Budva Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Budva is all about the beaches. The Budva Riviera is blessed with beautiful stretches of golden sandy beaches. There’s a mix of both busy areas with plenty of tourist infrastructure such as bar, restaurants, sun loungers and umbrellas as well as areas where you can enjoy the sand and surf in a more natural setting. In addition to the beaches, Budva also has a gorgeous old town area, historic forts and plenty of scenic walking areas. Moreover its location in the centre of Montenegro makes it the perfect base for day trips to other parts of Montenegro. In particular the stunning resort Sveti Stefan is just a short drive or a very scenic walk away. Find out all you need to know to plan your next Budva trip with this Budva destination guide.

What is Budva Montenegro known for?

Budva is known for being a popular beach destination in Montenegro. People flock to the Budva Riviera to enjoy a European beach vacation. In particular, the Budva is home to one of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts – Sveti Stefan. Located on a small islet near Budva Old Town, Sveti Stefan was once the summer residence of Queen Marija Karađorđević. Other iconic landmarks Budva is famous for includes the charming Budva Old Town as well as the Budva Ballerina Statue.

Why you should visit Budva Montenegro

Budva is the perfect place for a European summer vacation. The area has a wide range of beaches to choose from and you’re sure to find the perfect spot for you. During the summer tourists flock to the area and Budva comes alive with lively bars and restaurants as well as plenty of nightlife. The expansive promenade along the waterfront is the ideal place to take in the gorgeous views and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere. The city is also blessed with pleasant sunny weather. It’s easy to see why Budva is the most popular destination in Montenegro.

Don’t miss a stroll through Budva Old Town while you’re there. The old town is full of interesting architecture, boutique shops as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants. For those interested in history, you may be interested to know that Budva is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast with a history that spans over 2,500 years.

Budva is also the perfect base for a Montenegro vacation. While it’s tempting to not venture further than those gorgeous beaches, there are plenty of day trips from Budva that are well worth the visit. The port city of Kotor is only a short drive away. Even closer is the scenic resort of Sveti Stefan. Budva is well connected to other parts of Montenegro and its central location means that most attractions are only one hour drive away.

Budva Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Budva Montenegro

• City name in Montenegrin – Будва
• Language – Montenegrin. Serbian is also spoken by a lot of people in the country. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially along the coast. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English.
• Currency – euro (EUR). This has been the official currency of Montenegro since 2002. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 13,000 (2011)
• Area – 4 km² (1 sq mi)
• Municipality – Budva. Budva is the administrative centre of this municipality.
• Region – Coastal Region
• Emergency number – 112
• Police number – 122

Utilities in Budva Montenegro

• Electricity – Montenegro uses Type F power plugs. The country operates on a 230v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are common in Montenegro but typically do not last for long.
• Water – the tap water in Montenegro is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country. Water outages are common, so ensure you keep some bottled water on hand.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in Montenegro. Don’t flush your toilet paper, instead use the bins provided. Public toilets are common in the larger cities in Montenegro. However public toilets along the coast often have a charge for use. This is generally around 50 cents.
• Telephone country code: +382

Where is Budva Montenegro?

Budva is in the municipality of Budva in the Coastal Region of Montenegro.

The closest major Montenegrin towns to Budva are Kotor and Cetinje. Budva is less than hour by bus from Kotor and Cetinje.

How to get to Budva Montenegro

Budva destination guide: Arriving by land

Budva Montenegro intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Budva Montenegro are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Train
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Budva from within Montenegro

If you are driving to Budva from within Montenegro, here are the travel times and distances:

• Kotor – 28 minutes (23km, 14miles) without tolls
• Tivat – 28 minutes (25km, 16miles) without tolls
• Cetinje – 35 minutes (32km, 20miles) without tolls
• Perast – 39 minutes (35km, 22miles) without tolls
• Bar – 44 minutes (39km, 24miles) without tolls
• Podgorica – 1 hour 1 minute (63km, 39miles) without tolls
• Lovcen National Park – 1 hour 8 minutes (48km, 30miles) without tolls
• Ulcinj – 1 hour 11 minutes (65km, 40miles) without tolls
• Herceg Novi – 1 hour 14 minutes (44km, 27miles) without tolls
• Durmitor National Park – 3 hours 1 minutes (183km, 114miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Budva Montenegro

There are no trains to Budva.

The Montenegrin national railway company for passenger transport in Montenegro is called Railway transport of Montenegro.

Intercity buses to Budva Montenegro

A common way to get around Montenegro is by using intercity buses. These are a cheap and also convenient way to get around and the network is extensive. Intercity bus companies in Montenegro include Glušica Nikšić, Blueline MNE, Lazaro as well as FlixBus. It is possible to buy bus tickets online, however you need to pay an additional station gate fee at the station. Alternatively you can also buy tickets at the bus station.

