What's interesting in Budva. Budva: old town, beaches, attractions. Individual excursions with a guide by car
Budva is one of the most stunning places in the Balkans, Europe and the world. This city has a long, fascinating and very interesting story. This is confirmed by numerous architectural and historical monuments, ancient streets, squares, houses, temples, miniature churches.
A variety of cafes and restaurants where you can taste Montenegrin cuisine add color. These are mainly fish dishes, a lot of fresh seafood, and soups.
Budva is also called Montenegrin/Budva Riviera, where every year a huge number of tourists come from different countries peace. They are attracted not only by the opportunity to enjoy the medieval heritage and the opportunity to visit the Old Town, but also by nature. In Budva she is not just beautiful, but stunning. Picturesque turquoise sea, terraces mountain ranges, lots and lots of greenery, snow-white sand. Sights against this background look more impressive, organic and impressive.
Budva is located on the shores of the warm Adriatic Sea, which has been washing the walls of buildings and port buildings for many centuries. Once in this Montenegrin town, it seems that the Middle Ages have come to life again, and time has stood still.
City attractions:
This is the heart of Budva, since the first city buildings, residential buildings, fortresses, and narrow streets were built here in the Middle Ages. Unlike neighboring Dubrovnik, the Old Town in Budva is not large; a walk through it takes no more than 30 minutes. On its territory there are 4 active ancient churches, several squares, and powerful fortress walls.
This area of the city was repeatedly destroyed during wars and earthquakes. In 1979, strong tremors were recorded that destroyed part of medieval monuments. But the city administration and the country’s government have allocated enough funds for restoration, and now tourists can enjoy the beauty of the old part. The fortress walls and the citadel are considered its pearl. The walls were built to protect the city from the sea from attacks by the Venetians and Genoese.
A walk through the fortifications will allow you to see the entire panorama of the city and look at the Adriatic from above. The citadel was the center of Old Budva for many centuries, from here the gradual development of the city and its planning began. At the very top of the fort there is an observation deck, and inside the fortress there is a historical museum.
Location: Stjepana Mitrova Ljubiše.
The town is not very large in size, and you can walk around it every evening. The sea embankment (two meters wide) is perfect for this activity, which stretches from the beginning of the city to its end, i.e. Old Town. There is a beautiful bay where boats and yachts are tied up. The entire embankment is dotted with small cafes, fish restaurants and ice cream stands.
In Montenegrin, the name of this place will sound like Slovesnka obala (Slovenian Obala). This is the central street of Budva, which runs parallel to the Embankment. There are souvenir shops, cafes, small markets, clothing boutiques, creative workshops, excursion bureaus, and local fast foods.
It is better to walk along the boulevard in the early or late evening hours, when the influx of tourists is small. This will allow you to appreciate the beauty of buildings and residential buildings.
This is the name of the central market of Budva, where you can always buy fresh vegetables and fruits, seafood, fish, and meat. It is worth paying attention to the traditional Montenegrin (and all the Balkans) delicacy prosciutto. This is a special way of preparing meat, which is raw smoked and is considered an appetizer and main course.
You can also buy olive oil and mushrooms on the piazza. The peculiarities of the market are that most local residents speak Russian and the opportunity to try all the products is absolutely free.
Above Budva rises a mountain on which stands the ancient monastery of Podostrog. This is the former residence of rulers from the Montenegrin dynasty. On the territory of the monastery you can see two colorful churches dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Only one of them was built in the 12th century, and the second - in the 18th century.
The entire path up the mountain to the monastery follows a well-paved road that stretches six kilometers up. From Substrog the road goes further, allowing you to reach the very top of the mountain.
Location: Crna Gora.
All coastline The Adriatic coast near Budva is dotted beautiful beaches, covered with snow-white sand, rocks, green vegetation. The most popular coastal holiday destinations are the beaches of Richardova and Slavyansky, Mogren 1 and Mogren 2, Dakli Beach Club, Korolev, Jaz and Ploce. Tourists are advised to pay attention to the beaches of Mogren, located in the bay of the same name. It is very picturesque here, the water is very clear, which allows you to see the rich underwater world.
Many beaches are located near the villages of Rafailovici, Milocer, Przno and Becici, as well as the islands of St. Nicholas and Sveti Stefan.
