The Ultimate Guide to Budva, Montenegro: Old Town, Beaches and More

A beach vacation with a side of history: that’s my definition of Budva, a coastal town in Montenegro that offers the best combination of both.

This place goes back to the times of Greeks, Illyrians, and Romans. All this history is framed between the Dinaric Alps in the background and the blue of the Adriatic Sea.

I spent a week exploring the coast of the Budva Riviera, which is dotted with beaches, cliffs and forts that form a memorable landscape.

And one of its best features is that you can explore it on foot, making your way along beaches connected through paths with scenic views.

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This is your guide of what to do and see in Budva, Montenegro

Budva Old Town (Stari Grad)

Mayra standing in front of a 2-story stone building in a town from the Byzantine era, with an old church with a3-bell belfry towards the back — I loved walking around the alleys of Old Town

Behind the thick stone walls surrounding Budva Old Town you’ll find a maze of narrow alleyways connecting tiny squares with centuries-old small treasures.

A 3-story building in stone in a historic town with cobblestone streets — Wander the alleys of Old Town Budva

A small square with tall palm trees in a Byzantine-era old town — The lovely Square of Palms

Treasures like a Roman sacrificial altar (1st-2nd century A.D.) made of stone with the inscription “VINICIA PAVLINA”, discovered on site after the 1979 earthquake. Or the ornamented capitals and architrave in Villa Urbana Piazzetta, a square with remains of a Roman Villa from the 1st-2nd century A.D.

Some items, like the ancient pylons that were part of a gate of a Greek-Illyrian settlement during the 7th-6th century B.C., lay underground inside a store.

An ancient sacrificial altar in stone in the middle of a square — A Roman altar (1st-2nd century A.D.)

An ancient column capital in stone carved with floral motifs — Capitals and architrave (1st-2nd century A.D.)

Ancient stones underground inside a store — Remains of ancient pylons (7th-6th century B.C.)

With its medieval churches, a seaside citadel, and remains of structures from Roman times, Budva Old Town could be a backdrop for a Game-of-Thrones-like series. This lively place is also home to a museum, antique shops and art galleries, cafés, and all sorts of little stores

Mayra standing in front of ancient stone arches — I found many great spots for pics

An alley flanked by stone buildings with stores and galleries — Plenty of galleries, stores, and cafes inside Budva Old Town

Budva City Museum

A stone mosaic depicting a dragon — Learn about local history at the Museum of Budva

Even though the museum isn’t big and the displays are on the old side, its small collection has interesting objects that will offer an insight into the complex history of Budva. The timeline goes as far back as the 5th century B.C. when the region developed from a Greek settlement named Buthoe to a Roman and Byzantine enclave, and beyond.

You can also see an ethnographic collection with items from the 18th to the early 20th century.

Some of the oldest items are from Budva’s Hellenistic period (5th-2nd century B.C.), like the Illyrian-Greek helmet and the gold jewelry recovered from the necropolis after the 1979 earthquake.

A warrior helmet in metal from the Greek period — Illyrian-Greek helmet (5th century B.C.)

A gold ring with a stone and 3 pairs of gold earrings — Rare jewelry from the Hellenistic period (5th-2nd century B.C.)

They also have a few pottery pieces from this period (4th-2nd century B.C.)

Pottery in light colour in the shape of a decanter with a handle — One of my favourite pieces

Ceramic Incense burner in the shape of a foot — An incense burner

Ceramic round vase in dark colours and with two handles — This ancient vase has beautiful details

The Roman Empire took over for the next four centuries. During the peak of the Roman ruling (1st-2nd century A.D.), Budva was a prosperous town that expanded like pizza dough.

There are some interesting pieces of the Roman era, such as coins from when Caesar Augustus was the emperor, and this mosaic from the 1st century, found right outside the Old Town walls.

An ancient stone mosaic depicting a fantastical creature — A mosaic from the 1st century

A stone mosaic depicting a dolphin — Looks like a dolphin

I loved these ancient glass vessels resembling amphoras.

