St. Nicholas Church: How to Visit, What to See and Tips

Last updated: May 2026

St. Nicholas Church is a principal landmark in Perast and an easy stop during a walk through the historic centre. Close to the waterfront, it is distinguished by its stone façade and tall bell tower, one of the village's most recognisable features.

Begin with the square and the church exterior. When access is available, visitors may also enter the religious space, see the small museum and confirm whether the bell tower is open for climbing.

Allow between 30 minutes and one hour for the complex. Afterwards, continue along the waterfront towards the restaurants, viewpoints over the Bay of Kotor or boats crossing to Our Lady of the Rocks.

How to include St. Nicholas Church in your Perast itinerary

St. Nicholas Church sits in Perast's historic center and can be visited during a walk through the village. Since it's close to the waterfront, the restaurants and the boats to Our Lady of the Rocks, there's no need to organize a separate outing.

Start with the square and take in the stone facade and the tower. If the church is open, continue inside and check whether the small museum can be visited.

The tower climb can be left for the end. The route demands attention because of the narrow stairs and tight stretches, but it offers a panoramic view of Perast, the Bay of Kotor, the islands and the surrounding mountains.

After the visit, continue along the waterfront or head to the departure point of the boats to Our Lady of the Rocks. Allow between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on which areas are open and whether you want to climb the tower.

What is St. Nicholas Church?

St. Nicholas Church, also called St. Nikola Church, is a Catholic church located in Perast's historic center.

The current church is tied to the village's era of greatest maritime importance. Its bell tower, built in the 17th century, became one of Perast's main symbols and appears in many images of the Bay of Kotor.

Beyond the religious space, the complex can offer access to the tower and to a small museum with religious and historic objects.

Even when some areas are closed, the square, the stone facade and the tower still form one of the most characteristic scenes of Perast's historic center.

How to get to St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church is in the center of Perast, very close to the main waterfront. Since the village is small, the simplest way to get there is on foot.

The main options are:

• Walking along Perast's waterfront: a simple way to reach the church while seeing the historic center
• Taxi or car to the village entrance: then continue on foot through Perast's streets
• Trip from Kotor: some Bay of Kotor routes include a stop in Perast
• Boat or bay tour: some excursions combine Perast with Our Lady of the Rocks

The church occupies a central position and is easy to find during a walk through the village.

How to plan your visit to St. Nicholas Church

Start with the square in front of St. Nicholas Church. Take in the stone facade and the tower, which rises above the buildings of Perast's historic center.

When the church is open, go inside to see the religious space and its historic details and quiet atmosphere.

Next, check whether the small museum is operating. The area gathers religious objects and items tied to local history.

If the tower is open, leave the climb for the end of the visit. From the top, you can see Perast, the Bay of Kotor, the islands and the surrounding mountains.

The visit can include:

• Church square: central area for taking in the complex and continuing the walk through Perast
• Stone facade: one of the characteristic images of the village's historic center
• Church interior: religious space with historic details and a quiet atmosphere
• Small museum: area with religious objects and items tied to local history
• St. Nicholas tower: panoramic spot with views of Perast and the Bay of Kotor
• Perast waterfront: natural continuation of the outing, with restaurants, boats and spots for photographing the bay

The tower climb involves narrow stairs and tight stretches. The route may not suit those with mobility difficulties, fear of heights or discomfort in confined spaces.

Entry fees and access

Entry to the church is usually free.

The tower climb normally has a separate charge, at around €1 to €1.50 per person.

The small museum may also have its own charge, generally between €2 and €3 per person.

Montenegro uses the euro, so charges are in €. Prices and access conditions can change with the season, the church's operation, the tower's opening and local management.

Check on site which areas are open and the fees charged before starting the visit. Bring cash to pay for the tower or museum entry.

How much time to allow

Allow between 30 minutes and 1 hour to visit St. Nicholas Church.

To see just the square, the facade and the tower from outside, a few minutes may be enough.

If you plan to enter the church, visit the small museum and climb the tower, allow about 1 hour.

Since the church sits in a central area, the visit is easy to combine with the waterfront walk and the boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks.

Best time to visit

Each part of the day offers different conditions:

• Early morning: best option for walking through Perast with fewer people
• Late afternoon: pleasant light for photographing the church, the tower and the bay
• Midday: can be busier during high season
• Clear days: offer better visibility during the tower climb

Early morning is best for finding the village at its quietest. The late afternoon works better if photo light is your priority.

If you plan to climb the tower, choose a time with good visibility and confirm that access is open.

Practical tips

• Combine St. Nicholas Church with a walk along Perast's waterfront
• Check on site whether the church, the museum and the tower are open
• Allow between 30 minutes and 1 hour for the visit
• Bring cash to pay for the tower or the museum
• Wear comfortable footwear, especially if you plan to climb the stairs
• Visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon to find the village at its quietest
• Don't set aside too much time if you only plan to see the square and the facade
• Take care on the tower's narrow stairs and tight stretches
• Skip the climb if you have mobility difficulties, fear of heights or discomfort in confined spaces
• Continue the outing along the waterfront or to the boats for Our Lady of the Rocks

Suggested itinerary

Start the visit at the St. Nicholas Church square and take in the stone facade and the tower, one of the main landmarks of the Perast landscape.

If the church is open, see the interior and check access to the small museum. Then confirm whether the tower is open for the climb.

If you decide to go up, allow time to take the route carefully and watch Perast, the islands, the mountains and the Bay of Kotor from above.

After the visit, keep walking along the waterfront or head to the boats for Our Lady of the Rocks. That way, St. Nicholas Church fits naturally into an itinerary through Perast's historic center.