Entrance to the island is paid, the average price is 5 euros. You can only get here by sea by boat or speedboat, which go from Slavyansky Beach. From the coast to the island there is only one kilometer. The Montenegrins themselves believe that this is Hawaii, and this is what they call the island among themselves. This is a paradise for lovers of snorkeling and fishing, diving, and scuba diving.
Not far from Mogren 2 beach there is beautiful fortress, built by the Austrian-Hungarian government in 1869. Previously, it was very difficult to get into the citadel, since the entrance to it was constantly guarded. Now this restriction has been lifted, admission is free, which allows tourists to explore the fortress and wander around its walls. From the fortifications you can clearly see the Old Town, the island of St. Nicholas and several beaches, the outskirts of Budva.
This is a VIP resort located outside the city limits. There is a 7-kilometer route to the island, which allows you to get here by car, moped, bicycle or on foot. The walk takes 5 to 6 hours in both directions, but the journey is worth it. You can see many attractions, several picturesque villages, beaches, ruins of ancient buildings.
People come to the island of Sveti Stefan to relax, walk, fish, and sunbathe. There is an entrance fee to the island.
In the vicinity of Budva there is the village of Ivanovichi, which is adjacent to the village of Becici - famous resort on the Adriatic coast. A thousand-year-old olive grows in Ivanovichi, the age of which reaches 2 thousand years. The tree is very thick local residents They call it Vella olive. This natural attraction is carefully protected by the Montenegrin authorities. Getting to the olive tree is easy - you need to go up the road from Becici.
This is the mountain that rises above Budva. Climbing on it, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Riviera, the Bay of Kotor, islands, villages, including Przno, for a long time. It is from here that you can get to Celobrdo, where the Praskvitsa monastery stands, which can be reached along a stone road. Even higher is another monastery - Rustovo with the Church of the Romanov Martyrs.
Not far from Budva there is the city of Kotor, located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor. This local area has long attracted people, so the shores of the bay are dotted with numerous monuments of antiquity; you can also find sites of primitive people.
The entire territory of Boka Kotorska is taken under the protection of UNESCO. This is the most beautiful place on the Adriatic, which every tourist who comes to Budva must visit. Along the shores of the bay there are small cozy towns and villages buried among trees and adjacent to rocks and the sea.
Another neighborhood of Budva, where it is very quiet and peaceful. The town of Perast is located at the very foot of St. Elias Hill, not far from the narrow part of the Verige Strait. It was once a very rich city, where power belonged to Venetian merchants. The entire architecture of Perast has been influenced for centuries by the style characteristic of the coastal cities of Italy.
On small area the city has 19 palaces built in the Baroque style, 2 orthodox temple and 17 Catholic churches.
You can also see numerous museums in Budva, national park Durmitor, lakes located high in the mountains, canyons and mountains. In the spring-summer period, the city becomes one of the centers of festival culture in Montenegro, where events last non-stop.
TOURISTS' ANSWERS:
Budva - popular resort among tourists, they come here because they can stay here cheaply, there is a large selection of infrastructure: restaurants, shops, cafes, bars, nightclubs. Coming to rest in Budva, the tourist first of all looks for relaxing holiday, as it would seem at first glance, because Montenegro itself is conducive to just this. Of course, in addition to shopping and restaurants, you always want to see something new and interesting. Budva is no exception, there are many interesting places, where you can go and see something. I will list the most worthwhile ones for you.
What is worth seeing in Budva.
1. Old town- this is the old part of the city where it all began. Once there, you feel the real Middle Ages, old low houses, narrow streets. Once upon a time, the entire life of the city and local residents took place exclusively within these walls. Over time, Budva has grown seriously, the appearance of buildings has seriously changed, but despite the fact that so much time has passed, the Old Town stands and helps those who entered its walls to feel that time and that era. Despite the earthquakes that hit Budva, this part was not seriously damaged, which is good news.
Address: Budva, Vuka Karadžića
Old town.
2. St. Mary's Sea Fortress- the date of its construction is 1425. It is located in the Old Town and at one time served as protection against possible attacks from the sea. Inside the fortress, in case of a siege, there were large reserves of food and military arsenal. Today there is a maritime museum here, and upstairs, a restaurant with panoramic view on the sea, very popular among tourists.
