TOP-5 resorts in Montenegro: pros and cons of each of them

Budva

The most popular resort in Montenegro, which affects both the number of развлечions and, of course, the price level.

Pros of the resort:

• a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, bars, and clubs — you definitely won’t get bored here;
• local tour agencies offer excursions to any corner of the country, as well as to neighboring Croatia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. If organized tours are not your thing, you can travel solo — bus connections between Budva and other Montenegrin cities are excellent;
• a broad selection of accommodation to suit any budget.

Minuses of the resort:

• if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing holiday, you may want to consider other resorts. Budva is lively and noisy — perfect for party lovers;
• prices are higher than in other cities.

Budva Beaches

Within the city limits, there are 5 public beaches – Slovenska, Richardova Glava, Mogren-1 and Mogren-2 (free), and Dukley Beach Club (paid).

The main beach of the city (and the busiest during the season) is Slovenska. Those looking for a quiet holiday may not enjoy it — loud music, crowds, and sometimes a bit dirty. However, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants around, as well as playgrounds and water attractions. The cleanest water is near the Mogren beaches (they are close together, separated by a rock), reachable from the city center in 15–20 minutes. These beaches are especially suitable for families with children — the water entry is gradual, and the area is small, making it easy to keep an eye on the kids. Sun loungers are available for rent at all beaches (€10–€25 per day).

Budva sights and surroundings

1. Old Town. It is very compact, a walk around the area will take about half an hour. Here you can climb the fortress wall — from there you can get the best view of Budva. Inside there is a citadel with an observation deck and a museum, 4 temples and traditional houses with colorful roofs.
2. Podostrog Monastery. Former residence of the rulers of Montenegro. Two churches built in XII and XVIII centuries have been preserved. Entrance is free of charge.
3. St. Nicholas Island (locals call it "Hawaii" in honor of the restaurant located here). You can buy a ticket for a boat trip at the resort with a visit to the island (from €9) or come by boat. This place is ideal for beach relaxation in cozy bays and snorkeling. There is a restaurant on the island, but the prices there are quite high, so water and food are better to take with you and have a picnic. Entrance to the island is free, renting two sun loungers and an umbrella for the whole day will cost €10-15.

How to get to Budva

Traveling from Tivat airport to Budva is a case when you can choose one thing: either cheap or fast and comfortable. If you choose the first option, you will have to walk to the nearest bus stop and take a passing bus (about €4). If you decide to save time, book a transfer (from €20 for a passenger car). Cab drivers are on duty at the airport, but their services may cost twice as much (make sure that the driver turns on the meter).

Herceg Novi

This green town, located in the Bay of Kotor, is called "the botanical garden of Montenegro". Sailors used to bring plants from different parts of the world to the resort, and most of them successfully took root in the new place. Walking along the streets of the resort, you will see giant cacti, palm trees, exotic fruits and flowers.

Pros of the resort:

• beautiful Old Town;
• green area;
• accommodation is cheaper than in other resort towns (e.g. Budva).

Minuses of the resort:

• lots of stairs, which can be inconvenient for the elderly or for vacationers with small children (in case you take a stroller).
• beaches are mostly concrete;
• far from the country's main attractions.

Beaches of Herceg Novi

Concrete beaches prevail within the city, but there are many cozy spots in the surrounding area that can be reached by boat. The most popular among them is Žanjica — a beach that once belonged to Josip Broz Tito, the President of Yugoslavia.

Pros of the resort:

• the water is so clear that sea urchins live there — well-known indicators of sea cleanliness (the chance of encountering them in the central part of the beach is minimal);
• boats depart from here to the island-fortress of Mamula, where you can also sunbathe and swim.

Cons of the resort:

• pebble beach surface (sun loungers can be rented on site);
• the water temperature is lower than along the coast of other resorts.

