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The Best Beaches in Budva
The busy and vibrant coastal town of Budva practically invented beach tourism in Montenegro, and it is easy to see why: among its 12,5 kilometers of golden pebbles and rocky coves, some legitimate treasures are to be found. Some beaches on the Budva Riviera are family-friendly while others cater more to couples or groups of friends.
With the exception of Ploce Beach and Club Teatro on Slovenska Beach, Budva doesn’t do party beaches in the El Arenal or Ibiza style, preferring the gentler alternative of beach clubs with more relaxed seaside vibes instead. Regardless if you are just in search of a picturesque bay to unwind and enjoy a refreshing cocktail, feast on grilled octopus with your toes in the sand, or look for a Blue-Flag-certified stretch of sand, in Budva, there’s a beach for every taste and budget.
Budva
Welcome to Budva, Montenegro’s most-visited seaside resort, known for its 2,500-year-old historic center and a range of picturesque beaches.
Mogren
This is a postcard plaža, its water so clear that it’s almost invisible. A restaurant on Mogren II (Mogren Beach is divided by a cliff into two halves) sorts out lunch and cocktails. The catch? It’s so close to Budva’s Old Town – and thus popular – that you need to arrive by 9 am to secure a spot in the peak of the season.
In the off-season, this stretch of golden pebbles, which is ringed by sharp, yellow cliffs and striking verdant greenery, is as idyllic as it gets. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s rock jumping on its northern end. From the car park next to the Merit Starlit Hotel, take the scenic coastal path down to the beach, and take a picture of the Ballet Dancer Staue along the way. For Robinson Crusoe fantasies, hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and head west to one of the wild beaches.
Mogren Beach
Mogren Beach is small and sheltered by cliffs and rocky outcrops, which make it very scenic, no wonder it gets busy in the summer months.
Mogren II
The intimate terrace of the beach restaurant on Mogren II is a stylish setting for sundowners. The soft golden pebbles are great for unwinding and relaxing.
Jaz
This gently curving 1,200-meter-long stretch of pebbles and sand, located only two coves north of Budva’s medieval old town is not only picturesque and well-looked-after but also fits the bill for a family-friendly day by the sea. Its warm and admirably clean waters are a dream for small children, and the fine golden pebbles are, according to domain experts, ideal for building sand castles.
On-site facilities include changing stations, showers, and toilets while sun loungers & parasols, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and jet skis are available for hire, and there’s even an inflatable children’s playground. A paved seaside walkway connects a handful of restaurants and beach bars but Jaz is not a party beach. Instead, it has a laid-back vibe (as much as possible for a kid-friendly beach), especially on its northernmost flanks, where beach clubs cater to the ‘alternative’ crowd.
Jaz Beach
Jaz Beach’s authentic and family-friendly local vibe is what beachgoers love about it. Good swimming, snorkeling, watersports, and activities for the little ones.
Drobni Pijesak
A steep and winding single-lane coastal road takes you from the village of Drobnici to one of Montenegro’s prettiest pebble beaches, sheltered by beautiful sandstone cliffs and offering turquoise-colored waters, just a 20-minute drive away from Budva. A rustic restaurant and a stylish beach club serve up typical beach fare besides grilled meats and seafood at un-simple prices.
Once the seat of an open-air tribal court, with jurisdiction over the lands of the Pastrovici, the only judgments that are pronounced here nowadays are by the footloose international crowd of hedonists, sunseekers, and Instagrammers about the water temperature and quality of service on idyllic Drobni Pijesak Beach.
Drobni Pijesak
Drobni Pijesak Beach, an almost untouched cove south of Budva, is beloved by everyone looking for a convenient place to recharge and swim in crystalline waters.
Becici Beach
Becici Beach is a classic, well-shielded southern bay with mirror-calm, and gin-clear Adriatic waters, and is still very affordable by local standards – one reason why it has always been popular among Montenegrin families. Another is its strategic location, just a one-hour drive from the country’s capital city Podgorica, and without any of the annoyances of access; a (paid) car park is just behind.