Address: Budva, Vuka Karadžića
Sea fortress of St. Mary.
3. Bell and anchor- a local attraction, located in the Old Town next to the Sea Fortress. The bell is not real, it has never been rung and is made of polystyrene foam, but the anchor is real. Tourists love to take pictures near this monument.
Address: Budva, Cara Dušana
4. Jaz Beach- considered very popular place and is located near Budva. Madonna and the Rolling Stones held their concerts in this place. All infrastructure on the beach is present. In addition to the fact that this beach is considered a local landmark, I will say that it’s simply nice to come here to swim and sunbathe, after the crowded beaches of Budva. The sea is very clean, calm, and there is excellent sand mixed with very small pebbles.
Address: Budva, 2 km from the city center
Jazz Beach.
5. St. John's Church- this is an active church, it houses a large collection of icons from the Renaissance, but the Church of St. John became famous not for this, but for the fact that inside it there is a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms, which St. Luke painted with his own hand.
Address: Budva, Vranjak
Church of St. John.
6. Dive center Pro Dive Hydrotech- the most famous center for scuba diving training. The Adriatic Sea is not very rich in animals underwater world, however here large number sunken ships, all kinds of underwater tunnels that keep secrets inside. Therefore, among the young and active there are a large number of people who want to try diving underwater and see something interesting with their own eyes. The cost of one dive is 30 euros.
The underwater world of the Adriatic Sea.
7. Archaeological Museum- The museum is located within the walls of the Old Town. It contains a large collection of historical exhibits and household items of local residents. The number of exhibited items is over 3000. The museum consists of 4 floors; lovers of antiquity and history will have something to do for at least half a day.
Museum opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9 to 21, on weekends from 14 to 21. The museum is closed on Monday.
Address: Budva, Old Budva, Petra I Petrovića, 11.
Archaeological Museum.
Is the answer helpful?
Budva is the most popular Montenegrin resort on the Adriatic Sea. And there are a number of reasons for this: wide beaches, both sandy and pebbly, stunning surroundings framed by green mountains, cheerful discos until the morning and restaurants offering dishes from the freshest seafood. And, of course, the resort’s attractions, because there is a lot to see in Budva.
Old town
The Old Town is the historical center located on a small spit of land noisy resort, extremely picturesque with bright houses and red brick roofs, narrow streets paved with paving stones and greenery of palm trees and orange trees. From all sides old town surrounded by walls built by the Venetians. You can climb these walls, see the ancient loopholes, and admire the opening panorama of the city and the bay. Here are the ruins of Roman baths, as well as sculptural composition, consisting of a ship's anchor and a church bell.
St. John's Church
The Church of St. John is the largest Catholic church in Budva. The church is built in the Gothic style, and its bell tower is the tallest building in the Old Town. Ascetic in appearance, the inside of the church has a rich interior. The temple houses unique icons, including the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, allegedly painted by Saint Luke. There is also a rich library with a unique chronicle telling about events in Budva in the period from the 18th to the 19th centuries.
Citadel
The fortress, called the Citadel, is considered one of the most beautiful places Old Town. The fortress was originally built to protect the city from Turkish raids. On the territory of the Citadel there are the ruins of an old church, a barracks building, as well as fortress walls depicting the symbol of Budva - a bas-relief in the form of two intertwined fish, a gate and a square where theatrical performances are held. The Citadel houses a most valuable collection historical maps and books on the history of the Balkans. Some cards exist only in a single copy. The most interesting place in the Citadel is considered to be the upper tier of the fortress - from here you can enjoy stunning views of the tiled roofs of the Old Town, the Adriatic Sea and the island of St. Nicholas. Every year in July and August, opening days of famous European artists are held on the territory of the Citadel, as well as theater performances and poetry evenings. The entrance fee to the Citadel is 2 euros.
Library
The Citadel also houses the Budva library, created almost 150 years ago and considered one of the oldest in Montenegro. More than 60 thousand books are stored here - some of which are very valuable and rare.
Church of Santa Maria in Punta
The Church of Santa Maria in Punta near the walls of the Citadel is the oldest in the city, and it was built in the 9th century by monks of the Benedictine Order. Later the church became Franciscan. Now, thanks to the beautiful interior and amazing acoustics, festivals and other musical events are held here.
