Adventurous Kate comprises affiliate hyperlinks. Should you make a purchase order via these hyperlinks, I’ll earn a fee at no further price to you. Thanks!
Budva is THE premier seashore vacation spot of Montenegro — and a hotspot of the Baltics. There are a ton of issues to do in Budva — a city with seashores, high-rise flats and motels, nightclubs, eating places, and a small previous city that seems like a miniature Dubrovnik.
Whereas most guests to Montenegro spend the majority of their time in the attractive city of Kotor, lots of people are disenchanted that there aren’t any first rate seashores across the Bay of Kotor.
The answer? Head half-hour south to Budva! Montenegro’s superb seashores prolong southward alongside the Budva Riviera, together with well-known seashore cities like Sveti Stefan and Petrovac.
I’ve been visiting Montenegro for greater than a decade, and a few of my greatest recollections have come from Budva — particularly the 12 months I attended Sea Dance Competition, with unimaginable performances and dancing till daybreak on Jaz Seashore.
Should you’re planning to discover Montenegro in depth, you’ll be able to’t skip Budva and the Riviera! Along with providing Montenegro’s greatest seashores, Budva is a superb vacation spot for historical past, tradition, eating, and nightlife. It feels just a little bit like Miami on the Adriatic.
Listed below are the perfect issues to do in Budva, Montenegro — a city that I’m excited to share with you..
(Planning a visit to Montenegro? You’ll want to take a look at my Final Montenegro Journey Information and 30 Finest Issues to Do in Montenegro!)
This publish was revealed in January 2024 and co-written by Adventurous Kate and Dale Individuals.
The Finest Issues to Do in Budva, Montenegro
Wander the Previous City
Budva’s previous city is sort of a smaller, condensed model of Dubrovnik, Croatia. It’s a historic walled metropolis that juts out into the ocean, crammed with picture-perfect stone buildings with orange tiled roofs.
You possibly can stroll alongside the Budva metropolis partitions and admire the views of each the city and the encircling Adriatic Sea. The doorway price for strolling town partitions is simply 3 EUR ($3.25 USD), a cut price compared to Dubrovnik’s 35 EUR price (which has most likely elevated within the moments I’ve been scripting this…).
Simply outdoors the partitions of the previous city, you’ll discover the Budva Dancing Woman statue, a fantastic sculpture with the most effective views of the previous city behind it. That is price a cease for images on the very least.
Should you’d want to discover Budva’s previous city on a tour, you’ll be able to ebook a strolling tour with a educated tour information who will present you the highlights of Budva.
Discover the Citadel Fortress
Citadel Fortress is a must-visit in Budva’s Previous City. This historical fortress dates again over a millennia, and its strategic location perched on the Adriatic Sea made it an vital fortification all through Budva’s historical past.
At this time, you’ll be able to go to the Citadel Fortress in Budva for 3.50 EUR ($3.85 USD.) You possibly can discover all of the nooks and crannies of the fortress and soak up nice views of the Adriatic Sea and the Previous City from varied lookout factors.
Admission to the Citadel Fortress additionally consists of entry to the Museum of the Metropolis of Budva.
Calm down on the seashore
Seashores are what Budva does greatest — and Budva is THE place in Montenegro to expertise nice Adriatic seashores. There are fairly a couple of seashores in and round Budva.
You shouldn’t count on sandy seashores right here. In Montenegro (and the japanese facet of the Adriatic), seashores listed below are virtually all the time pebbled seashores, with splendidly clear water. Water sneakers are an enormous assist.
My private favourite seashore in Budva is Jaz Seashore — it’s a 15-minute drive from the previous city of Budva, however it’s price visiting to get away from the crowds. This seashore is just a little quieter than a number of the extra in style seashores in Budva, although they nonetheless have eating places and services. It’s additionally fairly massive, so there’s loads of room to stake out a spot and calm down.
Mogren Seashore is one other beautiful seashore near Budva’s previous city. It’s on the smaller facet, however it’s very picturesque.
And if you would like the large seashores with all of the services, you’ll be able to get pleasure from Slovenska Plaža, proper in the midst of Budva, or Bečići plaža, simply south of the primary drag. Simply know that these seashores (and just about all of Montenegro’s seashores) can get very busy within the peak summer time months.
Go to the Museum of the Metropolis of Budva
If you wish to be taught extra about Budva’s historical past, don’t miss popping into this museum contained in the Citadel Fortress. As beforehand talked about, admission is simply 3.50 EUR ($4 USD) for the entire compound.
The museum comprises a number of fascinating exhibitions about Budva, together with archaeological artifacts and small-scale mannequin ships. You possibly can simply spend an hour looking the displays and gaining a deeper understanding of Budva’s historical past.
