Budva holidays

Holidays to Budva are shaking things up on the Adriatic Riviera. With unspoilt beaches, a buzzing nightlife, plus a swanky harbour, Dubrovnik has some competition on its hands.

Adriatic chic

Everyone seems to be talking about Budva these days. Basking on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, this history-soaked town balances Dubrovnik’s good looks with the glitz of Saint-Tropez. It's got no shortage of celebrity fans, either – Novak Djokovic, Brad Pitt and Prince Albert of Monaco have all spent time here. Its Medieval town offers a cobbled oasis of Venetian houses, bell towers, and shady little piazzas. Meanwhile, the harbour’s impressive array of chic restaurants and al fresco nightclubs attracts the global jet-set crowd.

Beach life

The greater Budva area lines up 21 kilometres of coastline dotted with dinky bays and sandy stretches. There are 35 beaches in total, eight with Blue Flags. The closest – Mogren I and II – are just five minutes’ walk from the old town and line up secluded golden sands with a pine forest backdrop. They’re connected by a rocky passageway, although the Adriatic is so gentle you could just as easily swim from one to the other.

The old town

Budva’s main hub is its old town, officially known as Stari Grad. Jutting out in to the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, this ancient walled peninsula manages to pack in the Medieval Budva Citadel, the 7th-century Church of Sveti Trojica, and a feast of boutiques and craft shops. Once the sun’s gone down, it turns in to a bit of a nightlife diva with tonnes of vibrant bars and clubs cranking up the volume.

Close to Sveti Stefan

A 20-minute drive gets you to Sveti Stefan, one of the loveliest spots on the Adriatic coast. This chic private island of pastel-hued houses was a favourite of Hollywood legends Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe. It’s joined to the mainland by a slender beach of pink sand. Once across, you’ll find cobbled lanes, quaint courtyards, and a forest of olive and ancient cedar trees.