Budva
The centrally-located coastal resort of Budva has all the right ingredients for a vibrant yet family-friendly holiday. Here, magnificent pockets of paradise stretch along endless kilometers of pristine coastline with arguably Montenegro’s best beaches. Then, there’s also the beautiful oceanfront promenade, a cute old town, and Budva’s notorious nightlife.
Large al-fresco terraces, yachts docked in the marina, and the farmer’s market all deliver a dose of Mediterranean flair while countless tour agencies are offering fun-filled day outs on land and at sea. Budva has a very touristy vibe and some visitors may find it overwhelming, especially in the height of the summer season.
Budva’s Historic Center
Budva’s Old Town has an abundance of good things: small boutiques, art galleries, and plenty of bars & restaurants dotted along its charming cobblestone streets.
History and Culture of Budva
The natural harbor of Budva has remained in use since the Roman era, but the origins of the town date back even further to at least the 5th century BC, as evidenced by the remains of a well-preserved 2,400-year-old Illyrian helmet found here during excavation works just a couple of years ago.
Budva’s strategic location has often played a crucial role in its long and turbulent history. Separated from Montenegro’s mainland by the Lovcen mountain range, it is hence hardly surprising that Budva has always been closely linked to seafaring and maritime trade. After the Third Illyrian War in 168 BC, Budva became part of the Roman Empire.
Lovcen National Park
One out of five nature reserves in Montenegro, the Lovcen National Park sits between Cetinje and Budva, offering pristine nature and breathtaking vistas.
It was subsequently attacked by Avars and Slavic tribes before finally being conquered by the Republic of Venice which left a rich cultural heritage behind that is still visible today in Budva’s city walls and the narrow alleyways of its historic center. The Venetian Empire ruled from 1420 to 1797, during a time that was characterized by frequent attacks by pirates and the Ottoman Navy.
Interestingly enough, Budva’s residents spoke a Venetian dialect well into the 19th century. Today, it’s an entirely more tranquil place and the epicenter of Montenegrin summer tourism. Budva is a prime example of what happens when you take a handsome, sun-filed coastal town and an inflow of young, creative international residents who contribute to its noticeable cosmopolitan character.
Major Attractions in Budva
Budva’s Old Town offers charming restaurants and hip cafes with beautiful courtyards, souvenir and artisan shops, stylish fashion boutiques, and Montenegrin specialties. Amble along the narrow cobblestone streets and admire some of its most beautiful medieval stone edifices, including the proud Holy Trinity Church and the Church of St. John the Baptist, which traces its roots back to the 7th century.
Here and there, you will run into one of those picturesque, shaded piazzas that must have been witness to so many historical events. Four of the six remaining city gates face north (Porta Pizana, Porta Pizana 1 and 2, and Porta Pizanella) while a small one opens up onto Richardova Glava Beach, and the main city gate ‘Porta di Terra Ferma‘ overlooks Hotel Avala.
The ancient city walls wrap themselves around Budva Citadel, a mighty defensive structure offering picture-perfect views of the old town’s maze of honey-stone streets from above. It is also one of the protagonists for a unique annual event, which never fails to charm Budva’s residents and visitors alike. Every July and August, it becomes a romantic setting for dozens of theater plays, literary evenings, and open-air concerts as part of the Theatre City Festival.
The bronze sculpture of a female ballet dancer was crafted by a Serbian artist in the Mid-20th century and instantly became Budva’s inofficial symbol. A scenic coastal pathway leads to this statue, rewarding visitors with striking views of Budva and Sveti Nikola Island – this photo spot still is, after all, and not without good reason, one of the most popular in town.
Sveti Nikola Island
Discover Sveti Nikola Island, a picturesque day trip destination close to Budva, accessible by water taxi from Slovenska Beach and Budva’s marina.
Things to do in Budva
Located just off the coast from Budva, Sveti Nikola Island is an area of pristine natural beauty, offering panoramic views of the mainland. Water taxis leave half-hourly from Slovenska Beach in summer, allowing you to reach the island effortlessly and swim, snorkel, or just splash in its crystal-clear waters.
