9 defence towers and 2 Orthodox churches. As if all these buildings weren't enough, there are also two islands, each with a picturesque chapel. The islands are 200 - 300 m from the town centre.
Places to Visit in Perast
Perast, which has one big main street, is very romantic, with classic Venetian-style houses and churches on one side, and boats moored along the shore and people out walking on the other. To explore the town, we left the car at the entrance and walked on the cobblestones. The best way to explore Perast is on foot..
Walking through the town, we admired the beautiful architecture. We took countless photos.
These lovely views, which in a way remind us of our own Aegean villages, took us back there. The town, which let us live a little of its history, is very far from its old days. Most of the people have left the town, and most of the buildings stand neglected and empty. In a recent census, the town's population didn't even reach 400. Just think, that's about 21 people per church.
For people like us who come from places with very high mobility, it's really interesting and just as surprising. Still, the effect of tourism must have been noticed, because renovation work for restaurants and little hotels is going on. There's construction in the lovely stone houses these days.
We're sure that many of the buildings where construction recently started will turn into house museums. Because this was the last city the Republic of Venice lost. What memories and historical treasures there must be in those houses!
Our Lady of the Rocks
After exploring Perast, it was time to head to Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made island in the Bay of Kotor. You can reach this islet on boats leaving from the shore. Our first stop was visiting the chapel known as Our Lady of the Rocks. The island, which covers about 3 decares, was made long ago through the great efforts of the people. Today, every 22 July, the locals go out until sunset and throw stones into the water around the island.
The island's first church was an Orthodox church, built in 1452. But in 1632 it became the Catholic church, Our Lady of the Rocks. The church's interior is worth visiting. You'll come across 68 beautiful paintings by Tripo Kokolja, one of the pioneers of the famous baroque painters.
The return trip to the island costs €5 in total. We chose this island. Those with time can go to St. George Island too.
On our way back, saying we couldn't find a more peaceful spot for a nice dinner, we sat down at this lovely view. Probably the most enjoyable moments of our trip! We really ate just the two of us:)
I won't even describe what we ate, after this lovely view. But I should give some tips too: the restaurants we definitely recommend are side by side. They really are each as good as the next, so sit wherever you like, or, like us, at the one with the best view. Here 1 Ćevapi, 1 seafood pasta, 1 Shopska Salad and 2 glasses of wine came to €23. That felt very reasonable to us :)
We usually choose calm, quiet places over crowded, packed ones. Like in the other Balkan countries, we had a perfect dinner that was very affordable and delicious, and above all full of the pleasure of an unforgettable view. Here are the photos:) If you go, will you send us photos too? :)
The route I followed in Montenegro: Tivat, Kotor, Perast, Budva, Sveti Stefan, Virpazar and Ulcinj!
7 km
10 km
25 km