The region around the Montenegrin seaside resort of Budva has not only been a popular holiday destination for several years. The small town on the Adriatic coast is one of the oldest in Montenegro and, according to legend, was founded by the Greek-Phoenician king’s son Cadmus around two and a half thousand years ago. Originally the town was built on an island, but is now connected to the mainland by a sandbank. Budva has around 13,500 inhabitants. Every year, numerous tourists come to the seaside resort, which is known for its blue waters and many white sandy beaches in addition to its mild climate.
Sights and activities
If you decide to spend your holiday in Budva, you can also look forward to some cultural highlights in addition to a beach holiday. The old town is surrounded by a city wall from the Middle Ages, which is now a listed building. Although an earthquake in 1979 severely damaged or completely destroyed large parts of the historic old town, records and documentation stored in archives made it possible to reconstruct and rebuild the old Venetian-style buildings. Other historic buildings that can be visited are the citadel, the bell tower “Sahat Kular” from 1867 and the three pretty churches of the city. In the city museum you will find, among other things, relics of the Romans and Illyrians.
Montenegro’s largest island, “Sveti Nikola”, which covers just 36 hectares, is located directly in the bay of Budva and can be reached by boat, for example, for a day trip. In the wider region around the city, there are numerous monasteries and fortresses of high cultural and historical importance. Among them is the southernmost fortress of the former Habsburg Empire.
Accommodation and tourist infrastructure
In recent years and decades, a lot has been invested in the tourist infrastructure. Thus, the city is developing into the hotspot of summer tourism on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. In addition to various hotels and apartments of all price and luxury ranges, there is no shortage of restaurants, bars or cafés in the city. Furthermore, lovers of nightlife and party life will certainly get their money’s worth in the many discos, beach bars and clubs.
However, the tourists’ main focus is likely to be primarily on the Mediterranean Sea and the many sandy beaches. The most famous of them, Slovenska Plaza, is about 2 kilometers long and starts right at the old town of Budva. But there are also numerous other opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the sea and a swim in the vicinity of the city, such as in Jaz, Mogren or Becici.
Arrival and transport
The nearest airport is in Tivat and is about 20 kilometers away. In the high season during the summer months, there are direct flights there from many German cities. Alternatively, if you fly to the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, you will find fewer direct connections from Germany , for example.
It is best to take a taxi from the airport to your accommodation, as there is no connection by public transport so far.
The bus station in Budva is less than a 20-minute walk outside the old town and can be reached from almost all other cities in Montenegro. Besides, the city is also connected to Sarajevo (Bosnia), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Skopje (North Macedonia), etc. by international bus and rail transport.
For more flexibility, a rental car is also a good option. If you want to save money, it is best to return the vehicle to the place where you received it; for example, at the airport.
The best time to visit Budva
Due to the mild climate of the Mediterranean region in Budva, 30 degrees can be reached in the summer months from June to September. The water temperature is of course the most pleasant in this part of the year. However, it should also be taken into account that most people will visit the region primarily in the months of July, August and September. For all those who are not dependent on school holidays or prefer something quieter, a trip in late spring or early autumn is therefore more suitable. From October to April, temperatures can drop to below 10 degrees in some places and increasing rain and stormy winds must also be expected.
Destination of the rich and beautiful
Word of Budva’s beauty has spread especially among high society from all over the world. The neighboring hotel island Sveti Stefan has already been visited by Hollywood greats such as Sophia Loren, Sylvester Stallone and Claudia Schiffer, among others. The flair and the houses with beige facades and red-brown tiled roofs in front of the light blue water are strongly reminiscent of Greece and yet exude its very own charm.
