The Budva Riviera stretches roughly 35 kilometres of coastline from Jaz Beach in the west to Buljarica Bay beyond Petrovac in the south. The water is consistently clear, the mix of sand and fine pebble varies from beach to beach, and the infrastructure — sunbed hire, showers, lifeguards in season — is solid on the main stretches. But the beaches are not interchangeable. Some suit families with small children, others attract party crowds, and a few feel wild enough that you might have a cove to yourself. Here is a breakdown of what to expect from each.
Mogren Beach
Best for: couples, photography, swimming in clear water
Mogren is two connected coves cut into the limestone cliffs just west of the Old Town walls. To reach it, walk through the main gate, turn right along the clifftop path, and follow the concrete walkway for about five minutes. The path itself is worth the visit — it hugs the rock face above the sea with views back toward the Old Town skyline.
The first cove has a sunbed section and a small bar selling drinks and snacks. A rock tunnel connects it to the second cove, which is wider and slightly less crowded. The tunnel and the surrounding rock formations are among the most photographed spots in Budva.
Water depth: Drops off gradually from the shore, making it manageable for families. The seabed is pebbly rather than sandy, so reef shoes help. Near the rock walls the water deepens quickly — keep children close in those areas.
Timing: Mogren faces west, so it gets afternoon and evening sun. In July and August it fills up by mid-morning. Arriving before 10am or after 4pm gives you the best chance of finding space without a reservation.
Slovenska Beach
Best for: convenience, beach bars, being close to town
Slovenska is Budva's main strip — roughly 1.5 kilometres of mixed sand and pebble running parallel to the promenade. Hotels, restaurants, and beach bars line the back of the beach for its full length. It is the most accessible beach in the area, sitting directly below the town centre with no walk required beyond crossing the promenade.
The beach is divided into managed sections, each operated by a different bar or hotel. Sunbed hire runs around €10–15 per set depending on the section and the time of season. Between the managed sections there are free public stretches where you can lay a towel.
Slovenska is busy, occasionally loud, and fully equipped — showers, changing rooms, toilets, and food within arm's reach. If you want to be in the middle of everything, this is your beach.
Tip: Walk to the eastern end toward Bečići for a quieter stretch. The sunbed density thins out and the water is noticeably cleaner where the crowds drop off.
Jaz Beach
Best for: space, waves, music events, a more relaxed atmosphere
Jaz sits 3 kilometres west of Budva town, reached by car, bicycle, or the summer shuttle bus that runs from the main bus station. A taxi from central Budva costs around €5–7. The beach is a wide, open bay roughly 1.2 kilometres long, divided by a rocky outcrop into a larger section and a smaller, quieter cove on the southern end.
The sand here is finer than in Budva proper. Even on peak summer weekends the beach is large enough to find space, particularly if you walk beyond the main sunbed area. Jaz has hosted major concerts and music festivals — it is one of the few beaches on this coast with the space and infrastructure for large events.
Beach bars and watersports operators are set up along the main section from June to September. Jet ski hire, paddleboard rental, and parasailing are all available. There is a car park behind the beach (€3–5 per day in summer) and a few basic restaurants near the entrance.
Water: The bay is more exposed than the sheltered coves closer to town. On windy days Jaz gets small waves — unusual for this coast and popular with beginner surfers and bodyboarders.
Bečići Beach
Best for: families, resort-style days, long walks along the sand
Bečići is 4 kilometres east of Budva, accessible by car, bus, or a 30-minute walk along the coastal path from Slovenska Beach. The beach has won the European Blue Flag award multiple times for water quality and facilities. The sand is finer than most Montenegrin beaches — closer to what you would find in Greece or southern Italy.
The beach is clean, well-maintained, and backed by several large resort hotels including the Splendid Conference & Spa Resort. Sunbed hire is standard across the managed sections. There are beach volleyball courts, a few inflatable water parks for children, and enough restaurants and cafés along the back that you don't need to leave the beach all day.
Bečići is less wild than Jaz and less hectic than Slovenska. It suits families and anyone wanting a reliable, comfortable beach day without surprises.
Getting there: The coastal promenade connecting Slovenska to Bečići is paved and flat, passing through a short tunnel carved into the rock. It is a pleasant walk in the early morning or evening.
Sveti Stefan Coves
Best for: snorkelling, photography, escaping the crowds
The coves around the Sveti Stefan island sit 10 kilometres south of Budva. The main public beach is below the road, reached by a staircase, and flanked by rock formations on both sides. Two smaller coves are accessible via footpaths heading south from the main beach.
The water here is some of the clearest on the Montenegrin coast. Visibility regularly reaches 10–15 metres close to shore, making it the best spot on the Riviera for snorkelling without a boat. The seabed is rocky with patches of sand, and small fish are abundant around the rock edges.
The scenery is the real draw — the fortified island behind you, the pine-covered hillside above, and the open Adriatic ahead. It is the most photographed view on the entire coast.
Note: The beach immediately in front of the Aman Sveti Stefan resort is private and reserved for hotel guests. The public beach is adjacent and clearly signposted. There is a small car park at the top of the hill (€2–3) and a few restaurants on the road above.
Ričardova Glava
Best for: quick swims, sunset drinks, Old Town proximity
This small beach sits directly beneath the walls of Budva's Old Town, just below the Citadel. It is tiny — perhaps 50 metres of pebble and rock — but the location is hard to beat. You can walk off the beach and be at a restaurant table in the Old Town within two minutes.
A bar operates on the beach in summer, and there is a small sunbed section. The water is deep enough for good swimming just a few metres from shore. Because of its size it fills quickly, but it is a convenient option if you are spending the day in the Old Town and want a swim without travelling.
Practical Notes
Parking: Limited and expensive near the main beaches in summer, particularly Slovenska and Mogren. The Jaz car park is the most spacious. Arriving before 9am or using the local bus avoids the worst of it.
Sunbed hire: Typical cost is €10–15 per set (umbrella plus two sunbeds) per day. Prices are higher on Slovenska and lower at Jaz and the southern beaches. Some sections are free — look for gaps between the managed zones.
Water safety: All main beaches have lifeguards in July and August. The smaller coves — Mogren's second beach, the Sveti Stefan footpath coves — generally do not. Swim at your own judgement in those areas.
Blue Flag status: Bečići, Mogren, and Jaz have all held Blue Flag certification for water quality in recent years. This is tested annually and conditions can vary, but these three consistently score well.
Season: The beach season runs from late May to mid-September. Sunbed operators and beach bars open around the start of June and close by the end of September. Swimming is possible into October if the weather holds, but facilities will be shut.
Browse our full beaches directory for photos, directions, and tips on every beach in the Budva area.
