Budva has been dubbed "Montenegro Miami," "Montenegro Hawaii," and "Little Dubrovnik," to name a few. The land of fairy tales, one of Montenegro's jewels, proudly holds the title of the most visited Montenegrin tourist attraction. Budva draws visitors with great food, beautiful beaches, historical monuments, a lovely historic center, and lively nightlife. The local beaches are charming on a daily basis, and the best is the Sea Dance festival in the summer. The ancient history of the Old Town Stari Grad waterfront, where marble streets and Venetian walls jut out from the crystalline waters, and the unrivaled views from the Citadel. The construction of the museum, city walls, churches, and the Gallery of Modern Art will undoubtedly pique your interest.
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What not to miss?
Budva Riviera
The 35 km long Adriatic Sea coast with less than thirteen kilometers of beautiful beaches is located in the central part of the Montenegrin coast, around the town of Budva. It is referred to as the Budva Riviera. Budva, the queen of Montenegrin tourism, is located in the heart of this riviera of sparkling beaches. The Budva Riviera has a stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, a Mediterranean climate, and comprehensive tourist services.
Plaža Ričardova Glava
The Plaža Riardova Glava beach is located in the heart of Budva. It is easily accessible by any vehicle, and there are a few public paid parking lots nearby where you can leave your car. The beach is 150 meters long and around 25 meters wide in some places. The main surface is pebbles, but there is also sand and a pier in the middle of the beach. The water entry is not always easy because of the abundance of stones and rocks on the bottom. You can either enter the water from the beach or jump off the pier. There are also many restaurants and beach bars on or near the beach, as well as a hotel and some apartments.
The Old Town of Budva
Budva's old town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montenegro. Narrow streets, a square, four churches, and a fortress are all encircled by high walls. It was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1979, but most houses have since been rebuilt. The current form dates from the 15th century, but the location has been inhabited for centuries and is one of the longest on the Adriatic coast. A Greek trading center was established here as early as the 4th century BC.
Jaz Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Montenegrin coast is "Jaz Beach." It is approximately 2.5 kilometers from Budva and extends towards Tivat. The first section of the beach (about 500 meters) is traditional, while the second, shorter section is nudist (approx. 300 m). Pebbles form at the beach's edge, turning into sand, giving the water a stunning turquoise color. The beach is a first-class protected natural area.
Podmaine Monastery
The Crnojevi noble built the Serbian Orthodox Podmaine Monastery in the 15th century. The monastery has two churches: the smaller and older church of Presentation of the Mother of God, built in the 15th century by the Crnojevi noble family, and the larger church (of Dormition of the Mother of God), built in 1747. Podmaine (Pod-Maine) means "below Maine." Maine was a small tribe with the territory between Stanjevii Monastery and Budva, below Loven. The monastery served as a gathering place for the tribe and held meetings on St. George's Day.
What else to visit?
Grad Theatre City Budva
Grad Theatre City Budva takes place from July to August and features open-air theatre performances, poetry readings, musical performances, art exhibitions, and performances. The festival brings artists from all over Europe to Budva. The summer months are also ideal for experiencing traditional Balkan and Mediterranean music at the renowned Song of the Mediterranean festival. If you enjoy folk music, dance, or choirs, the international festival Budva Fest is for you. Its goal is to promote cultural exchange between countries.
St. John the Baptist Church
All the Old Town churches are located on Starogradskaya Square in the southwest corner. With its high bell tower, the Catholic St. John the Baptist Church is the most recognizable of the group. It was constructed on the foundations of a former 7th-century church, the only surviving element of which is a floor mosaic depicting John the Baptist. The most important relics in the church are a Holy Cross fragment and a 13th-century icon of the Virgin with the infant Jesus considered a "protector of the town."
The Reževići Monastery
The Reževići Monastery is located in the municipality of Budva, near the town of Petrovac. A public bus that runs along the Budva-Petrovac route will take you there. The monastery is thought to have been founded in the 13th century, but it first appeared in written records in the 15th century. According to legend, King Stefan the First-Crowned was passing through the area with his entourage when he stopped to rest by a pillar where locals had left a pitcher of wine for visitors. After drinking the wine, the king ordered the construction of a church on that very spot. The monastery complex now includes two churches: the Blessed Virgin's Assumption and the Holy Trinity. UNESCO has designated Reevii Monastery as a World Heritage Site.
Beaches: Slovenska Plaza beach, Mogren beach, Becici beach
The Slovenska Plaza beach is Budva's main urban beach. Most of the area's tourist attractions are located on its sandy, pebbly coast, including restaurants, playgrounds, an amusement park, go-karting, a bungee jumping tower, and water sports equipment rental. During the peak season, it is incredibly crowded.
Mogren beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Budva Riviera, located near the Old Town on a stretch of coast surrounded by picturesque cliffs. The private beach is free until the end of June, but there is an entrance fee in the high season (from 2 EUR). Mogren will be released at the end of the season.
Becici's long sandy beach is located on the shore of the same-named resort, 2 kilometers from Budva. Becici has become one of the most popular resorts on the Budva Riviera due to its convenient transportation, historical architectural structures, and developed tourist infrastructure. The beach was named the best in Europe in 1935. It now receives the Blue Flag regularly.
How to travel there?
Air travel is one option for getting to erná hora. Smartwings operates direct flights. Other airlines that fly to Montenegro include Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, Turkis Airlines, and others. The airport is approximately 12 kilometers from the capital, and a taxi from Leita to the center costs about 12€. You can take a bus or a taxi from Tivat Airport to Budva. The "Tivat-Budva" bus ride will take 40-50 minutes and cost 3€. The commercial shuttle will cost 4€ and take 40 minutes. The quickest way to get to Budva is by taxi, which takes about 25 minutes and costs about 20€.
