Montenegro is a destination on the rise. This once hidden gem has been well discovered, as more and more people come to see the beautiful, historic small towns wrapped in medieval stone walls and backed by mountainous fjords.
This charming country situated on the Adriatic Sea boasts many quaint, fortified towns filled with romantic architecture, friendly locals, a fascinating history, and surprisingly given the size, a thriving nightlife scene.
When people make plans to visit Montenegro, they are usually struck with the decision – should I stay in Kotor or Budva?
Streets of Kotor, Montenegro
Most people think of Kotor when they think of Montenegro, because it’s the place famously visited by cruise ships in the Bay of Kotor, but those looking for a quieter experience, tend to cast their eyes over the hill to the next town of Budva.
In short, Kotor is more touristy and busy, but has a wealth of history and is surrounded by natural mountainous beauty. There is a reason it’s the port destination for cruises, not just because of the port. Budva is a quieter destination, and trades grassy hills for sandy beaches and bustling nightlife.
If you’re struggling to decide between the two, the good news is they are only a 30 minute’ drive from each other, so you can definitely experience both on one trip.
But when it comes to picking a base, that’s where this guide, based on my personal experience staying in both places, will help you out…
Location of Kotor and Budva
Which is better for attractions?
As with any vacation, you’re going to want to cram in your days doing things. Fortunately, both Kotor and Budva have their merits when it comes to attractions.
In short, Budva is a great destination for travelers looking to experience a bit of everything, from historic landmarks to sandy beaches to boutique shopping, while Kotor has more historic attractions and cafes to explore.
To decide which is better for attractions, let’s take a look at them both.
Budva’s Attractions
Budva Old Town
The main attraction in Budva is Slovenska Beach, which is a clean and well-maintained sandy beach.
The coastal landscape around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Budva Old Town is also really beautiful, and it has the most unique cliff face I’ve ever seen, with sheer rocks looking as though they have been stacked on top of each other.
Along the coastal path, you’ll reach the statue of the Budva Dancing Girl, a bronze ballerina which represents an old myth in Montenegro about a sailor and a ballerina who fell in love, and every day she would wait by the shores for her long-lost love.
Budva Ballerina
Aside from the beaches, Budva also has a fortified Old Town. This is where you’ll find quaint cafes, boutique shops, and some top-class restaurants.
The Old Town is where the majority of the attractions are, such as the Museum of the City of Budva and The Church of Sveti Ivan.
Budva is also a great base for taking day trips, since there is a bus network that takes you from the town centre to Bar or other towns on the coastline.
A day trip you must take from Budva is to Cetinje, a beautiful historic town that was the former capital of Montenegro. Here you will see the old embassies, which are all nestled in colourful historic buildings. You can catch a bus from the bus station, or get an Uber and be there in 30-40 minutes.
From stunning beaches to historical sites, Budva is a quaint coastal town has a lot going for it. This is why when choosing a base in Montenegro to discover the country’s top attractions, Budva gets my vote.
Kotor’s Attractions
Square in Kotor Old Town
Although I personally prefer Budva as a destination for attractions, that’s not to say there’s nothing to see in Kotor.
Kotor has an epic landscape, and it’s this landscape that brings most travellers here.
Nestled next to Kotor Bay is a small town surrounded by mountains that looks like it has been picked out of the Fjords of Norway and dropped on the coast of Montenegro.
The walled Old Town is the biggest attraction in Kotor. The Kotor fortress has medieval architecture, churches, museums, and taverns. Wandering around the cobbled narrow streets and sipping espressos from a cafe in the squares makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.
The fortification of the city walls is very much intact, and if you like hiking, you can walk all the way to the top of the city bulwarks on Mt. Lovćen, which gives you an incredible view of the town below.
View of Kotor
Outside the old town, you can sit on Kotor Beach (a very small beach), or take a boat trip from the marina out to see the Blue Cave, Perast, and the Lady of the Rocks, or just walk along next to the water and admire the views.
You can also take a day trip to Dubrovnik in Croatia and Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Kotor – yes, you can day trip to another country! That’s the perks of visiting Montenegro, you are so close to other countries you can make it an entire Southern Europe trip.
At night, Kotor comes alive with bars, hostels, and clubs in the Old Town playing loud music until the early hours of the morning. It’s become a hot spot for vibrant nightlife and appeals to backpackers and young travellers.
Verdict: Budva has more attractions at its disposal, whereas Kotor’s attractions are arguably more beautiful. However, you could spend two days in Kotor and see it all, whereas in Budva you could stay a week. So, when it comes to Budva or Kotor for attractions, Budva wins.
Which is better for accommodation?
Finding a place to stay is never easy and fortunately, both Kotor or Budva have plenty of accommodation options.
To help you decide which town has the best accommodation options for you, here’s an overview of what it’s like to stay in each place…
What’s it like staying in Budva?
Montenegro, Budva, old town
I found that Budva had more accommodation options than Kotor, simply because it’s a larger town and it has more local visitors due to its beaches. You can also stay outside the Old Town, which offers cheaper prices and more varied accommodation styles.
Across the town you’ll find everything from luxury 5* hotels to vacation rentals to guest houses.
Backpackers will find fewer choices for hostels, but there are still budget guest houses and hotels that offer cheaper accommodation.
Unlike Kotor, Budva has most of its options outside its Old Town, which means there are far more hotels to choose from and any type of traveller can find a good accommodation option.
I recommend you stay in the Town Centre, as this is near to public transport and the beach. If you want peace and quiet, the East side of Budva is where you’ll find tranquility and calmness, since all the nightlife happens in the Old Town and Town Centre.