At Budva’s popular and family-friendly beaches: Slovenska Beach, Jaz Beach, and Becici Beach you can simply show up and enjoy everything from water tubing, parasailing, jet skiing, fun banana boat rides, and kayak/stand-up paddleboard rentals. There are also several scuba diving schools offering courses and expeditions, including a popular one on Ploce Beach.
Situated in a beautiful stone building in the heart of the old town, Budva’s City Museum tells the story of the town’s fascinating maritime past. The building itself was destroyed and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1979, and now houses a unique collection of archeological and ethnographic finds from Budva and surroundings, including an Illyrian-Greek helmet from the 4th BC.
Things to do in Budva
There are many fun things to do in Budva, including exploring its beautiful beaches, fun watersports, adrenaline-filled activities, and land & water-based adventure day trips.
Beaches in Budva
The beaches on the Budva Riviera are ravishing, and you can choose among several – Blue Flag Beaches included. Just a short walk from the old town, Mogren Beach is a golden-pebbled cliffside beach, backed by verdant greenery. While certainly overcrowded in July and August, the water is strikingly aquamarine, and, it’s a great option for the off-season.
Kamenovo Beach lies away from any built-up area and feels amazingly remote. To its south, this cove is framed by a succession of lovely beaches, including some of Montenegro’s finest – Sveti Stefan Beach and Milocer Beach most notably – which however require hefty charges to access, It is impossible to talk about Budva’s beaches without mentioning Becici Beach and Jaz Beach, two family-friendly options with crystal-clear waters and good facilities.
The Blue Flag beach of Drobni Pijesak, located 10 kilometers to the southeast of Budva is a lovely refuge with turquoise-colored water and an abundance of olive trees and conifers scenting the air. It lies within a picturesque cove that is only accessible via a paved but steep and winding coastal road – certainly not for beginner drivers!
Budva’s Top Beaches
Please read our Guide about the best Beaches in Budva for where to find pristine coves with crystalline water and safe, family-friendly options.
Great Restaurants in Budva
Budva is a centuries-old fishing territory, so don’t be surprised by the abundance of seafood restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. The hinterlands of Budva are farmland and pastures, so expect plenty of locally-grown ingredients to find their way onto restaurant menus, too. For an intimate yacht marina setting, there’s Regina E, serving the best the Adriatic has to offer.
For an authentic taste of Dalmatia in the heart of the historic center, visit Rivijera, which offers delicious cuisine from Coastal Montenegro and beyond. The most spectacular views of Budva can be had from Restaurant Vista Vidikovac’s al-fresco terrace. For something a little different, Paradise Food along the main Adriatic coastal road, serves simple yet tasty vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Budva’s Top Restaurants
From restaurants catering to specialty diets (vegan, gluten-free) to refined waterfront restaurants serving delicious Adriatic fare, discover the best restaurants in Budva.
Great Hotels in Budva
Infrastructural improvements and revitalization of public spaces in recent years have given Budva a fresh look, making it a fitting destination for several stylish four and five-star hotels along its coastal promenade, including Hotel Majestic, Boutique Hotel Vissi d’Arte, and Merit Starlit, introduced in 2023.
Set atop a cliff on the Zavala Peninsula south of Budva, the Dukley Hotel and Resort overlooks the entire bay from its luxurious residences with floor-to-ceiling windows – perfect for a romantic getaway. A tastefully renovated stone mansion and resort island set in picturesque Sveti Stefan, part of this AMAN Resort was once a royal summer residence, echoing a Montenegro of days gone by.
Budva’s Top Hotels
Many of the best hotels in Budva feature breathtaking views of the Adriatic, plus beautiful contemporary decor and good service. Read on to find out more!
Living in Budva
There are many different facets to living in Budva: the coastal promenade from the old town to Kamenovo Beach, with a total length of 6 kilometers and lined with towering apartment buildings, the wild cliff line from Przno to Petrovac, home to typically Mediterranean settlements of villas and low-density housing, and the authentic countryside north of Budva, where life is still largely focussed on agriculture.
Owing to its beautiful surroundings and privileged, central location (30 minutes by car to Kotor and Tivat, 60 minutes to Podgorica and Bar), Budva for many is a desirable place to live, as evidenced by Montenegro’s highest annual population growth rate over the past decade. Family-friendly, historic yet modern, and blessed with decent restaurants and cultural events, Budva has probably more to offer than you think and has convinced hundreds of people of different nationalities to set up home here.
