Budva is Montenegro’s busiest resort town, and its walled Old Town is the reason to go. Built on what was once an island later joined to the mainland by sand, it is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast, and its Venetian-era walls enclose a compact grid of stone lanes, churches and squares. Like Kotor, it was badly damaged in the 1979 earthquake and carefully rebuilt. Look for the citadel, a fortress first built in the fifteenth century and now used as a summer stage, the Church of St John, the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and the tiny early-medieval Santa Maria in Punta. Mogren beach is a short walk around the headland, and boats cross to the island of Sveti Nikola in summer.
How to get there: Budva is a drive of around half an hour or more from Kotor through the tunnel under Vrmac, and frequent buses link the two towns. Combine it with the Sveti Stefan viewpoint a little further down the coast.
What to expect: the Old Town is small and charming, but the modern resort around it is built up and loud in summer, with beach clubs and nightlife. In the low season it is far quieter, and many beach businesses close.
Making the most of it: walk the lanes and the citadel in the morning, swim at Mogren or take a boat to Sveti Nikola in season, then head on to Sveti Stefan for the late-afternoon view. Budva also has the widest choice of beach hotels if you want a seaside stay.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided wander through a small walled old town, with the citadel and nearby beaches.
Best time
Morning, or any time in the quieter shoulder seasons.
How long
Two to three hours, longer with the beach.
Tips
Take the bus from Kotor to skip parking, and pair it with Sveti Stefan.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A beach-and-old-town half day away from the bay.
- Families
- Lanes to explore and sandy beaches next door.
- Couples
- Morning in the Old Town, sunset at Sveti Stefan.
- Pair with
- Sveti Stefan and a Blue Cave boat tour.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How far is Budva from Kotor?+
Around half an hour or more by car through the Vrmac tunnel, with frequent buses between the two towns.
Is Budva Old Town free?+
Yes, the lanes are free; the citadel and some churches charge small fees.
Is Budva better than Kotor?+
They are different: Kotor is the historic bay town, Budva the beach resort with a small old town.
Which beach is closest to Budva Old Town?+
Mogren beach is a short walk around the headland from the Old Town walls.
Is Budva busy in summer?+
Very; it is Montenegro’s main resort, with crowded beaches and lively nightlife in July and August.
