Budva travel guide in a nutshell: Budva is the liveliest town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, with a 2,500-year-old walled old town, long beaches and a buzzing restaurant scene. Spend your mornings in the Old Town and the Square of Churches, your afternoons on Slovenska Plaža, Ričardova Glava or Bečići Beach, and your evenings eating seafood at a konoba. Three nights is the sweet spot, and the best months to visit are May, June and September.
Budva was my base on the coast, so this Budva travel guide is packed with the places where I ate some of my best meals in Montenegro. It has a reputation as a party town, but that’s only one side of it. In the morning, the old town is calm and golden, the beaches are quiet, and in the evening there’s a family-run konoba on every corner.
This is my Budva travel guide, with all the places I saved: where to have dinner, the best quick eats and sweet treats, where to go for a drink, what to see, the best beaches and where I stayed. I’ve pinned every spot on a map at the end so you can save them for your trip.
If you’re planning a longer trip, Budva fits perfectly into my 7-day Montenegro itinerary.
Budva Travel Guide at a Glance
| Where | The Budva Riviera, on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast |
|---|---|
| Closest airports | Tivat (about 25 minutes), Podgorica (about 1 hour), Dubrovnik (about 2 hours) |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Best time to visit | May, June and September |
| How long to stay | 3 nights, or longer if you want beach days |
| Getting around | On foot in town; a car for day trips |
What to See in Budva: My Sightseeing Guide
Budva Old Town
Budva Old Town (Stari Grad) sits on a small peninsula surrounded by Venetian stone walls. It’s a maze of narrow marble lanes, little squares, boutiques and cafés, and it’s at its best before 11am, when the cruise and beach crowds haven’t arrived yet.
Walk along the old town walls for views over the rooftops and the sea, then head up to the Citadel at the tip of the peninsula.
The Square of Churches
Tucked below the Citadel, the Square of Churches (Trg između crkava) is one of the most charming corners of the old town. Three churches stand side by side here: the Orthodox Holy Trinity Church, with its pink and honey-coloured stone, the Catholic St John the Baptist Church and the remains of Santa Maria in Punta, the Church of the Virgin Mary, which dates back to the 9th century and is one of the oldest buildings in Budva.
My tip: come back at golden hour, when the stone glows and the square is almost empty.
Where to Eat in Budva: My Food Guide
For Dinner
Budva is a seafood town, and the best meals I had were in small family-run konobas. Book ahead in summer, because the good ones fill up fast.
- Fish Bar Budva: a small, no-fuss seafood spot with very fresh fish. Go for the grilled calamari, sardines and prawns.
- Taverna Vukoje: a cosy family-run tavern a short walk from the old town, known for its fresh fish and generous portions.
- Konoba Dušanov Vrt: a garden konoba just outside the centre, where traditional Montenegrin recipes meet modern Mediterranean cooking.
- Konoba Dragičević: a small, welcoming konoba serving fresh seafood and local dishes.
- Restoran Mlin: one of the best-rated seafood restaurants in Budva.
- Trattoria Basilica: for when you fancy Italian after a week of grilled fish.
What to order: black risotto, the catch of the day grilled with olive oil and garlic, Njeguški pršut (smoked ham) with local cheese, and a glass of Vranac, Montenegro’s red wine.
Quick Eats and Sweet Treats
- Priganice: A Bite of Montenegro: priganice are Montenegrin fried dough balls, served here with honey and all kinds of toppings. A must in the old town.
- Pera, Focaccia & Resto-Bar: my favourite spot for a relaxed lunch.
- La Mia Pasta Budva: fresh pasta to go, perfect after a beach day.
- Gelisse Gelato: the best gelato I had in Budva.
Budva Nightlife Guide: Where to Go for a Drink
- Casper Bar: a laid-back bar hidden in the old town lanes, perfect for an evening drink under the trees.
- El Mundo: a lively spot for cocktails before or after dinner.
- Casa Latina – Latin Bar: for Latin music, cocktails and a bit of dancing.