This museum can also be the proper place to chill off on a sizzling and sunny day. You’ll be wanting to go to these locations in the event you go to Montenegro in the summertime!
Spend a Day at Aquapark Budva
Should you’re visiting Budva with youngsters, the most effective issues to do is spend a day at Aquapark, a water park 10 minutes outdoors city. This isn’t simply your typical water park. It’s located on the highest of a giant hill, providing unbeatable views of Budva and the Adriatic Sea.
The park options water slides of varied heights and speeds, a few of that are kid-friendly and a few which are higher reserved for thrill-seekers solely. There’s additionally a big swimming pool, a youngsters’ splash zone, sunbeds, a restaurant, and a snack bar.
Aquapark Budva is open day by day from Could 1 via September 30, and admission is 29 EUR ($32) for adults, 20 EUR ($22) for kids beneath 140 cm (4’6”) in peak, and free for kids beneath three.
Go kayaking or paddleboarding
The Adriatic Sea is among the most stunning our bodies of water on this planet, and there’s no higher method to expertise it than by getting out on the water. Kayaking and paddleboarding are two water actions you’ll be able to attempt in Budva.
This kayaking or SUP expertise consists of the rental of a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, life jackets, and coaching on how you can use your kayak or paddle board.
You possibly can discover the realm round Budva by kayak or paddle board, together with Sveti Nikola, a small island only a few hundred meters off the shore.
Go paragliding
One of many extra adventurous actions you’ll be able to attempt in Budva is paragliding. Whether or not it’s your first time paragliding otherwise you’ve executed it earlier than, there are few locations extra stunning than the Budva Riviera to have this expertise.
You possibly can ebook a tandem paragliding tour with an skilled information who will present you the great thing about the shoreline from above. Throughout this exercise, you’ll begin by taking a scenic 15-minute drive from Budva to the takeoff level.
From there, you’ll glide above the Budva Riviera and take within the surroundings with a fowl’s eye view. Paragliding is by far one of the crucial distinctive experiences to attempt in Budva.
Go to Sveti Nikola
Sveti Nikola, typically nicknamed “Hawaii” by Montenegrins, is an uninhabited island off the coast of Budva. It spans 89 acres, so it’s fairly small — however it’s really the most important island in Montenegro!
You possibly can attain Sveti Nikola by boat from Budva. You’ll be capable of purchase tickets in Slovenska Plaza. A round-trip ticket is 5 EUR ($5.50 USD), and the journey takes quarter-hour every means. Attending to the island by kayak or paddle board can also be attainable.
On the island, there’s a small seashore the place you’ll be able to calm down and benefit from the solar or take a dip within the crystal-clear turquoise waters. Should you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll be able to swim over to the Sveti Nikola cave, a preferred spot inaccessible by land.
There are a couple of seasonal eating places on the island, however they’re much more costly than the mainland, so it is a great place to carry a picnic lunch.
Take a ship tour of the Bay of Kotor
Budva has wonderful seashores, however you’ll be able to’t miss the breathtaking surroundings of Kotor Bay. Whereas Budva faces the Adriatic Sea, the Bay of Kotor (also called Boka Bay) winds inland from the coast. It’s an space of spectacular pure magnificence with a backdrop of mountains surrounding the water.
This all-day cruise begins in Budva and hits the highlights of the Bay of Kotor. You’ll start with a ship experience from Budva, with an choice to cease for swimming within the Blue Cave or at Zanjice Seashore. Then you definitely’ll proceed to Herceg Novi, the place you’ll have a brief strolling tour of the historic city earlier than having fun with free time to swim or discover.
Subsequent, you’ll get pleasure from extra scenic cruising within the bay, stopping at Our Girl of the Rocks, a tiny island dwelling to a blue-domed church.
You’ll end in Kotor, the place you’ll discover the Previous City by way of one other strolling tour earlier than taking a bus again to Budva on the finish of the day.
Need extra time on the Bay of Kotor? Take a look at my guides to the 2 greatest cities on the bay: Kotor and Perast.
Go to Podmaine Monastery
For a extra offbeat exercise in Budva, pay a go to to Podmaine Monastery. This historic Serbian Orthodox monastery dates again to the fifteenth century and options authentic frescoes. The monastery additionally affords a fantastic view of Budva from above.
I like visiting Orthodox monasteries and church buildings within the Balkans — they’ve such brilliant, vibrant colours. Should you’ve by no means visited one in your travels, it is a good one to start out with.
