Lady of the Rocks
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Perast · Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

The island built by hand, stone by stone

A blue-domed church on an artificial islet, raised from the sea by the sailors of Perast over centuries. It is the most photographed sight in the Bay of Kotor — and only five minutes by boat from the waterfront.

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Our Lady of the Rocks islet and church in the Bay of Kotor Photo: Alexey Komarov · CC BY 3.0
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Why go

A sailors’ vow, kept for 500 years

According to local tradition, in 1452 two fishermen from Perast found an icon of the Virgin and Child on a sea rock in the bay. They vowed to build a church there — and so began one of the most unusual building projects in the Adriatic. For generations, boatmen dropped stones on the reef after every safe voyage, and old ships were sunk to widen the base, until an island rose from the water.

Today the islet holds a Baroque church with a blue dome, a small museum of votive gifts from sailors, and views straight down the narrow Bay of Kotor, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opposite floats its natural twin, St George, with its cypresses and Benedictine monastery.

  • 1452Year of the icon legend
  • 5 minBoat ride from Perast
  • 22 JulyAnnual Fašinada stone-throwing
  • 2Islets off Perast (one man-made)

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Best ways to visit Lady of the Rocks

Short boat trips from Perast, cruises from Kotor and Budva, and full-day tours of the bay.

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Where to go

Around the Bay of Kotor

The islet is the highlight of any trip along the bay — here’s what surrounds it.

The church & museum Our Lady of the Rocks The church & museum A blue-domed Baroque church and a museum of sailors' votive gifts, on the islet built by the people of Perast. St George island Perast St George island The natural twin of Our Lady of the Rocks — a cypress-covered islet with a Benedictine monastery, seen from the boat. Perast Bay of Kotor Perast A tiny Baroque town of sea captains' palaces and church towers — the departure point for the island. Bay of Kotor Montenegro Bay of Kotor A deep, fjord-like bay ringed by mountains and medieval towns, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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When to go

Best time to visit

Boats to the islet run year-round in good weather, with the most departures from May to October. May, June and September combine warm weather with fewer cruise-ship crowds than July and August.

On 22 July Perast celebrates the Fašinada, when decorated local boats tie together and sail to the islet at sunset to throw stones onto it — a unique sight if you’re there that day.

Plan like a local

Plan your visit

How to visit Our Lady of the Rocks Boats from Perast and Kotor, what you'll see on the islet, entry fees, timing and tips for cruise passengers. Read the guide The legend of Our Lady of the Rocks How the sailors of Perast built an island by hand, why stones are still thrown into the sea every 22 July, and what to see in the church. Read the guide Best time to visit Lady of the Rocks Seasons, cruise-ship crowds, the Fašinada on 22 July and the best time of day for photos. Read the guide

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

Where is Our Lady of the Rocks?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Our Lady of the Rocks?

By boat. Small boats shuttle visitors from the Perast waterfront in about five minutes. You can also join a boat tour from Kotor, Tivat or Budva that stops at the islet, often combined with the Blue Cave or Perast old town.

Is there an entrance fee?

Landing on the islet is part of the boat trip, but there is a small charge to enter the church and its museum, paid on the island. Check what your tour includes.

Can you visit St George island too?

St George (Sveti Đorđe), the natural islet next door, is home to a Benedictine monastery and is generally not open to visitors — you can see it from the boat.

How long should I spend there?

About 30–45 minutes is enough to see the church, the museum and the views. Combine it with an hour or two in Perast for a relaxed half day.

What is the Fašinada?

A tradition held every year on 22 July: locals row decorated boats to the islet at sunset and throw stones into the sea around it, continuing the centuries-old work of building the island.

Is it worth it for cruise passengers?

Yes — it’s one of the easiest half-day trips from Kotor port. Pick a tour with a guaranteed return time, or take a taxi to Perast (around 20–25 minutes) and the local boat from there.

Sail to the island church

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