For our second day in Kotor, we planned a day trip to the nearby picturesque town of Perast. Inspired by other bloggers, we hopped on the Blue Line bus. I would recommend this over the day trip tours. Take the bus to Risan or Kostanjiaca. The ticket costs 2 euros per person and can be purchased directly from the bus driver. It’s a 20-minute ride along the Bay of Kotor with stunning views. The bus stop is on the E65 highway named Perast Bus Stop (Blue Line). After getting down, one can walk down the cobbled streets behind the Church of Saint Nicholas.
Entry to the church was not possible as there was a marriage procession. Church Tower offers the best views of the Bay and Our Lady of the Rocks. The entry to the tower costs 1 Euro.
We walked along the Perast Promenade in the sunny morning, enjoying views of the bay and Our Lady of the Rocks in the distance.
After a brisk walk, we stopped for breakfast at Restaurant Conte and ordered cups of Cappuccinos and Omelettes. You can choose to sit inside the restaurant or enjoy the waterfront seats outside. On a sunny day, it is just perfect to sit outside and enjoy the view of the Bay while having breakfast.
Our Lady of the Rocks
After breakfast, we decided to take a ferry or a speed boat to Our Lady of the Rocks. We enquired a sailor about the tour. He mentioned it would be 10 euros per person to and fro. He took us to his speed boat and waited for a few more passengers to join. Lucky for us none showed up. It turned out to be a private boat trip to the island. As it was a windy day, the sailor had to take a longer route to beat the gusts. It takes around 30 -35 minutes to reach the island. You can tell the sailor when you will be ready to leave the island. We chose to spend around 45 mins on the island, which is adequate to enjoy the views and click pictures.
According to the legend, the islet was made over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of the Madonna and the Child on the rock in the sea. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays. Every year on the sunset of 22 July, an event called fašinada in the local dialect, when residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place.
Our Lady of the Rocks is the only artificially-built island in the Adriatic.
Museum of the Town of Perast
Perast experienced its golden era under the Venetian era. The museum showcases the works of maritime scholars and teachers. The Museum collection was composed and collected thanks to the donations of the inhabitants, the heirs to local families. The current museum is located in Bujović Palace, which proved to be the best place to host the collections at a single location. The museum is divided into three floors showcasing different families, maritime scholars, ships and art collections.
The museum’s ground floor features model ships, ship-navigational aids, charts, part of the exhibited weapons from the ethnographic collection, and important facts related to maritime affairs and the way of life of the Town through past centuries.
The salon on the first floor of the Museum introduces the visitors to the most significant inhabitants of Perast by way of artistic display (portraits, coats of arms, flags, paintings of ships at sea and in naval battles). A unique depiction of the painter Tripo Kokolja from Perast is also an integral part of the Museum display.
The second floor of Perast Museum, besides the objects from the ethnographic collection (jewellery, porcelain, ordains, male and female ornaments). There was a huge collection of medals and honours among the weapons. We were surprised to see a vase with a bronze figurine of Lord Ganesha gifted to a family from India.
After the museum visit, we decide to have our lunch at Restaurant Conte after a long search. Seafood is a must-try here. We had fish fillets and pasta. They offered you a complimentary bread platter and a plate of cheese and olive paste which were delicious.
Return to Kotor
Return to Kotor is from another bus stop than the one you get down at. Please plan a few hours as you will have to walk the whole promenade to reach the stop as shown on the map. The return is again on Blue Line Bus or special route buses. We had a wonderful time in Perast.