Popular bus destinations from Budva include:

• Kotor Montenegro – travel time 45 minutes. Tickets start from 3 euro one way.
• Cetinje Montenegro – travel time 0.5-1 hour. Tickets start from 3 euro one way.
• Bar Montenegro – travel time 1.5 hours. Tickets start from 5 euro one way.
• Dubrovnik Croatia – travel time 2.5-3.5 hours. Tickets start from 18 euro one way.
• Podgorica Montenegro – travel time 1.5 hours. Tickets start from 5 euro one way.
• Tirana Albania – travel time 5.5-6.5 hours. Tickets start from 22 euro one way.
• Mostar Bosnia & Herzegovina – travel time 5.5-8.5 hours. Tickets start from 22 euro one way.
• Shkodër Albania – travel time 3.5 hours. Tickets start from 12 euro one way.

Budva destination guide: Arriving by air

The nearest major airport to Budva is Tivat Airport, Montenegro (Airport code TIV). This international airport is 16km (10miles) from the town.

Other nearby airports include:

• Podgroica Airport, Montenegro (Airport code TGD). This airport is 35km (22miles) away.
• Dubrovnik Airport, Croatia (Airport code DBV). This airport is 56km (35miles) away
• Tirana Airport, Albania (Airport code TIA). This airport is 121km (75miles) away.

The national airline of Montenegro is Air Montenegro.

Budva destination guide: Arriving by boat

The city of Budva is on the Adriatic Sea. For one season the ferry company Forline operated a fast ferry from Dubrovnik to Budva. However this service is no longer operating. Many cruises stop at the nearby Port of Kotor.

Budva destination guide: How to get around Budva Montenegro

Walking in Budva Montenegro

By far the easiest and cheapest way to get around Budva is to walk. Most of the main attractions in the city area are within easy walking distance. Furthermore cars are not allowed within the old town.

Local buses in Budva Montenegro

Local buses connect Budva to other nearby towns. These services are operated by the city’s public transport service, Mediteran Express (formerly Olimpia). Buses to Sveti Stefan run approximately every 10 minutes and buses to Petrovac run every hour. Fares are a flat fee of 2.50, regardless of the destination. For more information, see this website: https://www.montenegrohostel.com/bus-station-budva-bus-schedule

Budva Cable Car

There was plans for a cable car between Bečići and Brajići. However this project fell through.

Trams in Budva Montenegro

Budva does not have a tram system.

Local trains in Budva Montenegro

Budva does not have a local train service.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Budva Montenegro

Budva does not have an underground train line.

Vehicle hire in Budva Montenegro

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Montenegro. This includes:

• Bicycles – There are self-service bike share services available in the city from companies such as NextBike.
• Electric scooters
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Campervans
• Boats

In Montenegro, you drive on the right side of the road.

Taxis in Montenegro

Taxis are common in Montenegro. Fares are regulated and are also usually metered. However outside of major cities taxis may not have meters. In this case the fare will be a fixed price. However in general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle.
• Price per kilometre
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.

Taxi tariffs in Montenegro are set by the cities or districts.

Ride-share services in Budva Montenegro

Uber, Lyft and Grab and other rider-share services do not operate in Montenegro.

Budva destination guide: Is Budva Montenegro worth visiting?

Budva is one of the most popular destinations in Montenegro and its stunning beaches are well worth visiting. Some of our favourite beaches in Budva were Jaz Beach, Mogren Beach and Sveti Stefan Beach. Any one of these beaches is worth the trip to Budva alone! Additionally, Budva has a gorgeous Old Town, Budva is also conveniently just a 30 minute drive from another popular Montenegrin destination, Kotor, making it the perfect addition to any Montenegro vacation.

Budva destination guide: How long to spend in Budva Montenegro

Budva is a great place to come for a couple of days. It is a beautiful seaside town which is blessed with plenty of gorgeous beaches and waterfront promenades. We spent 3 days in Budva and enjoyed taking time to enjoy the various activities available in the area.

