Budva · Backpacking

A dorm bed at the Old Town hostel runs about EUR 18 in April, EUR 30–35 in June and EUR 45–50 in August, plus EUR 1.10 a day city tax. A bus to Kotor is EUR 4–5, a slice or a burek a couple of euros, and Top Hill entry EUR 10–25 on top.

The shoulder weeks have warm sea, open clubs and roughly half the peak room rate. Mid-June and September are the sweet spot; by the second half of July the whole coast is priced for Serbian and Russian holiday season.

The coastal bus network from Budva's station is the cheap way around — Kotor is about 40 minutes for EUR 4–5, with frequent services to Podgorica, Bar and Ulcinj. An airport transfer from Tivat is EUR 30–45, so if you are alone the scheduled bus from Tivat town is worth the walk.

Loungers and umbrellas on the organised stretches of Slovenska plaza and Becici are charged per day and add up fast. Bring a towel and use the unmanaged ends of the beaches, or walk the free cliff path to Mogren early and claim rock.

Montenegro requires visitors to be registered and to pay a nightly residence tax. Hotels and hostels do it for you; if you are in a private apartment, check it has been done — paying the tax alone is not the same as registering, and the tourist information offices will sort it out.