Budva is a tourist centre on the Adriatic Sea famous for its long 2,500-year history and fantastic beaches (Mogren, Kamenovo, Jaz, Slovenska). It is also the centre of the Budvanian Riviera which includes also Bečići, Rafailovići, Sveti Stefan and Petrovac. Due to large number of long beaches here you can find a great place for swimming and comfortable spending time on the beach even in the high season, July and August. Budva is one of the most popular tourist locations of the entire Adriatic region.
The heart of Budva is its Old Town visible from almost all locations. It dates back to an Illyrian settlement before Greek colonization of Adriatic Sea. The Old Town was protected by wide stone walls.
Santa Maria in Punta church is the oldest church in Budva and one of the oldest churches along the coast. It is supposed that it was built by Benedictine monks about 840 AD. Nowadays it doesn’t work as church, art exhibitions and classical music concerts are often held in it instead.
Later, during Medieval several churches were built here – St. Ivan Church (also known as St. John the Baptist, its bell tower is one of the iconic symbols of the Old Town) and St Sava Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Holy Trinity Orthodox Church was built in 19th century.
In the Old Town you can enter the Citadel, initially it was a castle which was rebuilt several times. Now it suggests great views of all the Old Town and around from its top. Inside of the Citadel there is a public library which is also worth visiting, it has a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
There is the Museum of Budva or Archaeological Museum in the Old Town. Its four-floor collections include Greek and Roman artefacts like ancient mosaics, coins, ceramics which were found during excavations in Budva and around it. Also here you can find Montenegrin every-day things related to 18-19th centuries.
Between the Old Town and Mogren beach you can find the unofficial symbol of Budva – the Budva Ballerina statue. The monument is here since 1965. Beautiful sculpture of a girl waiting for someone on the sea coast is very popular and almost everyone tries to make a photo near it.
Mogren beach is one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in Budva, really picturesque and located just to the right from the Old Town. It consists of two connected sandy beaches called Mogren-1 and Mogren-2. Mogren-1 has more possibilities for comfortable rest and relaxation while Mogren-2 advantage is having less people, it is not so overcrowded. Both beaches are just great especially in the morning. If you are not a beach fan, you can just go from the Old Town to Mogren-1, the pathway is great itself there. During winter this path is closed due to possible storm danger.
On top of two Mogren beaches you’ll see Mogren Fortress, remains of the Austro-Hungarian fortification built in 1860 to protect western border of Budva. It is not easy to climb there from the beach, much more convenient just to walk 20-25 minutes from Jadranski Put (Adriatic Highway) in Budva or just to get there by car (keeping direction to Kotor or Tivat). During summer season it is better to visit it morning or evening.
If multiple Budva beaches are not enough for you, you can go to Sveti Nikola island which is located just opposite to Budva. Sveti Nikola island is the largest island in Montenegro. It has several sandy beaches that are called Hawaii. It takes only about 5 minutes to reach Sveti Nikola by boat from Budva. The cost of this boat trip for two directions in 2024 is 6 euros.
Sveti Stefan is a small town located about 6 km of Budva. It consists of an island where the entrance is open only for the expensive hotel guests and a mainland part. Even closed for the most of people, it attracts a lot of tourists. Nearby there is Miločer botanical garden. Boat trips Budva – Sveti Stefan – Sveti Nikola island – Budva are available.
Just 15-20 minutes of walk from Budva center and Old Town and you will reach Podmaine Monastery, an Orthodox monastery initially built in 15th century and later reconstructed and rebuilt several times. It is famous by the fact that Prince-Bishop and poet Petar II Petrović-Njegoš wrote some parts of his masterpiece “The Mountain Wreath” (probably the most well-known poem in Montenegrin literature) in Podmaine Monastery.
In Budva it is nice just to walk along the streets. Budva is surrounded by mountains so you will enjoy great views almost everywhere. There are many flowers and plants here at any time of the year.