Budva
Montenegro's Adriatic Riviera offers beaches, island views and romance.
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Budva is one of the Adriatic Sea's most rewarding holiday destinations, located on Montenegro's stunning Mediterranean coastline just under three hours from the UK. Known as the heart of the Montenegrin Riviera, this lively seaside resort blends 2,500-year-old Venetian heritage with golden beaches, world-class scenery and exceptional value for money. Visitors can wander the medieval Stari Grad fortified Old Town, admire the iconic Sveti Stefan island village, swim at the Blue Flag Mogren and Slovenska beaches, and enjoy boat trips to Hawaii Beach on Sveti Nikola Island. Beyond Budva, day-trip access to the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor, the dramatic Lovćen National Park and the Tara River Canyon delivers genuine variety. With direct UK flights into Tivat and Podgorica, English widely spoken and a vibrant summer nightlife scene, Budva is ideal for beach holidays, couples holidays, family holidays and Adriatic coast escapes. Johnson Holidays offers ATOL-protected Budva holidays and Montenegro package holidays from multiple UK airports.
✨ Why Visit Budva
- A 2,500-year-old medieval Old Town — Budva's fortified Venetian Stari Grad is one of the Adriatic's oldest urban settlements, with cobbled lanes, the Citadel and Venetian-era churches.
- Iconic Sveti Stefan island — Montenegro's most photographed sight, a 15th-century fortified village on a small connected island 5km south of Budva.
- 35km of Riviera coastline — Blue Flag beaches at Mogren, Slovenska, Bečići and Sveti Stefan, with calm Adriatic water at 24–26°C in summer.
- UNESCO Bay of Kotor on the doorstep — the fjord-like Bay of Kotor and its medieval walled town sit 30km west, an easy day trip.
- One of the Adriatic's best-value resort destinations — pints from £2.50, dinners from £18pp and four-star hotels from £85 a night, well below Croatia or Greece.
- Direct UK flights to Montenegro — easyJet, Jet2, Wizz Air and British Airways into Tivat (TIV) and Podgorica (TGD), 2hr 50min from London.
? What Makes Budva Special
Unlike Dubrovnik and Split on the Croatian Adriatic coast just to the north, Budva delivers comparable medieval-walled-town heritage and Adriatic beach quality at 30–40% lower prices, making Montenegro the best value destination on the entire Adriatic. Unlike Greek island resorts, Budva pairs its 35km of Riviera coastline with the UNESCO Bay of Kotor (Europe's southernmost fjord-like bay), Lovćen National Park's 1,749m peaks and the medieval old towns of Kotor, Perast and Budva itself — making it Europe's most concentrated coast-and-mountain destination. And unlike most short-haul beach resorts, Budva's lively open-air nightclub scene (Top Hill, Trocadero) genuinely rivals Mykonos and Ibiza in summer, while remaining family-friendly for daytime beach holidays. The combination of medieval heritage, golden beaches, UNESCO scenery and Adriatic value makes Budva Montenegro's most rounded resort destination.
? Key Areas to Explore
- Stari Grad (Old Town) — Budva's 2,500-year-old fortified Venetian heart, with cobbled lanes, the Citadel and the medieval St Mary's Church.
- Mogren Beach — Two small Blue Flag pebble-and-sand coves separated by a rock tunnel, the closest beach to the Old Town.
- Slovenska Beach — Budva's main 1.6km central beach, lined with bars, restaurants and watersports kiosks.
- Bečići — Family-favourite Blue Flag resort beach 3km south-east of Budva, with the Hotel Splendid five-star.
- Sveti Stefan (5km south) — The iconic 15th-century fortified island village, with the Aman Sveti Stefan resort and the public Sveti Stefan beach.
- Pržno — A small fishing village just before Sveti Stefan, with traditional taverns and a quieter pebble beach.
- Sveti Nikola Island — The 2km uninhabited island offshore from Budva, with Hawaii Beach and water-taxi access.
- Bay of Kotor (30km west) — The UNESCO-listed fjord-like bay with the medieval walled towns of Kotor and Perast.
- Lovćen National Park (40km west) — Montenegro's spiritual heart, with the 1,749m peak and the Njegoš Mausoleum.
- Tivat & Porto Montenegro (25km north-west) — The upmarket marina resort with luxury yachts, the Regent Porto Montenegro hotel and Tivat Airport (TIV).
A 35km Adriatic Riviera destination that pairs Montenegro's medieval Old Town with golden beaches, the UNESCO Bay of Kotor and lively nightlife — broken down by category below.
