THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN BUDVA, MONTENEGRO: HOW TO SPEND ONE DAY IN BUDVA

If you’re wondering what are the best things to do and see in Budva, here’s my detailed guide for spending one day in one of Montenegro’s most popular coastal towns!

Montenegro’s coastline is absolutely stunning, and Budva, along with Kotor, is one of its most visited spots. While many travelers choose Budva as their base for an entire holiday (and there’s definitely enough to fill a whole week here), plenty of visitors come just for a day from nearby towns like Kotor or Dubrovnik.

Since we spend a lot of time in Dubrovnik, taking a day trip to Budva felt like a natural choice, and it turned out to be such a beautiful escape. Here’s my guide to the best things to do and see in Budva!

IS BUDVA WORTH VISITING?

Budva is absolutely worth visiting. I’ll be honest, I’d been there before in the off-season and wasn’t overly impressed, but coming back in September while everything was still in full swing completely changed my mind. The town is incredibly charming, with its lovely old town, fantastic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and surprisingly lively nightlife.

If you’re a younger traveler, you’ll find plenty of energy and entertainment here, and if you’re a more relaxed, mature visitor, you’ll still enjoy it just as much because there’s truly something for everyone. I’m already planning to come back and explore it in even more detail!

IS BUDVA EXPENSIVE?

Budva is actually quite budget-friendly. It can be a bit pricier during the peak summer months, but compared to places like Croatia, Greece, or Italy, it’s still nowhere near those price levels. The food is fantastic, portions are generous, the quality is great, and it’s surprisingly affordable.

Accommodation near the Old Town starts at around €50 per night, and even the more luxurious stays are often at least a quarter cheaper than similar places in neighboring countries. The beaches are beautiful too, and you can usually rent a pair of sun loungers for just €10–15 per day. Pretty amazing, right?

WHEN TO VISIT BUDVA?

It really depends on what kind of experience you’re after, but generally the best time to visit Budva is between May and October.

If you want the full summer vibe, hot weather, buzzing nightlife, and beach days, then July and August are ideal, though keep in mind that’s also when it’s the most crowded. If you’d prefer warm weather with fewer tourists, May, June, September, and even early October are perfect for sightseeing and relaxing without the summer chaos.

The off-season (November to March) isn’t great. It’s often rainy, gloomy, and a lot of places are closed. I’ve visited in March before and honestly wasn’t impressed, so good weather really makes all the difference when it comes to enjoying Budva.

HOW TO REACH BUDVA?

Budva is actually quite easy to reach if you’re already in Europe. The nearest airports are in Dubrovnik, Tivat, and Podgorica, and from any of them you can get to Budva by car, bus, or private transfer.

If you’re based in Dubrovnik, it’s also totally doable as a day trip by car. Just keep in mind that in summer, the border crossings can get really busy. There are three main ones:

• Karasovici/Debeli Brijeg – the main crossing, but also the most crowded.
• Vitaljina/Kobila – usually a bit better, though it can still get backed up in peak season.
• Via Bosnia and Herzegovina – this is the route we took. We crossed from Croatia to Bosnia at Gornji Brgat–Ivanica, then from Bosnia to Montenegro at Zupci–Sitnica. It’s a bit longer distance-wise, but there were no crowds at all, so we actually arrived faster than we would’ve waiting at the busy crossings.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN BUDVA IN ONE DAY

Budva is a fantastic place to spend a few days, but if you only have one, here’s how I’d make the most of it. Of course, you can tweak it to fit your own pace and style!

EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN

The Old Town of Budva is the heart of the city and absolutely worth exploring. Mornings are calmer and perfect for wandering the streets, while evenings are lively with people enjoying the atmosphere. Here are three things you shouldn’t miss while in the Old Town:

WANDER THROUGH THE STREETS

Like many historic towns, Budva’s Old Town is full of charming cobbled streets, churches, souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants. Wander through the streets, stop for a drink at a bar, or enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants.

VISIT THE CITADEL

The Citadel is a must-see in Budva’s Old Town. It was built in the 15th century to protect the town and it’s a small but fascinating stop. For 5.50 euros, you can explore a library, a small museum, and enjoy stunning views of the sea and Old Town. There’s also a restaurant where you can have a drink or a meal while taking in the Adriatic scenery. You won’t need more than an hour to fully enjoy it.

WALK THE WALLS

The Citadel and the city walls are two separate attractions, so you’ll need to buy tickets for each. The entrance to the walls is right at the edge of the Old Town, just a few steps from the stairs up to the Citadel. It costs 2 euros, and walking along the walls takes about 15–20 minutes. Honestly, the views from the walls are even better than from the Citadel, so if you have to pick just one, go for the walls!