Dancer Statue
An extremely picturesque and romantic place is located in historical center on Mogren beach. An elegant figure of a girl, who is called a dancer, a ballerina, and a gymnast, stands on a boulder, on the very shore of the sea. This statue symbolizes a girl who, according to some legends, lost her sailor lover during a sea voyage, and according to others, died during a storm.
St. Nicholas Island
Locals call St. Nicholas Island Hawaii. Here you will find the cleanest water in Budva, the dense greenery of the forests and the absence of crowds of tourists on the beach. The island itself is considered the largest in Montenegro. It is located one kilometer from Budva. It is connected to the Slavic Beach of Budva by an isthmus half a meter deep, from where at low tide you can walk all the way to the island. In addition, you can get here by boat, the fare is on average 3 euros, but in high season it can increase. Water taxis also come here - cost up to 25 euros. Svyati Nikola itself is completely deserted; entry into the reserve area, where pheasants, hares and deer live, is strictly prohibited. There is also a church of St. Nicholas here. Tourists can only be content with sandy and pebble beaches, prices, which, by the way, are very high: for example, the cost of an umbrella and two sun loungers in the season reaches 10 euros.
Kosmach Fortress
The ancient Kosmac fortress near Budva, built in the 19th century by the Austro-Hungarians, is one of the most famous forts in the area. The fortress is abandoned nowadays, however, tourists do not forget it, because from here there are stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, Budva and the island of Sveti Stefan. From Budva you can walk to the fort.
Holy Trinity Church
Near the Kosmach fortress there is the Church of the Holy Trinity, built of snow-white and red brick. The facade of the building is also quite simple and austere, but the interior decoration is very solemn and magnificent - icons on biblical themes and painted walls.
Archaeological Museum
The archaeological museum is located within the walls of the old city. Here you can get acquainted with the history of both Budva itself and Montenegro. There are also exhibitions with household items of other Slavs, as well as Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. The cost is one and a half euros.
Gallery contemporary art
The Gallery of Contemporary Art of Budva, also located within the walls of the Old Town, houses works of both Montenegrin and Serbian artists and sculptors. Here you can see more than two hundred paintings, drawings, sculptures and engravings by contemporary authors.
Sveti Stefan Island
The island of Sveti Stefan is a symbol of both the Budva Riviera and Montenegro as a whole. The island is located 5 kilometers from Budva, you can walk here. Connected to the mainland by an isthmus, it was originally a fishing village. However, now it is an expensive, fashionable resort, which is favored by European and Hollywood stars, politicians and A-list athletes. But mere mortals can also visit the island, or rather the Sveti Stefan beach - for 50 euros you can rent two sun loungers, an umbrella and a beach table. Opposite the island there is an absolutely free municipal beach, although it is rather dirty, with large pebbles and a large number vacationers - but the views are simply excellent.
Monastery Podostrog
The monastery is located two kilometers from Budva, on a hill with excellent views of the city, beaches and Budva Bay. The monastery itself has two churches of the Assumption of Our Lady - a large and a small one, which are surrounded by a high fortress wall with loopholes and above which a defensive tower rises.
The warmest city in the Mediterranean, the largest tourist center Montenegro, the center of historical monuments is Budva. The resort is located in the center Adriatic coast and is famous wonderful beaches. The settlement is more than 2500 years old and is one of the oldest on the Adriatic.
Budva Riviera
Budva harmoniously combines antiquity and modern comfortable infrastructure. This small town, divided into two parts. Historical attractions are concentrated in the Old Town, the new part is a modern tourist and entertainment center. Budva is considered the nightlife capital of the Eastern Adriatic.
The resort is compactly located along the coast, and that's all worthy of attention places are within walking distance. The first thing worth seeing in Budva is the Old Town, which captivates with its medieval architecture. Ancient buildings and fortress walls have been preserved here.
There are many cafes and souvenir shops in the Old Town.
You can walk all of Budva in half an hour by walking along the Embankment. You should definitely visit the Central Market, the Slavic Quarter and take a walk around the surrounding area, which is not only picturesque, but also preserves traces of history.
A tourist brochure or map of the city and its surroundings will help you plan your visits to interesting places. They are sold from all information trays and have descriptions in Russian.
