Things to do in Budva
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Budva
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Spring, one of the two best windows. Shoulder prices, town waking up, hiking at its greenest.
Peak summer. All boats, clubs and excursions running, with crowds, traffic and top prices in late July and August.
Autumn, the other best window and locals favourite. Sea still warm in September, quieter beaches.
Winter, quiet, mild and local. Most beach, club and boat businesses closed, except the New Year spike.
What's on
- Budva Carnival late April / around 1 May
Four to five days of costumed parades, music and street parties that open the season.
- Theatre City Grad Teatar July to mid-August
Open air theatre, concerts and literary evenings in the Old Town.
- Sea Dance Festival late August
EXIT family electronic festival now at Buljarica. Dates and site have moved, so confirm the current edition.
- Petrovac Jazz Festival late August
Jazz festival in nearby Petrovac in the same late August weeks.
- Sirun Days early October
Small local festival in front of the Old Town celebrating fish, wine, music and the fishing tradition.
- New Year open air concerts New Year
Big open air concerts in front of the Old Town walls, the one winter week to book ahead.
Best things to do in Budva
Old Town of Budva
Venetian walled town with churches, lanes and a Citadel viewpoint over the roofs and sea.
Mogren Beach
Budva's best town beach, with clearer water and cliff backed coves a short walk from the Old Town.
Dancer Statue
Bronze dancer on the rocks on the beautiful cliff walk between the Old Town and Mogren Beach.
Slovenska Beach
Long town beach and promenade walk east toward Becici, best for an evening stroll rather than a swim day.
Sveti Nikola Island
Green island offshore reached by water taxi, with beaches and the reverse view back to the Old Town.
Becici Beach
Long, wide beach east of town with more space, a promenade and easier swimming for families.
Rafailovici Beach
Smaller former fishing village cove at the end of Becici, with waterfront restaurants and a cosier feel.
Jaz Beach
Big open beach west of Budva with space even in August, beach bars, parking and water sports.
Where to stay in Budva
Just outside the Old Town
first trip, short stays, no car
Five minutes from the walls for the Old Town and Mogren on foot, without the loudest marina block noise.
Becici and Rafailovici
all round base, families and stays of four nights or more
Wider calmer beach, the best mid range resorts, pools and parking, and quieter sleep than town.
Sveti Stefan, Przno and Milocer
luxury, couples, quiet
Pine parks, the Sveti Stefan viewpoint and village seafood, with Budva town as an excursion.
Podmaine, Rozino and inland Budva
budget and local base
Guesthouses and locals restaurants uphill from the centre, cheaper and quieter, a short walk to the sea.
Think twice about
- Slovenska Obala club and fairground stretch
Bass, crowds and promenade noise to 1 to 2am in July and August, plus large high rise blocks and construction. Bad for light sleepers and small children.
- Apartments high above the Jadranski Put highway
Steep, unlit, pavement free walks home and, for unnamed listings, no recent reviews. Avoid for the walk home, not for safety.
Best restaurants in Budva
Konoba Bocun
Family run konoba inland where locals eat mixed grill and homemade wine for about half seafront prices.
Kuzina
Local favourite for interior Montenegrin cooking, especially cevapi, pasulj and meat cooked ispod saca.
Fish Restaurant Budva
Fresh fish grill format where you choose from the day's catch and it is grilled simply with garlic marinade.
Konoba Stari Grad
Old Town konoba for whole grilled fish, octopus ragu and a long Montenegrin wine list.
Konoba Punta
Small Old Town konoba rated highly for tuna tartare, squid, octopus and black risotto.
Jadran Kod Krsta
Promenade institution for decades, with huge portions, mussels buzara and fish platters for two.
Restaurant Porto
Established upscale marina seafood house for whole fish, lobster, prawns and harbour views.
Restaurant Mercur
Family garden restaurant by the bus station, with a playground and Montenegrin staples at inland prices.
Best bars in Budva
Casper Bar
Old Town cocktail fixture under trees, proper cocktails in a relaxed adult room open late in season.
