Budva is a charming and buzzing resort on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro. Exploring the Old Town is one of the best things to do in Budva, as well as going on some day trips to enjoy the surroundings, the beautiful Montenegro scenery, and not only.
Although Budva is not a very popular destination for most travelers, the lovely sea town is a must-stop on any Montenegro or Balkan road trip.
Budva is mostly famous for its nightlife, beaches, and Mediterranean architecture.
When I was in Budva, I didn’t have much time to explore the city because of the day trips that I went to, but I do believe I manage to enjoy some of the best things to do in this awesome place. The day trips, on the other hand, were absolutely amazing and one of the places I went to, as a day trip from Budva is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to (but more about it later).
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So, which are the best things to do in Budva, Montenegro?
Explore the Old Town
Budva is one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic coast. The Old Town of Budva is in the heart of the city itself and it’s a very nice place to get lost in. Walking through the streets, braided as a labyrinth feels like you walking back in the time of the late middle century.
All around the Old Town of Budva, there are charming little shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The most famous landmarks of the Old Town of Budva are the Citadel and the Church of Holy Trinity. The Citadel was used as a shelter for the inhabitants. Nowadays, there is a restaurant with beautiful views of the city and the sea.
The other best thing to do in the Old Town of Budva is to walk the city walls.
Budva’s Beaches
Budva is attracting many visitors with its wonderful beaches during the summer months.
When I was in Budva, unfortunately, the water was still not warm enough, although there were many people on the beaches.
Budva is one of the most touristy places in Montenegro. If you want to avoid the crowds, check this post to find out where to find the best Montenegro beaches.
Parties
Budva is also famous for its nightlife, and it’s the party center of Montenegro. During the summer months, there are lots of festivals and beach parties in the resort.
The wild nightlife and the long-preserved history of Budva make it the best place for you to visit if you like to explore and learn more about different cultures and their history throughout the day and go crazy through the night.
Locals
The locals are very nice and friendly. When I was there I’ve met one local and along with two other Bulgarians that I just meet and they decide to join us we went to a rooftop local party in Budva. It was a fun night with lots of beer, jokes, and laughter.
Sveti Stefan Island
Sveti Stefa is a resort for glamorous tourists. It’s connected with the mainland but only the tourist who has paid for a guided tour and hotel guests can enter the island. However, if you don’t want to pay for a visit, you can still admire it from the mainland beach.
Those are some of the best things to do in Budva, Montenegro in my opinion. The other best thing to do as said above is to go on a day trip from Budva to explore the beautiful surroundings.
Where to go on a day trip from Budva, Montenegro
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik might be in another country but it’s a destination that is very easy to reach from Budva and makes a great day trip.
Often called the ”Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Dubrovnik has a long history but besides that, the city attracts its visitors with its narrow streets, sunny weather, and beauty.
The best things to do in Dubrovnik include walking the city walls and getting lost in the Old Town. I would also highly recommend not to miss Lokrum Island. Located just across the Old Town of Dubrovnik, Lokrum is a wonderful place to kill some of your time. And of course, you shouldn’t miss the beaches in Dubrovnik – the second-best reason to visit the town.
How to get from Budva to Dubrovnik:
The distance between both cities is around 92 km. You can get to Dubrovnik by car, or by bus. No matter which way you will choose, have in mind that you are going to pass the border between Croatia and Montenegro and sometimes delays are possible. Plan your time wisely.
For the bus schedule, please check at Budva’s bus station. Alternatively, you can book a transfer here, too.
Kotor
This is the place I was telling you about that I fell in love with it and it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. Unfortunately, my time there was limited as a day trip from Budva and I would love to go back there and spend more time just in Kotor.
Kotor is a little coastal town located in the heart of the beautiful Kotor Bay in Montenegro. The town is famous for its World Heritage medieval structures and its beautiful natural scenery.
The most popular things to do in Kotor are exploring the Old Town of Kotor and walking the city walls. However, for me, the best thing to do in Kotor is none of these. The best for me is climbing up the upper Town walls.
The Old Town of Kotor is surrounded by steep mountains that extend almost to the water. On the top of one of these mountains, there is a fortress, San Giovanni. To get to the top you will need to climb 1 350 stairs from sea level. Maybe most people don’t do it because they are too lazy. However, this is definitely something that you would want to skip! The view from there is absolutely breathtaking!!
How to get from Budva to Kotor:
Kotor is located just 23 km from Budva, you can get there by bus or by taxi. By taxi, it would be easy as you won’t need to worry about driving or navigation. If taking the bus, check the schedule at the Budva Bus Station – information online is very limited and unreliable.
Perast
Perast is another extremely beautiful place that should be included in your Montenegro itinerary.
Perast is very peaceful and small, it will take literally not more than 10 minutes to walk from one side to another. But even though it can be explored in half an hour it definitely deserves more time to simply enjoy it. From the main street and any restaurant or coffee place there, you can enjoy the silent and stunning scenery of the surrounding sea and mountains.
From Perast you can take a boat to Our Lady of the Rock, which is one of the most popular attractions in Montenegro.
How to get from Budva to Perast:
You can travel to Perast by bus or by car. By car, it would be easy to navigate using GPS. If taking the bus, check the schedule at the Budva Bus Station – information online is very limited and unreliable.
Alternatively, you can also take a taxi.
Have you been anywhere in Montenegro? It’s without any doubts an amazing country to discover and you need to start planning your trip to Montenegro ASAP.
Thanks for reading,
Bilyana
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