Kotor, Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks: Private Tour by Boat

Summary

Walk Kotor’s old stones, cross to Our Lady of the Rocks, hear Perast legends

You’ll cross Kotor Bay by boat to Our Lady of the Rocks island, walk Perast’s baroque waterfront with a local guide, then wander Kotor Old Town’s winding streets and museums. Taste sea air, hear old legends, touch centuries-old stones—and leave with more stories than you expected.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start my Montenegro day trip in such quiet—just the soft slap of water against the dock at Perast. Our guide, Mila, handed out little bottles of water (it was already warm) and pointed to the blue-and-white church floating out in the bay. She said locals still toss rocks into the sea every July, keeping an old promise. The boat ride over was short but I remember the smell—salty, with a hint of diesel from our little engine—and how everyone went silent when we got close. There’s something about seeing a place built stone by stone by people who actually needed hope.

Inside Our Lady of the Rocks, Mila told us about sailors leaving gifts after surviving storms—embroidered icons and silver ships tucked into corners. I tried to imagine being stuck out on that water for weeks. The church itself is small but sort of glows inside; sunlight bounced off all that polished marble. On the way back to shore, a local man waved from his fishing boat and called something I couldn’t catch. Mila laughed and replied in Montenegrin—I just smiled and pretended I understood.

We wandered along Perast’s waterfront next (it’s only about a kilometer), past faded palaces and laundry flapping above cafes. The air smelled like coffee and sunscreen. Then Kotor: stepping through those thick stone gates felt like time-travel. Mila led us through Arms Square and past the clock tower where some kids were feeding pigeons (one landed right on my shoe). My favorite part? The Maritime Museum—so many stories packed into one creaky old building. We ended at Saint Luke’s Church; it was cool inside and so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat for a second.

I skipped Budva this time—four hours felt just right—but maybe next trip. Even now I think about that first glimpse of the island from Perast’s shore, how it looked almost imaginary in the morning haze.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, Kotor

• Arrive in Perast
• Boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks island
• Visit church and museum on island
• Walk main square and see St. Nicola’s church
• Walk 1 km along Perast waterfront
• Return to vehicle for Kotor
• Walk Kotor Old Town tour

Top questions

How long does this private Kotor tour last?

The standard tour lasts up to 4 hours; if you add Budva it’s around 6 hours total.

Is a boat ride included to Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes, your tour includes a boat ride from Perast to Our Lady of the Rocks island.

Are entrance fees covered?

Entrance fees for Our Lady of the Rocks and Maritime Museum are included in your booking.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What languages does the guide speak?

The professional guide is available in English or Spanish.

Where does the tour start?

The tour begins in Perast before heading by boat to Our Lady of the Rocks and then continues to Kotor Old Town.

Can I add Budva to this itinerary?

You can add an optional visit to Budva for an additional two hours.

What happens if my cruise ship is late?

No refunds are issued if you miss the tour due to late or non-arrival of your cruise ship.

What’s included

Your day includes a private guide (English or Spanish), all entrance fees for Our Lady of the Rocks and Maritime Museum, a boat ride across Kotor Bay from Perast to the island, bottled water for each person, plus fuel surcharge—all arranged so you can just show up ready for stories and sea air.