3 Day Budva Itinerary: Beaches, Old Town & Day Trips in Montenegro

Budva is a picturesque coastal town on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro which I refer to as the “mini – Dubrovnik”. The town is surrounded by crystal-clear waters, rugged cliffs, and beaches that draw visitors year-round. Its Mediterranean climate ensures warm, sun-soaked summers and mild winters, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and adventure alike. It is a place where you either spend a day or a week as well. In this blog, we will explore a 3 day itinerary for Budva which I think is the sweet spot for this place. 3 days ensures that you can slow travel and see everything at your own pace. The itinerary can vary from season to season as well with summers offering much more things to do and I will mention it.

Day 1:

Start your day in a little cosy cafe in the old town. The old town (Stari Grad) has to be the place where you start off the day. Dating back 2,500 years, it is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast. It features narrow cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and well-preserved stone walls. You can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring the place. From the Citadel which offers views of the town and the coast to St Ivan’s Church or the Holy Trinity Church which are historical landmarks. You can then have lunch in one of the many restaurants in the old town or go for the street food where you grab small bites from each mini shop. You can get pizza slices, different breads, byreks and things which I don’t even know how to pronounce. Now as you are stuffed and want to crash and enjoy the sun, you can go to either the old town beach which is right outside the old town or to Mogren beach if you fancy a drink by the beach. I prefer Mogren as it is a bit bigger with more sand with a few bars where you can go for a swim, bathe in the sun and then have a drink. Its almost sunset and you want a good view, well that spot is for day 2 as it’s a bit far away (unless you have that energy after a few drinks), so you can just walk on the boulevard boardwalk till you reach Slovenska Plaza from where you can get a decent view of the sunset. If you are going during the summers, you will have a blast every night with the happening and extravagant nightlife but if you are like me who went during shoulder season where most of the things are shut (but cheaper), you will have to call it a day.

Day 2:

You wake up in the morning and want to take a swim but don’t want to go to Mogren again. Well there are many beaches near Budva and you can choose any of these – Jaz Beach, Galije Beach,Becici Beach or the beach at Sveti Stefan. If you are there in summer, you can try watersports at Jaz beach or can go to the Hawaii of Montenegro, Sveti Nikola where you can spend the whole day. A 30 minute ferry to this island can be a great day outing, though I have heard it’s very touristy, it is totally worth going if you are there. I didn’t have this option so went to Jaz beach, where I spent half day, came back to the town for lunch and then took a taxi to Sveti Stefan. Now this is the spot where you will see a spectacular sunset. Sveti Stefan is a stunning islet and luxury resort, once a humble fishing village, it has transformed into an exclusive getaway renowned for its postcard-perfect views and opulent accommodations.The history of Sveti Stefan dates back to the 15th century when it was established as a fortified village to protect against pirate attacks. Over time, it evolved into a thriving settlement before its conversion into a luxury resort in the mid-20th century. I am telling you won’t be disappointed by the sunset you will view from here. It was one of my best sunsets. To reach Sveti Stefan using public transport you can take the local bus or the taxi. Now that you are fulfilled with a swim in the blue water and then a golden sunset, you can have some authentic montenegrin food. If you are a vegetarian, I am afraid, Montenegro cuisine isn’t for you. The fresh seafood you get, unique dishes like the black risotto which is made from cuttlefish ink is something you have to try. Different types of desserts like Baklava, Krofne, Krempita, and many more if you have a sweet tooth like me. With some good food, you end an amazing day.

Day 3:

For Day 3, there are a few options which you can explore.

Option 1- You can spend another day in Budva going deeper in the history and culture by going to the museum and the Podmaine Monastery and then exploring one of the other beaches. Each beach has a different vibe so you won’t feel monotonous. So that is day 3, relaxed with a few things here and there.

Option 2- If you have no plans of going to the Kotor, then this is your sign. If you don’t have enough time to stay there, no problem as you can still do a day trip from Budva. You can start your day early, reach Kotor in less than 2 hours and explore the bay. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a medieval town with dramatic limestone cliffs. Known for its winding cobblestone streets, ancient city walls, and breathtaking Bay of Kotor. You can explore the old town which is similar to the one in Budva (looks-wise) but has a whole different mood to it. You can explore another small town close to Kotor called Perast which is a dreamy yet sleepy village on the waterfront of the bay with amazing views of Our Lady of the Rocks and the bay. It is churches, clock towers, cobbled streets straight out of a postcard.If you are keen on visiting Our Lady of the Rocks, you hop on a boat which takes like 5 minutes to reach. The tiny island is home to the 12th-century Saint George Benedictine monastery.

Option 3- If you have been to Kotor but for some reason missed the blue grotto, you can still do a day trip from Budva. The Blue Grotto, or “Plava Špilja,” is a breathtaking sea cave on Montenegro’s Lustica Peninsula, famed for its luminous blue waters created by sunlight reflecting through its underwater entrance. Accessible only by boat, it’s a haven for swimmers and snorkelers seeking to immerse themselves in its serene, otherworldly beauty. There are local tour operators in Budva who take you on the tour which makes things very easy. This grotto is similar to the ones you see in Croatia and Greece. As it is close to the Croatian border, you can access it from Croatia as well.

These are 3 ways you can spend your third day or drive down south exploring the Adriatic coast and feel the beauty. I highly recommend renting a car as the coastal roads are something worth driving on. With this, you spend your perfect 3 days in Budva!