If you’re traveling through the Balkans, you should visit Budva, a dreamy beach town on Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast.
Compared to Kotor, Budva has more of a party vibe and is a little more upscale. It can feel crowded during the summer season.
Most of the restaurants along the coast are on the fancy side and can be expensive. But there are still a lot of free and inexpensive things to do in Budva.
1. See the cats.
Like Kotor, there are a lot of cats in Budva. They like to lounge on the beach or walk around restaurant tables, hoping someone will give them a piece of fish. There are so many cats here that my sister asked me if I’m going to post anything besides cat pictures.
2. Explore the Old Town.
Budva’s Old Town is similar to Kotor, but a little smaller. They’ve also marked the old Roman buildings and ruins. Be sure to check out the Old Town at night, when the lights make it especially pretty.
One unique thing about Budva’s Old Town is it’s surrounded by the beach. A friend and I sat at Plaža Ričardova Glava and grabbed some beers from a shop nearby.
3. See the ballerina statue.
Along the coast just outside Old Town is a small ballerina statue. The Adriatic Sea and the Old Town city walls in the background make it a popular photo spot.
4. Go clubbing.
Budva is well-known for its nightlife. There are several clubs worth checking out. Most play techno.
5. Sleep off your hangover at the beach.
Budva has several beautiful beaches. Budva Riviera was the closest to my Airbnb but is nothing special.
One of the best beaches in Budva is Mogren Beach. Keep going past the ballerina statue and follow the coastal walk to get there.
Jaz Beach is also nice but a bit further away.
6. Go snorkeling.
Budva was the best place I went snorkeling on the Adriatic Coast. There were so many colorful fish, even in shallow water close to shore. You’ll also see coral, sea urchins, and small rock formations on the seafloor.
7. Eat seafood.
There are dozens of seafood restaurants with ocean views along the coast line. Most of them cater to tourists. The menus are in several languages and most of the staff speak English.
The prices are relatively high for Montenegro, but still cheaper than what you’d pay for something similar in the States. I felt like it was worth it for the beachfront location.
Restaurant Porto was my favorite. They’ll bring you fresh bread and fish pate when you sit down. It’s not free but it’s only a few euros. This was one of the best things I ate in Montenegro. I also loved their fish soup.
Jadran was another restaurant I’d recommend. They had seating right on the water. I ate there at sunset and the view was incredible.
8. Take a taxi boat to Sveti Stefan.
Nicknamed the Jewel of Montenegro, Sveti Stefan is a small island town near Budva. It was highly recommend by people I met. The easiest way to get there is with a taxi boat.