Galija Beach
Paradise must be something like Galija Beach – if only the quality of service could be improved. Just walking down the clean, wide stairs to the red-pebbled beach is like entering a worry-free world where relaxing and unwinding comes naturally. This project started more than a decade ago as a simple beach shack and has now evolved into a serious beach club with all the bells and whistles.
Its well-crafted menu of refined drinks – 10 types of champagne incl. Dom Perignon and Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades – and MediterrAsian fusion cuisine, offer something for everyone willing to pay the premium prices. The team behind Galija frequently organizes beach parties, where you can eat, drink, and party until late at night – in an environment that has been created just for enjoyment.
You can either choose to lounge on the comfortably spaced sun loungers or Bali beds, which get exponentially more expensive the closer you get to the water’s edge, in the boho-chic beachfront restaurant, or down by the rocky outcrops that add a little drama to the otherwise more than picturesque scenery of the Budva Riviera.
Budva Riviera
The Budva Riviera is defined by its rugged, pine-draped cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and traditional seaside towns, including Sveti Stefan and Petrovac na Moru.
An Instagrammable Experience
We visit on a sunny afternoon in early summer, a few days after the record-breaking 40-degree heat wave, with just a few small clouds softening the Montenegrin sun and a gentle sea breeze chilling our skin. Galija’s beach club vibe is comparably subtle, with dreamy ceilings of driftwood and reclaimed wooden beams, combined with a toned-down color palette of taupe and beiges.
Everything here can serve as a good backdrop for a photo: the tropical cactus wall, the carmine-colored cliffs, or the peacock-blue Adriatic. Furthermore, these delightful surroundings are rounded off by the pleasure of the palate. A glimpse into the menu reveals contemporary beach club trends, with Geisha & Dragon Rolls, pasta & rice dishes, and grilled meats and seafood… all prepared with fresh ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.
The rich savor of the dishes and the dramatic surroundings are complemented by DJ live performances that transport you to Elysian Fields through the best of melodic house music. Unsurprisingly, this pricey and hedonistic beach club concept works best with a well-heeled younger crowd of Budva locals and visitors who want to look and be seen.
Budva
Welcome to Budva, a well received and bustling coastal town with a pretty historic center and a promenade lined with waterfront restaurants and shops.
The Culinary Offer
Overlooking the rows of bronzing bodies lazing in the sun, we sat at comfortable linen-fabric dining chairs that made the wooden square table feel a little higher than usual. We start our gourmet session with tuna tartare, burrata, and oven-roasted eggplant with olive oil – these light Adriatic classics are unquestionably some of our favorite summer snacks.
It would almost be a sin to leave Galija without trying their sushi offering – so we ordered a nice assortment – unfortunately, they took a little longer to arrive than expected. However, this was quickly forgotten after the first bites were taken. The spicy shrimp rolls surprised with perfectly balanced flavors and texture, offering a creamy filling with a zesty kick.
We also sampled tuna sashimi in sesame sauce and the crunchy dragon rolls drizzled with spicy mayonnaise in unagi sauce – both delightful, and fresh, and evidence of the chef de cuisines’ expertise behind the roll. For the main course, the elegantly presented grilled octopus tentacles had a tender texture while the sauce’s garlicky note balanced the meat’s mild, delicate taste.
Another benefit is that you can also enjoy snacks and beverages on your sunbed, which we found quite convenient. And, no self-respecting beach club can exist without a decent cocktail menu. At Galija, they understand this well, and as a result, there are only a handful but expertly crafted variants to choose from, including ‘Gently Paloma‘ with grapefruit juice and tequila and their take on the iconic ‘Moscow Mule‘.
Watersports in Montenegro
Kitesurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding are some of the most popular watersports in Montenegro.
Getting There
Arrive at Galija Beach via a steep, winding road that branches off the Adriatic highway coming from Budva, and park for free in the parking lot located just a few steps away from the beach. From above, you can already overlook this picturesque stretch of Montenegrin coastline and hear the relaxing deep house tunes from the beach club.
For a busier (but not too busy), resort-style atmosphere, neighboring Sveti Stefan is well worth a visit. Here you will find all sorts of rentable watersports such as kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards, a small seaside walkway dotted with a children’s playground, a few bars and restaurants, and a helpful tourist office where you can collect information about available activities, including paragliding and boat excursions.
Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is one of those almost unreal, picture-postcard seaside towns, offering incredible beaches, pretty coastal pathways, and delicious Adriatic seafood.