Budva and its Riviera

Budva is the lively heart of Montenegro's Adriatic coast, the centre of its Riviera and its summer buzz. At its core lies a charming, compact walled old town of Venetian stone lanes, churches and a citadel on a small peninsula, ringed by a string of beaches and coves that stretch along the coast. Beyond the historic core, it is a hub of resorts, beach bars and famously energetic nightlife, drawing summer crowds to its sands and clubs, a livelier counterpoint to serene Kotor.

What you actually see

• The old town - the walled Venetian old town and citadel.
• The beaches - the string of beaches and coves along the Riviera.
• The nightlife - the summer beach bars and clubs.
• The coastal walk - the path to Mogren beach and the coves.

When to go

May to June and September to October for warm weather and swimming without the peak summer crush; July and August bring the hottest weather, the biggest crowds and the liveliest nightlife, so time a visit to match whether you want the party or the calm.

Honest expectations

It is the most developed and crowded part of the coast, and in peak summer it is packed, with a party reputation that is either the appeal or a drawback; the shoulder seasons are far calmer. The beaches are pleasant but can be busy and pebbly, and some are reserved and charged. The lovely old town and the string of coves, though, make it an enjoyable coastal base.

Nearby

Sveti Stefan, Kotor and the coastal Riviera are close.