Budva Beach Guide: The Best Beaches
- Slovenska Plaža: Budva’s main beach, a long stretch running from the old town along the promenade, lined with beach clubs and sunbeds. It’s right in front of the hotel where I stayed.
- Plaža Ričardova Glava: a small pebbly beach right below the old town walls, with clear water and a view over Sveti Nikola island. Bring water shoes, as the sea floor is rocky. It gets busy in summer, so go early.
- Bečići Beach: a long sandy beach just south of Budva with calm, crystal-clear water, perfect for a lazy afternoon swim.
Want quieter spots? Mogren Beach is a short walk from the old town along a cliffside path, and Drobni Pijesak is a hidden cove between Budva and Sveti Stefan.
Where to Stay in Budva
Iberostar Waves Slavija
This is where I stayed, and I’d go back in a heartbeat. Iberostar Waves Slavija is a five-star hotel with whitewashed Mediterranean-style buildings, blue shutters and bougainvillea everywhere. It’s about a 5-minute walk to Slovenska Plaža and 15 minutes along the promenade to the old town, so you get the best of both. There’s a spa, a seasonal outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace.
Check prices and availability for Iberostar Waves Slavija on Booking.com
Looking for something else? Find hotels in Budva on Booking.com
Day Trips from Budva
No Budva travel guide would be complete without a few day trips, and Budva is a great base for exploring the rest of Montenegro. For more ideas, see my guide to the 10 best things to do in Montenegro.
- Sveti Stefan (15 minutes): watch the sunset from the viewpoint by St Sava Church, then have dinner at Konoba More in Pržno.
- Kotor and the Bay of Kotor (40 minutes): wander Kotor Old Town, take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks from Perast and toast the sunset at the Kraken Underwater Wine Cellar (April to September).
- Lovćen and Cetinje (1 hour): drive the Kotor Serpentine, eat smoked ham in Njeguši and climb to the Njegoš Mausoleum.
- Lake Skadar (1 hour): see the Pavlova Strana horseshoe viewpoint and take a boat trip on the lake.
Budva Travel Tips
- Go early: the old town and the beaches are at their best before 11am.
- Book dinner ahead in July and August, especially at the small konobas.
- Sunbeds: on the main beaches, most of the front rows belong to beach clubs. Expect to pay for a set of sunbeds and an umbrella, or bring a towel and find a free public section.
- Carry some cash: most restaurants take cards, but smaller bars and beach clubs may not.
- Parking is limited and paid in the centre, so leave the car at your hotel and walk.
Budva Travel Map: My Favourite Places
I’ve pinned all the places in this Budva travel guide on my Montenegro map, so you can save them straight to your Google Maps.
FAQ
Is Budva worth visiting?
Yes. Budva combines a beautiful walled old town, long beaches and some of the best restaurants on the Montenegrin coast, and it’s a great base for day trips to Sveti Stefan, Kotor, Lovćen and Lake Skadar.
How many days do you need in Budva?
Three nights is ideal: one day for the old town, one day for the beaches and one day trip, for example to Kotor or Sveti Stefan.
What is the best beach in Budva?
For convenience, Slovenska Plaža is the main beach in town. Ričardova Glava is the most picturesque, right below the old town walls, and Bečići Beach is the best for soft sand and calm water.
Where should I eat in Budva?
For seafood, try Fish Bar Budva, Taverna Vukoje or Konoba Dragičević. For something quick, try the priganice at Priganice: A Bite of Montenegro, and finish with gelato at Gelisse.
Is Budva a party town?
Budva has a lively nightlife in summer, but the old town, the beaches and the restaurants are just as enjoyable if you’re not into partying, especially in May, June and September.
Final Thoughts
Budva surprised me. I expected a busy beach resort, and instead I found a beautiful old town, some of the best seafood of my trip and sunsets I still think about. Save this Budva travel guide, pin the map and come hungry.
Have you been to Budva? Tell me your favourite spot in the comments. And for more travel inspiration, come and say hi on Instagram and TikTok. Let’s collect moments, not things! ✨
Ready to book your Budva trip?
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