Miniature amphoras in colour glass — So delicate. How did this survive?

A small dark glass vessel resembling an amphora with a human face — Tiny treasures from the Roman era

During excavations of the necropolis archaeologists recovered urns made of stone and glass from the Roman era, and some pottery pieces (1st-2nd century A.D.).

A round ceramic vase in two tones with two handles and curved details — A vase from the Roman era

A dark-coloured ceramic vase with small details in the shape of dots — This one has dainty details

From the Byzantine Period (4th-6th century A.D.) you’ll find several architectural ornaments and capitals’ fragments.

Go to the third floor to fast forward several centuries as you enter the ethnographic collection area. You’ll learn about life in town and the rural areas of Budva before the conveniences of the modern era.

A collection of household objects from the last two centuries — A look into Budva’s recent past

A metal pan with a handle on a tray, on a colourful rug — A mangala was heated with coals and placed under the bed to warm you up on cold nights

Thanks to its mountain and seaside location Budva has had a diverse economy relying on fishing, farming, and agriculture, including olive oil production. You’ll see tools and instruments, antique furnishings, and traditional costumes.

There are signs in English.

Open: Tue. to Fri.: 8AM-9PM.; Sat. & Sun.: 2PM-9PM; General admission: €3

Budva Old Town Churches

A colourful mosaic of a saint on the tympanum of a church — Mosaic on the tympanum of the Holy Trinity Church in Old Town Budva

These are some of the medieval churches you can spot during your walk around the Old Town:

Church of St. John the Baptist

A stone church with a bell tower on the left and a 3-storey building with gothic-style windows on the right — Church of St. John the Baptist and Bishop’s Palace in Old Town Budva

The original church stood here in the 7th century and underwent several major renovations. The last one happened in the 20th century.

Church of St. Sabba The Sanctified

View of a seaside stone church from the outside with an apse — Church of St. Sabba The Sanctified

This is a church in Romanesque style, from the 12th century, where Catholic and Orthodox services took place during the Venetian period.

Church of The Holy Trinity

A stone church with a 3-bell belfry, a small rose window and round arched entrance with a mosaic on top — Church of The Holy Trinity

This pretty church, built in 1804, welcomes you with a colourful mosaic above the main entrance and with some impressive iconostasis and colourful, detailed interior murals with a deep blue background.

Iconostasis and murals covering the interior of an Orthodox church — Inside the Church of The Holy Trinity

A painting of Jesus in Russian school style — Admire the detailed murals

Detailed painting of St George on the murals of a church — The beautiful details of St. George’s robes

Church of Santa Maria in Punta

An old stone church with tiled roof and a 3-bell belfry — Church of Santa Maria in Punta

This is one of the oldest churches in the Adriatic coast, dating back to the 9th century.

Early Christian Basilica

Ruins of an ancient church with an apse with overgrown vegetation — What’s left of the early Christian Basilica

If you want to see the oldest church in town (or what’s left of it with growing weeds), check out the remains of this big basilica from the 5th-6th century A.D. where you can still see the apse at the end.

Budva Citadel

Wide stairs leading to the entrance of an old fortress made of stone — The Citadel in Budva Old Town

For centuries the Budva fortress, located on the south side of Old Town, protected its people from potential invaders. The first written mentions of the citadel date back to the 15th century, but archaeologists suspect that this was the site of an acropolis during ancient times.

Today, other than its historic significance, it’s all about the terrific views of the Old Town, Sveti Nikola Island, and the Budva Riviera from its elevated terraces.

High view of a seaside historic town from the Byzantine era — View of Old Town Budva from the Citadel

High view of a mountain system and the coastal towns — View of the Budva Riviera

Mayra standing next to a cannon on the walls of a seaside fortress, with an island in the background — View of Sveti Nikola Island

There’s a small, nice but far from spectacular library with historic books, a wall display of old maps and journals, and a handful of highly detailed model sailing ships (it’s called a “Museum”, but that’s a stretch).

