🗺️ What to see in Becici, Budva and Kotor: beaches, walls and the old town

Montenegro is open to tourists without a visa and without a long flight. In summer there is no rainy season here, which ruins vacations in the Caribbean, and the Adriatic water is refreshing even in the heat.

On the coast near Budva, it is easy to put together a calm week. Becici is about two kilometers from Budva (on the map) and handles the beach part, Budva offers the old town and nightlife, Kotor adds the bay, fortress walls, and cats. Below you will find the route, prices, beaches, and honest catches of this vacation.

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Becici: a quiet resort near Budva

💡 In short:

Becici suits those who want a quiet beach and evening walks, not bars until morning.
It is easy to walk to the old town of Budva, so you do not need a car in the village.

Becici stretches along a wide pebble strip two kilometers from Budva. Hotels, shops, and cafes are a couple of minutes from the water, so a car only gets in the way here.

The village works for different scenarios. During the day it is water activities and calm loungers, in the evening walks along the promenade and open-air dinners. The center of Budva is noisier and more expensive, Becici is quieter and cheaper.

You can walk to Budva in about half an hour along the promenade or take a taxi for a few euros.

How to get there from Podgorica airport

You get to Becici via Tivat airport or via Podgorica. Tivat is closer to the coast, Podgorica is farther, but there are noticeably more flights there.

Podgorica Airport terminal with Aerodrom Podgorica sign

From the airport, the most convenient option is to book an organized transfer: the driver meets you with a sign, and the price is fixed in advance. Airport transfer on Kiwitaxi works well if you do not want to look for a taxi on the spot.

Public transport is cheaper, but it goes with a change in Budva. A taxi from Podgorica airport costs several times more than the bus, but it takes you right to the hotel.

Becici beaches: a pebble strip and clean water

The beach in Becici is pebbly and wide, and the water in the Adriatic is clean. Even in the heat, swimming is refreshing. Bring a towel and a bottle of water with you.

Becici pebble beach with umbrellas and the sea

You can feel the pebbles under your bare feet, so water shoes will come in handy. Near the shore it is shallow, but after a few meters the depth increases quickly: children and unsure swimmers should stay in the shallow water.

Part of the shore is reserved for hotels, and you cannot put your own towel there. Look for public access areas. Loungers and umbrellas are paid here, so cash will be useful. Bars are nearby and sell hot corn from the morning.

Hotels in Becici on Trip.com help you choose accommodation a step from the beach, without moving around the whole coast.

What to see in Becici

Besides the beach, Becici has calm spots for a walk. In the evening, music plays on the promenade, carousels and vendors are working, and during the day it is quiet here.

The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle stands on a rise above the beach, among pines and cypresses. The first church on this site dates back to the 14th century, and the current building was built in 1910 (as of: TripLinkHub). On a hot day, it is pleasant to stand in the shade on the small grounds of the church.

An old olive tree grows in an olive garden not far from the village, and a path leads right to it. On the way back, stop by the old mill: it is now a museum with free entry, and all the tools are labeled.

A pedestrian tunnel connects Becici and Budva. Walking through it is faster than going around, and inside you can look at the caricatures on the walls.

Want some variety? Take a boat trip, a jet ski, or a paragliding flight. Diving and trips to neighboring Albania can be booked through local agencies.

What to see in Budva: the old town and the citadel

The old town of Budva stands on a small spit and is considered the heart of the city. A town existed here back in antiquity, and the fortress walls were built in the 15th century. Once the old town was all of Budva, with a population of about a thousand residents. Now it is pleasant to walk here during the day along the winding streets and browse souvenir shops, and in the evening the lighting turns the quarters into a film set.

The Citadel occupies the area inside the old walls. It is a whole complex: gates, the ruins of the Church of St. Mary, squares, fortress walls, and former barracks buildings. Inside, there is a gallery and the Budva Museum with rare books, maps, ceramics, coins, and ship models. A restaurant is open on the ground floor, and the observation deck offers views of the city and the sea.

The Church of the Holy Virgin Mary should not be confused with the ruins inside the Citadel. It is built directly into the fortress wall. It has an irregular rectangular shape and an unusual side entrance. Today the church is no longer active and operates as a museum.

The Church of St. John is considered the oldest church in Budva. It houses the icon of the Mother of God with Christ, known as the Budva Mother of God. According to tradition, it protected the city from disasters, diseases, and pirates.

The Church of the Holy Trinity is built in the Byzantine style and is best seen from the Citadel observation deck.

The sculpture "Dancer from Budva" has become the city's calling card. There is a tradition of touching it and making a wish.

Mogren Beach lies about a twenty-minute walk from the old town along a scenic path. In the evening, Budva turns into a club city: it is easy to find both a quiet dinner and a lively party here.

Budva and coast tours on GetYourGuide are useful if you want to explore the surroundings with a guide.

What to see in Kotor: the bay, the walls, and the cats

Kotor sits on the shore of the Bay of Kotor, and its old town is about two thousand years old. Towers, churches, and palaces hide behind the walls, and the entire area together with the bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as of: Kotor Fortress).

Panorama of the Bay of Kotor with mountains and sea

The Gurdich Gate, or South Gate, greets those walking to the old town from the bus station. It is the only gate with a drawbridge and a 13th-century fortification monument. There are also the Sea Gate and the River Gate.

The streets of Kotor are winding, and you can wander them for hours, looking at the houses and taking photos. There are about nine squares in the city, and cats bask in each one.

There are about as many temples and churches within the walls, but due to frequent earthquakes they have come down to us rebuilt.

Hotels in Kotor on Trip.com are worth checking if you want to base yourself by the bay rather than on the beach.

Restaurants in Becici and in the old towns

Becici promenade at night with hotel lights

The old towns of Budva and Kotor have many small restaurants. Pick any one that appeals to you: the food is decent everywhere here, and you won't have to hunt for something special.

And in Becici, it is worth stopping by Atlantic: the food is tasty and the service is polite, and lemons grow in the courtyard by the tables. Be sure to try the local wine.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where to stay: in Becici or in Budva?

Becici is quieter and cheaper, the beach is a stone's throw from the hotels, and you can walk to Budva along the promenade. Budva suits those who want to be in the center of the action and nightlife. Families more often choose Becici, groups of friends choose Budva.

Do you need a car in Becici?

No, a car is more of a hindrance here. You can walk to the beach, shops, and cafes, and to Budva too. People rent a car if they plan to cover the whole coast and the mountains. For a short beach trip it only adds parking hassle.

How to get to Kotor without a car?

Buses run from Budva to Kotor, the trip takes about 45 minutes, and a ticket costs from €3.50 (as of: 2026, GjirafaTravel). Budva bus station is located near the old town. It is best to check the schedule on site, as there are more departures in summer.

How much does it cost to enter the Budva Citadel?

Entry to the Citadel is paid and costs about €4 (as of: 2026, Tripadvisor). A nice bonus: the view of the sea and the old town from the observation deck. Payment is at the entrance, so bring cash.

When is the best time to go to Becici?

High season falls in July and August, when the water is warmest and the beaches are full. In June and September the heat is milder, the sea is still comfortable, and prices are lower. For a quiet vacation, choose early June or the second half of September.

Tours and tickets in Becici

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Kiwitaxi

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In short: what to book

If you have four or five days and no car: stay in Bečići, walk to Budva, take the bus to Kotor. If you want more quiet, choose hotels on the second line from the beach. With kids, pick the stretch of beach closer to the center of Bečići, where the water entry is gentler.

See hotels in Bečići on Trip.com

Becici, Budva and Kotor: a relaxed Adriatic holiday without a car