Although Becici Beach is one of the longest and widest in Montenegro, space can be limited on Saturdays and Sundays in the high season. At other times, the sand still dazzles and the sea is still splendid, with the added benefit of fewer people and more relaxation potential. Becici Beach has a rich watersports offer – expect the occasional inflatable water toy or jet ski to appear out of nowhere.
Becici Beach
If you are in search of a place to plop on those scorching, sunny days, then Becici Beach, a long stretch of pebbles, is right for you and your family.
Halfmoon Beach
It’s no mystery that the small Sveti Nikola Island just off the coast of Budva is a treasure trove of gorgeousness, with lush Mediterranean forests and beautiful stretches of beaches, making clear why everyone from day-tripping sunseekers to snorkelers and serious scuba divers flocks here in the warm summer months.
Pick up your snorkeling gear (you don’t need to bring snacks and drinks though since there are bars and restaurants on the island) before setting off to the crystalline shallows of Halfmoon Beach, a sickle-shaped rocky bay that genuinely promotes relaxation. You can unwind in the shades of towering cliffs to the tune of waves (not the smallest on this side of the island) slapping against the shore.
Get here: Water taxis run from the pier at Slovenska Beach – adjacent to Restaurant Jadran.
Sveti Nikola Island
Sveti Nikola Island has some of Budva’s prettiest beaches with backdrops few locations can match; we’re talking towering cliffs and verdant greenery.
Watersports in Montenegro
Sailing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are some of the most popular watersports in Montenegro.
Trsteno Beach
Set like a wonder among the predominantly pebbly and rocky beaches of the Budva Riviera among shrubs and low-hanging cliffs of the Platamuni Marine-Protected Area, this sandy, narrow cove beach strikes a balance between child-friendliness and beautiful scenery. Entirely free of tourist dwellings, Trsteno Beach, despite its tiny size, still has two basic beach bars on-site.
There are also rentable sun loungers and parasols (not an easy feat to accomplish considering Trsteno’s length of just 50 meters). Its easy accessibility from Budva and also Kotor is an ambiguous benefit, nevertheless, as the tiny bay fills up quickly in the peak of summer, especially on weekends. Need more space? Walk or drive the 600 meters along the coast to the not less-popular but more commodious Ploce Beach.
Trsteno Beach
Discover Trsteno Beach, a very narrow and tiny sandy stretch, perfect for families with small children in the off-season – crowded in July and August.
Laguna Beach
True beach freaks know that the less approachable a plaža is, the more pristine and paradisical its shores. The secret and unspoiled Laguna Beach on Sveti Nikola Island is a real refuge that is only accessible by (private, prearranged boat transfer) and thanks to having the best snorkeling and scuba diving close to Budva, many locals would probably prefer you didn’t know about it at all.
Expect golden sand as fine as granulated sugar, shallow waters of an incredible Carribean-blue, and breathtaking views of the mainland. It is hard to grasp why the fame of Laguna Beach has not yet spread far and wide. Crabs and mussels still cling to the crags but don’t just pluck them off – for delicious sharing platters of seafood, try one of the two on-site taverns.
Budva Riviera
The Budva Riviera is home to many of Montenegro’s most picturesque beaches and coastal towns, including Sveti Stefan and Petrovac.
Lucice Beach
Among the devoured swathes of overdeveloped coastline (most notably Budva proper and Becici) also lie pretty coves, like Lucice Beach, that have marvelously escaped the curse of ‘urbanizacija‘. There’s a beach bar right on the sand with easy-listening music for quick refreshments after a few hours of swimming, snorkeling (Lucice is truly great for that purpose!), or simply sunbathing.
