A Short Travel Guide to Budva Old Town, Montenegro

Planning a trip to Montenegro? Make sure to add the gorgeous Budva Old Town to your itinerary. With cobblestone alleyways, cultural attractions, and beautiful beaches, here is your short guide to Budva and how to make the most out of your visit.

Budva’s historic old town is one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro. Located on a small, strategic peninsula on Montenegro’s Budva Riviera, the walled old town is one of Montenegro’s oldest urban areas and a fascinating place to visit.

Established by the ancient Greeks in the 5th century BC, it has been influenced by various civilizations throughout the centuries, including the Romans, Byzantine Empire, Venetians, and Ottomans. The town’s location along the Adriatic Sea made it a vital trading hub and a target for conquest.

Today, the well-preserved architecture of Budva Old Town showcases a blend of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, with narrow streets, stone houses, and impressive fortifications that have withstood the test of time. You really can spend ages just walking around and uncovering its secrets.

Beyond the Budva Old Town city walls, the new city of Budva provides travelers with accommodation and access to the area’s best beaches.

*This ‘Budva old town ’ travel guide contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.

How to Get to Budva

Budva is a small town on Montenegro’s Budva Riviera. It’s a popular summer destination with travelers looking for an alternative Mediterranean break full of beaches, culture, and history as well as good food and nightlife.

Budva is an easy place to get to both by car and public transport.

Car

If you’re visiting Budva Old Town as part of a full Montenegro itinerary you might be looking into renting a car. Renting a car is the best way to get around Montenegro as it gives you the flexibility to move around on your own schedule.

Given the country is also pretty small, distances aren’t big so you’ll find you don’t need to do all that much driving, making it quite cost effective when looking at fuel costs too.

We rented a car through Discover Cars and I couldn’t recommend them more for both price and service. I generally compare deals with Discover Cars and Rental Cars and go with the best.

When it comes to parking you’ll find many paid parking lots near the old town. We parked here and it cost a few euros for half a day. Parking does fill up quickly, however, so I’d encourage you to arrive early in the morning to get a space, especially in high season.

Public Transport

If you’re not planning to rent a car then getting to Budva is easily done by bus.

From Kotor it’s just 30 minutes to Budva and buses run throughout the day from Kotor’s main bus station. You can also catch a bus from Podgorica, Tivat, or Ulcinj if you’ve just come into Montenegro from Albania.

Things to Do in Budva Old Town

Stroll Around Budva Old Town

Probably the best place to start your time in Budva is by just strolling around, getting your bearings, and admiring all the quaint alleyways, and stone buildings. Budva’s old town (Stari Grad) is a unique fusion of old-world charm and Mediterranean allure. It makes for a fascinating place to walk around and explore.

Duck into the low archways of its defense walls and walk its cobbled streets where you’ll come across narrow alleys, open squares, small churches, and historic buildings. Every so often you’ll be treated to expansive, glistening sea views as you reach the edge of the walls.

The Old Town is also full of restaurants, cafes, bars, bakeries, and souvenir stores so there’s plenty to keep you busy for a few hours.

If you much prefer a guided tour through the Old Town to also learn more about Budva’s colorful history, you can book this wonderful 1 hour Private Walking Tour.

Visit the Beaches

There are so many beaches just outside or near Budva that are worth heading to. In fact, you’ll need a couple of days just to explore the best beaches alone. The Budva Riviera is full of both long, sandy beaches as well as small, off-the-beaten-path coves to discover.

Here are some of the closest beaches for the perfect beach day in Budva:

–Mogren Beach – Probably one of the best beaches close to Budva Old Town, Mogren Beach has a long strip of yellow sand flanked by high-rising cliffs. There’s a bar here, spots to eat, loungers to rent, and watersports too so you can easily spend the whole day here.

–Ričardova Glava Beach– A sand and shingle beach right next to the old town walls. This beach isn’t the most picturesque but it’s still a decent spot to kick off your shoes and go for a swim. There are also some great photo opportunities from this beach too of the old town.

–Beach Greco– One of the largest beaches on the Budva Riviera closest to the old town. It’s full of cafes and restaurants that line the shore and it’s very popular in summer.

–Jaz Beach– One of the best beaches just outside town. It’s another beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs and emerald-green water. It has everything you could need for a day out at the beach. This beach isn’t walkable from Budva Old Town so you’ll need to drive or take a taxi from Budva old town.

-Beach Calypso– On the way from Budva Old Town to Jaz Beach you’ll pass this tiny cove and rocky beach. You’ll need to walk down here and it’s not the easiest to get to but it’s almost always empty and the water here is super blue and clear.

Visit the Citadel

Perched within the old town of Budva, overlooking the sea, the Budva Citadel in Montenegro is a testament to the town’s rich history and offers a fascinating journey through time. Once you step through its ancient gates, you’ll be transported to a bygone era, where centuries of stories and conquests unfold.