You can see the remains of the Church of Santa Maria di Castello (12-14th century), even though there’s not much to see as it was engulfed by a fort built during the Austrian occupation. You’ll also find the “Symbol of Budva”.

Ruins of a stone Catholic Church — Ruins of the Church of Santa Maria di Castello

A stone plaque inside a wall with two fish, reading "Budva Mare Adriatico" — The Budva sign

There’s also a restaurant, on the expensive side.

Like I said before, the main attraction is the panoramic view and that’s pretty much it. If you come as a family it can become an expensive view as the entrance fee is €5.5p/p.

Modern Art Gallery Jovo Ivanović

In the middle of the sea of history that is Old Town Budva there’s also space for modern art. During your visit take some time to check out the work of contemporary artists (I loved the exhibit that was up during my time here). If you’re in luck you may be able to catch a concert or performance in the gallery.

Budva Dancing Girl

A bronze statue of a dancing girl with the background of a seaside old walled city — The Budva Dancing Girl (or Budva Ballerina)

This famous city landmark, also known as the Budva Ballerina and the Gymnast of Budva, is an iconic bronze statue located on the seaside promenade that takes you from the vicinity of Old Town to Mogren Beach.

It’s the work of sculptor Gradimir Aleksić, who created it inspired by a legend, or should I say, legends.

One speaks about a girl who died sad, tired of wanting the return of the sailor she fell in love with, and one speaks about a girl who went swimming in the ocean and drowned.

I don’t know which one he heard, but it certainly inspired a beautiful statue and many Insta pictures.

Paragliding

One of the elements that make Budva a special place is its sinuous coastline, shaped by towering green mountains descending into the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.

If you’re looking for an adventure, you can try paragliding and see Budva’s landscape from the air.

Budva Paragliding Experience: enjoy an aerial view of Budva as you glide in the sky on a tandem flight with an experienced guide.
Book your tandem paragliding flight, with a rating of 4.7/5 based on more than 70 reviews.

Beaches near Old Town Budva

Ričardova Glava Beach (Brijeg od Budve)

A beach with loungers with a walled old town in the background and mountains in the far back — Ricardova Glava is right next to Old Town Budva

A small, pebbly beach right outside the walls of Old Town Budva as a historic backdrop.

The downside is that being so small, easily accessible, and with a bar and restaurant right there it gets crowded, the charge for beach loungers can go up to €50, and at times trash accumulates.

Mogren Beach (I and II)

A crowded beach with big rocks on the right and a vegetation-covered mountain at the back — Mogren Beach

Mogren is my favourite beach of all the ones that are close to the Old Town. Clear water, sandy shore, and with enough space available to lay a towel in case you don’t want to rent beach loungers.

There’s a bar on site, showers, and changing stalls.

Another big win is the scenery, with big horizontally and diagonally layered rocks framing the beach. Take a walk along the scenic coastal path that leads to this site, even if you’re not planning to go in the water.

You’ll step on walkways that embrace the mountain and go through natural rock passages where you’ll see some gorgeous and interesting formations.

A man walking on a paved coastal path next to horizontally-layered flat rocks — Walk the scenic path towards Mogren Beach

Mayra standing in the centre of a cove formed by a rocky mountain with flat layers — I had to stop to check these cool formations

A man walking next to the sea near a natural rocky formation — A scenic route

One of these passages connects Mogren I and II. This sandy beach also offers an excellent viewpoint of Sveti Nikola Island and the Dinaric Alps in the background.

A sandy cove beach with a view of an island and mountains in the distance — View of Sveti Nikola Island from Mogren Beach

We walked all the way to the end of Mogren II and ventured out on the rocks a little bit to enjoy more fantastic views of the island and Old Town at sunset. I loved the violet tones in the sky.

View of an island with mountains in the background at sunset with a boat passing by — Another view of Sveti Nikola Island

A man sitting on rocks next to the sea, with a view of an old town in front the mountains — Sit on the rocks and enjoy the sunset over Old Town

If you’re here during the high season it’s better to arrive early in the morning.

