Perast, Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, August 2025.
Tucked away from the big blue sea, there is a tiny and long strip of villages and towns that meander on the banks of the hills and mountains holding the Bay of Kotor. This is Montenegro at its best. While the town Kotor itself might be the first destination in one's mind, there are more tranquil places at the front, with Perast as a favourite.
In summer 2025, the Bay of Kotor marked my first visit to Montenegro. This story contains the first series of photos of that trip.
A sailing boat in the Bay of Kotor.
Risan
The oldest settlement of the Bay of Kotor is Risan, dating back to the 4th Century before date. Once called Rhizon, it was relatively easy to defend, situated in the deepest part in the bay's landscape, protected by the Orjen mountain towering above it — it reportedly is the highest range of the eastern Adriatic coast. Nowadays, there is not much left of the ancient history, apart from a well-kept Roman mosaic with a museum built around it. However, it is one of the more quiet spots in the sometimes very busy Bay of Kotor. It has swim spots and the views from higher up the hill can be stunning.
View over Risan and the Bay of Kotor from higher up.
Long-lens shot of the bay near Risan, Bay of Risano, with a land point marked by a ruin.
Perast
Perast is arguably the cutest place on the Bay of Kotor, and started as a fishing village in the 1300s. The waterfront boulevard is a joy to stroll over, take a seat at, have lunch or dinner or take a swim from. It is situated a little south of Risan, at the smallest part of the bay. From Perast, with only a little more than 200 regular inhabitants, one has a clear view of two inlets in the bay: Saint George island and Our lady on the rocks.
The inner harbour of Perast.
Sights in Perast.
The St. Ilja hill of 873 metres ASL towers over Perast.
St. Nicholas church in Perast.
Laundry.
Street view in Perast.
Family is reading a sign about the tunnel in Perast.
One of the small squares in Perast.
St. Nicholas church in Perast.
Laundry hanging to dry.
View at the islet Our lady on the rocks, from Perast.
Southern Perast.
The French luxury sailing cruise ship Le Ponant passing through the bay of Kotor near Perast, August 2025.
