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Budva Citadel
Citadela Budve
Montenegro · Budva Municipality · Near Budva
Built 500 · Venetian
Quick Facts
- Hours
- Extended hours in summer (09:00–24:00). Shorter hours in winter.
- Tickets from
- €3
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Best time
- May to September
- Nearest city
- Budva
Highlights
- ✦Dramatically positioned on a peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea
- ✦Commanding views over the Budva Riviera, islands, and Montenegro mountains
- ✦Venetian-built walls and towers enclosing the medieval old town
- ✦Small museum and library inside the citadel
- ✦The citadel terrace is one of the most photographed sunset spots on the Adriatic
Skip the queue with a guided tour
Skip-the-line tickets & expert guides
Budva Citadel stands at the tip of a narrow Adriatic peninsula, its Venetian walls rising directly from the sea at the south-western point of one of the best-preserved medieval old towns on the Montenegrin coast. The old town of Budva — a tightly packed labyrinth of Venetian-era lanes, churches, and squares enclosed within sea-washed walls — is the most popular destination on the Montenegro Riviera. The citadel at its tip was built by the Venetians, who controlled Budva from 1442 to 1797, and houses a small museum and library. From the terrace, views stretch over the sandy beaches of the Budva Riviera, the island of Sveti Nikola, and the dramatic mountains of inland Montenegro. The sunset from the citadel walls is considered one of the finest on the eastern Adriatic.
History
Budva's origins are ancient — Greek legend attributes its founding to Cadmus, the Phoenician prince. The current citadel and town walls are largely Venetian, built and reinforced during the period of Venetian rule from 1442 to 1797. After Venice, the town passed to France, then Austria. The 1979 earthquake severely damaged the old town and citadel, which were thoroughly rebuilt in the following years. Montenegro became independent in 2006; Budva is now the country's most visited tourist destination.
How to Visit
Budva is on the Adriatic coast, 65 km south of Podgorica and 55 km from Kotor. Frequent buses connect Budva with Podgorica, Kotor, Herceg Novi, and Dubrovnik. The citadel is at the southern tip of the old town peninsula, a 5-minute walk from the old town gates. The Bay of Kotor (with Kotor Old Town, a UNESCO site) is 30 km north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — the Venetian old town is the most picturesque in Montenegro, with medieval churches, good restaurants, and the citadel all within a compact area. It gets very crowded in July and August.
Location
Citadela, Stari Grad, 85310 Budva, Montenegro
Nearby Castles
Tours & Tickets
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Entry from
€3/ adult