3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: departing from Old Town, explore other nearby beaches and caves that are better reached or only reachable from the sea while you delight in Budva’s rugged coastline. Snorkeling gear and dry bag included.
Book this guided tour, with a rating of 4.8/5 based on more than 305 reviews.

Podmaine Monastery

An arched entrance in stone with a cross at the top, flanked by two life-size stone mosaic depicting saints — Visit Podmaine Monastery

Visiting this Serbian Orthodox monastery from the 15th century is well worth the 30 to 40 minutes uphill walk from downtown Budva.

However, what you’ll see isn’t the original building as that one was destroyed by the 1979 earthquake. The one standing today is a reconstruction, with a huge round chandelier and new frescoes adorning its walls. They’re quite colourful and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the many details.

Murals depicting religious motifs covering walls and ceilings in an Orthodox Monastery — Murals covering every inch

Handpainted Seraphims surrounded by saints of the Orthodox Church — All images are hand painted

Hand painted details in yellow, blue, and red in organic shapes — Colourful details adorn the ribs of the vaults, under arches and columns

Take some time to check the various stone and glass mosaics. There’s also a small souvenir shop.

A mosaic depicting Virgin Mary and baby Jesus overseeing pipes with running water — Mosaic over a water spout

Mosaic of a saint inside the arched tympanum of a stone building — The mosaic adorning the tympanum of the monastery

A stone mosaic of an angel — One of the stone mosaics in the entrance

Want to see the most visited monastery in the Balkans? Check out the Ostrog Monastery, a sacred pilgrimage site right here in Montenegro.
Take this tour from Budva to Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery, with a rating of 4.8/5 based on more than 1,320 reviews.

Budva Beaches: Walking the Seven Bay Trail

A busy beach with big trees around the edges, beach equipment on the shore and mountains in the background — You can stop at Kamenovo Beach (one of my favourites) along the Seven Bay Trail

Budva is blessed with many scenic beaches, some better than others depending on the experience you’re after. The Seven Bay Trail connects them via an easy coastal path -mostly paved- that you can walk in a few hours. Less than three if you don’t stop at the beaches (please do).

As a general rule, if you visit during the summer you’ll find yourself surrounded by a sea of people and, unfortunately, with the trash that it’s left behind.

You’ll have a better experience and find lower rates if you visit during the shoulder season. Mid- September is a good time, when the summer rush is over and it’s still warm without being stifling.

We took the bus from Budva to Sveti Stefan and walked back towards downtown Budva, visiting all the stops in between. Here I share with you how to get from one beach to the next and where to go to find the best spots and viewpoints so you can make your own itinerary or visit them all.

I also included a map listing the beaches.

Sveti Stefan

A beach with small pebbles overlooking an islet with buildings from the15th century — Sveti Stefan Beach is my favourite in the Budva Riviera

Meet the star of dreamy pictures of the Budva Riviera, featuring a red and beige pebbly beach in a curve ending at a 15th century fortress built on an islet.

We reached this world-famous destination by taking the public bus from the Budva bus station, hopping off at the Sveti Stefan stop located on the main road above the hill. After walking a few meters down the windy road we found the stairs that lead to the beach (look for the Plaža signs).

The beach has a gentle slope with crystal-clear water reaching the shore with gentle waves, and the iconic view of the old-town-turned-resort with mountains in the far distance.

An islet with red roof buildings from the15th century inside a walled area — A beach with an iconic view

It has a more relaxed vibe than other sites since it’s not surrounded by a gazillion restaurants, even though you still have a few -more expensive- options to eat on site (or you can bring your own snacks).

There are beach loungers with large umbrellas available for rent, with prices that get higher the closer you’re to the water’s edge and the islet, where the beach is nicer. First row can be up to €50 and it gets cheaper the farther back you go.

There’s also an area where you can lay your towel and umbrella, showers and some rickety changing stalls (no public washrooms).

Keep walking north, past the islet, and you’ll reach the “other” side.