Best coffee in Budva
Hemingway Budva
Cafe near the Old Town picked for long brunch or coffee with locals on a shaded terrace.
Outdoor things to do in Budva
Budva Bay kayak and SUP tours
Guided kayak and SUP half day to Sveti Nikola and the coastal caves, with snorkelling stops.
Budva Paragliding
Tandem paragliding from the mountain above Becici, landing on Becici beach with Riviera views.
Boka Bay boat tour from Budva
Full day by boat to Kotor, Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks and, on some routes, the Blue Cave.
Sveti Stefan
Coastal walk through Milocer park past Przno to the Sveti Stefan viewpoint and beaches beside the island.
Lovcen National Park
Inland circuit to Lovcen and the Njegos Mausoleum, Cetinje, Njegusi ham and cheese, and Skadar views.
Lake Skadar National Park
Small boat cruise from Virpazar through reed channels on the Balkans' largest lake and bird reserve.
Durmitor National Park
Long northern day to Durmitor, Black Lake, the Tara bridge and, on some tours, Ostrog Monastery.
Tara River rafting
Full day white water rafting in the Tara Canyon, scenic and suitable for confident beginners in summer.
Best hotels in Budva
Hotel Astoria
Small stone walled boutique hotel in the Old Town, booked for location and romance.
Hotel Tre Canne
Modern high rise residence hotel by Slovenska with pool, spa, sea view apartments and parking.
Splendid Conference & Spa Resort
Landmark large 5 star resort in Becici with its own beach section, big spa and family infrastructure.
Iberostar Bellevue
Large all inclusive style resort on Becici beach with gardens, pools and family facilities.
Hotel Majestic
Dependable centre hotel a few streets back from the sea, clean and walk everywhere.
Hotel Hermes
Centre budget hotel singled out in compilations, a few streets back from the sea.
Montenegro Hostel Budva
Recurring budget hostel name in Budva with dorm beds at the lowest price point in town.
Freedom Hostel Budva
Social hostel near the Old Town with a common room, a recurring budget pick.
Is Budva expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | €65 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | €145 a person |
| Splurge | €320 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Budva Paragliding: a few days ahead
- Konoba Bocun: a few days ahead
- Konoba Stari Grad: a few days ahead
- Konoba Punta: a few days ahead
- Restaurant Porto: a few days ahead
- Hotel Astoria: weeks ahead
- Splendid Conference & Spa Resort: weeks ahead
- Dukley Hotel & Resort: weeks ahead
- Book Becici and Old Town edge hotels first for late June to early September and festival dates.
- Book paragliding early in the stay for a weather rollover slot, plus private Boka speedboats in August.
- Book Konoba Bocun and Konoba Punta for dinner, and Porto or Jadran terraces for a specific sunset.
Is Budva safe?
- Petty theft risk is on crowded beaches, the promenade and buses in July and August. Keep a hand on your bag on the marina strip late at night.
- Use a hotel or restaurant called taxi or a named company, or agree a fixed fare aloud before entering.
- Swim in marked areas, watch wet rocks at Mogren and boat traffic near Sveti Nikola landing beaches.
Budva travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Slovenska Plaza as your main beach. Ten minutes walk to Mogren changes the water and the day.
- Promenade seafood without a named recommendation, and touts with laminated photo menus.
- Fish by weight without confirming weight and price before it is cooked.
- Taxi fares agreed after the ride. Fix the price or the meter before the wheels move.
- Assuming Sveti Stefan island is open to wander. It is a private resort island for guests only.
Getting around Budva: public transport and more
- Walk the centre, Old Town, Slovenska and Mogren. Becici is a promenade walk or one local bus ride east.
- Use Budva bus station for Kotor, Cetinje and Podgorica, and check timetables the day before.
- Rent a car only for the days you need Jaz, Przno, Skadar and the south beaches. Centre parking is scarce in August.
- Tivat airport is about 30 minutes away outside peak traffic. Podgorica is about 90 minutes via the Sozina tunnel.
Who Budva suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Great |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | Great |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | Great |
Make Budva your trip
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