taytrum travels

Budva, nestled on Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline, attracts travelers with its rich history and beach towns. This town boasts a picturesque old town encircled by Venetian walls, cobblestone streets, and medieval architecture. It’s known for its sun-kissed beaches, blue waters, and a vibrant nightlife. Budva’s diverse cultural heritage creates a great, rustic place to explore with modern comforts. Budva is by far the most popular of all the pretty coastal Montenegro towns.

Is Budva Expensive?

Compared to western Europe, Budva is relatively affordable. Costs for accommodations, dining, and entertainment can be moderate, yet during high seasons, prices might rise. Overall, Budva offers a range of options catering to diverse budgets. Backpackers will find that they can definitely get by on a tight budget in Budva without compromising too much in comforts.

Getting to Budva by Bus

The bus station is a 15-minute walk to Old Town. Travel by bus in Montenegro is easily one of the most affordable ways to get around. In my experience, the buses were clean and mostly punctual. A lot of roads along the coast are only 2 lanes so if there is traffic, this can be beyond the drivers’ control and cause delays. I frequently use FlixBus to get around in Europe.

To get to Budva from Podgorica by bus, it will take about 1.5 hours. The Podgorica-Budva route runs hourly. Podgorica is also one of the largest airports nearby so this could be where you start or end your trip in Montenegro.

The Budva to Bar bus runs hourly and the ride is about 1 hour. The Budva to Kotor bus runs every thirty minutes to an hour. The ride between Kotor and Budva is about 1 hour. With Flixbus, a one way far from Budva to Kotor is less than $5. Tivat to Budva will take about 45 minutes and costs between $1-10.

From Albania, the Budva-Tirana bus will take 5-6 hours and is generally offered once daily. This route usually costs $15-30.

From Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Budva-Mostar bus will take 5-8 hours depending on the operator. Mostar to Budva buses cost about $10-30.

Other popular operators in the area are Croatia Bus, Gardasevic, and Centrotrans Eurolines.

Related: Backpacker’s Guide to Kotor

Hostels in Budva

As Budva is the most popular of Montenegro’s coastal towns, demand for property is a bit higher. This drives nightly prices up. There are just a handful of good hostels.

The consistently top ranked hostel in Budva is Freedom Hostel. I stayed here for about a week a few years ago and had a great experience. They are located right within Old Town, making wandering and getting around easy. It is also a short walk to the beach. They offer 4 bed or 8 bed mixed dorms. However, since demand is a bit higher in Budva for rooms, the price is a bit high for a hostel at $60 a night in the summer (price as of 2023). If you visit later in the year, prices go down to around $30 a night.

If you need a cheaper option, go for Hostel Budva, a brand-new hostel where the 8 bed dorms cost about $10 a night. Hostel Budva is located in the city center. Plus, they have a lovely outdoor terrace with green space and plenty of lounge seating.

Related: How to Pick a Great Hostel

Getting Around in Budva

Budva is a very walkable town. If the weather is bad or you’re in need of a lift, there are lots of taxi options available to you that you can hail on the street.

Ride sharing apps are not used in Budva. Uber nor Bolt (popular in Croatia) do not operate there.

Affordable Things to Do in Budva

1. Explore Budva Old Town: Wander through the historic Budva Old Town, surrounded by ancient walls dating back to the 15th century. The narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, charming squares, and churches offer a glimpse into Budva’s rich history. Entry to the Old Town is free, and exploring its alleys and hidden corners is a delightful way to spend time without spending money. One of main features of Old Town is the Church of the Holy Trinity. For a small fee, you can also walk the Old Town walls.

2. Relax at the Beaches: Budva boasts several stunning beaches, and enjoying a day by the sea is a budget-friendly option. Mogren Beach, located near the Old Town, and Becici Beach, a bit further away but easily accessible, offer beautiful stretches of sand and azure waters. Visitors can bask in the sun, swim in the Adriatic Sea, or take a leisurely stroll along the coastline without spending a dime. You could also try Slovenska Plaza a few kilometers southeast of Old Town.

On your way to Mogren Beach, don’t miss the famous sculpture of the dancer. Mogren Beach was my favorite to explore as there is a footpath along a rocky edge that leads to a few secluded (but crowded in the summer) beaches. A cave pathway connects a few beaches together through the layers of sandstone. People also go cliff jumping here into the water.

3. Hiking the Budva Riviera: For nature enthusiasts and adventurers, hiking along the Budva Riviera presents a fantastic opportunity to explore the scenic landscapes and enjoy panoramic views of the coast. There are various hiking trails, such as the Path of Health or the Budva-Becici-Petrovac trail, offering stunning vistas of the coastline and surrounding areas. Hiking these trails is a cost-effective way to experience the natural beauty of Budva.

The famous Stevi Stefan, a small island connected by a spit, is near Budva. If you like walking you can walk from Budva to Stevi Stefan, although it is a long hike. It is about 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) one way. Granted, the path is paved and is mostly flat. The walk is a beautiful way to take in many of the small little beaches and villages sprinkled along the coastline. It is a good way to save on taxi costs, get a little exercise, and you see a great deal more than by car. This walk was actually one of the highlights of my 2 weeks in Montenegro.

How long should I stay in Budva?

Overall, Budva welcomes visitors with its unique history, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife. Budget backpackers should definitely consider spending time at this coastal gem. I spent a relaxing week in Budva wandering the coastal villages. It is a great place to embrace slow travel to really relax.

If you are on a tight schedule, I would spend at least 2 full days in Budva. This would give you one full day for the beaches and one full day for Old Town.

Eating in Budva

Dining options in Budva are fair. You can easily find an expensive restaurant in Old Town, as well as cheap yet yummy and filling pizza slices for just a few euros. A beer costs roughly 2.50€, while a 3-course meal at a good restaurant will run you about 25.00€. That may not seem too bad, but if you are traveling on a tight backpacker budget, you’ll probably be after something cheaper.

Of course, the cheapest thing to do in Budva to keep yourself fed is to go to Voli and stock up on a few groceries and prepare them in the hostel kitchen. A haul of bread, cheese, water, bananas, a few veggies, and some snacks will cost you about 10-15.00 € and keep you fed for days. Voli is a popular supermarket chain in Montenegro. You can find one at the end Budva Mediteranska, right outside Old Town. They are typically closed on Sunday.

If you’d like to eat out a bit on a budget trip, consider the cantina area at Hotel Mogren where you can get a 1.00€ Turkish coffee boiled over hot sand. You can get filling entres here for 3-5.00€. For a good breakfast, head to Mozart just outside the Old Town gate where you can get a local or English breakfast spread for about 6.00€. They also have pretty irresistible slices of cake for about 3.50€. Bear in mind I was in Budva a few years ago now, so prices may have increased.

Is Budva worth visiting?

Yes, Budva is definitely worth visiting. The rugged coastline and long stretches of beaches are gorgeous. It is a great place to rent a beach lounger and spend the day jumping in and out of the perfect Adriatic Sea in the summer. The prices in Montenegro also make budget travel in Europe even more possible. If you’re looking for an outdoor oriented trip where you can leisurely explore without much stress from urban pollution, crowds, cars, and noise, Budva is a great place to relax and explore.

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