For an all-around great place to stay, I recommend the award-winning Hotel Majestic, which has a great location near the beach and town centre, and is walking distance to the Old Town, but far enough away that the noise doesn’t become an issue.
It has an elegant decor and onsite restaurant, and can even organise car rental – perfect for those thinking of taking day trips.
What’s it like staying in Kotor?
Panoramic view on Kotor, Montenegro.
Kotor has a lot of accommodation options that are spread around the Bay of Kotor, the Old Town, or just outside Kotor Beach.
Many people choose to stay in the Old Town (and why wouldn’t you, it’s beautiful!) but I highly recommend you avoid this.
There is a lot of accommodation in the Old Town, despite it being so small, and is mostly filled with beautiful and elegant luxury hotels. HOWEVER, the only downside to staying in the Old Town is the noise.
The clubs and bars play music until the early hours and the church bells start ringing in the early hours too. It doesn’t matter where you stay in the Old Town, you’re going to be disturbed by this. The town is so small that you can hear it from everywhere.
Only a few hotels in the Old Town offer soundproof rooms, and they are usually the luxury 5* hotels such as the Historic Boutique Hotel Cattaro.
For light sleepers, finding accommodation in Kotor is going to be a challenge. There aren’t a lot of options outside the Old Town, and on top of this, there aren’t a lot of hotels in Kotor full stop – most of the accommodation options are apartment vacation rentals.
Vacation rentals are great for families and groups of travellers, but for solo travellers and couples, it can be difficult finding a place within your budget.
So while there is a lot of accommodation, Kotor doesn’t have a lot of good options that cater to different travel styles.
For those looking for an affordable place to stay in Kotor, I recommend the Hotel Porto Inn. This is just outside the Old Town in a quiet area, but within walking distance. It has modern rooms and an affordable price, plus I stayed there myself and can confirm I heard no Drum and Bass or bells ringing.
Verdict: Because of the number of options available, Budva is better for accommodation.
Which is better for nature?
Stunning natural mountains surrounding Kotor
When it comes to nature, both Budva and Kotor have their merits. The verdict for which is better will largely come down to your personal preference on what kind of nature you like.
Kotor has a lush, mountainous landscape next to a calm and gentle bay. It’s also protected by the mountains, which means the water is always calm like glass.
Budva has a lovely sandy beach, which is always clean and well-maintained. The surrounding areas of Budva are strewn with idyllic nature, such as the untamed Sveti Nikola Island, which also has a lovely Half Moon Beach, and the Sveti Stefan Island, known for the 5-star hotel, Aman Sveti Stefan, and beautiful beaches.
Sveti Nikola Island
If you love mountains and scenic fjords, then Kotor takes the crown, but if it’s beaches and coastal serenity you’re looking for, then Budva has it.
The verdict: It’s hard to say which is better for nature since they both offer something different. However, Kotor’s Fjord-like nature is unique to Kotor and cannot be found anywhere else, so for that reason, Kotor is better for nature.
Which is better for food?
If you’ve followed yTravel Blog for a while, you’ll know we love food! So we have to mention which is better for food; Kotor or Budva.
Since both towns sit by the water, you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving fresh seafood.
Beach in Budva Old Town
Kotor’s Old Town has several restaurants that offer relaxed dining with al fresco seating.
You can find pizzerias, old taverns, and sandwich shops. Outside the Old Town is a really great BBQ restaurant, BBQ Tanjga, which is probably the most affordable food option in Kotor (and also very delicious).
The owner is really nice and enjoys chatting with tourists, which is another reason to visit. We ended up going there at least three times.
Budva has a few restaurants along the promenade by the beach and a few restaurants in the Old Town. The Old Town in Budva is smaller than Kotor, so there aren’t as many options for places to eat here, but don’t worry, there are still just enough options.
You can find pasta bars, tapas bars, and vegetarian restaurants. Most of the restaurants in the Old Town are a bit fancier than casual dining, but the restaurants on the promenade are more relaxed.
The verdict: both towns have great places to eat, so it’s impossible to choose. When it comes to food, Budva and Kotor are equal.
Which is better for families?
When deciding on whether Kotor or Budva is better for families, we must consider all the criteria mentioned above; attractions, food, and accommodation.
If you have fussy young kids who need constant entertainment, they will prefer Budva. It just has more to offer them, from water parks to beaches to paragliding.
Church in Budva
On top of that, there are more accommodation options in Budva that cater to families, which makes finding a place to stay easier.
However, if your kids are a little bit older, they might appreciate the natural beauty of Kotor and find the history interesting.
The verdict: No two families are the same, so the answer will depend on your family. But for families with young kids, you’ll probably enjoy Budva more.
The Final Verdict: Kotor or Budva?
Mogren beach in Budva in a beautiful summer day,
As you can see, there is no definitive answer to which is better, Budva vs Kotor, as everyone has a varied opinion, but I hope that this guide gives you a good idea about what to expect.
In my opinion, Budva is better for families as it has more attractions for the kids to enjoy, and a greater number of accommodation options, and a beach that kids will enjoy.
However, Kotor has a backpacker scene and has some busy hostels, romantic accommodation options, and some incredible nature. If you’re a solo traveller or a couple, you may prefer staying in Kotor over Budva as you’ll have more opportunities to meet other travellers.
Whichever town you decide, make sure you stay outside the Old Town if you want a peaceful night’s sleep! And remember, Kotor and Budva are only a 30-minute car journey from each other, so you can always visit the other on a day trip.
We hope this guide helped you plan your trip to Montenegro and gave you some insight into this stunning country!
Tours in Kotor and Budva
While staying in Kotor or Budva, consider these top selling tours and attractions.