Its azure waters, sugary pebbles, lush pine trees, and panoramic views of the Katic and St. Nedjelja islets make Lucice Beach not only one of the most charming coves on Budva’s Riviera but certainly one of the best beaches in Montenegro as a whole. It is easily accessible from neighboring Petrovac and plenty of shaded parking is available. Restaurant Pinus Maritimus does a delicious wood-fired oven pizza and its beautiful al-fresco terrace is good for a sunset glass of Vranac Wine.
Lucice Beach
Fine beige pebbles, the sea an almost surreal shade of blue, and the prettiest scenery – Lucice Beach is unsurprisingly often compared to Queens Beach.
Petrovac na Moru
Petrovac is a family-friendly coastal resort offering relaxed Mediterranean vibes, a lovely coastal promenade lined with restaurants, and pretty beaches.
Presjeke Beach
Presjeke Beach is certainly NOT on the list of Budva’s most comfortable beaches – it is more rocky than sandy and not really suitable for very small children. Further, this tiny piece of paradise is not exactly easy to find – you can easily miss the sharp turn left after a very twisty road down from the beautiful village of Rezevici.
Once there, however, you will be rewarded with one of Budva’s most charming beach restaurants, which boasts a nicely shaded eating area and looks out over the Adriatic. Just a few sun loungers are available for hire, and as they are snapped up quickly, it is advisable to book at least a day in advance or at least arrive very early.
Dukley Beach
Dukley Beach, mostly used by hotel guests of the resort with the equivalent name, is surely a lovely spot for early morning and sunset swims; this is when the water in the bay is as calm as portrayed in magazines. However, non-guests need to be prepared to pay a hefty premium for lingering among the well-heeled on this little-visited, exclusive expanse of soft pebbles.
So why come? Dukley Beach provides valet parking, lifeguards, clean toilets, plus lunches at the Dukley Seafront Restaurant and refreshing cocktails or Moet & Chandon from its upscale beach bar. The highlight is the sweeping bay views, even better enjoyed from the commanding position on a stand-up paddleboard – available for rent right next to the bar!
Sveti Stefan Beach
Split into two unequally beautiful beach sections (with a more exclusive northern part) by a causeway connecting the mainland to the resort island, Sveti Stefan Beach has a timeless and elegant Riviera feel, which can already be witnessed from the observation deck along the Adriatic coastal road before arriving at the car park (4€ per hour) behind the beach.
The winning combination of glassy Pantone water, craggy sandstone rocks, and copper-colored pebbles is unlike anywhere on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, but you need to have deep pockets to enjoy the views of Sveti Stefan Island from the comfort of your lounger, especially if you opt for a set on the northern section which can be three times as expensive. But this place definitely has charm – Sveti Stefan Beach is the stuff of postcards.
Sveti Stefan Beach
Expect to be astonished by the two small but pristine crescents of pink pebbles that make up Sveti Stefan Beach, offering a luxurious seaside experience.
Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is a small resort town on the Budva Riviera, known for its iconic resort island, a secluded refuge where many celebrities have spent their vacations.
Milocer Beach
The legendary Sveti Stefan resort island (currently operated by AMAN) has been a celebrity magnet for almost a century, overlooking a picturesque pine-fringed cove of pink pebbles and gin-clear water. Behind the 300-meter-long Milocer Beach are forests of ancient oaks, engulfing King Alexander’s summer residence, a stone edifice that is part of the AMAN Sveti Stefan Resort.
Finances permitting, find your spot and snooze away the afternoon on one of those comfortably spaced wooden loungers, with cicadas buzzing and squawking in the oppressive midday heat. Whet your appetite with a stroll along the forested coastal footpath towards Sveti Stefan, then treat yourself to seafood pizza, grilled fish, or mussels a la buzara in the neighboring restaurants.
Milocer Beach
Nature and nurture for your soul on one of the quietest and most exclusive beaches on the Budva Riviera, Milocer Beach retains a sophisticated beauty.
