5 Places to Visit Around Budva

When you say Montenegro to most people, they immediately say "Budva". Of course we weren't one of them, and don't you be either. Our route, from the north of Montenegro, went Tivat, Perast, Kotor, Lake Skadar, and our last stop was Budva. Apparently Turks come to Budva most; our advice is to give the surrounding area a chance too!

If you're curious about our Balkans route, here it is: The Balkans route by car

Explore Budva, but don't forget: its surroundings are full of surprises too!

Places to visit in Montenegro: this way!

After exploring Budva, there are many seaside towns to visit around Budva too. Before heading out to see other places in Montenegro, we recommend spending at least 1 full day in Budva. Here are our suggestions for places to visit around Budva!

Sveti Stefan

You can reach Sveti Stefan, with its beautiful views, just 10 km from Budva, in 5 minutes by car. This small town at the foot of the Lovćen Mountains, considered a strategic trading port for the old Republic of Venice in the 1400s, has been rebuilt and turned into one of the most luxurious resorts. The red roofs, stone facades and bronze details owe themselves to Sveti Stefan's charm and its old heritage. Among Sveti Stefan's best-known celebrities are Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Claudia Schiffer.

We didn't pass without stopping at this private and beautiful resort town, which still has untouched pebble beaches lining the road to the village! We could only see very limited parts, for two reasons: rain pouring down in buckets, and a beach where the season hadn't opened yet. Entry to this empty, quiet beach is 100 euros per person for the season.

Sveti Stefan itself, the islet opposite, is a huge luxury hotel that's private property. To enter, you need permission from the hotel between 11:00-14:00 and to pay 20 euros. Since it was around 17:00 when we went, we were stopped by the staff.

In and around Sveti Stephan, with 2 kilometres of pink sand beaches, we of course recommend going, if you have the time and means, to Aman, a first-class resort that can offer you many unforgettable experiences on the island. In the area we went to, you can drive down as far as the entrance. Parking here is 2 euros an hour.

Aman also has three restaurants. With a unique view in return, you can eat and drink at Queen's Chair, Olive Restaurant and the Beach Café.

Virpazar

Virpazar is a small, quiet Montenegrin town where 1,500 people live. It's at the northern tip of Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the region, which we'd visited before. If you're looking for fun with excitement and attractions, a trip to Virpazar won't be an ideal stop for you. But if, like us, you enjoy peace and simplicity, head for Virpazar, where you can go fish and bird watching and even savour the simpler pleasures of life. If the sun allows, you too can see the water lilies blooming, right in season: our travel days were in April-May.

In Virpazar, a sweet family will greet you for boat tours or canoe hire: Skadar Lake, Boat Milica. Mention us and say hello!

Vir means whirl or wind, and pazar is the market we know. The market of the windy village gave this little village its name. The villagers' market, once held every day where even sheep were sold, is still held once a week by the lake today.

Walking over the Stone Bridge and taking in the unique view is one of the best things to do in Virpazar. But Lake Skadar, a national park, is a wonderful place for those who want to join a boat tour and explore this view at Grmožur Island. Setting aside 2-3 for exploring Virpazar will be enough. The dreamlike Lake Skadar is home to more than 200 species of migratory birds, including Europe's last pelicans. In the morning hours the pelicans practically posed for us in the silence.

The lake and its surroundings have been designated national parks. There are countless monasteries and churches to visit around Lake Skadar. The fishing village called Robus is enchanting with its island structure, whose roots go back to the Ottomans. This fishing village is said to have the capacity to catch 5 tonnes of fish at a time. There are fishermen's huts with their rigs, but no permanent settlement. They come here by boat from the village of Virpazar.

Bar

For a day trip that's different from sun and sand, Bar is the right choice. If, like us, you're not a big fan of the constant sand-sun-sea trio, Bar is an ideal place. Bar is a modern city rebuilt from top to bottom after the Second World War. Although there are about 20 beaches in the area, there are many ways to spend the day, including exploring the historic centre and shopping. Old Bar (Stari Bar) is full of cobbled streets, archaeological sites and ruins representing its rich heritage. A well-preserved aqueduct from the 1500s surrounds part of the old town. The city's history goes back to the Neolithic Age, but the known ruling empires were the Byzantine Empire, the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire..

On foot, you can visit Bar's churches from the 500s, Turkish baths, King Nikola's Palace from the 1800s and Haj-Nehaj Fortress, the Omerbašić Mosque from the 1600s, and 2000-year-old olive trees.

If there are 2000-year-old olive trees, there must be olive oil! Famous for its quality and delicious taste, olive oil special to Bar comes first among the things you can buy.

Ulcinj

Ulcinj, about 30 km from Bar, is flooded by most of the tourist groups. Mountains, beaches, sea, lakes, rivers and plains are all within the city. You can walk around the old town, with views going back to the Middle Ages, which looks like a small fortress built to control the region. The views from the top of the fortress are gorgeous and breathtaking.

In the Old Town there's also a museum presenting the city's 2000-year history. For visitors who want to enjoy the beach, there are lots of options. The Great Beach (Velika Plaža), the Ladies' Beach or the more central Small Beach (Mala Plaža) are just a few of the popular ones. The city's population is mostly Albanian, and Albanian culture can be felt almost everywhere.

Ada Bojana

Did you know there's a tiny, tiny island in Montenegro? This island was the last point of our Montenegro tour. The island most favoured by locals offers its visitors plenty of sun and the chance to do various sports. The island is positioned so that the Bojana River separates this town from Albania and connects it to Montenegro.

Named by The New York Times in 2010 as one of the best places for a beach holiday, Ada Bojana offers wide sandy beaches, a glassy sea and, with the wind coming off the front, the chance for surfers to surf. It's about 15 km from Ulcinj and can be reached in a 20-minute drive.