Budva Old Town: How to Visit, What to See and Tips

Last updated: May 2026

Budva Old Town is a natural stop on an itinerary along Montenegro's coastline. Enclosed by walls beside the Adriatic, the historic quarter brings together stone streets, churches, squares, restaurants, cafés, shops and views over the water.

Also known as Stari Grad, the Old Town is Budva's historic centre. Its stone streets and churches contrast with the beaches, modern districts and nightlife, although all of these areas can be combined in the same day.

The Old Town is explored on foot and does not require a rigid route. A few hours allow time for the alleys, walls, churches and Citadel before continuing along the marina or towards Mogren Beach.

How to include the Old Town in your Budva itinerary

The Old Town can be visited during a walk through central Budva. If you're staying in the center, near Slovenska Beach or the marina, you can arrive on foot and start the outing along the outside of the walls.

Allow between 2 and 4 hours to explore the Old City calmly. The time needed depends on whether you go into the Citadel, stop at cafés or restaurants and combine the visit with the marina or Mogren Beach.

One suggestion is to start at the marina, enter the Old Town and wander the stone streets without a fixed route. Along the way, include the Holy Trinity Church, St. Ivan Church, the squares and the stretches close to the walls.

If you'd like an indoor attraction, visit the Budva Citadel. After exploring the historic center, the itinerary can continue at Mogren Beach, close to the Old City, or along Budva's waterfront and marina.

What is Budva Old Town?

Budva Old Town, also called Stari Grad, is the city's walled historic center. Set on a small peninsula by the sea, it concentrates some of Budva's oldest and most photogenic buildings.

Inside the walls are narrow stone streets, churches, squares, restaurants, shops, galleries, guesthouses and passages leading to spots with views over the Adriatic.

The area is small and meant to be explored on foot. Instead of rushing through a checklist of places, take the walk slowly, wander into the alleys and look at the facades, the squares and the details of the Old City.

How to get to Budva Old Town

The Old Town sits in a central, touristy part of Budva, close to the marina, Mogren Beach and the waterfront.

The main ways to get there are:

• Walking along the waterfront: the simplest option if you're staying in central Budva, near Slovenska Beach or the marina
• Taxi or local transport: an alternative if you're staying in Becici, Rafailovici or Petrovac
• Car: you can drive to the area, but parking is outside the Old Town
• Trip from Kotor: an option if you're visiting Budva on a day trip or coastal tour

Cars don't circulate inside the Old City. After reaching one of the entrances, the entire visit is done on foot through the narrow stone streets.

How to plan your visit to Budva Old Town

The outing can start at the marina and along the outside of the walls. Then enter through one of the Old City's gates and continue through the stone streets, squares and alleys.

During the walk, pass the Holy Trinity Church and St. Ivan Church. The churches are among the historic center's most striking buildings and fit naturally into the route.

Keep exploring the passages near the walls and the spots with views over the Adriatic. Since the area is small, there's no need to follow a fixed circuit or walk in a hurry.

The Budva Citadel can be included as a separate visit inside the Old Town. The fortification has a small museum and panoramic terraces overlooking the sea.

After finishing the walk through the historic center, return to the marina area or continue to Mogren Beach. This combination brings Budva's historic side and coastal scenery together in the same outing.

The route can include:

• Stone streets: alleys, facades, small restaurants and different passages inside the Old City
• Budva walls: structures that help explain the city's historic shape and make beautiful photo spots
• Budva Citadel: historic fortification with a small museum and panoramic terraces
• Holy Trinity Church: Orthodox church set in one of the Old Town's most beautiful areas
• St. Ivan Church: one of the historic center's most striking churches
• Budva marina: area near the Old Town entrance, which can be visited before or after the walk
• Mogren Beach: nearby beach that can be combined with the Old City

The visit can be done without a guide. Walk calmly, stop for photos and set aside some time for the squares and alleys away from the busiest streets.

Tickets

Access to Budva Old Town is free. There's no ticket needed to enter through the Old City's gates, walk the streets, see the squares and look at the walls from outside.

The Budva Citadel has a separate ticket. The price is usually around €5 per person, although some references mention prices between €3.50 and €5.

The Holy Trinity Church is usually free to enter.

Montenegro uses the euro, so charges are in €. Prices can change with the season, local management and which attractions are open on the day. Confirm the fees before going in.

How much time to allow

Allow between 2 and 4 hours to visit Budva Old Town.

With about 2 hours, you can walk the main streets, look at the churches, pass the marina and make a few photo stops.

With 3 or 4 hours, the itinerary can include the Citadel, a break at a café or restaurant and a walk to Mogren Beach.

If you enjoy photography, it's also worth returning in the late afternoon, when the light over the old city and the sea is at its most pleasant.

Best time to visit

Each part of the day offers different conditions:

• Early morning: best option for finding the streets at their emptiest and walking in more pleasant temperatures
• Late afternoon: good light for photos and a pleasant seaside atmosphere
• Evening: a good option for the restaurants, bars and the Old Town's livelier side
• Midday: can be hotter and busier during summer

Early morning is the best time for exploring the historic quarter calmly. The late afternoon works better if you want to combine the visit with the marina, dinner or an evening walk through the Old City.

Practical tips

• Wear comfortable footwear, as the streets are stone
• Visit in the morning for fewer crowds
• Allow between 2 and 4 hours to explore the Old City
• Combine the Old Town with the marina and Mogren Beach
• Go into the Citadel if you want to see its terraces and the sea view
• Bring cash for small entry fees or cafés
• Walk without rushing and explore the alleys away from the main streets
• Expect more movement and heat during summer
• If you're staying in Kotor, Budva can be visited as a half-day or full-day trip

Suggested itinerary

Start the outing at Budva's marina and continue to one of the Old City's entrances. Walk the stone streets, see the squares and pass the Holy Trinity Church and St. Ivan Church.

Then explore the passages near the walls and decide whether to visit the Budva Citadel. Set aside time to wander the alleys calmly, without turning the visit into a rushed circuit.

When you leave the Old Town, continue along the marina or head to Mogren Beach. That way, the itinerary combines Budva's historic side with the waterfront and the Adriatic Sea on the same day.