A car is the most common mode of transportation in Budva. Traveling by car is relatively inexpensive, depending on where you come from. Montenegro's road network is deplorable, with no expressways or highways.
The bus is another option for transportation. Traveling by bus is usually time-consuming, depending on where you are departing. Bus tickets are expensive, and you typically have to change in Croatia.
The final type of transportation to Montenegro is by train. A return ticket to your destination may be slightly more expensive, but it is unquestionably more convenient than taking the bus. You can get to the seaside Bar by train. You can frequently find couchette and sleeper cars on the train, which can be very useful when traveling to Budva.
When to travel there?
If you're going to the beach, go during the summer months, which run from June to mid-September. If you want an out-of-the-ordinary skiing experience in the Durmitor Mountains, the best time to go is from mid-December to the end of February. If you want to see Montenegro's cultural monuments but don't like crowds, spring or autumn are the best months to visit.
Average costs
The low-cost traveler lives in low-cost private apartments, paying 14€ per night per room, and eats by purchasing ingredients at the supermarket, which costs about 8€ per day. He walks around the cities and avoids paying for beaches; he takes the bus for day trips around the area, which costs him about 2,5€ per day for a week's stay. The total cost per person/day will be around 20€.
The standard traveler will pay from 28€ per night and room for accommodation that is not directly on the beach but is within comfortable walking distance. He occasionally eats out but buys from a supermarket or a fruit and vegetable stand for lunch, so he spends 12€ daily on food and drinks. He visits more well-maintained official beaches, which cost him about 2€ per day, and he takes bus trips, which cost about the same as a low-budget tourist, namely 2,5€. The daily cost per person will be around 32€.
The luxury traveler who values comfort will pay 45€ per night/room for an apartment or a hotel with breakfast near the beach. She will eat at better restaurants for lunch and dinner, but because she has breakfast at the hotel, she will only spend about 15€ on food. She swims on the best beaches, where she also purchases a sunbed with a parasol for 8€ per day. She doesn't mind getting into taxis and isn't afraid to take a long bus ride; on average, she spends about 4€ per day on transportation. They spend a total of 53€ per person per day.
Where to eat?
You will not be disappointed by the food. Montenegro's cuisine combines Mediterranean, Greek, and traditional Balkan dishes. Classic Mediterranean cuisine predominates along the coast, with plenty of seafood and vegetables, as well as a large number of Western restaurants. Inland, dishes made from local ingredients, primarily dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, as well as Balkan cuisine, predominate. The most common example is grilled minced meat or burek (a pastry of thin dough filled with various ingredients).
Food costs between 6-10€ in big cities, but in smaller villages, we can eat well for 4€. Then we can eat well and cheaply at a local stand, starting at 2€.
The first restaurant recommendation is Konoba Stari Grad. They serve traditional Montenegrin cuisine, such as whole fish with Dalmatian stew, and are located in Budva's old town. You must try this to understand why it is so delicious!
Smsom is a hidden gem within the old town, but word is spreading about this small tapas and wine bar. Montenegrins are die-hard carnivores, but Smsom is converting them one hummus wrap at a time. Enjoy the old town atmosphere while sipping a hot rakija (Balkan brandy) or Montenegrin coffee with your falafel.
The Montenegrin word for kitchen is Kužina, and this restaurant is where Budva residents go when they miss their mother's cooking. Everyone enjoys “čevapi”, which are Balkan sausages served with fries and raw onions. On colder days, “ispod sač”, slow-roasted meat and vegetables over coals until they're falling-off-the-bone tender, can't be beaten.
Events
The Day of Mackerel
On October 2, there will be a genuinely fantastic food festival. It's known as Mackerel Day. The festival's location remains unchanged. This beach is located in the city's historic district. Several dozens of barbecues are set up on the beach on the day of the festival. Throughout the day, skilled chefs prepare delectable food. As one might expect, various fish dishes continue to be the day's main course. The Day of the Mackerel is an ancient holiday. Locals have been celebrating it for over 50 years. The festival attracts many locals and visitors who walk on the beach until late at night, listening to music and watching entertaining performances.
Sea Dance Festival
Sea Dance Festival is an electronic and pop music festival held on the beautiful Montenegrin coast each August, bringing some of the world's best DJs and artists from the EDM, house, techno, and pop genres to Budva. Every year, the award-winning Sea Dance festival attracts fans from over 50 countries worldwide and an impressive lineup of more than 100 international music stars.
Songs of the Mediterranean
Music fans will undoubtedly fall in love with the Songs of the Mediterranean music festival, which takes place each June. The event attracts not only Montenegrins but also many foreign artists. They elevate the celebration to the status of a significant international event.
Budva Fest
Festivals in Montenegro's resort capital are as appealing as their cuisine. Budva Fest, a folk music festival held in early June, is one of the most authentic. Aside from a diverse music program, the audience will be treated to theatrical and dance performances by people of various ages—all performed by folk musicians from across Europe. Because the particular emphasis is placed on Montenegrin culture, attending the festival is an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the local culture. And, of course, such events bring together people from all over the world like never before.
Budva is a very famous city, and it offers a lot of. Whether you want to relax by the sea or learn about the history of Montenegro, this city has a lot to provide you with, and you have a lot to look forward to. In the meantime, you can read an article about another destination in Montenegro - Kotor. We also have other places for you to visit, such as Split, Mykonos, and Gozo. Do not forget to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be always updated on the new releases. Let us know what you liked the most in Budva if you decide to visit!