Budva Riviera 2026: A Complete Guide to the Resorts from Budva to Petrovac
In the previous part of our Montenegro guide, we explored the Bay of Kotor: walked along the mighty walls of Kotor, admired the architecture of Perast, and took a boat ride to the Blue Cave. Now we head south — to the Budva Riviera, the main...
In the previous part of our guide to Montenegro, we explored the Bay of Kotor: walked along the mighty walls of Kotor, admired the architecture of Perast, and took a boat ride to the Blue Cave. Now we head south — to the Budva Riviera, the country’s main resort region.
Here, along 35 kilometers of coastline, lively beaches and quiet coves, medieval fortresses and ultra-modern clubs, cozy villages and marinas for superyachts alternate. This part of the Adriatic is the heart of Montenegrin tourism, and it is here that the feeling of a “real vacation” is born.
Budva — Old Town, the best restaurants, beaches, and nightlife
Budva lives a double life. By day, it is a charming medieval Old Town (Stari Grad), more than 2,500 years old. It is surrounded by mighty walls, within which lie the Citadel, the ancient churches of St. John and the Holy Trinity, and narrow streets where it is pleasant to get lost. Right by the gates, you can see the ruins of a Roman necropolis, and from the Citadel walls there is a magnificent view of the sea and the famous statue “The Dancer from Budva”.
At dusk, Budva transforms. It is a multinational city, where tourists and expats from all over the world come, so you can find a place for every taste here.
Cocktails: For the best cocktails, both classic and signature, head to Barduck, Strix Baror Hemingway in the Old Town. Also worth checking out are Barbarabarand 504 Rooftopon a rooftop with a view of the city.
Nightlife: Besides the most popular open-air club Top Hill, located on the hill above the city, where concerts and DJ sets go on until dawn, it is worth paying attention to Club Hide Budva, Ambiente and Teatro.
Bečići and Rafailovići: the perfect family getaway
Moving east from lively Budva, the coastline gradually turns into a series of calmer, more relaxed resorts, ideal for a family holiday.
First on the way are Bečići and Rafailovići — essentially one large resort, united by a long promenade and a magnificent wide sandy-pebble beach, which has repeatedly received the “Blue Flag” award for its cleanliness.
Jaz Beach. Montenegro. Photo: Stefan Kostić
Bečići is known for its large hotel complexes and affordable new developments, while Rafailovići, a former fishing village, has retained a more intimate atmosphere and is known for some of the best fish restaurants on the entire coast, where gourmets from all over the Riviera come especially — Tri Ribara, Porat, the restaurant at the Aleksandar hotel.
In Bečići there is also a wonderful restaurantTwo Captains and the neighboring café Voronka, where you can also have a tasty bite.
A convenient promenade, which you can stroll along with a stroller, and a pedestrian tunnel, leading straight to Budva, make these places a great alternative for those seeking peace and quiet but wanting to stay close to the center of events.
Petrovac: a peaceful holiday surrounded by pines
If you drive farther along the coast, you will arrive in Petrovac — one of the coziest and most picturesque towns on the Budva Riviera. Set in a beautiful bay, surrounded by dense pine forests and olive groves, it charms with its peaceful atmosphere. This is where the famous “Health Trail” begins — a scenic walking route that runs along the sea through a pine forest, filling the air with a healing pine aroma.
Above the promenade rises the ancient Venetian Castello fortress from the 16th century, and from the shore there is a view of two tiny islets — Katič and Sveta Nedelja, which have become symbols of the town. In addition to the main town beach with its characteristic reddish pebbles, just a 10-minute walk away is the picturesque Lučice Beach, hidden in a secluded bay.
Petrovac has good family restaurants, pastry shops, and cafés, and in the evening the promenade comes alive with street musicians. You can have dinner in local restaurants: Gastro Bar Piazza, M.U.N. or Konoba Tramontana.
Petrovac is the perfect choice for those seeking a relaxed holiday surrounded by stunning nature, although in peak season its popular beaches can be quite crowded.
View of Castello Fortress, Petrovac, Montenegro
Sveti Stefan and Miločer Park: Montenegro’s calling card
Sveti Stefan Island — Montenegro’s calling card. It was once a fishing village, later becoming a residence for world celebrities — from Sophia Loren to Novak Djokovic. However, when planning a trip here, it is crucial to have up-to-date information. The resort, operated by the elite Aman Resorts chain, has been closed since 2020, and as of this year public access to the island itself has been completely closed.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Sveti Stefan. However, now you need to know how to do it properly.
Best views: The most iconic photos are taken from the panoramic viewpoint on the main road above the island. But please be careful when crossing the road, as there is heavy traffic there.
Accessible beaches: The beach to the left of the isthmus is public and open to everyone. But the main secret today is the Miločer park and beach. Previously, the beaches in this bay were reserved for Aman hotel guests. Now that the hotel is closed, this magnificent park with relic pines and cedars, as well as a beautiful beach with pink pebbles, is open to everyone.
Dinner with a view of the island: The best way to dine with a view of Sveti Stefan is to book a table in one of the restaurants opposite, for example, Oliva Restaurant. For a special occasion, the exclusive Muse Restaurant & Bar at Villa Geba is a good choice. More affordable, but no less lovely options (though without a view of the island) can be found in the neighboring village of Pržno: Fini porat, La Mar or Konoba More.
