Budva City Guide
Image by Ender Vatan via unsplash

Montenegro

Budva City Guide

Budva Municipality

Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro known for its medieval Old Town, sandy beaches, and lively nightlife. It attracts many tourists in summer and offers a scenic setting for remote workers, though some services are seasonal.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Seafood and grilled meats are local favorites. International options are good, especially Italian and Mediterranean. Vegetarian and vegan choices are improving. Many places stay open late in summer.

Local Dishes:
Fresh seafood, Njeguški pršut, Ćevapi, Pljeskavica
International Cuisine:
Italian, Mediterranean, European
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Excellent
9

Budva has a strong nightlife with bars, beach clubs, and open-air discos, especially in summer along the promenade and Old Town.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Coffee culture is strong with a mix of traditional cafes and newer specialty shops. Coffee is a social ritual here.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not required. 5-10% is common in restaurants. Taxi drivers expect rounding up the fare.

Top Attractions
Budva Old Town (Stari Grad)
Cultural
Historic medieval town center.
Mogren Beach
Beach
Popular sandy beach near Old Town.
Sveti Nikola Island (Hawaii Island)
Nature
Small island popular for day trips and swimming.
Slovenska Plaža
Beach
Long sandy beach with many facilities.
Sveti Stefan
Cultural
Iconic island resort about 15 minutes away.
Kotor
Cultural
UNESCO World Heritage site in the Bay of Kotor.
Perast
Cultural
Charming village in Bay of Kotor with baroque architecture.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be bought at kiosks or provider stores like Telenor, Crnogorski Telekom, and M:tel. eSIMs are becoming common. ID needed for registration.

Available at:
Telenor
Crnogorski Telekom
M:tel
Recommended Apps
Viber(Communication)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Bolt(Transportation)
Glovo(Food Delivery)
Booking.com(Accommodation)
Airbnb(Accommodation)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Main tourist areas and Old Town are clean with regular waste pickup. Recycling is limited.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Limited 24/7 services. Some minimarts and gas stations operate round the clock. Late-night pharmacies or clinics are rare outside emergencies.

Groceries
HDL Laković
Voli
Aroma

Supermarkets offer international products; fresh local produce is available at markets. Main stores include HDL Laković, Voli, and Aroma.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments are common in big stores, hotels, and many restaurants. Smaller shops, markets, and some taxis prefer cash.

ATMs

ATMs are widely available near banks and tourist spots. International withdrawal fees may apply depending on your home bank or the ATM operator.

Schools
International

Adriatic College and Dukley Academy offer international programs with English instruction. Most international schools are in Podgorica or Tivat.

Available Schools:
Adriatic College
Dukley Academy

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
AdriaHub coworking
Cozy space with daily and monthly plans.
ITBranch.House
Dynamic space with IT bar and meeting rooms.
MONTEHUB Hybrid Workplace
Large coworking area with flexible plans and conference rooms.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Hemingway Bar & Restaurant
Good Wi-Fi and relaxed atmosphere.
Casper Bar
Nice ambiance, suitable during quiet hours.
Akacia Coffee Budva
Cozy coffee spot.
CUPS Coffeeshop
Good coffee experience.
Oliva coffee
Good taste and cozy vibe.
Lokal
Coffee house and café.
Polako Coffee Shop & Bar
Relaxed setting.
Benedict Cafe
Sea views and a new menu.
Alternatives:
Hotel lobbies
Comfortable seating and Wi-Fi, often accessible to visitors.
Public libraries
Available but Wi-Fi and quietness vary.
Less crowded cafes
Away from main tourist areas for more peace.
Digital Nomad Community
Good
6

Growing digital nomad presence, especially in warm months. Nomad meetups happen but are informal. Several cafes and coworking spaces cater to remote workers.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Slovenska Plaža Park and other small green spots are good for walking and running.

Running
Good
7

Popular running routes along the promenade offer scenic views. Old Town can be crowded and less suitable.

Gyms
Available

Multiple gyms are available including hotel gyms often open to non-guests for a fee.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Centar Budva
Sportski Centar Rea
Hotel gyms
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts exist in hotels and sports centers. Equipment rental may be possible.

Padel
Poor
0

Limited information on padel courts; not widely available.

Yoga
Good
7

Yoga studios and wellness centers are present, often with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Limited
4

Limited dedicated martial arts schools. Some fitness centers may have classes but details vary.

Skiing
Poor
1

No nearby skiing; main ski resorts are hours away in northern Montenegro.

Water Sports
Excellent
8

Kayaking, paddleboarding, jet-skiing, and parasailing are widely available on major beaches.

Surfing
Poor
2

Traditional surfing is limited due to calm Adriatic waters. Water sports like jet-skiing are more common.

Diving
Good
7

Diving and snorkeling are popular with several centers offering courses and equipment. Best in summer and early autumn.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Budva has a general hospital and private clinics. English is spoken sometimes in private facilities. Public care is basic; private clinics are better. Pharmacies are common.

Hospitals:
Dom Zdravlja Budva
Pharmacies:
Multiple city-wide pharmacies
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water meets European standards and is generally safe to drink, but some prefer bottled water for taste.

Common Scams
Taxi overcharging - agree price or check meter before ride., Pickpocketing in crowded places like Old Town and beaches., Fake branded goods from street vendors.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Playgrounds and kid-friendly cafés are common. Baby supplies are easy to find. Main attractions include the Old Town, beaches, and seasonal amusement parks.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
6

Generally tolerant but public displays of affection may attract attention. Tourist areas are more accepting. Legal protections exist but discrimination occurs.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet-friendly accommodations and restaurants exist. Vet services and some pet supplies are available.

Communities
Expats in Montenegro (Social)
Digital Nomads Montenegro (Digital Nomad)
Budva, Montenegro (Local)

Quick Facts

Population
13,338
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power supply is mostly reliable in main tourist areas with occasional short outages during peak season or bad weather.

Beach Access
Available

Budva has multiple beaches within walking distance, including sandy and pebbly ones like Mogren, Slovenska Plaža, Jaz, and Kamenovo.

Mountains
Available

Coastal mountains lie behind Budva with hiking trails in Lovćen National Park roughly an hour away by car.

Languages
Montenegrin (Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian)(90%)
English(45%)
Russian(35%)
Emergency
124
Ambulance
122
Police
123
Fire
112
General Emergency

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
3
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
7

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Temperatures often exceed 30°C, which can be uncomfortable.
Crowds
July, August
High tourist season brings congestion and higher prices.
Winter quiet
November, December, January, February, March
Many businesses close and the city is very quiet.

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