Budva destination guide: What to do in Budva Montenegro

Budva is a beautiful Montenegrin city with many activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Budva destination guide: Free things to do in Budva Montenegro

There are enough free activities in Budva Montenegro to keep you entertained for a weekend or even a leisurely week:

• Budva Old Town (Altstadt Budva)
• Statua Ballerina (Budva Ballerina Statue, Dancer from Budva)
• Mogren Beach (public toilets are 0.50 euro to use)
• Budva City Walls
• Podmaine Monastery
• Holy Trinity Church
• Saint Ivan Church
• Royal Beach
• Drobni Pijesak Beach
• Slovenska Plaža (beach)
• Jaz Beach (the left side of this beach is also an unofficial naturalist beach, also known as an FKK beach)

Budva destination guide: Paid activities in Budva Montenegro

A number of attractions in Budva Montenegro charge an entry fee:

• Citadela Fortress – entry fee is 4.50 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Museum of the City of Budva – entry fee is 3 euro for adults (as at 2023)

Other paid activities in Budva Montenegro include:

• SUP and kayaking tours
• Boat tours
• Fishing charters and tours
• Sailing
• Watersports

Weather in Budva Montenegro

Budva enjoys a warm temperate climate. Its climate is heavily influenced by the Adriatic Sea. It has cold winters, with average temperature range between 3°C and 12°C in the coldest month of January. Summers last from June to September and are hot and sunny, with the average temperature range between 19°C and 30°C in the hottest month of July. It is a windy city and experiences frequent and sometimes powerful winds. The month with the most rainfall is November with 10.9 days of rain on average and the driest month is July with an average of 3.7 rainy days.

Best time to visit Budva Montenegro

Since Budva is a popular beach vacation destination, the best time for a trip to Budva Montenegro is during the warmer months. Budva’s peak tourist season is in July and August. However do keep in mind that as this is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit Budva. We personally prefer the shoulder season, when it is still warm enough to enjoy the beach without being overly crowded. Consequently, if you also prefer to travel in the shoulder season, we’d recommend you go to Budva in May, June, September or October. We visited Budva in late May and thought that was a perfect time to visit.

Internet and mobile phones in Montenegro

There are three internet and phone companies in Montenegro – One Montenegro, T-Mobile Montenegro and m:tel.

5G has been in Montenegro since March 2022. 3G is expected to be switched off in Montenegro in December 2024.

Montenegro is ranked 48^th fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 70^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 61mbps and upload is 6mbps (as at March 2023).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in many places throughout Montenegro. These include phone stores, newsagents as well as online.

How much to budget for Budva Montenegro?

Is Budva Montenegro expensive?

Montenegro is one of the most affordable countries in Europe and as such Budva is a great value destination for a European beach vacation. Keep in mind that prices are higher during peak season.

Budva destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Budva Montenegro

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 100 euro per day for a couple will get you budget accommodation, self catering and bakery meals, walking or catching local transport to get around the city as well as free or cheap activities.
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 euro per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, walking or catching local transport to get around the city, dining at reasonably priced cafes and restaurants as well as some paid activities.
• Luxury spend – 1000 euro per day for a couple will get you a premium experience, staying at high end hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range paid activities as well as eating at high end restaurants.

Budva destination guide: Accommodation in Budva Montenegro

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Budva Montenegro. Airbnb operates in Montenegro and we were impressed with the range of options available in Budva.

Where to stay in Budva Montenegro

We recommend the following accommodation in Budva Montenegro:

• Best hostel in Budva Montenegro – Freedom Hostel is a great hostel in Budva Old Town, right near the beach. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the hostel has a social atmosphere with parties every night. The dorms are clean with comfortable beds. Common areas include a kitchen, common room and a balcony with sea views.
• Best mid-range hotel in Budva Montenegro – Villa Gracia and Hotel Vela are two fantastic Budva hotels that are right next door to each other. Villa Gracia has a wonderful host, spacious and comfortable rooms and delicious freshly prepared breakfasts. Hotel Vela has thoughtful and kind staff, delicious breakfasts, high-quality mattresses and clean and comfortable rooms.
• Best mid-range beachfront hotel in Budva Montenegro – Hotel Majestic is perfectly located in a nice neighbourhood just a short walk from Budva Old Town as well as the beaches. This modern hotel has spacious with premium furnishings and an excellent restaurant on site. The staff are excellent and ensure you have a wonderful stay.
• Best luxury hotel in Budva Montenegro – Dukley Hotel & Resort is an incredible beachfront 5-star resort in Budva. This sprawling property has private beaches, gardens, a rooftop infinity pool, restaurants and other facilities. The views are amazing and the service is impeccable. Everything is very clean and well maintained. Additionally, the breakfasts are excellent.
• Best value apartment rental in Budva Montenegro – we stayed at Egon Apartments in Budva. We had a spacious apartment with a kitchenette and a nice balcony area. There was also a washing machine available in the building for guests to use. The owner was very friendly as well.

How much is accommodation in Budva Montenegro?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – 10-50 euro for a dorm
• Mid-range accommodation – 20-300 euro for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – 175-1000 euro a night for a luxury hotel
• Rental property – 70-700 euro a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home

One thing to keep in mind is that accommodation prices for Budva vary significantly depending on season. Prices are highest during Budva’s peak tourist season which is July and August. Conversely prices are lowest over winter.

