Best things to see and do in Budva, Montenegro

Budva has received the popular nickname of “the Miami of Montenegro” due to its agitated nightlife, but truth be told, there is much more to this beautiful old town. During your trip to Montenegro, we definitely recommend visiting Budva and, in this guide, we have put together all the best things to see and do in the city.

Best things to do in Budva, Montenegro

Whether you plan to stay only one day or more in Budva, here are the most important attractions you do not want to miss while visiting the city.

1. Walk around the beautiful Budva Old Town

Budva’s Old Town is the number one attraction you should visit. Dating back to the 5th century, it is now considered a UNESCO-protected site and it is extremely well preserved. Walking around the Old Town, you will pass through picturesque alleys, restaurants, churches, and cafes.

Getting lost in the cobblestone alleys was my favorite thing to do in Budva as it feels like you are going back in time. The numbers 2 to 4 of this list are suggestions that will walk you through the most important places inside Budva’s Old Town.

Budva’s Old Town was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, and then later in 1979. Most of the ancient buildings and churches you see around were restored or rebuilt, but I love that they kept the unique character of the city.

2. The Fortress of St Mary, aka, the Citadel

The most iconic attraction in town, the Citadel is not only a beautiful and impressive site but also very important for the city’s history. The Citadel was built as a second layer of protection for the city of Budva, in case the city walls weren’t enough.

The Citadel used to be equipped with weapons and also food supplies, so it could be used as a base in case the city was sieged. Nowadays, the Citadel is a popular tourist attraction and one of the best locations to visit in Budva for panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.

Engraved in the Citadel walls is the sculpture of the unofficial symbol of Budva – two fish intertwined. This symbol comes from an old local legend that represents two lovers who were thrown at sea and turned into fish because their love was not accepted by their parents. Tradition says you should make a wish while rubbing the fish.

Tickets cost 2 € per person and give access to a library, museum, and observation deck. The library is nothing special in my opinion, but the ticket price is worth it for the view.

3. Walk along the city walls

Still, in the spirit of having the best views from the top of Budva, the next attraction on the list is to walk along the city walls. You will have beautiful panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea on one side and Budva Old Town on the other.

Tickets cost 3 € and you can access the city walls from two places: near the Citadel or from the Old Town Main Entrance. 

Note that the Budva city walls do not complete a full circle, which means at some point you will have to turn around and return. It is worth it though.

4. Visit the beautiful churches inside Budva Old Town

Budva’s Old Town may be small inside, but there is a lot to see in these narrow alleys. One thing you will definitely notice is the number of churches. Here are the main ones you should look for:

• Church of St Ivan – a Catholic church, one of the largest in Budva. It faces the old Bishop’s Palace.
• Church of Sveti Trojica – an Orthodox church located close to the Citadel. If you find this church open, make sure to check inside as it is not so common to have such luck.
• Sveta Marija – the oldest building in town, dating back to 840 a.d.

5. Strike a pose along the Ballerina of Budva

Located a bit outside the city walls, the statue of the Ballerina of Budva is one of the main symbols of the city. It takes less than 10 min by foot to reach the sculpture and it stands in one of the most beautiful angles of Budva.

The story behind the Ballerina of Budva:

According to the legend, a dancer and a sailor who lived in Budva were madly in love. Every time the sailor would sail into the sea, she would wait for him at the shore, dancing and waiting until his ship came back. One time, he departed for a long trip and did not return. The dancer, always hopeful and faithful, kept coming to the same place and dancing expecting his arrival, which didn’t happen.

The dancer soon died without her love, and the story became a strong symbol of love and loyalty. The bronze sculpture was made by Gradimir Aleksić, a Serbian artist.

6. Enjoy the beaches around Budva

If there is one other thing Budva is known for, besides the nightlife, is the amazing beaches. If you will be traveling to Montenegro in the summer, make sure to save some time to enjoy the sun and the Adriatic Sea around Budva.

Check our list of the best beaches in Budva to know where to go.

7. Enjoy the festivals and nightlife in Budva

If you ask people what is the best thing to do in Budva, going out will probably be among the top answers. Budva is known as a festival and party destination, which brings a lot of European and American tourists into town.

Here are some of the most famous nightlife places in Budva:

• Top Hill – By far the most famous nightclub in Budva, this place is literally located at the top of a hill called Topliš, which means you need to take a taxi from the Old Town. Opens only in July and August.
• Sea Dance Festival – Named one of the Top 10 Summer Festivals in Europe by Forbes, the Sea Dance often hosts big DJ names and can be quite affordable if compared to other major European festivals. The festival usually takes place in August. See more about the festival here.
• Ploce Beach – The place to check out if you are into beach parties during the summer. They often have foam parties, festivals in the pools, and high summer vibes.

8. Have a day trip to Sveti Stefan

Since you will be visiting Budva, we definitely recommend making your way to Sveti Stefan. This beautiful island is located only 10 km away (20 min drive) from Budva’s Old Town.

The best thing about visiting Sveti Stefan is that you can make a day out of it and walk all the way from Budva through the promenade. On the way, you will find beautiful beaches and places to stop. If walking is not for you, you can also drive, take a taxi or a bus.

Sveti Stefan became quite popular online, mostly because it is so picturesque. However, I didn’t really get the hype. The entire island is a private property that belongs to a hotel called Aman, so you can only enter if you are staying at the hotel or if you have a reservation at the restaurant.

You can still enjoy the views from above or chill at the beach on the side of Sveti Stefan. The best viewpoint is on the road before you get down into town, and it is well marked in Google Maps.

Pro tip: If you are going for the views, don’t go at the end of the day because you will get the sunset right behind which means you won’t really see the blue water color of the beaches and the island itself. We did this mistake and maybe this is why we left a bit disappointed. 

