Walk around Old Budva and you will feel the soul of the main tourist center of Montenegro! Find out how the Old Town was built, the main monuments and ticket prices.
History of the Old Town in Budva
According to legend, Budva was founded by the Phoenician prince Cadmus. He was expelled from Greece, found refuge on the shores of the Adriatic, and 2500 years ago he built the settlement of Budua here - the future Budva.
The old town appeared in the 15th century. Over the centuries, it has belonged to different empires and states. From the outbreak of World War II until 1944, this part of the coast was Italian, and then became part of Yugoslavia.
The most destructive event in the history of Budva is the 1979 earthquake of 7 magnitude. Many buildings were destroyed, but by 1987 Old Budva was completely restored. Today, the historical monument of Montenegro is protected by UNESCO.
Budva Old Town Map
Attractions of the Old Town of Budva
Walking the cobbled streets is a lot of fun! Look at the wonderful examples of Venetian architecture, breathe in the aroma of coffee and fresh pastries from local cafes, and you will easily fall in love with Budva! We also advise you to come here in the evening to see the old buildings in the rays of spectacular lighting.
Fortress walls of Budva ... The horseshoe-shaped walls were built to protect the city from Turkish raids. Surprisingly, a little over a century ago, the whole of Budva was located behind the fortress wall, and only 1000 people lived in the city. The fortress offers amazing views of the Budva Riviera! Wall entrance costs 3.5 euros.
Citadel ... The ancient landmark of Budva appeared in the 9th century and was rebuilt many times. See the towers, bastions, and staircases that the soldiers walked up. The barracks of the citadel, which was built by the Austrians in 1836, is very impressive. The entrance costs 3.5 euros.
Several Orthodox and Catholic churches have survived in Old Budva. They are allowed to enter any of them free of charge.
St john's cathedral - Gothic church of the 7th century, where the famous icon of Our Lady of Budva is located. Admire the tall bell tower and the Murano glass mosaic depicting John the Baptist.
Temple of Santa Maria in Punta not valid. There is excellent acoustics inside the building, so concerts are held here.
Church of the Holy Trinity - Orthodox Church, which was erected in 1804.
Church of St. Sava - the oldest Orthodox church in Budva. It is perfectly integrated into the fortress wall.
Archaeological Museum ... To get acquainted with the finds that have been discovered on the Adriatic coast, go to the museum. The four-story building displays ancient coins, ceramics, jewelry and ancient weapons. The entrance costs 2.5 euros.
Old library - a unique landmark of the Old Town of Budva. The cultural complex includes a rich collection of books, a summer theater, a maritime museum, a cafeteria and a restaurant with beautiful sea views.
Gallery of contemporary art - a collection of works by artists from Montenegro and the former Yugoslavia.
Find out more about the sights of Budva.
How to get there
The old town is located on a small peninsula, behind powerful fortress walls. Five gates lead to its territory. It is easy to walk from the bus station of Budva to the historical part in 20 minutes.