Sights of Herceg Novi and Its Surroundings

1. Old Town. This is where the resort’s main landmark is located — the Sahat Kula clock tower, built by the Turks in 1667, which houses the icon of the “Black Madonna.” We also recommend visiting the Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael, drinking water from the nearby Turkish Karacha fountain, and exploring the Forte Mare Fortress (14th century) and Kanli Kula Fortress (15th century).
2. Regional Museum. Located in a 17th-century Baroque-style building. In addition to an interesting botanical collection (over 100 species of flowers and other plants), the museum houses archaeological finds (amphorae, tools, household items) and a collection of icons created by masters from Kotor.
3. Mount Orjen. Snow remains on its peak (1,895 meters) until the end of May, so if you want to combine seemingly incompatible types of leisure, you have a unique opportunity to swim in the warm Adriatic Sea and, just a couple of hours later, go skiing or snowboarding. On a clear day, you can see all of Montenegro, parts of neighboring Herzegovina, Croatia’s Dubrovnik, and several southern Dalmatian islands from here.

How to Get to Herceg Novi

For a fast and comfortable trip, book a transfer to the resort in advance (around €45 for a passenger car). If you take a taxi at the airport, make sure the driver turns on the meter, as cases of tourist scams are not uncommon during the high season. If you prefer to save money, take a bus instead. The trip will cost €4 but will take more time: you’ll need to walk to the nearest stop and wait for a passing bus.

Ulcinj

The resort is located on the border with Albania. It is famous for its sandy beaches (a rarity for Montenegro), kiteboarding spots, and an official nudist beach on Ada Bojana Island.

Pros of the resort:

• it is usually warmer here than in other regions of Montenegro;
• the sandy seabed allows the water to warm up faster;
• fewer tourists compared to popular resort towns;
• prices for food, souvenirs, and sun loungers are lower than in Budva.

Cons of the resort:

• due to the sandy bottom, the water here is rather murky.

Ulcinj beaches

The most popular beach is Velika Plazha, 12 kilometers long, located 5 kilometers from the Old Town. The nudist beach is 17 kilometers away. If you don't want to sunbathe on the small city beaches, which are crowded in season, you will have to rent a car or take a cab.

Ulcinj sights

1. Citadel. While imprisoned here, Cervantes invented the image of Dulcinea, the girl Don Quixote was in love with.
2. Skadar Lake. Its surroundings are home to many rare birds, which ornithologists and amateurs from different countries come to observe. A boat trip on the lake costs about €10.
3. Cetinje. Ancient capital of Montenegro. The most interesting sights: the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin on Cipura, Cetinje Monastery, the palace of King Nikola I, the royal theater "Zetski Dom" (the oldest in the country), the Blue Palace, which now houses the residence of the President of Montenegro.

How to get to Ulcinj

A transfer from Tivat airport will cost from €60 for a passenger car. A budget option is to walk to the nearest bus stop and take a passing bus in the desired direction. The problem is that there is only one such bus and it runs in the morning. The ticket costs about €10. You can go to Budva and there you can take a bus to Ulcinj.

Sveti Stefan Resort

An ideal place for families with children and for those who prefer peace and quiet over parties and crowds. It is considered one of the best resorts in Montenegro for a family holiday.

Pros of the resort:

• quiet, clean, and not overcrowded;
• easy access to Budva: if you feel like some entertainment, you can get there in just 15–20 minutes by bus or taxi.

Cons of the resort:

• the resort is located on a mountainside, so you’ll need to climb quite a few stairs. There is an alternative road, but it adds about one extra kilometer to the walk to the beach — keep this in mind if you don’t enjoy long walks;
• the beach is covered with large pebbles;
• accommodation prices are slightly higher than in nearby Budva.

Beaches of Sveti Stefan

The coastline of the resort is divided into two parts by an isthmus leading to the private island of Sveti Stefan. On the right side of the isthmus is a closed beach for the guests of the Aman Sveti Stefan Hotel, while on the left side is the municipal beach, which is free of charge for everyone.

