Perast in Montenegro: attractions, where to go and how to get there?
If you are planning a vacation, and you are faced with the question of choosing where to go on vacation in the near future, we suggest considering such a wonderful option in Montenegro as the city of Perast. And what sights, hotels, restaurants and cafes are there, we will consider further in our article. In addition, we will tell you what are the features of local beaches, where it is better to stay for tourists, as well as what excursions to visit, what to see in order to spend time usefully.
Description
The beautiful city of Perast is located on the shores of the Boka Kotorska Bay in Montenegro. Even in spite of its small size - there are only a few streets in Perast - this city will surprise you with its extraordinary beauty. Almost all buildings in the city are architectural masterpieces. That is why Perast is one of the most popular cities in Montenegro among tourists.
Perast is often called the “city of millionaires”. He received this nickname for a reason: almost every single building of architecture here is a historical heritage and is worth at least one million euros.
However, in the distant past, this city was originally a village, and only then they could develop and make it what it is now. The settlement of Perast was founded in ancient times by a group of Indo-European peoples - Illyrians.
In the Middle Ages, the city began to flourish actively. In the 16th century, the settlement was attacked by Ottoman troops, but this invasion was unsuccessful. In the confrontation with the Ottomans, the Fort of the Holy Cross played a significant role. The dilapidated remains of the fortress to this day remind of a difficult time.
From 1580 Perast became a port city. It develops, grows and flourishes: beautiful palaces, temples and other elements of rich architecture appear in it.
Now this city is a real storehouse of magnificent examples of ancient architecture, unique structures and at the same time modern hotels.
Weather features
Perast is located in mid-latitudes, so the climate here is quite warm, even in the cold season, the temperature here does not reach minus marks.
By far the best season to visit for those who like to bask in the warm sun is summer: June, July and August. At this time, the daytime temperature reaches an average of + 26.28 ° C.
Late spring and early fall - May or September are also good options to visit. The average temperature during this period ranges from + 19 ° C to + 23 ° C.
The lowest temperature marks can be observed, of course, in winter - up to + 7 ° C.
As for the rains, Perast has the least precipitation in July, August and September. The most slushy are February, May and April.
sights
Along with the unique landscape and picturesque landscapes, Perast is rich in many attractions that are worth taking the time to visit. One of the many attractions for tourists is Catholic Church of St. Nicholaslocated near the embankment.
Here, on the embankment, true connoisseurs of the Baroque style will be able to enjoy the unsurpassed belvedere and the embossed facade Palace Bronze. Located nearby monuments to sailors and Church of St. Mark - a landmark inherited by Perast since the flourishing of Venetian painting.
Further, for a small fee, visitors to the city prefer to climb to a height of 55 m to visit the famous bell tower and enjoy a stunning view of Perast.
The city has a magnificent maritime museum... At the moment, it is located in the Bujovici palace, built in the 17th century. In the building you can see images of the most prominent sailors, old maps and manuscripts, weapons and other valuable things of those times.
Visiting the museum, everyone will be able to form their own idea of the old times of this wonderful city. This is the perfect place to explore on your own.
The main and amazing attraction of the area is island Gospa od Skrpjela, the name of which is translated as "Mother of God on the Rock". One very incredible, fascinating legend is connected with this island, according to which once some sailors, caught in a violent storm with no hope of salvation, survived by some happy accident. They were thrown onto a reef located not far from Perast. When they woke up, they saw the icon of the Mother of God.
In gratitude for such a miracle, people decided to erect a temple on this reef... Naturally, it would have been almost impossible to do this on one reef, for the church the territory was needed more extensively, so the inhabitants threw stones and other rocks at the bottom of the sea for two hundred years. Thus, by 1667, the Church of the Mother of God appeared on the man-made island.
It is interesting to note that in Perast there is even a custom associated with this island: on July 22, local residents throw stones at the base of the island. This helps to overcome the threat of erosion of the edges of the island. The interior of the church is extremely impressive: a huge altar made of marble, as well as walls covered with plates of real silver, will make an indelible impression on everyone.
And the main icon of the temple was created in the 15th century and is of particular historical value.
In addition to the temple, the island operates amazing museum. And it is amazing in that it contains weapons, utensils and an icon of the Mother of God, hand-embroidered by a woman, the wife of a sailor, who has been waiting for her husband for 25 years.And, of course, another attraction of the man-made island - a symbol of navigation and sailing - a towering lighthouse.
Things to do?
During the entire time of your stay in this picturesque place, you will not have any problems with your leisure time, because there are many places that you can and should visit.
- This is definitely main attractionswhich we covered earlier in this article. You can visit them either on your own or as part of certain excursions, in which a professional guide will devote you in detail to the details of the historical heritage of the city.
- Good entertainment can be going to the beach. However, it is worth mentioning here that Perast does not have the usual sandy beaches; people here are forced to sunbathe on stone slabs. However, tourists do not consider this to be a significant drawback, the beaches are well equipped and have good infrastructure. In addition, this disadvantage is leveled by the crystal clear waters in the Bay of Kotor.
- Excursions - this is what always attracts tourists to the resorts. One of the most famous options that are recommended for visiting is the excursion "Boka Kotorska Bay", during which you will have the opportunity to see one of the ancient cities - Kotor. You will be able to explore the rich history and culture of this city. Another excursion that will not upset your expectations is the Heart of Montenegro. Its purpose is to explore the key attractions of Montenegro.
- And finally, you can spend the evening with a sumptuous dinner in the fine restaurants of the city. Restaurants and cafes in Perast mainly offer a fish menu, Italian cuisine and, of course, everyone's favorite pizza. The restaurant "Armonia" is very popular. Delicious dishes of national and Italian cuisine, as well as the opportunity to sit not only in the restaurant hall, but also on the pier, attract many visitors here.
If you have worked up an appetite during the day, for example, walking along the embankment or visiting one of the main attractions of the city - Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, be sure to visit cafe "Bocaliber". Here you will taste the best Mediterranean cuisine and the most aromatic pizza in Montenegro. And those who have already visited this place strongly recommend drinking delicious coffee and ordering amazing ice cream.
Another restaurant recommended for visiting is Seki nautilus... Visitors celebrate a decent seafood and fish menu, as well as delicious desserts.
Where to stay?
There are many hotels in Perast that will welcome you within their walls with great pleasure and hospitality. One of the hotels recommended by tourists is considered Conte Hotel & Restaurant. This is a 4 star hotel located in the heart of the city just a short walk from the beach.
The apartments will meet the expectations of any, even the most demanding visitors. The hotel offers a variety of rooms from deluxe options to basic standard. At the same time, both the suite and the standard are equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV. Free internet access is available in the lobby if required.
The word Restaurant in the name is no coincidence: the hotel has its own restaurant, famous for its fish masterpieces. If you arrive at the hotel by car, you will definitely be provided with a separate parking space.
And also gets good reviews Hotel Monte Bay Retreat. This hotel also has 4 stars. The hospitality of this hotel is in no way inferior to the previous version. It also has all the amenities a modern person needs. However, there is one very pleasant addition here - it is an open-air pool, in which any hotel guest can swim.
If you are looking for an apartment a little cheaper than the above options, then your attention is offered Vila Perast Boutique Hotel. This 3 star hotel is absolutely value for money. For a reasonable fee, you can relax here comfortably and with dignity.
In addition, the hotel offers a private veranda where you can not only relax well, but also sunbathe. Air conditioning, television - this is what the hospitable Vila Perast Boutique Hotel will not leave you without. Canoeing is possible near the hotel.
Bicycles can be rented on site for exciting cycling trips in the surrounding area.
How to get there?
Flights to Montenegro are carried out from the airports of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Arrival airport - Tivat. It is closest to the rest of the city. The flight takes about three hours on average. When the plane arrives, you can get to Perast by bus, taxi or rented car. This road will take approximately another 30 minutes.
If you prefer a bus, there is the Adriatic Highway near the airport, where buses stop. Each of them is equipped with route signs. Before traveling, be sure to make sure that you have chosen the correct route. In addition to this option, it is possible to leave by bus from the bus station. It is located approximately 1 km from the airport.
Of course, it will be more convenient to get by taxi, but in this case you need take care of this in advance and book a transfer for yourself directly together with the booking of air tickets. Of course, this option will be much more expensive than the first one, but it's worth it: the ordered car will be waiting for you, and upon arrival you can immediately go to your hotel.
If your trip to Montenegro involves visiting not only Perast, but also many movements, then it would be wiser to use car sharing services and rent a car.
A video story about the sights of the town of Perast, see below.