Facebook
Twitter
Tripadvisor
mail_outline
Slovenia
Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe
Life and Roots
About The Author
TripAdvisor
About the AuthorContactFacebookTwitterTripAdvisor
Pages
SloveniaAfricaAmericasAsiaEurope
Places
Life and Roots
TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor

Montenegro: Bay of Kotor Day Trip to Perast and Herceg Novi

November 6, 2017EuropeTerry Anzur

A day trip around the Bay of Kotor begins in Perast, a tiny town packed with the faded glory of the Venetians who built palaces and churches here in the 1400s. Some of the palazzos have been turned into stores, hotels or museums. But the real reason to stop here is the boat ride to one of two tiny islands offshore. We arrived by car from Kotor, parked just off the main highway and walked down steep stairs to the waterfront. If you are visiting on a cruise, many ships offer day excursions here. You can also take a public bus from Kotor or Herceg Novi.

Two island churches in the Bay of Kotor near Perast.

Our Lady of the Rocks

Boats to Our Lady of the Rocks leave every 10 minutes. A round trip is 5 euros per person. Arrive early at 8 am and you’ll find the church locked up tight. Promptly at 9 am, the caretaker arrived, unlocking the doors and giving a brief tour of the splendid art and artifacts inside. The icon of Our Lady on the altar was found by local fishermen on a rock that is under the altar. Townspeople constructed an island around it with rocks, and they add more rocks every year during a festival on July 22. The paintings represent 10 years of work by a local artist, and the silver panels are offerings for prayers answered. This island was refreshingly uncommercialized: only one small shop selling ice cream and souvenirs.

What’s up with the other church island? A local resident told me it was deeded to someone during the Yugoslav times, and the lease is in effect for 99 years. Passing by on the boat, we could spy a chubby guy in a speedo who seemed to be enjoying his private island.

Bell Tower Workout

Back in town, don’t miss the climb to the top of the bell tower at St. Nicolas Church. For 3 Euros a person, you’ll get a workout — 9 flights of stairs according to . While the church itself is unremarkable, the cramped stairs in the bell tower lead to a commanding view of the two islands, one of the prettiest parts of this UNESCO-protected bay.

Lunch in Herceg Novi

Parking in Herceg Novi was a nightmare in mid-August. This town is extremely popular with Balkan beachgoers, in part because this part of the Bay is reputed to have cleaner water than the area where cruise ships dock off Kotor. We left our car near the bus station and climbed down lots of stairs through the small old town to reach the waterfront promenade. And, of course, you’ll have to fortify yourself for the trip back uphill. We stopped for lunch at Joy restaurant. It’s a hip lounge hangout at night, but during the day we were welcomed onto the waterfront terrace by a friendly waiter who confessed to being a huge fan of American football. The placemats — Frank Sinatra for the dudes and Marilyn Monroe for the ladies — offered a touch of fun that paired perfectly with the excellent food. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

Take the Ferry

Backtrack from Herceg Novi to the town of Kamenari, where a car ferry crosses over to the town of Lepetane. One-way ticket was 4.50 euros per car. Don’t be discouraged if you see a long line of vehicles waiting to get on; multiple ferries trundle constantly across the narrowest part of the Bay. You’ll enjoy a scenic view toward Perast as you land with a choice of roads to return to your home base in Kotor.

Easiest way to get back to Kotor from Herceg Novi.

Stranger Danger

The road along the water from the ferry to Kotor is a one-lane nightmare because it has two-way traffic. There’s barely enough space for two cars to pass without tipping into the water or brushing up against stone walls and rocks. If you find yourself face-to-face with an unyielding bus or garbage truck, you might have to back up. Or there will be cars behind you, leading to a standoff. Pedestrians and bicyclists also appear around every blind corner, and don’t seem inclined to hurry their pace or get out of the way. After braving this road a couple of times, we found the two-lane highway outside of Kotor to the Tivat airport is a much better way to approach the ferry. You can have an interesting day in Tivat, as I explain in this post. On the Dobrota side of the bay, driving is a lot easier because the roads are one-way and the walk along the water is reserved for pedestrians only. For another hair-raising drive, check out my post on the 25-hairpin road to Mt. Lovćen and Cetinje. Or just linger in Kotor to climb the fortified walls or discover the spooky Hotel Fjord.

Want more insider tips on discovering Montenegro? Like @strangersinthelivingroom on Facebook, and sign up for the occasional email when there is a new post.

Having fun at Our Lady of the Rocks.

Terry Anzur
I was born to roam: Exchange student. Backpacker. Honeymooner. Business Traveler. Road Warrioress. Adventure Mom. Seeker of serenity, culture and history. International Media Trainer. Journalist. The next story I want to tell is YOURS.

Related Articles

Ljubljana: Dining with Slovenia’s TV Chefs

August 25, 2017Terry Anzur

War and Remembrance in Vietnam

May 28, 2017Terry Anzur

Three Great Days in Amsterdam

April 26, 2015Terry Anzur

GLOBAL LIVING ROOMS
LOCAL DELIVERY

Subscribe now and get all the latest posts in your inbox as they're published.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

We'll never spam you or share your email address with anyone -- promise!

You Deserve a Vacation!
European Road Trip Planner
TripAdvisor
Facebook
Twitter
Tripadvisor

Home  |  About the Author  |  Contact
Subscribe via Email  |  Subscribe via RSS

Want to become a sponsor? Get in touch.
Want to be featured on the blog? See our Featured Strangers page for more info.
Want to learn about how we use your data? Check out our privacy policy and disclosures.

 Tweet
 Share
 E-mail
 Tweet
 Share
 E-mail
 Tweet
 Share
 E-mail