The 11 must-do things in Budva

Budva is one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic coast: the first records date back to the 5th century BC, some 2,500 years of history. The walled old town owes most of its look to the Venetians, who held it from 1420 to 1797. The earthquake of 15 April 1979 devastated much of it; almost every building was rebuilt as it was.

Wander without a map between paved lanes, small squares and churches, then climb onto the seaward walls. The historic core fits on a peninsula a few hundred metres across: an hour is enough to loop it, longer if you stop at a café terrace.

A few kilometres south-east of Budva, Sveti Stefan is an islet joined to the coast by a narrow sandy isthmus. The former fortified fishing village, with 15th-century stone houses, was turned into a hotel in the 20th century; it is now the Aman Sveti Stefan resort, which reopened on 1 July 2026 after a five-year closure caused by a dispute over beach access.

The islet itself remains for guests only. The 2026 agreement does, however, give local residents free access to Sveti Stefan beach and King's Beach, while Queen's Beach stays for guests only. The postcard view is from the coast road and the viewpoints above.

The citadel stands at the southern tip of the old town, facing the sea. Originally known as the Castle of St Mary, the fortification was rebuilt and enlarged throughout the Middle Ages before reaching its final form under Austro-Hungarian rule.

People come mainly for its terraces: the view takes in the old town roofs, the bay and Sveti Nikola island opposite. Entry is paid, in cash; allow 30 to 45 minutes and combine it with a walk on the walls.

Kotor is about twenty kilometres from Budva along the coast road. Its fortified old town, at the head of the Bay of Kotor, is part of the "Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor", listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1979.

Come for the lanes and churches of the old town, then climb the walls to St John's fortress for a view straight down onto the bay. Regular buses from Budva bus station, a car or an organised tour: the round trip fits easily into a day.

The Lovćen massif towers over the coast between Kotor and Cetinje. On the summit of Jezerski vrh, at 1,657 metres, the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, Montenegro's prince-bishop and poet, is reached by a flight of 461 steps. From the viewpoint you look over the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic.

From Budva, drive up via Cetinje, the old royal capital, or by the hairpin road above Kotor through the village of Njeguši. Forests, high meadows and waymarked trails make the national park a cool day out in summer.

A few minutes' walk from the old town, Mogren beach stretches for about 350 metres below pine-covered cliffs. It is made of two coves linked by a passage through the rock, which gives it a wilder feel than the town beaches.

You reach it along the cliff path that passes the Dancer statue. The water is clear; in summer, paid sunbeds and umbrellas take up much of the sand, and space runs short by late morning.

Opposite Budva, about a kilometre across the bay, the wooded island of Sveti Nikola is nicknamed "Hawaii" by locals. Uninhabited, it has pebble coves and very clear water, with views back to the old town and the mountains.

In season, taxi-boats cross in a few minutes from the waterfront and Slovenska beach. Plan half a day: swimming, snorkelling and lunch at one of the beach bars on the side facing the town.

Slovenska plaža is Budva's main beach: 1.6 km of sand and pebbles running along the town, eastwards from the old town. A promenade follows it all the way, lined with cafés, restaurants and sunbed hire.

It is the most convenient and liveliest beach: water sports in summer, beach bars at night, boats to Sveti Nikola island. For more calm, head away from the centre towards either end.

A few minutes' drive west of Budva, Jaz is a long pebble beach open onto a bay, with far more space than the town beaches. The water is clear and the seabed shelves gently.

It also hosts big music events: the Sea Dance festival was held here for the first time in 2014. Outside concert nights the mood is family-friendly, with beach bars and a car park.

The Dancer statue, or Ballerina of Budva, stands on a wave-lashed rock between the old town and Mogren beach. This bronze sculpture of a young woman in mid-movement has become one of the most photographed sights in town.

It sits on the cliff path to Mogren, so you pass it on the way without a detour. A local legend tells of a dancer waiting for a sailor to return; most visitors simply come for the photo, with the sea and the walls behind.

Budva is also a place to explore on foot. The easiest walk leaves the old town along the cliff path to Mogren, past the Dancer statue; in the other direction, the Slovenska beach promenade runs the length of the bay.

For walking at altitude, Lovćen National Park, above Kotor and Cetinje, has waymarked trails through forests and meadows, with the bonus of cooler air in high summer. On the coast, walk in the cooler hours: shade is scarce.