Budva

In the center of Budva Riviera there is one of the most famous resorts and ancient settlements of the Adriatic - the city of Budva. This is an ideal place for lovers of active and sated rest. There is everything for families: in walking distance there are supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, playgrounds. For fans of outdoor activities, there are tennis courts, gyms, paragliding, hiking, water sports such as jet skis, yachts. And for lovers of nightlife - there are a lot of open discos on the embankment, working until 1 am, and closed clubs, where you can dance until the morning.

Budva is divided into the Old (historical center) and the New (modern part of the city) one. The last one is located along the shore of the bay and every year it grows wider, climbing up the mountain slopes. In order not to get lost, you can navigate through the three main streets. The main street of Budva, past which it is impossible to pass is Jadranski Put. Between it and the sea, the half of the territory is occupied by hotel complexes "Alexander" and "Slovenska plaza". From here you will reach the second "central avenue" of Budva called Slovenska Obala. The street runs along the sea across the city. Here you can buy a variety of souvenirs in numerous shops, a snack in one of the pizzerias or slowly enjoy delicious dishes in the restaurant.
 

History of the city

Back in the 5th century BC here was a settlement that had the status of a city and was called almost the same way - Budua. Legend has it that Budua was founded by Cadmus, the son of the Phoenician king Agenor, forced to leave his native place in search of sister Europe abducted by Zeus. He traveled a lot and later conquered the surroundings of ancient Budva. But when trying to capture Greeceб Cadmus was defeated and, together with his wife Harmony, was turned into a snake. After a while, the Greeks colonized Budva, making it a major trading port. But in the II century BC the territory was retroceded to the Roman Empire. Approximately 1500 years ago, Slavs and Avars settled here. In 841 Budva was on the way of militant Arabs. Further history of the city is a continuous series of peace and wars. Having joined the Venetian Empire, Budva got into Ottoman wars several times. Then there were the epochs of the Habsburg rule and joining the Russian Empire, Montenegro and France. Heavy for Budva was Austrian domination, which lasted until the outbreak of the First World War. Since the beginning of the Second World War and until 1944 Budva was in the power of fascist Italy. But the most devastating for the city was the earthquake of 1979.
 

Attractions of the city.

The main attraction of Budva is its Old Town. Inside the fortress, you will be surprised to find a medieval city in its original form - with narrow streets, squares and stone stairs leading to elegant houses with small windows framed by hewn frames and red tiled roofs. Walking along its narrow streets really has something to see. To begin the walk is better from visiting the flea market of Budva. The market is located inside a small courtyard, next to the building of the Archaeological Museum. Be sure to go into it. It may be interested for lovers of unusual souvenirs, connoisseurs of antiquity, and simply, inexpressibly for residents of large cities to study antiques on small counters in the walls of the fortress. But be cautious, as in any flea market next to the real works of art can be a frank olde-worlde fake.

After studying the market, it is worth going to the neighboring building - Archaeological Museum of Budva. On four floors of the Archaeological Museum of Budva there is a very interesting exposition, touching different times of Montenegro's development. On the first floor there is a lapidarium with stone slabs and funerary urns, on the second and third floors there are various household items and kitchen utensils of the Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. And on the fourth floor you can get acquainted with the ethnographic exhibits - national costumes, military equipment, furniture and dishes, which were common in Montenegro from the 18th to the 20th century.

You should also pay some time to the monastery Podmaine or Podostrog, which is located near the Ostrog mountain. For a long time here was the summer residence of Zet and Montenegrin metropolitans. The monastery was supposedly built during the reign of the Nemanjic dynasty, in the 12th century. His heyday came during the reign of the dynasty of Petrovic Nigos. Since 1718 Podmaine as well as the territory of Budva got under the rule of the Venetian Republic. And in 1837 became the property of Austria-Hungary and turned into a fortress. During the Bokelske uprising, the church was completely burnt. However, after a while Podmaine was bought by Father Philip Tanovic and until 1953 the monastery was in the possession of his family.
 

Beaches of Budva.

The total length of the beaches in Budva is 11 310 m. In the city there are: pebble Slavic beach (Slovenska plaza - the longest and most popular in the resort, it was named in the 30s when the bohemian Europeans rested here, 1600 m long. Nearby there is a hotel with the same name, the beach has everything you need for relaxation: sunbeds, umbrellas, change rooms, shower, water sports and cafes, respectively, this is one of the most crowded beaches of Budva) and small pebble beaches Mogren (two Popular beaches in the city, picturesquely located at the foot of steep cliffs, you can get there through the old town).

Budva Riviera is a long strip (35 km) of the Adriatic coast, which includes the best beaches of the coast. Beaches attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists with their beauty, spaces, associated infrastructure every year. Sea holidays here can be chosen to a different taste, both by the type of a beach, and by the type of services and entertainment provided.
 

What to see in vicinity?

Right opposite the city, 1.5 km away, there is an island of Sveti Nikola, it is Shkol or Hawaii. This miracle of nature has a unique form - sloping on one side and steep from the opposite. From Budva to the island leads a shallow path (about 0.5 m at low tide), but it is more convenient to reach it by boat, which runs in both directions. On the gentle side, the island is covered with dense green thickets, along which the mouflons walk, and many birds live in the crowns of trees. The sightseeing of the island is the Church of St. Nicholas. With a length of only 2 km the island boasts a chain of wild beaches with crystal clear water.