The Citadel’s impressive walls and towers stand as a symbol of defense against invaders and a reminder of the town’s strategic significance. As you explore the Citadel’s intricate network of narrow streets and passageways, you’ll encounter historical landmarks such as the small Church of Santa Maria in Punta.

Ascending to the top of the Citadel rewards you with panoramic views of Budva’s azure coastline, rooftops, and the sparkling Adriatic Sea.

Inside the Citadel you’ll also find Budva City Museum, where you’ll be able to see artifacts and various objects that tell the story of the city’s past and maritime history. It’s definitely worth a quick look around.

Visit the Churches

Budva’s Old Town has four different churches to peek into as you explore. With an eclectic mix of both Christian and Orthodox churches, make sure to check out the decorative artwork and altarpieces inside.

–Church of St John- This is the largest and oldest church you’ll find in Budva Old Town. it’s believed that this church dates back to the 9th Century with an even earlier Christian Basilica discovered below it. The church is rather bare inside, except for a rather colorful mosaic behind the altar.

–Church of the Holy Trinity– A rather new Orthodox church built in the 19th Century. Make sure to enter this church as it has a very colorful frescoed interior.

–Church of Santa Maria in Punta– a very small Byzantine-style church that dates back to the 9th Century. Today it acts as a local events venue.

Explore the City Walls

The city walls in Budva are some of the most preserved of any town in Montenegro. Steeped in history and fortified over centuries, they offer a unique perspective of Budva’s picturesque streets, red-roofed houses, and the glistening Adriatic Sea.

As you make your way up and stroll along the walls you’ll pass centuries old-watch towers and fortifications. The best part however is the stunning sea views from the top of the walls and the views into Budva’s old town.

The walls, unlike in cities like Dubrovnik, don’t complete a full circle so you’ll need to turn back around after a while. Entry costs €3 and you can head up near the Citadel or at the Main Gate to the Old Town.

Take a day trip to Kotor or Sveti Stefan

Given Budva’s strategic location along the Adriatic Coast, there are several day trip opportunities from Budva if you’re planning to base yourself here for a few nights. Coastal towns like Kotor, Perast, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, and Tivat are just a short drive away.

If you have a car you’ll be able to explore a couple of places in one day. You can easily do a trip to Perast and Kotor or Kotor and Tivat or Kotor and Lovcen National Park in just one day.

For those without a car, it’s still possible to visit Kotor, Perast, Tivat, or Sveti Stefan by bus, it might just take you a little longer.

Make sure to check out our full destination guides below if you’re planning any day trips from Budva.

20+ Wonderful Things to Do in Kotor for an Idyllic Stay

A Slow Traveller’s Guide to Perast, Montenegro

Visiting Lovcen National Park: The Ultimate Guide

Take a Boat Trip

There’s no better way to take advantage of the impressive Montenegrin coastline than to take a boat trip.

There are many boat tours that leave from Budva that will take you to some lovely attractions nearby which include hidden coves and amazing snorkeling sights.

For the best boat trip and water tours check out this boat trip in Budva with a Local.

Otherwise, there’s also this super fun Budva Bay SUP or Kayak Tour to discover the area’s hidden coves.

Where to Stay in Budva

Dukley Hotel & Resort – Located between Budva and Becici on the stunning Zavala Peninsula, Dukley Hotel & Resort is another 5-star hotel option to consider in Montenegro. With trendy rooms and facilities, kind staff on hand to help with just about any request, and comprehensive services, this is a space you can truly unwind in. 

Suites and residences are functional and modern and there’s a large variety of brilliant dining options. Check rates and availability here.

Avanti Hotel & Spa – A lovely, atmospheric hotel with sleek, modern design and a wellness focus. Don’t miss an evening at their spa for the ultimate relaxing experience. A brilliant option for just over €100 per night. Check rates and availability here.

Hotel Majestic– Located just behind Budva Old Town, the townhouse-like hotel has the best views of the sea and Budva Old Town. Newly renovated, suites here are large, bright, and full of natural tones to help you relax. Don’t miss sunset drinks from the rooftop terrace here. Check rates and availability here.

Where to Eat in Budva Old Town

Royal Garden Juice Bar– The setting in a lovely outdoor garden and a simple menu of Mediterranean classics makes this spot one of the best dining experiences in Budva old town. There’s also a good wine and fresh juice selection and a vegetarian menu.

Konoba Punta– A lovely local tavern with a seafood focus. They bring together the best local ingredients and flavors to make tasty dishes you can write home about.

Mozart– Cute little cafe, great for coffee, drinks, and light bites like salads.

Casper Bar and Coffee Roastery– One of the best spots in town for a coffee or a drink in the evening.

Have any questions about planning your visit to Budva Old Town? Let me know your questions and comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

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