?️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Climb the 1,355-step Kotor city walls to San Giovanni Fortress (30km west)
- Hike Lovćen National Park to Mount Lovćen (1,749m)
- White-water raft the Tara River Canyon (Europe's deepest at 1,300m)
- Boat trip to Hawaii Beach on Sveti Nikola Island
- Cycle the coastal road from Budva to Sveti Stefan (5km return)
?️ Beaches
- Mogren Beach — closest Blue Flag pebble-and-sand cove to the Old Town
- Slovenska Beach — Budva's main 1.6km central beach
- Bečići Beach — 1.9km Blue Flag family resort beach (3km south-east)
- Sveti Stefan Beach (Kraljičina Plaža) — pink-sand beach below the iconic island
- Jaz Beach — wild 2.5km Blue Flag beach 6km west, host of EXIT Sea Dance Festival
?️ Food & Drink
- Order Njeguški pršut (Montenegrin smoked ham) at Konoba Stari Grad in the Old Town
- Try black risotto with squid ink at Astoria Hotel Restaurant overlooking the Old Town
- Sample buzara (Adriatic shellfish stew) at Konoba Demižana
- Order grilled Adriatic sea bass (brancin) at Konoba Stari Mlini in Ljuta (Kotor Bay)
- Sip Vranac (Montenegro's signature red wine) at Plantaže Wine Cellar tastings (Podgorica)
? Nightlife & Entertainment
- Top Hill — Montenegro's largest open-air nightclub on a hilltop above Budva (summer only)
- Trocadero, Hawaii and Casper bars in the Old Town's narrow lanes
- Beach-club evenings at Banje Beach Resort
- Sea Dance Festival (Jaz Beach, late August/early September)
- Sundowner sessions at Astoria Hotel rooftop bar overlooking the Citadel
? Instagram-Worthy Spots
- The iconic Sveti Stefan island from the Adriatic Highway viewpoint
- The medieval Stari Grad Citadel from Mogren Beach at sunset
- The Bay of Kotor's pearl-string of islands from the Vrmac ridge
- The Our Lady of the Rocks artificial island in Perast (Kotor Bay)
- The 5km Sveti Stefan causeway with the fortified village glowing at dusk
Best Value Deals
? All-Inclusive Holidays
Budva's all-inclusive market is moderate — the resort runs a strong mix of half-board and AI four-star hotels alongside B&B boutiques in the Old Town. Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort (Bečići, the largest five-star on the Montenegrin Riviera), TUI Blue Montenegro Beach Resort, Iberostar Slavija and Grand Hotel Bečići lead the UK family AI rankings. Mediteran Conference & Spa Resort and Hotel Mediteran add the upper-tier mid-market options. Shoulder-season weeks with UK flights typically open from £379pp in May or October, climbing to £949pp at August half-term.
???? Family Holidays
Budva is one of the Adriatic's strongest emerging family-resort destinations. The Bečići and Slovenska beaches are gradually shelving with lifeguards in summer, and the family-aimed AI hotels at Bečići and Bečići-Rafailovići pair calm Adriatic water with kids' clubs and themed pools. The neighbouring Aqua Park Budva (Babin Do), Sveti Nikola Island boat trips and Kotor day trips cover non-beach family days. Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort, Iberostar Slavija and Grand Hotel Bečići lead the family inventory. Outside the August peak, Budva delivers some of the strongest UK family value on the Adriatic.
? Luxury Holidays
Montenegro's luxury inventory clusters along the Budva Riviera and the Bay of Kotor. Aman Sveti Stefan (the iconic 15th-century fortified island village, currently undergoing redevelopment) was Montenegro's headline luxury icon; Regent Porto Montenegro (Tivat marina, IHG Luxury Collection) and One&Only Portonovi (Herceg Novi, 50km west, opened 2021) lead the active five-star inventory. Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort (Bečići) holds the Budva Riviera flagship position. Maestral Resort & Casino (Pržno) and Hotel Avala Resort & Villas (Old Town adjacent) deliver the boutique-resort alternatives. Private yacht charters from Tivat and Porto Montenegro add the headline luxury experience.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
Budva carries strong UK late-availability stock thanks to its volume of mid-market AI inventory and Montenegro's growing UK tourism profile. The strongest discounts surface in mid-May to early June and from mid-September into mid-October — discounts of 25–35% inside three weeks of departure are realistic on Iberostar Slavija, Grand Hotel Bečići and Mediteran Resort properties. Almost every Budva beach hotel closes from late October through April; the Old Town's small core of boutique hotels and the Aman Sveti Stefan stay open year-round. Wizz Air and easyJet flash sales often deliver £80–150 single fares from London Gatwick and Luton.
