The buzz of Budva, Montenegro: a post in pictures

Montenegro day trips to Budva 

I have been visiting Budva for many years on day trips from Kotor, where I bought an apartment in 2005.   Budva is an easy half hour drive (on average) from Kotor on the coastal road, which hugs the hillside and gives glorious views over Jaz Beach and the Adriatic Sea.  Once you have gone through a weird tunnel with arches, reminiscent of a James Bond movie, you come down into Budva past the sleek developments facing out to sea to the busy junction in the centre of Budva, where summer holiday-makers wander to and from the beaches carrying inflatables.

Budva has a lovely, pristine old town packed full of charm & hidden alleys.

If you turn right at these first traffic lights you will head in the direction towards the Old Town and the harbour, which is full of both impressive white yachts on parade close to the Old Town walls.  Further down simple excursion boats line up along the path to the thin stretch of Slovenska beach with a tempting array of seafood restaurants and bars looking out to the pretty Sveti Nikola island.

Seaside vibe at Budva, Montenegro

Budva has a very different vibe to Kotor.  It is buzzing in a family, seaside kind of way, but mixed with a glamourous edge.  Market stall selling knick-knacks and all the souvenirs you could want line the main drag to the Old Town.  There’s plenty to tempt … excursion boats, adrenaline-inducing water sports, great street-food, 3 beaches from which to take a dip in the crystal-clear water.    All this comes with the contemporary edge of shiny new glass buildings rising around, a gorgeous, pristine Old Town and the knowledge that you are mixing with the rich and famous.  Madonna, Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton have all stayed here in 5 star luxury at Hotel Splendid Conference and Spa Resort.

Glamorous new property at Dukely Gardens.  Photo credit: thebestofmontenegro.com

If you like more around you, Budva is a great choice for your holiday. And when buying property, it’s location makes it a good choice for rentals, for those tourists who want to be in the action.   You will find all the amenities and shops that you need all year round, so although it is a seaside town, it doesn’t completely close down in summer. 

Delicious gyros at Skoljera restaurant.  Photo credit: restaurantguru.com

Budva: Montenegro’s tourist hot-spot

Budva is one of the busier places in Montenegro, mainly because it is such a tourist hot-spot in the summer, but I still enjoy visiting. 

And not least for the fact you can get, what must be, the best gyros in Montenegro here.  Shell out less than 5 euros and sit down on the jetty swinging your legs over the edge and looking out to sea.  Simple and a little taste of heaven.

Pretty much sums up Montenegro to me.