Perast is the postcard everyone comes to the Bay of Kotor for: a single waterfront street of baroque palaces, two tiny islands offshore, and almost no traffic. It sits about 15 minutes by car from Kotor, which makes it an easy half-day from your base — as long as you know that you don't actually drive into Perast itself, and that the famous church sits on its own islet.
Getting there from Kotor
From Kotor you follow the bay shore north past Dobrota and Risan; in normal conditions it's about 15 minutes, though it's traffic- and season-dependent and the summer coach traffic through the village can slow the last stretch to a crawl. The drive is part of the fun — see our Bay of Kotor scenic drive guide for the whole loop, and our Kotor base and parking notes if you're starting in the Old Town.
One 2026 note: the Vrmac tunnel between the Tivat side and Kotor has been subject to maintenance works, so check it's open before you rely on it. If it's closed you simply take the longer bay road around the inner bay — slower, but the scenery makes up for it.
Park first — Perast is pedestrian
Perast's single seafront lane is effectively closed to through traffic and visitor parking. Don't drive in hoping for a spot by the water; you'll end up reversing back out past pedestrians. Instead, use the paid car parks at each end of the village:
- The eastern lot (Kotor side, as you arrive) is the one most people use.
- The western lot (Budva/Risan side) is a good fallback when the first is full.
From either, it's a flat, pleasant few-minute walk along the promenade into the centre. Costs are approximate and seasonal, but budget a few euros for a couple of hours and more for a full day; pay at the machine or attendant and keep the ticket visible on the dash.
| Where | Notes | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| East lot (Kotor side) | First you reach, fills earliest in summer | ~€2-3 / hour (approx.) |
| West lot (Risan side) | Short walk in, useful when east is full | ~€2-3 / hour (approx.) |
| Full day | Ask the attendant about a flat rate | varies |
Arrive before mid-morning in July and August — by midday both lots and the village are at their busiest.
Out to Our Lady of the Rocks
The blue-domed church you see offshore is Gospa od Škrpjela — Our Lady of the Rocks — and it's the only one of the two islands you can visit, because it's man-made. Local legend says sailors dropped a rock on the spot after every safe voyage until an island formed beneath the church.
You reach it by a short boat ride from the Perast waterfront, typically around €5 return per person (approximate, and higher in peak season). Small boats run frequently in season, so you rarely wait long; you simply walk to the quay, hop on, and pay the boatman. On the islet there's the church, a small museum, and wide-open views straight back at Perast and the surrounding peaks.
The second island, Sveti Đorđe (St George), is a private monastery island and not open to visitors — admire it from the boat or the shore.
Best times to go
- Early morning or late afternoon for soft light, cooler air and the smallest crowds.
- Shoulder season (May–June, September) for warm weather without the August crush.
- 22 July — Fašinada: Perast's signature tradition, when a sunset procession of decorated boats carries stones out to reinforce the islet. It's a wonderful spectacle, but expect a very busy village and full car parks — arrive early and be patient with traffic.
A quick reference:
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Easy parking, calm light, few people |
| Midday (Jul–Aug) | Busiest; lots fill, hot promenade |
| Late afternoon | Golden light, crowds thinning |
| 22 July (Fašinada) | Unique event, peak crowds, plan ahead |
Make a day of it
Perast pairs naturally with the rest of the bay. From the same parking you can wander the waterfront palaces and the Perast museum, then drive on to Risan's Roman mosaics or back to Kotor's Old Town. Keep your fuel topped up — you'll return the car full-to-full — and remember airport pickups in Tivat or Podgorica come with free meet-and-greet delivery, so you can be on the bay road within minutes of landing.
Ready to explore the bay at your own pace? Browse our rental fleet and we'll have the right car waiting — pay at pickup, free cancellation, and EN/RU/TR support throughout.