Reaching the monastery on foot is a couple of 35-minute stroll from Budva’s previous city or the primary seashore. It’s vital to notice that it’s a reasonably steep uphill stroll — not the best on super-hot summer time days. You can too drive or take a fast taxi experience to the highest.
Since that is an energetic Orthodox monastery, you’ll want to put on modest clothes — shoulders and knees ought to be lined when coming into the church. Some girls cowl their hair, however this isn’t a requirement.
Get together at High Hill
Budva is understood for being a enjoyable nightlife vacation spot, and there’s no higher place to occasion than at High Hill. Whereas lots of Budva’s bars and golf equipment are positioned down by the seashore, High Hill is located on a hill excessive above the coast.
This open-air nightclub is one in every of Budva’s most outstanding spots to bop the evening away. In the course of the summer time months, the membership has an ever-changing lineup of digital music artists.
Omnia is one other the most effective nightclubs in Budva, whereas Torch Seashore Membership is a well-liked spot for day events on the seashore. For extra nightlife in Budva, go bar-hopping within the previous city earlier than making your method to one of many golf equipment.
Go to Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is a superb little city to go to close to Budva, dwelling to one of the crucial iconic pictures of Montenegro. It’s positioned simply quarter-hour away, alongside the scenic Budva Riviera.
Essentially the most well-known a part of Sveti Stefan is the tiny island related to the mainland by a slender bridge. Sadly, your complete island is a privately owned resort (and is at the moment being renovated as that is being revealed), so you’ll be able to’t really go to it, however it makes for a fantastic photograph op.
A number of eating places in Sveti Stefan are perched excessive up on the highway wanting down on the island, excellent for having fun with a drink or a snack with a view. (Once I was rejected from visiting the island in 2011, lunch right here made me really feel rather a lot higher!)
There are public seashores in Sveti Stefan close to the island, although I like to recommend avoiding the massively overpriced seashores on both facet of the island.
Attending to Sveti Stefan from Budva is a 15-minute drive or a 20-minute bus experience. Buses depart from Budva each 20 minutes or so, and the bus fare is 2 EUR ($2.20 USD.)
Go to Petrovac
Petrovac is a small, laid-back seashore city alongside the Budva Riviera. It’s a bit quieter than Budva, however it’s nonetheless a vibrant vacation spot with a lot of allure.
If you wish to take a look at different seashores alongside the Riviera, Petrovac has a number of the greatest. Petrovac Seashore is the preferred seashore on the town, however close by Lučice Seashore is quieter and has gorgeous clear water and sandy shores.
One good factor to do is hike from Petrovac to the close by city of Reževići. The path begins behind the Danica Lodge and ends on a quiet, scenic seashore. And in the event you’re up for a day of indulgence, take a look at Annina Wellness on the Lodge Ami Budva Petrovac, the most effective spas on the Budva Riviera.
Petrovac is only a 25-minute drive from Budva or a 30-minute bus experience. Bus tickets price 3 EUR ($3.25 USD.)
Go to Kotor
Kotor is one in every of my favourite locations on this planet — and the most effective day journeys you’ll be able to take from Budva. Breathtaking mountains encompass this historic city nestled on the nonetheless, glassy Bay of Kotor. It’s THE must-visit vacation spot in Montenegro, in my view.
You possibly can simply spend a complete day exploring Kotor. Should you arrive very first thing within the morning, hike as much as San Giovanni Fortress for the perfect views of the Bay of Kotor and the Previous City. Whereas the views are spectacular, they’re at their greatest in morning — noon is simply too sizzling and within the afternoon the view is stuffed with shadows.
Then reward your self with lunch in Kotor’s previous city, adopted by a leisurely wander via the traditional stone streets. You can too stroll Kotor’s metropolis partitions or pop into the quirky Kotor Cats Museum (you’ll spot a lot of free-roaming cats in Kotor, fed and cared for by the locals).
Kotor is only a brief 30-minute drive from Budva. You can too take the bus, a 45-minute journey, for between 3 and 4 EUR ($3.25-$4.35 USD.)
Learn Extra: 17 Stunning Issues to Do in Kotor, Montenegro
How a lot time to spend in Budva, Montenegro
How a lot time do you have to spend in Budva, Montenegro? Should you’re brief on time, you are able to do a lot of the prime issues to do in Budva in a single day. It additionally makes a great day journey from Kotor, particularly when mixed with close by Sveti Stefan.
You possibly can arrive in Budva within the morning, discover the previous city, and luxuriate in some seashore time earlier than heading over to Sveti Stefan to admire the view. (Should you see my Sveti Stefan photograph above, it seems to be spectacular at sundown.)
