Budva Overview
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro located on the Adriatic Sea. It’s is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, Old Town, and nightlife.
When we first pulled up to the bus station, I honestly didn’t think I was going to like this city. It was a bit more built up than I had expected with a lot more modern architecture than I was used to seeing in European cities. However, Budva proceeded to exceed my expectations. The old town, though small, is beautiful, and the whole city is full of life.
We didn’t do much in the city itself, just spent some time wandering the old town and visiting the Citadel – an old fortress with great views of the old town. We also walked the boardwalk, which is dotted with very cool restaurants and beach clubs. Make sure to head to Pekara Mogren 2 for the best Burek in Budva!
Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase.
Visiting Sveti Stefan
We only had a quick visit to Budva, and for our only full day there, we decided to walk to Sveti Stefan. This walk took about two hours (not including a stop for a glass of wine to wait out a short rain storm), but was extremely pleasant and right along the coast. If you want to visit Sveti Stefan but don’t want to walk, there are buses you can take from Budva. We first saw Sveti Stefan along a scenic walkway, and it was unlike anything I’d ever seen. A small walkway from the mainland stretches out towards a small island turned luxury resort that resembles the old towns of this region. Tourists are not allowed on this island, as it belongs to the Aman Resort, which is currently closed (and even when it is open, it’s excessively expensive to stay there). Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful spot and definitely worth visiting anyways.
Best Things to do in Budva
- Visit Sveti Stefan
- Water Activities
- Explore Old Town & The Citadel
- Dine at the Amazingly Decorated Boardwalk Restaurants
- Take a Water Taxi to Sveti Nikola Island
Where to Stay in Budva
Budva Accommodations
How to Get to Budva
The best options for getting to Budva include flying into Tivat or Podgorica and taking a bus from there.
Keep Exploring Montenegro…
- Complete Guide to the Ostrog Monastery
- Podgorica: The Capital of Montenegro
- The Absolute Best Things to do in Kotor
Our Favorite Travel Resources
Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.
Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.
Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.
International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.
eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.
Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!
Pin it For Later!
FAQs
Is Budva Worth Visiting?
If you have the chance, absolutely! There are tons of beach clubs, restaurants and water activities along the boardwalk, and the old town and Sveti Stefan are very cool to visit. We don’t have plans to return to Budva as we feel that we hit the big things during our couple day stay, but if we’re in the area and looking to do water sports or lay on the beach we now know the place to be!
Should I go to Budva or Kotor?
If you have to choose one or the other, go with Kotor. You simply cannot beat the beauty of the mountain ranges surrounding the Kotor Bay. However, if you have time, I would also stop by Budva/Sveti Stefan for a few days or as a day trip!
Read: The Absolute Best Things to do in Kotor
How Many Days do you Need in Budva?
One or two full days is plenty of time to see everything that is unique to Budva. The water activities can be done anywhere else.
What is Budva Known For?
Sandy Beaches. Most Balkan beaches are rocky, so finding sandy beaches is rare. Definitely take advantage of this if you are there!
Is Budva, Montenegro Expensive?
No, Budva is very cheap (as is most of Montenegro!). Kotor is the most expensive area of Montenegro, as it is the most touristy.