A pebbly beach with an islet at the end filled with historic buildings — Sveti Stefan Beach, the north side

This used to be a beach for the guests of the exclusive Aman Resort, the company that runs (currently under dispute) the facilities inside the Sveti Stefan islet which is now closed, pending negotiations.

So, for now, the north side is also a public beach, with no beach loungers or any service.

Sveti Stefan is my favourite beach in Budva, but there are others on this list that are good contenders for the top spot. My favourite in Montenegro is Queen’s Beach in the outskirts of the city of Bar.

We spent a couple of hours swimming here before walking north along the Seven Bay Trail to explore more coves.

Note: if you drive here be prepared to pay €4/hour for parking.

King’s Beach (Miločer Plaža)

A beach with multicolour small pebbles and a park with green trees in the back — King’s Beach in Budva

From Sveti Stefan walk north and past Olive Restaurant to find the steps that will take you over a verdant hill and into King’s Beach. Towards the end of the shaded path you’ll enjoy an aerial view of this beautiful cove and the Miločer Park in the background.

Wide stairs on the edge of a seaside verdant hill — Take the stairs past the restaurant to go over the hill towards King’s Beach

High view of a cove beach with a rocky cliff with vegetation on top on one end and a small building behind — View of King’s Beach from the Seven Bay Trail

From this tiny multicolour pebble beach with different shades of blue in the water you can catch a view of the Sveti Stefan islet.

For now, access to the beach is free as the Aman resort is still closed (it was mandatory to pay two arms and two legs for beach loungers). There are no facilities whatsoever. If you drive here parking is €2/hour.

Queen’s Beach (Kraljičina Plaža)

Keep walking north to visit this gorgeous beach protected by the cove. It also used to be private as part of the Aman resort, but it’s free at the moment (for now). No facilities whatsoever either.

Pržno Beach

A crowded sandy beach with white umbrellas and sun loungers — Pržno Beach

Once you reach Pržno you’ll start hitting the busiest beaches in the Budva Riviera.

Pros:
-It’s a sandy beach
-There are cafés around with scenic views to have a drink right on the water
-It’s a great spot to watch the sunset

Cons:
-It’s small and crowded
-The on-site hotel takes most of the space and charges up to €180 to rent the beach loungers (unless you’re staying at the hotel), leaving a tiny area for people who come with their towels and umbrella.

In my opinion, the scenery is nice but not €180 nice and as for the beach, there are better. To me, watching the sunset from one of the cafés is the best way to enjoy this spot.

Pržno Beach to Kamenovo Beach: walk towards the north end of the beach to find the stairs that will take you up to the main road (E80).

From here, you’ll walk towards Konoba Kusta (a restaurant on the side of the road). You’ll be on a sidewalk most of the time, but the very last -short- section before reaching the restaurant you’ll walk on the road.

Near the restaurant you’ll find a path in the forest that will take you down to the coast and from there walk north to the south tip of Kamenovo Beach.

Kamenovo Beach

A long and wide beach on a cove with verdant hills and a mountain in the distance — Kamenovo Beach

Kamenovo, with a long, wide stretch of pebbly sand, is my second favourite beach in Budva after Sveti Stefan. I had a lovely swim here.

Even with tons of people it doesn’t feel crowded as there’s space for everybody, including an area where you can lay your towel if you don’t want to rent beach loungers, which cost up to €25 depending on what time of the year you visit and what row you choose.

A beach at sunset with big rocks on one end and with a hill on the other end — Small pebbles and clear water

There’s a restaurant on site and showers, as well as jet skis and other water sports equipment for rent.

Parking is conveniently located right on the beach (€5).

Kamenovo Beach to Djevištenje Beach: walk past the parking area and keep going up the access road until you find a pedestrian tunnel carved in the mountain to cross to the other side.

People walking on a paved path towards a pedestrian tunnel carved in the mountain — This pedestrian tunnel will take you from Kamenovo Beach to Djevištenje

Djevištenje Beach

A scenic beach with a huge rock formation and mountains in the background — Djevištenje Beach

This small, rocky beach offers a wonderful scenery courtesy of two massive rocks that frame the bay, resembling a sinuous layer cake.