Walk through the Old Town
Old Budva remembers Roman, Greek and Venetian rule. Each era has left its mark in the form of artifacts and architectural monuments. One of them is an old fortress, built in the 9th century and then restored by the Venetians after an earthquake.
Today it is a museum complex protected by UNESCO. Cultural sites and historical monuments:
- The streets and squares of the old city have preserved their medieval appearance. People still live in the old houses made of cut stone.
- The fortress walls, on which traditional round towers and Venetian lions have been preserved. There is an entrance fee to the wall. Co observation platforms There is a magical view of the city, especially at sunset.
- The Catholic Church of St. John and the icon of Our Lady of Budva found in it.
- The citadel, dating back to 840, is considered one of the most significant monuments in the Mediterranean. Towers, loopholes, a barracks (19th century), and stairs have been preserved here. Inside there is the most valuable unique library in Montenegro with ancient books and maps and the Maritime Museum.
One of the walls of the fortress is decorated with a bas-relief of intertwined fish - a symbol of the city of Budva.
Entrance to the Citadel is paid, but if you warn the attendant at the entrance that you are going to a restaurant located in the fortress, then they will not take money from you.
You can enter the territory of the Old Town through gates or openings in the walls made for the convenience of tourists. On the terrace of the English Pub cafe there is a very beautiful romantic place - “Doors to the Sea”. This is a door-shaped opening in the fortress wall, from where a magnificent seascape opens.
Temples and museums of Old Budva
There are several old temples on the territory of Old Budva. Some of them are closed to the public:
- Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. You should definitely see the gilded iconostasis, made in the Baroque style and decorated with frescoes.
- St. Mary's Catholic Church on the Cape.
- Temple of St. Sava - the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
The last two temples are closed to visitors. Another attraction is the Archaeological (City) Museum, which houses artifacts from four great cultures - Slavic, Greek, Byzantine and Roman. These are dishes, jewelry, coins and the most valuable exhibit - the first all-metal product of antiquity - an Illyrian helmet made of bronze.
It is also worth visiting the Gallery of Modern Art, located near the City Museum. It houses an extensive collection of works by artists from the former Yugoslavia.
Old Budva is a venue for cultural events. Literary festivals are held on Poets Square, and theater festivals are held in front of the Holy Trinity Church.
The surroundings of Budva are interesting not only historical monuments, but also beautiful nature.
Lovers hiking easy access to Mogren Fortress. It is located on a hill between the beaches of Jaz and Mogren, about a kilometer from the city.
Leads to the fortress scenic road, with which you can take beautiful photographs of the city, beaches and sea.
The Mogren Fortress is not an excursion site, so this place is sparsely populated, one might say secluded.
The most beautiful place on the Adriatic - cozy beaches framed by mountains and rare islands along the coast - this is the Bay of Kotor, natural complex consisting of several small picturesque bays connected by channels.
Quiet, not at all party town of Perast - a real treasure trove. There are 19 palaces and temples in the Baroque style. You can only walk along it on foot - road transport prohibited here. It is located 7 km from Budva and can be reached by regular bus.
Orthodox monastery Podmaine
At the northern tip of the city of Budva there is an Orthodox monastery. It is called differently - Podmaine, Podostrog, Podmine. The time of foundation of the monastery itself is unknown, but the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady dates back to the mid-17th century. The monastery is an active religious site.
Trip to the lakes
With a guided tour or on your own in a rented car, you can drive to the picturesque lakes Pivskoe and Skadarskoe. Piva Lake is a man-made freshwater reservoir surrounded by the beautiful Piva Mountains.
Lake Skadar (the largest in Montenegro) is located in the territory national park. On the lake you can ride a pleasure boat, go fishing or just take a walk in the park. In the surrounding area there are several medieval monasteries and workshops for copying church books.
Islands near Budva
While in Budva, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit the island hotel Sveti Stefan. Fishermen who lived here since the Middle Ages were evicted to the mainland in the middle of the last century, an isthmus was built and the island was turned into a luxury resort where Hollywood celebrities love to come.
The island of Sveti Nikola, one and a half kilometers from Budva, attracts tourists famous beach Hawaii. There's a ton here water activities and good fish restaurants.