Sveti Stefan. Montenegro. Photo: Oleg Gratilo
Secret spots that guidebooks rarely write about
Besides the famous resorts, the coast also holds lesser-known corners worth discovering:
Pržno: a quiet bay with traditional houses and boats. Here you’ll find the royal beach, surrounded by Miločer Park, and the modern hotel-casino Maestral Resort.
Drobni Pijesak: a beach between Budva and Petrovac, surrounded by pines and rocks. The water is especially clear here, and the atmosphere is secluded.
Kamenovo (Kamenovo): A picturesque beach between Bečići and Pržno, known for its turquoise water and beautiful sunsets. You can get there through a pedestrian tunnel or by car.
The Budva Riviera, like all of Montenegro, is rich in monasteries. There are many of them here, and each has its own unique history. This heritage is an important part of the country’s cultural landscape and serves as a reminder of its deep Orthodox roots.
Many monasteries are located right on the coast or nearby. Among them are the Podmaine Monastery (Budva), Praskvica Monastery (Sveti Stefan), Reževići Monastery (Petrovac), Gradište Monastery (Buljarica), Savina (Herceg Novi), as well as the Beška Monastery and the Monastery of St. Archangel Michael on the islands of Lake Skadar (Virpazar). Each of them is interesting in its own way and is often open to visitors.
Later we will tell you about the most famous of them — Ostrog Monastery.
Ostrog Monastery. Montenegro. Source
Modern resorts: Porto Montenegro, Portonovi, and Luštica Bay
Although formally these projects are outside the Budva Riviera, it is impossible to imagine the picture of modern Montenegro without them. Over the past 15 years, the country has become a magnet for the global elite, and the new resorts with marinas have become the calling card of the coast.
Porto Montenegro. Tivat, Montenegro
Portonovi (Kumbor, near Herceg Novi):
On the site of a former military base, a whole resort town with apartments, hotels, restaurants, and boutiques has sprung up. Here is Europe’s first hotel of the One&Only chain, known for its Chenot Espace spa center and a pool right by the sea.
The restaurant NOA Portonovi with its Asian fusion menu has long become a gastronomic landmark. In summer, the marina turns into a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and regattas — this year’s program promises jazz and gastronomy festivals.
Porto Montenegro (Tivat):
The most developed and lively project with elite real estate, which introduced Montenegro to the world. Here there are hundreds of berths for superyachts, from MaxMara and BOSS boutiques to contemporary art galleries.
In the restaurants, you can try steaks at Gallardo, signature Montenegrin cuisine at Bokka Modern, enjoy Italian cuisine at Mala Bevanda La Pasteria or simply have coffee and dessert at Ma Chérie or Kafeterija, eat ice cream atMoritz Eis. Nearby there is the cozy café Sofiwith a beautiful view of the bay, the famous grill restaurantTanjga and the excellent Asian restaurant MILÃin the Casa Manor boutique hotel.
The new district Boka Place has made Tivat a center of premium shopping; nearby are the popular beach complexes AURA Beach, Waikiki Beach Resort and the new gastro project D’LIRIO.
Luštica Bay (Luštica Peninsula):
A young resort built practically from scratch. In addition to marinas and beaches, there are luxurious houses and villas, a world-class golf course, stylish boutiques, and restaurants (The Spot, The Japanese and the gelateria Ciao Bella). Luštica Bay is especially loved for its architecture in the spirit of traditional coastal villages, but with the comfort of a modern resort.
These three projects are not only places to relax, but also new “entry points” into Montenegro for travelers accustomed to the level of the French Riviera or Liguria in Italy.
Luštica Bay. Luštica Peninsula, Montenegro
FAQ: when is the best time to go to Montenegro, how to get there, and prices
Best time to travel: May–June and September — a combination of warm weather, fewer crowds, and more reasonable prices. July–August is peak season, so book everything in advance.
Transport: Tivat Airport (TIV) — closer to Porto Montenegro and Budva; Podgorica (TGD) — more convenient for combining with the central part of the country and the mountains. It is convenient to travel between places by car; in season, traffic jams are possible near popular parking areas. Public transport in the country is poorly developed.
Reservations: for tables in popular restaurants, it is better to book in advance, especially for dinner in high season.
Prices: dinner in a mid-range restaurant — €15–25 per person; premium venues by the sea or marinas in Portonovi, Porto Montenegro, Luštica Bay — from €40 and up per person. Beach services (sun loungers, umbrellas) are paid, but often there are places on the beaches where you can sit with your own towel and umbrella for free.
Dress code and manners: you may wear swim trunks and swimsuits only on the beach; walking around the city or entering a venue dressed like that is prohibited. Dress style: on the promenade and in cafés — casual; in some hotel restaurants of premium class — smart-casual in the evenings.
What else is worth visiting in Montenegro
The Budva Riviera is Montenegro in a nutshell: the historic center of Budva combines with the family beaches of Bečići and Rafailovići, while the luxurious marinas of Porto Montenegro, Portonovi, and Luštica Bay give the country the face of a modern resort. Here you can spend a week of leisurely walks and tastings, or combine the beach with parties and shopping — everything is nearby and accessible.