GO TO THE BEACH

The beaches in Budva are definitely worth visiting. Some are sandy, some are pebbly, but most have a rocky seabed, so I’d recommend bringing water shoes. Along the Riva promenade, there are plenty of options, each with stunning views of the Old Town. If you want to swim close to the Old Town, Pizana Beach gives you a view of the city walls, while Ricardova Glava Beach offers panoramic views of the whole Old Town. Ricardova Glava is the most popular, with beach bars, hotels, and plenty of sun loungers and parasols. Prices start around 15 euros per day, which is a real bargain compared to places like Dubrovnik.

ENJOY THE RIVA PROMENADE

From the Old Town, a long promenade stretches along the beaches in Budva. It’s lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops, making it a lively place, especially in the evening when people are out enjoying dinner or drinks. Many of the restaurants look super charming and are worth checking out. One we got great recommendations for is Restaurant Porto!

WHAT TO DO AND SEE IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME

If you’re staying longer than a day, there are plenty of amazing places nearby worth checking out. All of these spots are definitely worth a visit!

VISIT PERAST

If you’re staying in Budva and want to explore more of Montenegro’s coastline, Perast is a perfect choice. It’s about 60 km from Budva, and the easiest way to get there is by car (what we did!), with the drive along the E65/E80 coastal road taking around 1.5 hours and offering stunning views. If you don’t have a car, you can take a bus from Budva to Kotor (about 30–40 minutes) and then a local bus or taxi from Kotor to Perast (15–20 minutes). Taxis between Kotor and Perast usually cost around €10–15 and are the easiest and quickest option.

Perast itself is small and easy to explore on foot, so you won’t need a lot of time. The most popular attraction is Our Lady of the Rocks, a small church on a man-made island reachable by a 5-minute boat ride for around €5–10 per person. While in Perast, you can also visit Saint Nicholas Church and climb its bell tower for incredible views over the Bay of Kotor, or simply enjoy a meal or a drink along the waterfront promenade.

VISIT SVETI STEFAN

A quick visit from Budva can also be to Sveti Stefan, just 9 kilometers south of town. This tiny island is one of Montenegro’s most photographed landmarks and is only about 15 minutes away by car or taxi. The island itself is now a private luxury resort, so you can’t enter without a reservation, but it’s still a stunning sight. Currently, the island is closed off and not operating even as a resort. You can visit the panoramic viewpoints above the island, which are some of the most iconic photo spots in Montenegro. The more popular one is along the main road, while a higher viewpoint near St. Sava Church offers a different perspective.

If you want to enjoy the views for a bit longer, you can relax on the public beaches on either side of the island or at nearby Milocer Beach, which still offers beautiful views of Sveti Stefan. Since it’s so close to Budva, it’s easy to visit in the morning or late afternoon and still have plenty of time to explore Budva itself.

SPEND A DAY AT JAZ BEACH

Jaz Beach is one of the largest and most popular beaches on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, located just 4 kilometers from Budva. It’s an easy 10-minute drive or taxi ride, or you can take a local bus that stops on the main road above the beach. Keep in mind that if you take the bus, you’ll need to walk downhill to reach the beach and back uphill to return.

The beach is perfect for both relaxing and swimming, with plenty of space even during the busy summer months. It’s well-equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, restrooms, and changing cabins. Along the shore, you’ll find beach bars, cafés, and casual restaurants serving drinks, seafood, and snacks.

The water stays shallow for a good distance, so it’s ideal for families, while the surrounding hills help shield the beach from strong winds and waves. During summer, you can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, or try jet skiing and other water sports. If you’re looking for a relaxing day away from Budva, Jaz Beach is a perfect choice.

VISIT KOTOR

Kotor is a historic coastal town in the Bay of Kotor and is Montenegro’s most popular destination. You can get there easily from Budva by car or bus for around €4–5, in 45–60 minutes.

The Old Town of Kotor is a UNESCO-listed medieval walled city full of cobblestone streets, stone churches, lively squares, and charming restaurants. It’s small enough to explore in a couple of hours. One of the highlights is hiking up to the Kotor Fortress, also called San Giovanni Fortress. The trail isn’t the easiest and takes about an hour, but the panoramic views of the old town and bay are absolutely worth it.

Since Kotor is a popular cruise port, it’s best to visit early in the morning before 10 AM or late in the afternoon to avoid large tour groups. If you have extra time, you can also explore nearby attractions like Perast, Lovcen National Park, or Tivat.

MY PERSONAL TAKE ON BUDVA

I love Budva!! I’ve already mentioned I’ve been before and wasn’t impressed, and I feel like I experienced a whole new town this past September. I CANNOT WAIT to come back. If you’re on a strict budget, I’d even go as far as recommend staying in Budva for longer and visiting Dubrovnik for a day trip, instead of staying in Dubrovnik. Montenegro is magical and much more affordable than Croatia, to be completely honest.

CONCLUSION: THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN BUDVA

Budva beautifully combines history, beaches, and nightlife, and that’s why it’s one of Montenegro’s most popular coastal towns. You can spend a full, enjoyable day exploring the medieval Old Town and relaxing on the beaches, and if you have a few extra days, there’s even more to discover and enjoy.