Travel Guide
Montenegro
Budva on the Adriatic coast: Venetian-style streets, clear sea, views from the hills and the most expensive table in the Balkans. Prices in USD.
In short
Montenegro's tourist star is Budva: a 2,500-year-old town on the Adriatic coast. From a hostel on the hills the whole city, the sea and the islands lie at your feet.
The narrow, Venetian-style streets of the walled Old Town feel like a film set; but it is very crowded and souvenir prices are high. The sea is clear, the beaches are small and busy, and the water can be cold.
Portions are huge: a ćevapi plate for two at a local restaurant costs about $11. Because the euro is used, Montenegro was the most expensive of the Balkan countries visited; Budva is the most expensive city in the country.
Visa warning: Turkish citizens can still enter Montenegro visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 October 2026; from 1 November 2026 a visa is required. Other details that stand out: cats everywhere, Turkish-speaking tourists, concrete table-tennis tables and buildings climbing the mountains.
A day in Budva
From arrival to dinner, in order.
Early-morning bus station, then uphill
The bus reaches Budva bus station around 04:30 in the morning. You can doze in the terminal for a few hours until it gets light. Then you walk up the city's slopes to the hostel on the hill; the view gets better the higher you climb.
One of the highest spots in town: Hide Hostel
The hostel sits right on top of the hill; only two buildings stand above it. Even from here the beach below looks clear. A room is about $23 and a tent about $8. From the roof the city seems tucked between the mountains; almost the whole mountain opposite is built over. Behind the hostel there are pomegranate trees and tangerine or orange trees.
2,500-year-old walls, Venetian-style streets
The narrow streets of the ancient town feel like a film set. There is a tower that looks like a smaller version of the Galata Tower. Souvenir shops are packed and prices are high; inside the fortress there is a pizza place every 50 metres, with pizzas at about $4–6. It is very crowded; choose the quieter streets.
Clear water, cold sea
Walking along the coast is a pleasure; the water is sparkling over the rocks and fish touch your feet. The water at Budva beach looks clean. At Greko beach, however, the sand looks like construction sand and dirty water runs into the sea. Before the weather warms up the water is cold and the beaches are very crowded. Concrete table-tennis tables and a huge ship anchor stand out on the seafront.
Sveti Stefan and Hawaii Island
Short tours run from certain points in the city and take you to the islands opposite. Hawaii Island looks like just a piece of rock from a distance. You cannot enter Sveti Stefan: the entire historic settlement has been turned into a hotel.
Huge portions
In the evening, ćevapi at a local restaurant: 10 meatballs, enough for two. Because the euro is used, everything costs more than in neighbouring Balkan countries; choose local restaurants to keep the budget.
Places to see
The main stops in and around Budva.
Old Town (Stari Grad)
A 2,500-year-old walled ancient town. Venetian-style streets, a tower, souvenir shops and pizza places. Very crowded.
Sveti Stefan
Montenegro's famous island. You cannot go inside; the whole historic site has been turned into a hotel.
Hawaii Island and tours
Short tours from certain points in the city take you to the islands opposite. Hawaii Island looks like just a piece of rock from afar.
Budva Beach
The water looks clean and the sea is clear. The beach is crowded and the water can be cold.
Greko Beach
The sand looks like construction sand and dirty water runs into the sea. Better to choose another beach.
Hostel roof
One of the highest points in town. From here the city, the sea, the islands and the surrounding mountains fit in a single frame.
Little details
Odd and lovable things you notice in the city.
Cats
There are an incredible number of cats in the city. After Türkiye, the second country with the most cats among the countries visited.
Concrete table-tennis tables
Concrete table-tennis tables are lined up along the seafront.
Giant ship anchor
A real ship anchor. Looking at its size makes you wonder how many tons it weighs.
Hollow tree
A curious tree with an empty trunk and a concrete rock inside. How the concrete got there is a mystery.
Brand-free mall
There is not a single global brand in the shopping mall.
Deep blue sky
In sparsely populated, green countries the sky is bluer; Montenegro is one of them.
What to eat, how much does it cost?
Prices are in US dollars ($) and rounded. Budva is the most expensive city in Montenegro.
🍽️ Food and accommodation
| Ćevapi10 meatballs, for two · local restaurant | ~$11 |
| Ćevapitourist restaurant, seafront | ~$15 |
| Soupcheapest options | from $5 |
| PizzaOld Town | ~$4–6 |
| Cheapest hostel / hotelper night, Budva | ~$23 |
| Tenton the hostel roof | ~$8 |
Ćevapi is a shared dish of the Balkan countries; in Bosnia and Serbia it is known as kebab.
Photos
Good to know
Practical notes.
Visa: starts on 1 November 2026
Montenegro has aligned its visa regime with the EU. Turkish citizens (regular passport) can stay up to 30 days visa-free until 31 October 2026; from 1 November 2026 a visa will be required to enter. There are exemptions for holders of certain visas such as Schengen; check the current list with Montenegro's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel.
Plan for Sunday
On Sundays all malls and supermarkets are closed; do your shopping in advance.
Choose a local restaurant
The same ćevapi costs about $11 at a local place and about $15 at a tourist spot. At other restaurants you usually pay $5–6 more.
Portions are big
A plate of 10 meatballs is enough for two; sharing is both filling and economical.
Avoid the crowds
The Old Town and the beaches are very crowded. Choosing quieter streets makes for a more comfortable trip.
Look when choosing a beach
Budva beach looks clean; dirty water runs into the sea at Greko beach. The sea is cold before the weather warms up.
Be ready for hills
Cheap stays are usually on the hills. Comfortable shoes and light luggage matter.
One SIM, many countries
A SIM bought in the Balkans can pick up a network by itself after the border (one SIM covered about 5 countries). If you need a local package, 1 TB per month is about $23.
Budget warning: the most expensive stop in the Balkans
Because the euro is used, prices in Montenegro are clearly higher than in neighbouring Balkan countries; Budva is the most expensive city in the country. To keep the budget you need cheap local restaurants, supermarket shopping and a single SIM. From 1 November 2026 the visa fee and application process will be added on top.
Even so, Budva is worth visiting for the views, the clear sea and the old walls.
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