Real estate extends from modern condos to classic Mediterranean townhouses in the old town and hillside homes with swimming pools and sea views. While building regulations in Budva proper were not always properly enforced in the 1990s and early 2000s, high land values and good zoning prevented overdevelopment along the southern flanks of the Budva Riviera, but there are still sea-view plots available on which to build your own dream home.
Budva Riviera
From Jaz Beach in the north to the almost untouched Buljarica Beach in the south, the Budva Riviera boasts some of Montenegro’s prettiest beaches and coastal towns.
Petrovac
A family-friendly resort within a 20-minute driving distance of Budva, Petrovac na Moru has a picturesque seaside walkway lined with seafood restaurants and cafes.
Events in Budva
The lively carnival celebrations are traditionally held over the annual May Day (Labor Day) celebrations. On the first of May and the days leading up to it, Budva residents forget everyday life for a moment, getting dressed up in beautiful Venetian masks and costumes, and taking to the streets to celebrate, dance, and sing. There’s also a designated children’s parade and several open-air concerts.
Summer brings the annual Theatre City (in Montenegrin: Grad Teatar). Held on Budva’s picturesque old town squares throughout most of July and August, this highly awaited event promises an abundance of stage shows, open-air concerts, and literary evenings – from local and international artists – in an exclusive and intimate setting.
Less well known than Theatre City – and dedicated specifically to presenting ballet performances -, the Adriatic Dance Festival is a month-long event organized in June and July on the picturesque summer stage, located on the Citadel Square between the Holy Trinty Church, and St. John’s.
Expect plenty of fireworks, open-air concerts, mulled wine, and delicious food to match at the Adriatic Streetfood Festival, held from December 1st until January 14th along Budva’s coastal promenade. This is certainly one of the coolest festivals in Budva, with ample food stalls and live music. This is your chance to try ‘Fugace’ and ‘Rustule’, two authentic local winter snacks.
Residency Options
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Nightlife in Budva
If partying is high on your list of wished-for things to do in Montenegro, then Budva is certainly one of the places to be. The nightlife hotspots are the many bars within the walled town and the dance clubs along the seaside walkway and further afield, such as Top Hill, one of the largest open-air clubs in the region, open till the wee hours of the morning.
There is no shortage of big names who played here, including David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Fedde Le Grand, and the like. Many locals start their night out with a rakija (in Montenegro a pre-and-after dinner drink) at a cozy local Bar (can’t go wrong with ‘Rakija & Wine Bar‘ in the old town) before heading to dinner, pub, or cocktail bar (try ‘Snack Bar Vihor’ or ‘Old Town Pub Budva’), and finally a night club.
Things to do in Montenegro
From thrilling experiences (paragliding, canyoning, rafting) to romantic and family-friendly days out, here is our guide to the best things to do in Montenegro.
Surrounding Areas of Budva
The surrounding area of Budva is not only characterized by the Dinaric Alps and the Adriatic but also by the fertile agricultural land on the journey from Budva to Kotor. Before all else, you will notice vineyards, small-scale vegetable farms, and the orange and tangerine groves which are so typical for this region.
Tomatoes grown in the fertile Grbalj Valley are known for their sweet taste and are popular beyond municipal borders. While in Budva, you may consider visiting the rural landscapes of picturesque Krimovica. Blessed with plenty of Mediterranean charm, Krimovica is also home to many centuries-old Orthodox stone churches.
Take the Adriatic coastal road south in the other direction, and you might argue that the stretch from Przno to Sveti Stefan was one of the prettiest on the entire Montenegrin Riviera. A well-known hideaway for celebrities seeking serenity, the area around Sveti Stefan offers some seriously magnificent al-fresco sea-view terraces, ranging from the classy (with dress code) to the laid-back authentic.
Sveti Stefan
A coastal town close to Budva known for its ultra-luxury resort island and pristine pink-pebbled beaches, Sveti Stefan has much going for it.
Kotor
A visit to Kotor is always highly recommended. Its UNESCO-listed city walls contain a well-preserved historic center with shops, restaurants, and bars.