Excursion to the canyons
One of the most impressive excursions in Montenegro is a trip to the Moraca and Tara canyons. It takes up the entire day and leaves a lasting impression. mountain nature and stunning views. The canyons are located in the northern part of the country, so the path to them lies through almost the entire Montenegro. The excursion includes visits to several monasteries.
Where to have fun in Budva
In small Budva there is no question of where to go for fun. Dozens of nightclubs and discos explode the atmosphere resort town fiery dances and thunderous music. Beach parties are popular in the town, and every Friday Russian parties are held near the walls of the Old Town in the art cafe “Khorosho”.
During the day you can go to the water park, take a walk along the Slavic Quarter - the main pedestrian street of Budva. There are many cafes, mini markets and shops here. Zelena Pjaca is a city market where you can fully experience the local flavor, despite the fact that almost all traders speak Russian.
Budva is like Moscow in Russia - noisy, active and “non-rubber”. Montenegrin Budva is criticized, but still every year this city attracts a huge number of tourists. We were lucky - the first time we vacationed in Budva was back in 2011 and it was a calmer, cheaper city. Currently, Budva is very much built up. Soon there will be no free space here: huge anthill hotels are being built. Every piece of land is occupied with something.
If you love action, discos and nightlife, then, most likely, you will like it in Budva, but get ready to look for your “place in the sun” on the beach.
But we won’t talk about sad things, let’s return to the main topic of today’s conversation – the sights of Budva.
Among the attractions we will consider:
Well, in order to better navigate, we traditionally lay out a map of Budva with designated attractions.
Sights of Budva on the map:
Old town and fortress
View of the old town of Budva and the fortress.
The Old Town of Budva is not much inferior to the Old Town in Kotor. Yes, it is a little smaller, but there are the same narrow pleasant streets, expensive restaurants, churches, and souvenir shops. But the main attraction here is the Citadel (fortress), from which the whole of Budva is visible.
Entrance to the fortress is paid - 3 € per person. Inside there is a large library with a collection of ancient books in different languages, collections of coins, paintings and pottery.
But the main thing is the view that opens from the top of the fortress. We recommend going up here in the evening to see Budva at sunset or the starry night sky.
Photo of old Budva from the fortress.
Houses of the old town of Budva. By the way, local residents live in these houses, and some are hotels and hostels. But we do not recommend renting housing here, because... in the evenings there are a lot of people in the old town. The buildings are old, and rental prices are off the charts.
View of part of the fortress wall; concerts and festivals are often held here.
The streets of the old town are business card and one of the main attractions of Budva.
There are many cafes, shops and souvenir shops here.
A small museum in the fortress with a library.
The museum mainly displays dishes and models of ancient ships with cannons.
Budva embankment
The embankment of Budva is very long, duplicated by a pedestrian path with cafes and parks. The embankment starts from the old town and ends with a pedestrian tunnel that connects Budva with Becici.
There are a lot of cafes and restaurants on the embankment to suit every taste and budget. In the evening, tables, soft pillows and candles are placed on the beach.
There are many excursion boats near old Budva that operate as taxis or conduct individual excursions. Expensive premium yachts are also moored here.
A section of the embankment near the old city and the citadel.
If you go to the right from the old town of Budva to Mogren beach, you can see another attraction - a monument to a ballerina or dancer, which always has a lot of people wanting to take pictures. Opens here beautiful view to the citadel and the old city.
We also decided to touch the beauty....
And this is the path leading to Mogren beach (but more about it in the next article).
In the evening, tables are set up along the embankment and part of the beach.
St. Nicholas Island (Hawaii)
This is another attraction of Montenegrin Budva. You can get to St. Nicholas Island or Hawaii by boat from Slavyansky Beach.
Trip price:
3€ – round trip;
5 € – round trip + circle around St. Stephen with a view of the Budva Riviera from the water.
The island itself is small and has several beaches.
There are only 2 cafes on the territory, no shops. Prices in the cafe are more expensive than in the city.
You can spend a whole day on the beach. The cost of 2 sunbeds + umbrella is from 10€ to 15€. This figure may vary from season to season.
You can’t walk deep into the island - everything is blocked off by fences, so here you can only swim, sunbathe and jump from rocks (entertainment for extreme sports enthusiasts).
