While the center of Montenegro's resort tourism may not be primarily designed for shopping tours, it's entirely possible to combine a beach holiday in Budva with some enjoyable shopping experiences.
The streets of the Old Town in Budva are lined with a variety of stores where you can find everything you need for your vacation, including fashionable clothing, unique gifts, home appliances, and souvenirs to commemorate your trip.
Where to Shop in Budva
Most shops in Budva typically operate for 12 hours a day, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Some may have a midday break for a few hours. While a few outlets might close on Sundays, larger resort towns often have stores open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Here are some of the most visited stores, boutiques, and supermarkets by tourists in Budva:
- Mega Supermarket Chain
The largest retail chain with four stores in the city, offering locally produced food, including a wide assortment of cheeses, bakery products, deli meats, Montenegrin wine, and a variety of vegetables and fruits available year-round.
- Cosmetics-Market and Aroma Market
Supermarkets specializing in perfumes and cosmetics, providing a broad range of beauty products.
- Paradiso Outlet
Located in the center of Budva, on the highway.
- Boutiques
Many boutiques can be found on Mediteranska Street and 22 Novembra.
- Marković and Leandro
Jewelry salons situated in the Old Town, offering exclusive, artistically crafted jewelry for sale.
- Burberry
A store where you can purchase quality women's perfumery, conveniently located in the Old Town.
- Budva Leather & Fur
This shop specializes in high-quality leather goods.
- Top Shop Budva
A store where you can find a wide variety of branded accessories.
- Pirates Candy Shop
This shop offers a delightful selection of sweets and candies.
- Mesara Budva
A place to purchase various meat products.
- Scarlet
Designed primarily for women, Scarlet provides fashionistas with designer clothing and exquisite accessories. You can discover exclusive, hand-finished garments here.
- Butik Fantastika
This boutique offers new swimsuits, tunics, beach shoes, and a range of accessories such as scarves and bags.
- Imagine Leather
Imagine Leather is a store specializing in leather clothing and accessories from Turkey. It boasts a wide selection of leather jackets for both women and men, belts, bags, and wallets.
Trade Center
Budva is home to a shopping center known as TQ Plaza, which opened its doors in 2011. This shopping center is conveniently situated not far from the central Old Town and offers a variety of boutiques with both affordable and branded clothing.
TQ Plaza Shopping Center Infrastructure:
- Shops offering clothing, cosmetics, and more.
- Cafes and restaurants.
- One hotel.
While there's only one large shopping mall in Budva, you'll find numerous specialized stores and several boutiques featuring Italian clothing or high-quality replicas.
Markets in the City
Budva features bustling markets with a wide array of seafood and various homemade items, including souvenirs.
The most visited food market is the Marco Polo complex, conveniently located in the city center near the Adriatic highway.
Market operating hours in Budva typically run from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, with markets closing at 1:00 PM on Sundays.
Peculiarities of Shopping in Montenegro
Price Policy
In Montenegro, you can purchase quality goods at more affordable prices compared to Ukraine or Russia, often saving 10-20%.
- Clothing and Footwear
Tourists often notice the advantages of buying clothing and shoes in Montenegro. You can find branded jeans for around 40 EUR, dresses for 20-30 EUR, and Italian-made shoes for 70-100 EUR. Leather handbags are available for 50-70 EUR.
- Children's Goods
Montenegro is also a favorable place to buy children's goods, with potential savings of up to 50%.
- Food
Prices for food products are similar to those in Ukraine, but the quality of local food is notably higher. You can purchase vegetables, fruits, herbs, homemade cheeses, and Montenegrin wines.
Discounts
Sales are common in Montenegrin stores, offering substantial discounts of up to 30-50% off regular prices. To catch significant sales, consider visiting Budva at the end of the tourist season, especially in late August. You can also find various items at substantial discounts in January, February, and March.
VAT Refund
Unlike some European countries with Tax-Free points at the border for VAT refunds, the procedure in Montenegro is somewhat more complex.
VAT refund procedure:
- When you make a purchase
at a Montenegrin store, obtain a form from the store certifying the transaction.
- Present the form at customs
(it must be stamped) when leaving Montenegro.
- Present the stamped form
at the store when you visit the country again.
Several conditions must be met to claim a VAT refund:
- The purchase amount
must be at least 100 EUR in a single transaction.
- You must have a completed form
certifying the purchase and a bill from the store.
- Return to the shop
must occur no later than three months after the purchase.
Since not all stores support VAT refunds, it's advisable to inquire about this option before making expensive purchases.
What to Buy in Montenegro
Besides the usual souvenirs, you can also find various antiques: old paintings, dishes, antique furniture, etc. To purchase such items, you can explore the tents located along the waterfront.
Here are some other souvenirs you can buy:
- National Clothing
- Traditional Headdresses "Kapa"
These round caps adorned with gold embroidery are popular souvenirs among tourists.
- Traditional Women's Belt "Chemere"
These beautifully embroidered belts often feature semi-precious stones.
- Original Seashells and Statuettes Made from Them
Local craftsmen create remarkable artworks from seashells, making for memorable souvenirs.
- Smoked Ham "Pršut"
- Montenegrin Wine
Montenegro offers a fine selection of white and red wines made from Krstač and Vranac grapes.
- Homemade Olive Oil
Montenegro is known for producing some of the best olive oil in Europe, with a unique flavor resulting from traditional production methods and good ecology.
- Orthodox Icon
Inexpensive icons from the country's Orthodox monasteries often attract the attention of believers and some purchase them for good luck.
- Quality Knitwear
You can find garments from various manufacturers, including options from Italy, Turkey, China, and India.
- Monastery Honey from Ostrog or Morachi
Fashion enthusiasts can shop for seasonal clothing from various manufacturers, ranging from budget options to expensive branded items, as well as cosmetics.
Many vacationers from Budva choose to go shopping in Podgorica or Bar, where you can find inexpensive clothing and shoes from Italian designers.
