Budva is Montenegro's premier beach destination — a compact fortified old town on a small peninsula, surrounded by 35 km of riviera beaches, with the iconic Sveti Stefan island hotel visible from the coast road. In summer it is lively and crowded; in May or September it is near-perfect. Driving from Skopje to Budva is a full day's journey, best done as part of a Kotor–Budva loop rather than a standalone trip.
Distance and Drive Time
Skopje to Budva: approximately 545–580 km depending on route
Drive time: 7–8.5 hours including border crossings
Kotor to Budva: 25 km | 30 minutes
These two cities are naturally paired. Most travelers combine them in a 3–4 day Montenegro itinerary.
The Route
Via Albania and Montenegro (Recommended)
Skopje → Tetovo → Albania border (Blato/Qafe Thane) →
Peshkopi → Tirana bypass → Shkoder →
Montenegro border (Muriqan/Bozaj) → Podgorica →
Kotor → Budva
Total: ~565 km | Drive time: ~7.5 hours | Borders: 2
The most scenic route — Albanian Alps, Lake Shkoder, the Bay of Kotor before continuing to Budva. Stop in Kotor first, then drive the 25 km coastal road to Budva.
Via Serbia
Skopje → Tabanovce border → Vranje → Nis →
Serbia/Montenegro border at Ranče →
Bijelo Polje → Podgorica → Budva
Total: ~560 km | Drive time: ~8 hours | Borders: 2
Faster on motorway sections but less scenic. Requires Green Card for Serbia.
Insurance: Green Card Zone 2
Montenegro requires Green Card Zone 2 (€70 per rental), which covers Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and all Zone 1 countries.
Documents required at each border:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Vehicle registration
- Green Card certificate
- Authorization letter from Relax Rent a Car
Budva: What to See
Old Town (Stari Grad)
Budva's old town occupies a small rocky peninsula connected to the mainland. Venetian walls (originally Byzantine, rebuilt in the 15th century) enclose a warren of narrow streets, Orthodox churches, and cafe terraces facing the sea.
Key sights:
- Citadel — the fortified tower at the tip of the peninsula, with panoramic views of the Budva Riviera and the mountains behind. Small museum inside. Entry fee applies
- Holy Trinity Church — 19th-century church in the old town square; the most prominent religious building in Budva
- St. Ivan Church — older church (9th century, rebuilt later) near the citadel with a treasury of medieval icons
- Old Town walls — a 10-minute walk along the entire circumference of the walls; excellent sea views in both directions
Practical: The old town is pedestrianized. Parking is outside the walls — use the main car park to the north of the town. In July–August the old town fills with day-trippers from afternoon onwards; mornings are calmer.
Budva Riviera Beaches
The Budva Riviera extends 35 km from Becici in the north to Buljarica in the south. The main beaches near Budva town:
- Mogren Beach — two small coves just outside the old town walls, accessible by a coastal path. The most atmospheric beach near Budva; no umbrellas for hire, just rock shelves and clear water
- Becici Beach — 2 km east of Budva, the longest sandy beach on the riviera; organized beach clubs with sunbeds and bars
- Jaz Beach — 4 km west of Budva; a large crescent bay popular with kitesurfers; less developed than Becici; site of major music festivals in summer
Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is a 15th-century village on a small island, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. The entire island was converted into a luxury hotel (Aman Resorts) in the 1950s; it is closed to non-guests but the view from the coastal road above is the most recognizable image in Montenegro.
Viewpoint: The best view is from the roadside overlook 500 m north of the causeway. Stop for 10 minutes and take photographs — there is nowhere better to view the island.
Milocer Beach — immediately south of the Sveti Stefan causeway; a curved bay with clear water and pine trees. One of the best swimming beaches on the riviera.
Petrovac
25 km south of Budva. A quieter beach town with a small medieval fortress, pine forest, and a calm bay that remains less crowded than Budva even in peak season. If you find Budva overwhelming, Petrovac offers a similar experience at half the noise level.
4-Day Kotor–Budva Road Trip from Skopje
Day 1: Skopje to Kotor
Drive via Albania and Montenegro. Arrive Kotor in the afternoon. Walk the old town. Overnight in Kotor.
Day 2: Kotor and Bay of Kotor
Full day: Perast and the island churches (boat to Our Lady of the Rocks), Kotor city walls hike (1,355 steps to the fortress at the top). Evening in Kotor old town.
Day 3: Budva
Drive the 25 km coastal road to Budva (30 minutes). Morning in Budva old town before the crowds arrive. Afternoon: Mogren Beach or Becici Beach. Evening drive to Sveti Stefan viewpoint for sunset.
Day 4: Petrovac + Lovcen + Return to Skopje
Morning: Petrovac (1 hour). Afternoon: Lovćen National Park serpentine road (25 hairpin bends up from Kotor, panorama from the Njegoš Mausoleum at 1,749 m). Evening: begin the drive back to Skopje. Return via Podgorica and Albania, ~7 hours.
Practical Information
Currency: Montenegro uses the Euro (EUR) despite not being an EU member state. No currency exchange needed.
Accommodation: Budva old town hotels book up weeks in advance in July–August. Guesthouses in Becici and Petrovac are cheaper and have better availability. Book early for summer travel.
Parking in Budva: Paid parking outside the old town walls. The old town is pedestrianized. Blue zone parking on approach roads. Peak season: 1–2 EUR/hour.
Beaches: Most organized beach clubs charge for sunbeds in summer. Free sections of beach exist at Mogren, Jaz, and parts of Becici.
Montenegro speed limits: Motorways 100 km/h, open roads 80 km/h, urban 50 km/h. Traffic police active on coastal roads in summer.
Emergency: Police 122, Ambulance 124, Fire 123.
Recommended Vehicle
Economy cars work for Budva and the coast road. For the Lovćen serpentine road or mountain detours to Durmitor National Park, the Dacia Duster 4x4 handles both the steep switchbacks and unpaved national park roads.
Book Your Montenegro Road Trip
Pick up at Skopje Airport with Green Card Zone 2 documentation included. Write "Montenegro/Budva" in your booking notes.
Questions? Call or WhatsApp: +389 71 390 627
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Budva from Skopje by car? Approximately 390–420 km, taking 5–5.5 hours via Albania (recommended scenic route) or 5.5–6 hours via Serbia and Montenegro. Budva is 25 km south of Kotor Bay — most visitors combine the two on the same trip.
What is the best time to visit Budva? May–June and September–October offer the best balance of warm weather, open beaches, and manageable crowds. July–August is peak season: beaches are packed, accommodation is expensive, and traffic in the old town can be congested. Off-season (November–April) the old town is quieter but many beach restaurants are closed.
Is Sveti Stefan accessible to visitors? The Sveti Stefan island hotel is private (Aman Resorts) — non-guests cannot enter the island itself. However, the viewpoints along the coastal road above the causeway offer the classic photographs of the island. The beach on the public side of the causeway (Sveti Stefan beach) is accessible.
Do I need a vignette or toll sticker to drive in Montenegro? No. Montenegro has no toll stickers or vignettes. Roads are generally free. The exception is the Sozina Tunnel between Podgorica and Bar (18 km), which charges €4.50. Motorway tolls also apply on some sections of the Bar–Boljare motorway.
What currency does Montenegro use? Euro (EUR). Montenegro uses the Euro without being an EU member — it adopted the currency unilaterally in 2002. No currency exchange is needed when arriving from the Eurozone. Credit cards are widely accepted in Budva's tourist areas.
