If you’ve made it this far looking for hotels in Budva, it’s because you’re ready to discover the best-kept secret on the Adriatic coast. With 35 beaches and average summer temperatures around 73°F (23°C), Montenegro’s sixth-largest city stands out with an elegant, eclectic personality. It connects visitors to a rich cultural past that stretches back over 2,500 years. As the sun sets, its laid-back spirit turns festive. Explore it slowly—at the same pace as your own sense of wonder. Because in this (almost) undiscovered corner of Europe, nothing feels ordinary.
Below, we’ll show you what to see and do in Budva to experience it from beginning to end.
The history and medieval charm of Budva
Wandering the Old Town: A journey through time
If you’re a curious traveler and a lover of great stories, Budva’s art-focused experiences are made for you. Start by exploring the Old Town, or Stari Grad, said to have been founded by the exiled Greek hero Cadmus the Phoenician. As you wander through its narrow streets, past Venetian-style buildings with colorful façades (Budva was a Venetian republic from 1442 to 1797), its churches, lively squares, and the remains of ancient Greece, Rome, and other flourishing eras like the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, you’ll begin to understand why this place captivates those with a special sensitivity to beauty.
Budva’s city walls: witnesses of its past
Take in the Adriatic Sea from Budva’s city walls, an imposing fortification with circular bastions stretching 875 meters long and rising 12 meters high—just imagine the views. A curious detail: although the fortress was originally built during the Venetian Empire, its current architecture blends Roman, Byzantine, and Austro-Hungarian engineering styles. Why? Because over the centuries, Budva’s walls were destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, damaged by enemy attacks and the occasional earthquake.
Historic churches: Budva’s religious heritage
What to see in Budva to keep exploring its fascinating past? The city is dotted with churches that offer a vivid glimpse into its deep-rooted religious heritage. One of the most significant is the oldest: the Church of St. Ivan, dating back to the 7th century. Later, in 840, the Benedictine Order built the Church of Santa Maria in Punta—an outstanding example of sacred architecture. The Church of the Holy Trinity, built between the 18th and 19th centuries, is forever tied to literature, as it houses the tomb of Montenegrin writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubisa. And then there’s the Church of St. Sava—just 15 square meters in size.
Stunning beaches to enjoy the sea in Budva
Mogren Beach
Mogren Beach is one of the best—and most popular—beaches in Budva. Surrounded by mountains and lush woodland, this idyllic spot with turquoise, crystal-clear waters is located right next to the city center. Its distinctly Mediterranean character perfectly reflects the coastal essence of Montenegro.
Becici Beach
Becici Beach stands out for its vibrant contrasts: white sand, deep blue waters, and the surrounding green of forested hills. All of it wrapped in an atmosphere of exclusivity. This is where you’ll find some of the best family-friendly hotels in Budva, including Iberostar Waves Bellevue—a four-star resort with a sustainable philosophy and direct access to the shoreline.
Slovenska Beach
With 1.6 kilometers of shoreline and a seafront promenade that’s perfect for outdoor activities, Slovenska Beach is central, accessible, and effortlessly serene. Stay right across from it at Iberostar Waves Slavija—one of Budva’s most recommended hotels for couples. This five-star property with a touch of classic charm takes you back to the grandeur of the Venetian Empire, all from one of Budva’s finest beaches.
Water activities in Budva
Beyond relaxing and soaking up the sun, Montenegro’s coastline invites you to stay active with water sports like kayaking, diving, and snorkeling—its warm, crystal-clear waters are more than worth a dip. Other sports near the shore, such as beach volleyball, hiking, cycling, and yoga by the sea, also have their place in Budva.
Budva’s vibrant nightlife
Bars and clubs: a nightlife scene full of surprises
Planning a getaway with friends in Budva? This Montenegrin destination also knows how to turn up the energy. Often called the party capital of Montenegro, Budva’s nightlife buzzes in the harbor bars, around Slovenska Beach, and throughout the Old Town. You'll also find exclusive beach clubs and iconic venues like Riviera. Every year, the city hosts its Theater Festival, featuring stage and music performances, along with numerous music festivals and regular electronic sessions during high season.
Seaside dinners: enjoy local cuisine
The best way to start the evening is with dinner overlooking the sea. If you're traveling as a couple—or even planning to propose—this plan adds an extra layer of romance to a trip already filled with it, especially in Budva’s restaurants and hotels. Some of the city’s most enchanting spots are tucked around the seafront promenade: toast together at sunset, then savor the flavors of local cuisine.
Discover the gastronomy of Budva and Montenegro
Flavors of the sea
In Budva, every plan tastes like sea breeze and joy. The catch of the day inspires a wide variety of seafood dishes, from the simplest—grilled fish or shellfish with salad and fries is a must—to more refined creations. Along the Adriatic coast, Mediterranean-inspired combinations are common, such as black risotto made with cuttlefish or octopus and squid ink, seafood pasta, or buzara, a stew of prawns, mussels, vegetables, and white wine.