Kamenovo Beach
This eye-catching pebbly cove, hidden away between Becici and Sveti Stefan, is a treasured spot for locals and visitors alike. Geared more towards a younger crowd of couples and groups of friends, it is where the bronzed and the beautiful play beach volleyball and drink cocktails to relaxed house tunes played by the beach club’s resident DJ.
The scenic one-hour path to the Blue-Flag-certified Kamenovo Beach from Budva’s historic center is an easy walk, but you can also rent an electric scooter or arrive by car via the main Adriatic coastal road. Head south out of Budva, park as close as you dare (ample spaces are available), and walk the last 100 meters.
Once there, explore the nearby sea caves and rock formations with your mask and snorkel, or embark on a little kayaking adventure – both Sveti Stefan and Sveti Nikola Island are within easy reach. Kamenovo’s crystal-clear waters of forget-me-not blue are a match for anywhere in the Mediterranean but hide a serious drop; small children should be carefully monitored. You can enjoy Adriatic snacks at the on-site beach bar or assemble your own fruit platter from the stalls found at the tunnel entrance.
Kamenovo Beach
Kamenovo Beach is a beautiful wide arc of pebbles backed by a beach club (known for its salsa parties) and ringed by green, towering mountains.
Blue Flag Beaches
From coves with crystal-clear waters to family-friendly long stretches of sand, Montenegro’s Blue-Flag Beaches come in all shapes and sizes.
Crvena Stijena
Tucked away between Sveti Stefan and Crvena Glavica Beach, this peaceful pebble beach is folded between beautiful red cliffs and backed by a layer of thick pine forests. Long gone are the days of its lesser-known status, and in the peak of the season, don’t be surprised to see quite a few locals and tourists show up on this slender but scenic strip of the Adriatic coast.
The on-site bar serves simple beach fare alongside grilled meats and seafood. And when you’re not sipping on ice-cold Niksicko pivo and enjoying views of Sveti Stefan, either slip into the gin-clear waters or perch on the rocks and boulders – the supply of sunbeds is limited, so be sure to arrive early if your idea of the perfect day by the sea includes spending hours reclined on a lounger.
Get here: From the car park behind the Crvena Glavica Auto Camp, take the gravelly path down to the beach and then turn right.
Crvena Stijena Beach
Crvena Stijena Beach is a red pebble beach offering an interesting angle on Sveti Stefan from the shallows of its brilliantly blue waters – great for snorkeling!
Ricardova Glava Beach
The peculiar name of this golden-pebble beach (‘Richard’s Head’) sitting between the lapping waves and Budva’s ancient city walls, came into use in the 1960s, shortly after scenes of Richard Widmark’s movie ‘The Long Ships‘ were filmed here, and is still one of the prettiest spots for a quick dip close to the historic center.
Expect panoramic old-town vistas galore, large rocks in the shallows (water shoes are a must), and pricey sun loungers filled with Bikini-clad luxuriating in the sun. Head to the on-site Avala Beach Bar for a pizza and cocktail or nearby Astoria beachfront restaurant for a lunch of grilled squids or Caesar salad.
Perazica Do
With an aquamarine sea and a backdrop of dramatic cliffs and pretty vacation homes, a landscape that had inspired the state-owned Budvanska Rivijera hospitality group to erect the Titanic-shaped Hotel AS here in 1973, Perazica Do Beach had and, to tell the truth, still has much going for it, but it’s not for everyone!
Even though the hotel has been abandoned since the 2000s, leaving behind a concrete behemoth of construction, boulder-covered Perazica Do still offers an alluring stretch of white pebbles that draws hundreds of visitors each year. Probably not unsurprisingly, it has not managed to stay entirely off the main tourist track, as evidenced by the rows of cars parked here on sun-filled summer days.
Call Perazica Do Beach polarizing candid splendor in high technicolor: cafe-au-lait-colored parasols and seashore, the shimmering anthracite hotel structure surrounded by towering rusty cranes, and the belt of verdant Mediterranean greenery backing and hugging this snorkelers’ and divers’ paradise.