The beaches are pebble, there are large stones in the water, it is better to take special shoes.
The water on the island seemed colder to us than on the city beaches of Budva.
There is a lot of shade from the rocks on the island, so you can do without umbrellas.
Another beach on the island.
The water on the island is cleaner than on the beaches of Budva, but colder.
Prices and schedules of boats to the island of St. Nicholas. The 4 euro option is just a walk along St. Stephen, there is no drop off.
Sveti Stefan Island
Another main attraction of Budva is the island of Sveti Stefan. Despite the fact that the island is already located outside of Budva, it is still the calling card of Budva. And by the way, you can walk to St. Stephen. The journey will take approximately 2 hours at a leisurely pace (8 km from the old town). We walked to St. Stefan twice and took the bus back to Budva.
Saint Stephen with observation deck(by the way, the island is very capricious for filming, we went to it three times to take photographs, the island is often in haze or in the shadows).
Photo of Sveti Stefan Island from the beach.
Near the island there is a small beautiful pine park.
....And sandy beach with sunbeds for 100 euros!!!
The map shows an approximate route of how you can go from Budva to Sveti Stefan.
Read more about St. Stephen in our next article.
Now we’ll tell you a little about the entertainment for adults and children that is available in Budva.
Aquapark Budva
Budvarsky Aquapark. Prices depend on the season and duration of visit. Children under 100 cm tall have free admission.
Here are the prices in more detail in the photo:
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00 in July and August, and from 10:00 to 18:00 in June and September. Yes, the season in Montenegro is not very long. Wi-Fi is paid – 1€ per day. Has its own parking.
Slides for adults in the Budva water park.
Children's pool with slides in the water park.
From the old town of Budva to the water park it takes only 10 minutes.
Attractions and discos
In the evenings in Budva, attractions start operating on the embankment. Basically these are various swings and carousels for children. Adults can ride on the racing track. Discotheques also open right on the embankment.
Music is not for everyone, loud pounding.
Admission is free. The girls actively try to invite passers-by. Dancers dance on bar counters. All clubs/bars/restaurants located on the embankment are open until 12 at night. Then everything becomes quiet.
Nightclub Budva under the open sky.
And of course, we should not lose sight of what, in our opinion, is a very important attraction of Budva and Montenegro in general - the beaches, which we will talk about in more detail in the next article.
In the meantime, we wish everyone have a nice holiday!
How do we save on hotels?
It’s very simple - look not only on booking. We like the RoomGuru search engine. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.
A small town founded in the 6th century BC. - one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea. It was first mentioned in the records of the ancient Greek tragedian Sophocles. Therefore, even experienced lovers of antiquities will find something to see in Budva.
The 1979 earthquake destroyed many buildings, but subsequently almost all the main attractions of Budva were meticulously restored to their original form. One of the most beautiful resorts The country is famous for its beautiful nature, a large selection of elegant ancient buildings and a variety of entertainment.
Undoubtedly, the greatest interest among guests of Montenegro is the historical part of Budva, the so-called Stari Grad. It is surrounded by thick stone walls, behind which hides an amazingly beautiful town, where the past harmoniously intertwines with the present.
Walking through the labyrinth of picturesque narrow streets of Old Budva, you can see ancient churches, beautiful squares and magnificent luxurious mansions. Among the religious attractions of Budva, the ruins of an ancient basilica built in the 5th century occupy a place of honor. The building was almost completely destroyed, but archaeologists managed to preserve the mosaic, which is more than 1,500 years old.
In the very center of Old Budva, on the small Starogradskaya Square, there are four churches at once. The Catholic Church of St. John is usually dated to the 7th century, although, in fact, only the foundation remains of its original. The rest of the building was rebuilt in the 17th century, during the Venetian Republic. The bell tower, rising above the rest of the buildings, the ringing of which can be heard even in the New Town, was completed even later, in the 19th century.
Literally a few meters away is Orthodox Church Holy Trinity, in Byzantine style. It was erected in 1804; the iconostasis created by a Greek icon painter is noteworthy.