Sightseeing in Sveti Stefan and its surroundings

1. Sveti Stefan Island. One of the most recognizable sights of Montenegro, where the former residence of the king - Villa Milocer (now part of the hotel complex) is located. Only guests of the five-star hotel Aman Sveti Stefan or guests of a very inexpensive restaurant who booked a table in advance can get into the territory. The rest of the guests are left to admire the views and take photos from the public beach.
2. Durmitor National Park. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its territory includes the Durmitor mountain range, the Tara River Canyon (the deepest canyon in Europe and the second largest in the world), the Sušica and Draga Rivers, the Djurdjevic Tara Bridge (the highest automobile arch bridge in Europe), and the popular ski resort of Zabljak. It is most convenient to get here by car, as public transportation rarely runs. If you have a chance, stay here for a few days to have time to see all the most interesting things.
3. Bar. We recommend to start your walk from the Old Town, where modern cottages neighbor the ruins of the Cathedral of St. George, the churches of St. Katharina and St. Veneranda. Other places of interest include the palace of King Nikola, which now houses a historical museum, the church of St. Nikola, which for many years was the residence of the Catholic Archbishop, and Mount Valuica, from the top of which the Italian Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first radio signal from Bar to Bari.

How to get to the resort in Sveti Stefan

The most convenient way is to pre-book a transfer from the airport (from €35 for a passenger car) or take a cab. You can also use public transportation — after leaving the airport, go to the nearest bus stop and wait for the bus heading towards Budva. In Budva you will need to change buses to Sveti Stefan resort. It will take you a total of one and a half hours to get there.

Kotor

At different times in its history it was under the rule of the Roman Empire, the Venetian Republic, Austria-Hungary, Italy... As a result of this mix of cultures, a unique city was formed, where you should definitely visit if you are in Montenegro.

Pros of the resort:

• beautiful Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
• most of the restaurants and cafes are located in old buildings;
• even in season the town is very clean, despite the abundance of tourists.

Minuses of the resort:

• the city is a port city, cruise boats and yachts are parked at the pier, so the water is quite dirty.

Kotor sights and surroundings

1. St. John's Fortress, built by the Venetians. We warn you right away: climbing the fortress will replace your workout — you will have to climb 1400 steps. But trust us, the view from the top is definitely worth the effort!
2. Old Town. A labyrinth of narrow streets lined with houses of XII-XIV centuries. On one of the squares stands the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. Around the corners are hidden real treasures: the Church of St. Luke (XIII century), the Church of St. Anne (XII century), the Church of St. Mary (XIII century), the Church of Our Lady of Healing (XV century), Napoleon Theater (XIX century).
3. Perast. According to official data only 300 people live here, the city has long ago turned into a kind of open-air museum. On a relatively small territory there are 17 palaces and 16 churches (you can enter only 3 of them). There are numerous oyster farms in the vicinity, so it is cheaper to try seafood here than in Budva.

How to get to Kotor

There are buses from Budva to Kotor. The journey takes about half an hour and the ticket costs from €3.5 one way. By car you can get there a little faster — about 20 minutes.

Where to Relax in Montenegro?

If you are planning a family vacation with children or parents and want to find a quiet and secluded spot, choose Sveti Stefan or Herceg Novi. Those who can’t imagine a holiday without nightlife will definitely enjoy Budva. If you want to combine beach relaxation with exploring Montenegro’s natural beauty, come to Ulcinj. And the historic town of Kotor awaits those who want to take a break from swimming and sunbathing for a day and dive into the country’s history.

Useful Information

• Currency: Euro. You can exchange dollars, but the rate is usually unfavorable. Most restaurants, shops, and bars in resort towns accept cards.
• Beach season: lasts from late April to late October. During this period, the sea temperature ranges from +18 to +25°C, and the air temperature ranges from +20 to +25°C.
• International airports: there are two: in the capital Podgorica and in Tivat. The second is convenient for those heading to the coast (located only 20 km from Budva and 10 km from Kotor).