There’s a café on site with beach loungers for rent.

Rafailovići Beach

A beach with loungers with big buildings and a mountain in the background — Rafailovići Beach

Keep walking northwest on the promenade to find this beach, which is on the narrow side and beyond crowded during the high season. If you come here in the summer, arrive early so you can have a few hours of enjoyment before it goes crazy. There are many restaurants around and beach loungers for rent (as well as lots and lots of cigarette butts in the sand).

Bečići Beach

A rocky beach with sun loungers and several tall buildings behind and a mountain in the background — Bečići Beach

Further west you’ll find this rocky beach which shares pretty much the same good things and not so good things as Rafailovići (if you look at the map it’s just a different section of the same 2-km long beach), with the advantage that it’s wider and longer so it feels less crowded and has more space to lay your towel if you don’t want to pay for beach loungers.

To me, this is a beach to have a long walk, sit at one of its many restaurants and have a drink with a seaview rather than getting in the water (at least during the high season).

Bečići Beach to Slovenska Beach: keep heading west, go past the section labeled Lumbrela Beach and make a right turn on the first walkway you’ll see, which will lead to the Mediteran Hotel, where you’ll turn left.

You’ll reach the Budva tunnel (a pedestrian tunnel with murals), which will take you to Dukley Beach (where you have to pay a deposit to get in as it’s managed by a 5-star hotel), and from there you’ll connect directly to the Budva promenade.

Slovenska Beach

A beach with calm waters and a mix of sand and small rocks with the mountains and boats in the distance — Slovenska Beach

This is the “city beach”, located right in downtown Budva. There’s a promenade that follows along its 1.6-Km length (one mile), with city parks and endless eateries.

There are many beach bars that run different sections of the beach with loungers for rent, and some clear areas where you can lay a towel. The west tip ends in a marina with many boats offering different trips, including popular ones like rides to Hawaii Beach on Sveti Nikola Island and fishing trips.

During the summer it’s beyond crowded and unfortunately it gets dirty.

Note: Budva nightlife concentrates around this area, with many bars and nightclubs to party the night away.

This is the last stop (or first, if you do it backwards) along the 7 Bay Trail. Do the entire walk, some of it or pick the most tempting beach.

Sveti Nikola Island (Hawaii)

View of an island from a terrace and mountains in the distance — View of Sveti Nikola island from Budva’s Citadel

Sveti Nikola Island (Školj) is 800 metres (0.5 miles) across downtown Budva, only a short boat trip or a kayak adventure away. The round trip costs €6p/p, with many boats departing every 30 minutes from the Budva Marina (Slovenska Beach) to Hawaii Beach, on the north tip of the island.

The main attraction here is the beaches on the north side: Hawaii, Sveti Nikola, and Halfmoon Beach. If you have the stamina and experience, you could come here in a kayak and paddle around the island to explore the little caves and nooks and crannies around the coast.

There are showers, beach loungers for rent, and a restaurant on site with less than stellar reviews so we opted to bring snacks with us.

We spent some brief time in Hawaii Beach while we waited for the boat to bring us back to the mainland, and most of the time swimming at Halfmoon Beach, which was my fourth favourite beach in Budva.

Hawaii Beach

A beach with clear water and medium-sized stones, with a view of a small city and the mountains behind — You’ll need water shoes at Hawaii Beach

Nothing spectacular, but the view of Budva’s coastline and the mountains is nice so it’s great for taking pictures. Clear water, with big rocks instead of sand and the occasional sea urchin so you’re better off wearing wet shoes.

Sveti Nikola Beach

A rocky beach with beach loungers and with tall rocky cliffs at one end — Sveti Nikola Beach

This beach is on the opposite side of Hawaii, with much more space to spread around, a view of the rocky cliffs, and with plenty of rocks.