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On the other side of the square stands the Church of St. Mary “in punta” (on the cape), its construction took place in the 9th century. Unique religious artifacts are stored here, and the inside of the building is decorated with paintings and ancient frescoes. Unfortunately, this temple is not currently operational, like the nearby Church of St. Sava, built in 1141. All these shrines were built at different times and in different styles, but they create the impression of a harmonious architectural ensemble.
Museum and Citadel
Those interested in history should definitely see the archaeological museum in the Old Town. More than 3 thousand exhibits are collected here, ranging in age from 2500 to 300 years, which can tell a lot about the history of Budva and Montenegro.
By the way, excavations continue, and each time they find new evidence of a rich historical past. Recently, the ruins of Roman and Greek necropolises with pottery and precious jewelry were discovered. The discovery became one of the most significant archaeological events in Europe in recent years.
One of the main attractions of Budva is Citadel, which repeatedly defended the city from invaders. The first fortifications were erected back in the 10th century. Over its thousand-year history, the structure was repeatedly destroyed almost to the ground, but each time it was rebuilt. The citadel in its current form was built at the beginning of the 19th century.
From the walls of the fortress opens wonderful view. Here you can spend hours looking at Budva spread out below and into the endless sea. A few kilometers away you can see the island of St. Nicholas, it is also called local Hawaii, and a little further away you can see the silhouette of a luxurious, important landmark of Montenegro.
Entrance to the fortress is paid, 2 euros, the price includes a visit maritime museum and libraries with ancient books about the Balkans, in different languages.
The main legend of Budva
On the bas-relief of the Citadel you can see two fish holding each other by the tail. This is not just a stone tablet, it is a symbol of Budva. Urban legend tells touching story love between the poor stonecutter Marco and the beautiful Elena, from a noble family.
Elena's parents were against their union, and then the lovers jumped into the sea from a cliff, holding hands. As soon as they touched the water, the couple turned into two fish, and one of the witnesses to this miracle said: “ Ko jedno nek budu dva", which literally translated from Montenegrin means " Let two be as one».
According to the same legend, the name of the city came from the last two words ( budu dva - Budva). Later they found Marco in his house stone slab, on which two intertwined fish were carved. The image was embedded in the wall of the city Citadel, and since then, according to legend, everyone who touches it will make their love as strong as stone.
New city
There is something to see in modern Budva. Literally a couple of tens of meters from the walls of the Old Town begins an embankment with a pier, along which flags of many countries are moored. In the evenings, the picture is transformed, beautiful lighting turns on, and local color is added by fishermen who return from the sea and take out their catch of the day.
Between Stari Grad and Mogren Beach there is another landmark of Budva: a bronze sculpture of a dancer, or ballerina, as she is more often called. A tragic legend is also associated with her, this time about the bride of a sailor who once did not return from a long voyage.
The girl came to the shore every day and peered into the distance, hoping to see her beloved’s ship on the horizon, but he still did not return. Months passed, then years, and one day the dancer, who had remained faithful to her betrothed all this time, died on the shore, of melancholy. The sculpture is considered one of the symbols of Budva, as well as a symbol of love and devotion. Many people make wishes near her.
In general, the lack of historical attractions in New Budva is more than compensated by the presence of a large selection of various recreational places. The modern part houses hotels, entertainment and shopping centers, restaurants and cafes.
Ideal place for family pastime is an amusement park with a wide selection of rides, swimming pools and water slides. Night club « Trocadero» will appeal to lovers of energetic dances and costume parties. One of the most popular discos in the city is located on Slavyansky Beach. The music here does not stop until dawn.
Neighborhoods of Budva
Among the attractions in the vicinity of Budva, it is worth highlighting the currently operating Podmajne monastery, built in the 15th century. The temple is located in picturesque place, on a hill, can be reached on foot from the Old Town.
In general, the highlight of the Budva Riviera, in fact, is precisely the abundance of ancient churches and monasteries, shrouded in an aura of historical mystery and surrounded by marvelous landscapes. Montenegro is known as a country rich in temples; they are scattered throughout the territory. There are eight of them along the coast in the vicinity of Budva alone, dating from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries.
An equally important historical landmark of Budva is the Mogren Castle, surrounded by high stone walls, or rather, what remains of it. From its observation decks one can see beautiful view to the city. True, getting to it is not entirely convenient. Near the castle there is Mogren Beach, along which you can find many souvenir shops and restaurants.
