The last review of this UNESCO site was nearly 5 years ago, so thought I would provide an update. We visited in October 2024 and stayed in Perast for 2 Days and Kotor for 3 Days, only touching on this beautiful part of the world. We were travelling with our daughter and caught a local bus from Dubrovnik to Perast. You have to buy a ticket to Kotor and then ask the bus driver to drop you off in Perast. This area was very strategic in its location and throughout the ages has been ruled by many empires, which has been reflected in many of its buildings and architecture. It has also been susceptible to earthquakes throughout its history with the most recent devasting one on 15 April 1979, the year of its Inscription. This resulted in significant restoration works across the Gulf in its towns, in particular Perast and Kotor.

Perast is a smaller town which is dominated by the promenade along the Gulf, with houses leading up the hill and main road that continues to Kotor. It has a more village feel, particularly when the 'day trip' visitors return back to Kotor and the evening provides a more relaxed and quieter atmosphere. One of the key things to do in Perast is to visit the Lady of the Rocks Island (5 Euro - return) which also houses a museum in the church (3 Euro). St George Island located next to this island is not open to the public. Additionally, we walked along the coast to the town of Risan where we enjoyed some local seafood in one of the many restaurants that are dotted along the coastline in this area.

Catching a local taxi after our stay in Perast, we continued on to Kotor, which is also part of another UNESCO Inscribed site (Venetian Works of Defence between 15th and 17th centuries) with Croatia and Italy. We stayed just outside of the walled city in a Unit that overlooked the town which looked spectacular at night time. In particular the lights that lit up the pathway to the old Kotor Fortress (ruins) on the hill behind the town. The Town is very clean and from talking to locals the streets are 'hosed down' every night to ensure the city is clean. It was also a city that was dominated by cats. Kotor features a variety of historical buildings reflecting different empires that ruled it. The St Tryphon Cathedral would be its most impressive, like other buildings this was also damaged during earthquakes, but has since been restored. We spend several days exploring the city, its walls and its buildings. This city is much busier with Cruise Ships stopping off for 1 - 2 days within its port. One of our highlights in visiting Kotor was climbing to the old Fortress on top of the hill that overlooks the town. It is a bit of a hike, but the path is steady, and firm and you are well rewarded for your efforts with the view across the Gulf when you reach the fortress. My advice is to go as early as you can, some people on the walk left just before dawn. Leaving early means you will beat the heat of the day, and you will have the place relatively to yourself for better atmosphere. The path does not 'officially' open until about 8.00am, however you can leave early (no closed gate) and you can pay your 15 Euro on your return. There is another pathway to the top that is free, however this is more of a Goat Track, and this goes around the other side of the valley to the Fortress and not as safe. You will also miss out the ruins of the walls of the old fortress and church on your climb along the official and old pathway.

Leaving the Inscribed site, we continued our journey in Montenegro with a local bus to Budva.

This is an Inscribed site we will return to and explore other parts of the Gulf as we feel we have only touched on the site with 5 days. If intending to visit, make sure you look past Kotor, as no matter how beautiful Kotor is, there is much more to this area.