Lifehack: the most spectacular view of the island of St. Nicholas bursts upon the eye from the restaurant Hedone, located in the hotel CONDO HOTEL TRE CANNE, from the walls of the Old Town of Budva, as well as from the walls of the Old Fortress Mogren, which is already outside the city, in front of the tunnel in the direction to Tivat.

Having returned to the coast, you can continue to explore local monuments. In the village of Pobori there is a monastery Stanevici. It is better to get here by bus or taxi. The first mention of the monastery dates back to 1714 - Bishop Danilo took a refuge here after the Cetinsky monastery was looted by the Turks. During the reign of Peter II Petrovic Negos the monastery became the spiritual and political center of Montenegro.

On the way to Stanevic, you can and should visit the ruins of the medieval fortress of Durdevac, which is nearby. Behind the mountain pass of the town Toplis near the village Lastva Grbalska there is the monastery Podlastva. It was founded in 1350 by the Serbian king Stefan Uros IV Dusan. It's strange, but few people visit another local monument of antiquity - the fortress Kosmac, which is well preserved. A unique view of the entire Budva Riviera bursts upon the eye there. Kosmac is at an altitude of 800 m above sea level and is well visible from afar. During the Second World War, the fortress served as an observation post of fascist Italian troops.

An excellent way to explore the surroundings of Budva is a walk from Budva to the island of Sveti Stefan. The route is suitable for hiking: on the way you are awaited picturesque beaches and good shots for taking pictures.

You will pass along the Setaliste embankment, in the direction of the old city. Having reached the mountainous peninsula of Zavala with the luxurious complex Dukley Gardens built on its slope, you will see a pedestrian tunnel cut through the rocks in front of you. It leads to the village Becici, the suburb of Budva.
 

Cuisine and restaurants of Budva.

Restaurants, taverns, cafes and bars are located here at every step, so you can choose a place to your taste. Seaside restaurants often have a menu in Russian, written with funny mistakes.

Lifehack: keep in mind that in Montenegro it is considered absolutely normal to ask to wrap the rest of the food to go. Having seen the size of dises, you will understand how relevant it is.

The restaurant of national cuisine Jadran kod Krsta is considered to be the best in Budva. Its convenient location - not far from the Old Town, on the main street along the sea - colorful dishes, cozy interior and high quality of service prompt guests to come back here again and again. The ladies are offered the best wines here, and men are served with strong rakija. To the Porto fish restaurant in the port of Budva is nice to come in the evenings and dine among the palms and fountains in the courtyard. Montenegrin and Mediterranean cuisine is offered here. All guests are treated with magnificent home cakes with gentle kajmak (clotted cheese). With a full list of bars and restaurants you can get acquainted by clicking on the link.
 

Entertainment and recreation in Budva.

All conditions are created to make your holiday in Budva unforgettable! And if you have already enjoyed the warm sand, then it's time to learn more active kinds of entertainment. On the beaches you can always rent a boat, catamaran, jet ski. If you are a fan of underwater adventures, go to the diving center Pro Dive Hydrotech. Here you will be offered to walk along the cascade of the bottom of the Adriatic Sea near the lighthouse with the beautiful name Svetionik, to find out how soft the corals are in the water area of Petrovac, and to dive to the 12-meter depth in mysterious tunnels and caves off the coast of Budva, having received unforgettable impressions. And you have not seen yet how many various sunken ships can be explored off the coast of Montenegro!

But entertainment in Budva is not limited by diving. And rising from the depths of the sea, we suggest you go straight to the sky! Another popular type of outdoor activity in Budva is paragliding, that is flying on a canvas parachute. In an effort to expand the range of entertainment for travelers, Montenegro invites you to realize the dream of a free flight. And Budva is the best place for it.

The water park in Budva deserves special attention. It includes water slides, 4 swimming pools, including a pool with waves, a children's area consisting of 50 attractions, a restaurant, 3 bars, a photo zone. On one of the slides, the descent rate reaches 80 km/h. The water park can take up to 6 thousand people at a time.

How to get to Budva?

From the Tivat airport to Budva there is about 50 km, to Podgorica - 60 km, and to Dubrovnik - 70 km. Along the coast there is a highway – Jadranki Put. Buses miss the airport, so the most convenient way is to order a taxi. It is also possible to rent a car that will be delivered directly to the airport or any other place.

Lifehack: getting to Budva by bus for a few euros is still possible. But for this you need to go a few kilometers to the bus station and wait for the bus, which does not go very often. The average cost of a taxi from Tivat airport to Budva is 20-25 €.
 

Hotels in Budva.

In Budva, there is a huge selection of all kinds of accommodation: from the room for rent for 10 EUR per day, to the chic hotel Admiral Club 5*. Prices for hotels also vary greatly, not only because of seasonality (July and August, as a rule, the most expensive months, when the price can grow 2-3 times). In Budva, there are about 100 hotels, guesthouses and apartments. With a full list of hotels, you can get acquainted by clicking on the link.

The coast of Budva can offer everything you need for a quality stay: beautiful beaches, astounding examples of Mediterranean architecture, an abundance of entertainment, a convenient location for sightseeing trips. Traveling to Budva guarantees you a pleasant experience and will make your vacation full of interesting and colorful events.