Why book with us:
? Low deposits from £49pp
? Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
?️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are safeguarded
✅ Free amendment window on selected packages
? UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
? Best Time to Visit Budva
Budva runs as a primarily summer destination, with most hotels open from late April to early November. Peak season is mid-July to mid-September, with daytime highs of 28–32°C, sea temperatures of 24–26°C, and the beaches, Old Town and family hotels at full capacity. Late May, early June and September are the value-strong shoulder months at 23–28°C with cheaper hotel rates and the Old Town, Kotor day trips and Lovćen National Park at their best for visiting. April and October still deliver 18–22°C and suit walkers and culture-led couples but the sea drops below comfortable swimming temperatures (16–19°C). The Sea Dance Festival at Jaz Beach (late August to early September) and the Budva Theatre Festival (July to August) deliver the cultural peaks.
? Where to Stay
- Families: Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort (Bečići), Iberostar Slavija, Grand Hotel Bečići, Mediteran Conference & Spa Resort
- Couples: Hotel Avala Resort & Villas (Old Town adjacent), Astoria Hotel (in the Old Town), Maestral Resort & Casino (Pržno)
- Luxury travellers: Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort, Aman Sveti Stefan (subject to reopening), Regent Porto Montenegro (Tivat marina)
- Budget travellers: Hotel Slovenska Plaža, Apartments Lazović, Old Town guesthouses
- First-timers & culture lovers: Astoria Hotel (Old Town), Hotel Avala Resort & Villas, Hotel Slovenska Plaža (close to Slovenska Beach)
? Getting Around
The 23km transfer from Tivat Airport (TIV) to Budva takes 30 minutes by taxi (€35–45) or package transfer; from Podgorica Airport (TGD), Budva is 65km and 1 hour 15 minutes by taxi (€60). Mediteran Express and local buses connect Budva to Kotor (45 minutes, €4), Tivat (40 minutes, €4) and Podgorica (90 minutes, €7). Within Budva, the Old Town, Slovenska Beach and the harbour are walkable end to end; Bečići is a 15-minute walk along the coastal promenade or €5 taxi. Hertz, Sixt and Europcar rent cars from TIV and TGD at €25–40 a day — a hire car is useful for the Bay of Kotor, Lovćen National Park and the Tara River Canyon day trips. The coastal road south to Sveti Stefan and Bar offers Montenegro's most scenic drive.
? Travel Tips
- Montenegro runs Central European Time — one hour ahead of the UK year-round.
- The currency is the Euro (€), despite Montenegro not being in the eurozone or the EU.
- Montenegro's standard VAT (PDV) is 21%, included in displayed prices; reduced 7% on hotel accommodation.
- Plug type is European Type F (Schuko, two-pin) at 230V — bring a universal European adapter.
- Tap water is safe to drink across Montenegro and tastes good.
- Montenegro is not in the EU but uses the euro — UK travellers can spend euros as in Spain, France or Italy.
- Cards are accepted in resort hotels and larger restaurants in Budva, Kotor and Tivat; carry small cash for taxis, beach bars and Old Town cafés.
- Tourist tax of €1 per person per night applies on all accommodation, paid at check-out.
- Tipping is appreciated — round up the bill or add 10% in restaurants.
- English is widely spoken in resort areas; Serbian/Montenegrin (Cyrillic and Latin scripts) is the official language.
- The Tivat (TIV) airport is more convenient for Budva than Podgorica (TGD); aim to fly into Tivat where possible.
- The medieval Old Town's narrow lanes get extremely crowded with cruise ships in summer — visit early morning or after 7pm for quieter exploration.
- The drive from Budva to Kotor over the Vrmac ridge offers Montenegro's most dramatic Bay of Kotor view — pull over at the Pjesac viewpoint.
- Climb the Kotor city walls to San Giovanni Fortress (1,355 steps) at sunrise or after 5pm to avoid the midday heat.
- The 2024 reopening date for Aman Sveti Stefan remains uncertain — confirm before booking.
Map Of Budva
Top Experiences
Walk the medieval Stari Grad Old Town
The 2,500-year-old fortified Venetian Old Town sits on a small peninsula with cobbled lanes and the Citadel; free to wander, €4 entry to the Citadel viewpoint.
View Sveti Stefan island
The iconic 15th-century fortified island village — once a private Aman resort — is Montenegro's most photographed sight; free to view from the Sveti Stefan beach.
Day at Mogren Beach
Two small Blue Flag pebble-and-sand coves separated by a rock tunnel; free to access, with sunbed hire €10 a set and the Old Town Citadel as a backdrop.
Boat trip to Hawaii Beach
The 2km uninhabited island opposite Budva has the famous Hawaii Beach; €5 return water-taxi from Budva harbour, daily May to October.
Day trip to Kotor's UNESCO Bay
The UNESCO-listed fjord-like Bay of Kotor and the medieval walled town; free to visit Kotor, €15 to climb the 1,355-step city walls to San Giovanni Fortress.
Sunset drinks at Top Hill open-air club
Montenegro's largest open-air nightclub on a hilltop above Budva; €15 entry, with international DJs from late June to mid-September only.
Travel Information
Everything You Need To Know Before You Jet Off To Budva.