Perazica Do Beach
Perazica Do Beach is known for its untamed character, where large boulders and cliffs give way to hot beige pebbles and the clearest of deep aquamarine waters.
Queens Beach
Set in a hidden – geographically, at least – coastal landscape, this shielded and picturesque cove on Budva’s Riviera is folded between pine-draped cliffs and backed by the stone buildings of a prestigious hotel resort. Usually only accessible to AMAN Sveti Stefan hotel guests (open to the public for the 2024 season!), Queens Beach oozes old-world charm, with its beautifully landscaped gardens leftover from the start of the 20th century.
Although Queens Beach is easily accessible by car from Budva – and there is also a car park nearby – this 120-meter-long stretch of pebbles still feels unspoiled and intimate. Dive into the water and you float in a clear azure sea that is not just aqua but which shimmers with a pale, sapphire glow. Bliss.
Queens Beach
Located in one of Montenegro’s most secluded and exclusive coves, Queens Beach is rarely free to all; it is for the 2024 season, so why not take a royal dip?
Przno Beach
A former fishing village, the L-shaped curve sweeping around Przno has in recent years become one of Budva’s most desirable beaches. You’ll however need deep pockets for the rentable sun loungers and parasols, especially the ones offered by Hotel Maestral, since you’ll probably want to avoid the overcrowded public section.
This picturesque enclave, with its row of traditional seaside stone cottages, lies just a 10-minute drive away from Budva’s town center. The pink-pebbled beach, mostly used by well-heeled locals and hotel guests, is lovely for a refreshing evening swim before savoring some local delicacies at a charming al-fresco waterfront terrace – Konoba More is a classic for seafood.
Przno Beach
You can combine a splash-around at Przno Beach with a visit to the Maestral Casino, located in the luxurious five-star hotel with the same name.
Buljarica Beach
Shielded from the worst of mass tourism by its out-of-the-way location on the southernmost edges of Budva’s coastline, Buljarica is a pretty, small-scale resort adjacent to Petrovac, harboring one of Budva’s largest beaches and is best visited on a calm day with no wind – it being in some measure exposed to the notorious but soft Maestral wind that blows here in the afternoons.
Stay at the near end for soft beige pebbles and lunch in a charming beachfront tavern, Galija. Venture out further south towards the far end for more privacy and nudism – but also rocks instead of pebbles. Either way, Buljarica Beach offers a scenic escape, perfect for a family-friendly or simply quiet day by the sea with your partner.
The activities? Hire a kayak and bring your snorkeling gear: you’re close to one of Montenegro’s marine reserves (less than a kilometer from the heart of the beach), where fish float through the corals and seaweed meadows between the picturesque islets of Katic and Sveti Nedjelja, the latter being the one with the charming church on top.
Buljarica Beach
Buljarica Beach is one of the finest on the Budva Riviera: expect plenty of room to spread your towel, gin-clear waters surrounded by lush green mountains.
Ploce Beach
It’s relatively easy to reach this family-friendly party beach located on the northernmost edges of the Budva Riviera, near Cape Platamuni: you can either arrive by car/taxi/bus or take a water taxi from Budva to its rugged shores. You don’t come here for the natural beauty but for convenience and fun, as attested by the armada of sun loungers and outdoor pools for children, and adults, and separate one specifically for foam parties and sipping cocktails.
In high summer, you will find plenty of amenities on the rocky outcrops, including a full-service restaurant, an inflatable children’s playground, and a scuba diving center. Ploce Beach is a sensational place for some snorkeling – besides surreal underwater landscapes and sea caves, you might even spot some octopuses. Note that this beach will probably feel too intense if you’re looking for some peace and seclusion.
Ploce Beach
Not strictly a beach, most of Ploce is a terraced concrete deck that makes for an interesting change from Budva’s usual pebbly and sandy stretches.