Halfmoon Beach

A narrow rocky beach at the bottom of a cliff with beach loungers and umbrellas — Halfmoon Beach

I really, really liked this beach because the scenery is breathtaking. This isn’t a sandy, wide and long beach. It’s exactly the opposite: small, beyond narrow, and with more stones than a quarry, but it’s fantastic for an unforgettable swim in clear deep water amongst huge rock formations, away from the crowds.

A man swimming in the sea with a rocky cliff in the background — A scenic swim

A man swimming next to big rocks sticking out of the sea — Plenty of huge rocks around and clear water

There are rickety beach loungers for rent for €15-20. Bring wet shoes as you’ll need them to step on the rocks when getting in and out of the water. Not the best beach for kids, obviously.

Where to Stay in Budva

Check out these popular hotels in Budva:

Avala Resort & Villas: stay right on the beach, next to Old Town. Select a regular room or a suite with a kitchen, all with breakfast, parking, and high-speed internet included. Facilities include 3 swimming pools, bar, restaurants, and a fitness centre.
Book your stay at Avala, with a rating of 8.9/10 based on more than 2,000 reviews

Dukley Hotel & Resort: a 5-star hotel for a luxurious experience near Bečići Beach. Enjoy a private beach, a rooftop infinity pool, and a free boat transfer to Old Town in the summer. There are restaurants on site and breakfast is included.
Relax at Dukley Resort, with a rating of 9.0/10 based on more than 295 reviews

Four View Apartments: a selection of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments close to Slovenska Beach with a kitchen, AC, flat-screen TV, and a balcony. Sea or city view available.
Stay at Four View, with a rating of 9.4/10 based on more than 415 reviews.

How to Get to Budva

By Air

The nearest airport to Budva is Tivat (TIV). It’s a tiny airport and normally flying there is more expensive. For more options (with possibly lower prices) you can fly to the Podgorica airport (TGD), which is only one hour and change away from Budva.

Check if your accommodation offers airport transfers as public transit from the airport isn’t the best.

By Bus

The Budva bus station is located close to the centre, with frequent buses connecting Budva with main destinations in Montenegro. Trip duration varies according to travel times:

Kotor: around 45 minutes
Cetinje: around 45 minutes
Bar: around 1.25 hours
Tivat: around 35 minutes
Herceg Novi: around 1.75 hours
Ulcinj: around 1.75 hours
Podgorica: around 1.5 hours

For schedule and prices you can check www.busticket4.me

You can buy the ticket online but drivers request a printed copy (Hello,21st century?). The bus station charges a fee to print it. Extra charge for luggage.

Day Trips from Budva

These destinations aren’t far from Budva and make a great day trip, especially when you don’t want to spend much time on the road.

Lake Skadar: big scenic lake with ancient monasteries and one of the best places in Montenegro for birdwatching. Read more about Skadar, the Balkan’s largest lake.

Lovćen National Park: step on its hiking trails and visit its famous mausoleum to enjoy wonderful views of the mountains and the coastline. Learn more about Lovćen here.

Cetinje: the old Royal capital of Montenegro has many museums and a good sample of 19th-century architecture. Read more about Montenegro’s cultural enclave.

Lipa Cave: take a guided trip to see many curious formations inside this cave.

Searching for best rental rates? Check out Rental Cars for savings

How Many Days in Budva

If you only want to visit the Old Town, you can do that in one day, a day trip from Kotor or other nearby urban centres will be enough. But if you also want to enjoy the beaches and the scenic coastal paths then I would plan for a 3-day trip.

If you stay in Budva as your home base to explore the surroundings you can extend your stay to 5 or 7 days according to the number of day trips you want to do.

Packed with many beaches to suit any preferences, this is a lively place with remnants of a glorious past. If you like Budva’s Old Town, plan a day trip to the old fortress in Stari Bar for another dose of history.

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ

How to Plan Your Visit to Stunning Durmitor National Park

5 Beautiful Hiking Trails to See the Best of Durmitor National Park

Durmitor Ring: the Most Scenic Drive in Montenegro

BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Book your flight without losing your shirt

We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.

To find a place to stay for less

Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.

Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.

House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.

To get travel insurance

SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.

Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings