Things to Do in Perast

Perast sits like a baroque jewel on the shores of Kotor Bay, a tiny Montenegrin town that feels almost too picturesque to be real. With just 350 residents and a collection of 17th-century palaces that seem to tumble directly into the Adriatic, this former Venetian stronghold has the kind of unhurried charm that makes you want to linger over coffee and watch the fishing boats drift past. The town's crown jewels are actually offshore - two small islands that house centuries-old churches and enough legend to fuel a dozen novels. You'll find yourself in a place where time moves differently, where the biggest decision of the day might be whether to take the boat to Our Lady of the Rocks before or after lunch.

The dining scene revolves entirely around seafood, with about half a dozen restaurants clustered along the waterfront offering similar menus of grilled fish, black risotto, and local specialties like buzara (shellfish stew). Restaurant Conte and Villa Rosso tend to get the best reviews, though honestly the quality is fairly consistent across the board - you're paying more for the view and ambiance than dramatic differences in cuisine. Most places source their fish locally and prepare it simply, which is exactly what you want. Expect prices to be higher than elsewhere in Montenegro given the tourist location, but the setting makes it worthwhile.

Late spring through early fall offers the best weather and full services, with May, June, and September being particularly sweet spots when you'll have warm weather without the intense summer crowds. July and August bring the most tourists and highest prices, though the atmosphere is undeniably lively. Winter sees many restaurants and boat services close, and while the town looks beautiful in the quiet months, you'll have limited dining options and the islands become harder to reach.