Budva destination guide: Food in Budva Montenegro

Being on the water, seafood is very popular in Budva.

How much does food cost in Budva Montenegro?

Our price guide for your food budget in Budva Montenegro is as follows (prices as at 2023):

• Restaurant meal – 10-25 euro for a main dish
• Bakery food – 1-2.50 euro for burek, a slice of pizza or a slice of cake
• Glass of wine – 4-6 euro
• Coffee – 1.70-2.50 euro

Regional dishes in Budva Montenegro

While there aren’t any specific dishes that originate in Budva, there are a number of dishes that are popular in the region:

• Fresh seafood, including octopus salad, mussels in sauce, pan seared shrimp as well as fish or squid on the grill
• Local smoked ham, goat or cow cheese

Cheap Eats in Budva Montenegro

• Pekarnicas (Montenegrin bakeries) are a great place to get cheap and delicious food. Common food that can be found in pekarnicas include burek, pastries as well as pizzas.

Budva Montenegro culture

Montenegro national holidays

• New Year’s Day – 1-3 January
• Eastern Orthodox Christmas Eve – 6 January
• Orthodox Christmas Day – 7 January
• Orthodox Christmas Holiday – 8 January
• Orthodox Good Friday – the Friday before Easter Day, typically in April or May.
• Orthodox Easter Day – typically in April or May.
• Orthodox Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Day, typically in April or May.
• Labour Day – 1 May
• Independence Day – 21 May
• Independence Day Holiday – 22 May or the Monday following if the 22^nd is on a weekend.
• Sovereignty Day of Montenegro – 13 July
• Sovereignty Day of Montenegro Holiday – 14 July

National symbols of Montenegro

• Montenegro flag – a red flag with a gold border and the Montenegro coat of arms in the centre.
• Montenegro coat of arms – a golden two-headed eagle wearing a crown. Its wings are raised in flight. In its right talon is a sceptre. There is a globus cruciger in its left talon. On its chest is a shield featuring a golden lion on a green field with blue sky.
• National flower – mimoza
• National bird – eagle
• Montenegro’s national animal – Balkan lynx

Montenegro pastimes

• National dish – brav u mlijeku
• Popular drinks – rakija, Montenegrin wine
• National sport – football
• Religion – 72% Eastern orthodox, 3% Catholic (as at 2011)

Famous people from Budva Montenegro

• Famous people born in Budva Montenegro – writer Marin Držić, writer Ivo Vojnović, mathematician Marin Getaldić, physicist Ruđer Bošković, poet Luko Paljetak, musician Tereza Kesovija, musician Ibrica Jusić, actress Jelena Perčin
• Sports stars from Budva Montenegro – Paralympic swimmers Mihovil Španja, Ana Sršen, Olympic water poloists Dragan Andrić, Marko Bijač, Miho Bošković, Andro Bušlje, Luka Ciganović, Vinko Cvjetković, Nikša Dobud, Veselin Đuho, Vladimir Ivković, Maro Joković, Marko Macan, Pavo Marković, Paulo Obradović, Goran Sukno, Sandro Sukno, Frano Vićan, Božo Vuletić, Olympic swimmers Sanja Jovanović, Mirjana Šegrt, Mario Todorović, chess grandmaster Petar Trifunović,

Is Budva Montenegro Safe?

Montenegro travel guide: Safety in Montenegro

We travelled through Montenegro for 9 days and found the country to be extremely safe. Montenegro ranks 51^st safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2021). As with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets particularly at crowded tourist attractions. Make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Montenegro

Other general safety considerations for travel in Montenegro:

• Drinking water – Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country.
• Mosquitoes – the tiger mosquito has been found in Montenegro. This type of mosquito spreads diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikunguya. However malaria was eradicated in Montenegro in 1973.
• Altitude sickness – Montenegro has areas of high altitude. Consequently there is the risk of altitude sickness. If you are planning to visit any high altitude areas in Montenegro then be sure to allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience any signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk on Montenegro. Furthermore, the average number of road accident fatalities in the country is twice that of the EU. Road conditions are an issue, particularly in rural areas. A particularly dangerous stretch of road is along Moraca Canyon. Take care on the roads in Montenegro.
• Water safety – If you visit any of the coastal areas or lakes, take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Montenegro experiences earthquake activity. If you experience an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls as well as anything that could fall. If you are inside get under a table, desk or solid furniture and also hang onto it. Additionally, cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If you are outside, stay outside and also go to an open area away from buildings.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term as well as long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

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