However in the event you’re right here for a seashore journey, you’ll most likely admire having a number of days to splash out and benefit from the solar and sea in Budva. Spending three nights in Budva will provide you with the proper period of time to calm down on the seashore and benefit from the city’s eating and nightlife — plus a day journey or two!
Learn how to get to Budva, Montenegro
How do you get to Budva? In case you have your individual automotive, you’ll be able to merely drive there. Budva is about half-hour from each Kotor and Tivat. There are many parking heaps round Budva, and a few motels supply free parking.
The closest airport to Budva is in Tivat, Montenegro, only a 30-minute drive away. An alternative choice is flying into Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, which is one hour and 10 minutes from Budva.
Should you’re arriving by public transportation, a number of bus and shuttle corporations cease in Budva from Kotor and Tivat. The fare is between 3 and 4 EUR ($3.25 and $4.35 USD), and it takes 30 to 45 minutes, relying on the place you’re coming from.
Whereas no ride-sharing apps exist in Montenegro, you’ll be able to ebook a taxi from Kotor or Tivat to Budva. Costs begin round 25 EUR ($27.30 USD), however this isn’t a set value, and it’s possible you’ll be quoted a better fare throughout the peak summer time season. Sadly, I’ve paid many inflated fares throughout my summer time visits.
The place to remain in Budva, Montenegro
The place do you have to keep in Budva? There are two issues to contemplate when selecting lodging in Budva are proximity to the seashore and proximity to the previous city.
Many motels in Budva are inside strolling distance of each, so if visiting Budva’s previous city pursuits you, it’s possible you’ll wish to keep nearer to the historic middle. Should you’re much less within the previous city, there are many motels additional down the seashore.
If you wish to expertise Budva’s nightlife, the Slovenska Plaža space is the perfect place to remain. That is the large, fundamental seashore on the town.
Listed below are the top-rated locations to remain in Budva:
- High-Rated Luxurious Lodge in Budva: Should you’re seeking to splurge in Budva, Boutique Lodge Vissi d’Arte is the perfect place to remain. This opera-inspired lodge is fabulous at each angle, and it’s simply steps away from the seashore and Budva’s Previous City.
- High-Rated Mid-Vary Lodge in Budva: For a stable mid-range choice, Katamare Lodge is a superb selection. This lodge has a pleasant pool and unimaginable views. It’s additionally very near the seashore.
- High-Rated Funds Lodge in Budva: For vacationers on a funds, Villa Skyprime is an effective place to remain. It’s a little bit of a stroll from the seashore, however it’s clear and comfy.
- Discover offers on locations to remain in Budva right here.
Finest Time to Go to Budva, Montenegro
The most effective time to go to Budva will not be what you’re anticipating. Budva may be very a lot a seashore vacation spot, with the busiest and beachiest months being July and August. This can be a enjoyable time to go to, however you’ll must cope with bigger crowds and better costs.
Nevertheless, if you would like summer time climate with much less crowds (and fewer site visitors!) and decrease costs, I like to recommend aiming for early June, late September, and even early October. Budva and the southern Balkans have an extended summer time season in comparison with different European locations. You possibly can nonetheless get pleasure from heat climate with out issues being as busy.
Understand that if you wish to swim, the water is hotter in early fall than in late spring.
You would possibly wish to regulate the competition schedule for Budva as properly. I attended Sea Dance Competition one July, which introduced so many nice bands to the seashore, however it seems to be just like the competition is now hopping between Budva and different places on the Adriatic.
Budva may be very quiet within the low season, however that is nonetheless a metropolis the place folks reside year-round, so it’s not as useless as smaller cities alongside the Montenegrin coast. Should you go to within the winter, you’ll nonetheless be capable of discover locations to eat and store, although lots of the beachside eating places can be closed.
Is Budva Value It?
Is visiting Budva price it? Sure, I feel Budva is completely price visiting. It’s a extremely enjoyable city with rather a lot to see and do.
BUT. Is Budva the place it is best to base your self in your trip in Montenegro? It depends upon how you are feeling about massive, busy seashore cities with an enormous nightlife scene. If that’s your factor, go for it!
However in the event you want a smaller city, you would possibly want someplace like Petrovac and even Sveti Stefan. And I truthfully suppose that the Bay of Kotor is a way more distinctive journey expertise than Budva. Should you could possibly be completely satisfied doing someday journey to the seashore however would moderately spend extra of your time on the bay, I feel you would possibly want staying in Kotor or Perast. I’ve stayed in each, and they’re beautiful.
I hope this Budva information has helped you intend your journey to Montenegro! Have a improbable time.
Extra on Montenegro:
Extra Fairly Cities on the Adriatic Coast:
Extra on the Balkans:
Have you ever been to Budva, Montenegro? What would you counsel? Share away!