9. Day trip to Hawaii, the island of Sveti Nikola

Located right in front of Budva is the largest island of Montenegro, Sveti Nikola. Popularly known as Hawaii, this island offers incredibly blue waters with beautiful mountain cliffs and a unique landscape.

The best way to visit Sveti Nikola from Budva is to book a day trip by boat. However, during the low tide, it is technically possible to walk all the way from Budva to Sveti Nikola. I can only recommend this option if you check it thoroughly beforehand to not be caught by surprise about the changing tide.

Best beaches in Budva

By this point, you know that Budva is surrounded by the beautiful Adriatic Sea, which means there are many crystal-clear beaches around. But which one is the best beach near Budva?

To help you answer this question, we have put together a list of some of the most beautiful beaches located around Budva Old Town:

1. Mogren Beach (picture below) – often listed as the best beach of Budva, it is located a bit outside the Old Town and it is a bit secluded since you can only access it from the small sidewalk. Mogren beach is actually divided into two parts and the cliffs form some interesting beach caves. Don’t get fooled by the websites that say this place is secluded and empty. During the summer, Mogren Beach gets really crowded and is nothing close to peaceful. If you want to find it empty, aim for early mornings.
2. Jaz Beach – located around 6.5 km away from Budva’s Old Town, Jaz Beach is a beautiful paradise with very clear blue waters. It also gets busy during the summer, but it is quite extensive so people can easily spread around. The right corner of the beach is a nudist area.
3. Slovenska Plaža – Located only 1.4 km away from Budva’s Old Town, Slovenska Plaža is the largest beach around Budva. There are quiet parts that are great for families and other agitated sections with lively beach clubs frequented by the young crowd. Since it is very easily accessible, it does get quite busy, so we recommend arriving early to secure yourself a nice spot.
4. Bečići and Rafailovići beaches – If you like a good sand beach, this is where we recommend you to go. This is a great beach near Budva for families as it is quieter and has very clean and calm water.

How long do you need in Budva?

Budva’s Old Town is quite small and can easily be explored within one day. To make sure you have enough time to enjoy the day trips and attractions close by, we recommend spending 1-2 days in Budva.

If you are planning a party or beach trip, this can easily be extended to 5 or 6 days as you will then have enough time to enjoy the sun and the different locations Budva has to offer.

During our trip, since we were traveling with family and did not have nightlife as a focus, we decided to stay in Kotor and just spend an entire day in Budva. For us, we felt that one day was enough, we were able to visit the entire Old Town and also drive to Sveti Stefan. The one thing I do regret is not having enough time to visit Sveti Nikola island so this is why I recommend 2 days in this guide.

How to get to Budva and move around the city?

Since Budva is one of the most important cities in Montenegro, it is very easy to find transport options. The alternatives available to you will depend on where you will be coming from, but here is how long it takes to get to Budva from other destinations in Montenegro:

If it suits your budget, we definitely recommend renting a car for your trip to Montenegro. The country has some of the most beautiful road views and having your own vehicle will give you a lot of freedom in regard to your itinerary.

Read more about how is it to drive in Montenegro.

Parking in Budva is very easy. There is paid parking located only 2 min away from the Old Town, which is perfect if you will be visiting Budva on a day trip like we did. There are also options for free public parking located +1 km away from the center. If you don’t want any trouble with parking, we recommend getting accommodation that offers parking included.

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!

Get a quote here

Another alternative is to use public transport to get to Budva from other cities in Montenegro. There are buses available, but we recommend planning the trip ahead because bus trips tend to take longer than by car. We usually use Rome2Rio to check the best bus routes available.

Do I need a car to get around Budva?

Not at all. Budva’s Old Town is very small and you will be able to do everything on foot. If you don’t mind walking, you can easily explore the beaches around Budva and walk the promenade until Sveti Stefan if you like.

From our experience, you will miss a car only if you want to move around the country and visit other cities. You can explore by bus, but a car will give you much more freedom.

Where to stay in Budva?

Most people have a hard time deciding whether to stay in Budva or Kotor. Both cities are very close by so you can choose one to use as your base and explore the other during the day. 

We recommend staying in Budva if you are interested in the nightlife especially.

If you would like a more quiet location with historic sites, Kotor would be the best option for you.

Read also: Choosing between Budva and Kotor, pros and cons of each

If you decide to stay in Budva, here are our hotel recommendations in the city:

• Hotel Villa Gracia – One of the best-rated properties in Budva. It is located 700 meters from Slovenska Beach and offers private parking.
• Twister Apartments – This unique-looking building is located only 15 minutes walk away from Budva city center, and Mogren beach. It offers modern rooms and free parking.
• Apartments Inspiration – If you want to enjoy inspirational views from your balcony, this is the place to be. Being located only 350 meters from the closest beach and 500 meters from the city center, this property offers amazing views from its balconies.

General tips for organizing the perfect visit to Budva

To make sure your Budva vacation goes perfectly, here are some basic tips:

• Most of the beaches are made of small rocks, so bring a sandal or waterproof beach shoes
• If you plan to stay all day long on any beach around Budva, we recommend paying for a sunbed and umbrella. You will find them in most beaches around Budva
• Budva is the perfect destination for a romantic dinner! Book yourself a table during sunset in one of the many restaurants in town that offer beach view
• Don’t miss the chance to enjoy local seafood dishes, Montenegro has incredible octopus and squid dishes that are to die for
• If you are interested in water activities such as jet skiing or kayaking, you can find them outside the Old Town on the way to the Ballerina statue

Other places to visit near Budva

Extend your trip to Montenegro by visiting other amazing destinations in the country. Here is a short list of places you should definitely add to your list:

• Kotor
• Perast
• Herceg Novi
• Lake Skadar

Did you like this article? Pin it!