Montenegrin cuisine
Montenegro’s gastronomy is rooted in Balkan tradition, blending ingredients from both land and sea into rich, flavorful dishes. Soups, honey-based desserts, Mediterranean vegetables, and spiced sauces for meat and fish are all staples. Its culinary influences connect the country to the wider region, with flavors echoing Turkey, Serbia, and Italy. You’ll find them in dishes like Brav u Mlijeku—lamb stewed with milk and spices; kacamak—a cornmeal mash similar to polenta, served with sour milk or cheese; and ajvar—a spread made from red pepper, eggplant, and garlic.
Hiking and nature trails around Budva
Lovcen National Park
There’s always room for a return to nature on this trip. A visit to Lovcen National Park is one you won’t forget. Though it covers just 64 km², this ecological reserve offers one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Europe. It’s home to Mount Lovcen—the mountain that gave Montenegro its name. Its high, rugged hills are inhabited by around 2,000 different species of Mediterranean plants and animals. Scattered across the slopes, you’ll also spot katuns—traditional shepherd dwellings.
Just an hour from Budva, it’s an ideal spot for birdwatching, mindful hiking (climbing the Serpentine, a winding road with 32 sharp bends, is a real experience), and connecting with Montenegro’s rural heritage.
Coastal trails
Staying in a seaside hotel in Budva opens the door to stunning coastal trails, with routes suitable for all levels. The intensity of each hike will depend on the slope and length of the path. From challenging cliffside routes to gentle urban paths near the water, there are plenty of ways to explore the area. Take the family on a circular walk along the coastline, or challenge yourself with a hike up to Kosmach Fort, choosing the distance and elevation that best match your experience. Round off the adventure with a sustainable beach picnic to recharge.
Eco trails: discover Montenegro’s flora and fauna
Hiking and trekking offer a unique opportunity to learn more about the region’s native wildlife and plant life. At your own pace and on foot, you can choose activities in Budva that combine walking with ethical wildlife spotting—or join guided excursions led by local experts.
Depending on the area, you may come across seabirds and highland species such as gulls, Dalmatian pelicans, snowy owls, or peregrine falcons. Montenegro is also home to a number of protected mammals, including brown bears, lynx, wild boars, and wolves. Its flora features wildflowers, prickly pears, pine and olive trees, and aromatic herbs. Join the regenerative tourism movement and help protect this biodiversity during your stay.
Exploring the rest of Montenegro
Near Kotor
There’s always something worth seeing in Budva, but once you’re there, chances are you’ll want to explore more of the country. Iberostar hotels in Montenegro are the perfect companions for your adventure. Don’t miss the chance to visit inspiring destinations like Kotor—a city that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status twice: once for the Natural and Cultural-Historical Region of Kotor, and again for its Venetian Works of Defense, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. From its medieval old town and walled village to its cliffs, fjord, and bay dotted with panoramic towers, this historic enclave is sure to captivate your sense of beauty.
Sveti Nikola Island
If Montenegro—once a favorite destination of Elizabeth Taylor—is known as “the pearl of the Adriatic,” then Sveti Nikola Island adds a jewel to its collection. Just a short 10-minute boat ride or sea shuttle from Budva, the island is home to three golden-sand beaches with calm, crystal-clear emerald waters, covering 840 m² of its 2 km² surface. It offers moments of pure relaxation that feel like they belong on a postcard. Picture sunset cocktails with your favorite person, family-friendly water activities, or quiet sessions of meditation and solitude—all part of the experience.
Venture into the Durmitor Mountains
The Durmitor Mountains are located in Durmitor National Park, in northwestern Montenegro, within the Dinaric Alps. Nestled between the Piva and Tara rivers, this region is home to 23 peaks soaring over 2,300 meters, and their breathtaking landscapes will leave you speechless. It’s a dream setting for extreme sports like climbing (in the longest canyon in Europe) and bungee jumping.
If you’re after something more peaceful, you can drive along scenic routes like the Durmitor Ring and then set off on a hike around one of the park’s 17 glacial lakes—such as Crno Jezero, or Black Lake—a freshwater paradise surrounded by towering fir trees, where you can even take to the water by boat.
Lake Skadar
To finish, another lake: Skadar, the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans. It lies on the border between Montenegro and Albania. According to legend, it was formed from the tears of a Montenegrin fairy. Myth or not, today it’s a self-contained world, home to tiny islands—some with ancient monasteries—centuries-old stone bridges, scenic viewpoints that seem to stop time, birdwatching stations, traditional villages, small harbors, and giant water lilies that look as if they’ve been lifted straight from the very story that gave the lake its name.
The best part? It’s less than a 30-minute drive from your Iberostar hotel in Budva.
