Budva
Beautiful, if not a little boring.
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A coastal town in Montenegro, Budva is celebrated for its sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife.
The well-preserved Budva Old Town, nestled on a small peninsula, stands in stark contrast to the burgeoning skyline of new buildings emerging on the town's coastline.
A nice holiday if combined with Kotor, but not enough activity year-round to justify working from there. Too quiet.
A nice holiday if combined with Kotor, but not enough activity year-round to justify working from there. Too quiet.
A nice holiday if combined with Kotor, but not enough activity year-round to justify working from there. Too quiet.
A nice holiday if combined with Kotor, but not enough activity year-round to justify working from there. Too quiet.
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Summary
As part of a tour in the Balkans in 2021, Montenegro was the next natural destination after a few weeks in Tirana. Budva hadn't been somewhere I was too interested in visiting but appeared a better option than the rather sombre capital of Podgorica.
Accommodation
If booking out of peak season you should have no problems getting a great deal on a good quality apartment. Even during peak summer months the cost shouldn't be prohibitive compared to other summer destinations.
Places to work
Not a great deal of dedicated options for coworking, with a good looking option having opened a year after my visit. Plenty of coffee shops towards the centre.
Value
Even though it is a predominantly tourist destination, restaurant prices are great value whilst compared to Western European destinations. Great deals on accommodation outside of the tourist season.
Working hours
Montenegro operates on Central European Time (CET), aligning with Western Europe.
🇪🇺 Consider working European hours from Asia?
Where to stay
The entire town is easily accessible by foot, with more residential neighbourhoods to be found going back from the beach.
Rozino
Gospostina
Where to work
Umbrella PBSSO
A small coworking office is offered by a local company specialising in overseas business registrations. Internet was stable, and it was comfortable week, but by no means somewhere you would consider basing yourself for a prolonged period. Day rates were very affordable, around €5.
Since I visited two more coworking offices appear to have opened with AdriaHub looking like a good option for anyone passing through the town.
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Remote work visa
If staying for a prolonged period, you may want to consider a dedicated visa for this destination.
This country is actively working on a visa support for remote workers.
Check your government website for details of how to obtain a tourist visa.
Montenegro plans to introduce a 2-year renewable Digital Nomad Visa by 2025, exempting holders from income tax to attract remote workers and improve digital infrastructure. Program rollout starts this year, but requirements are still forthcoming.
Citizen Remote is a great source of up to date knowledge for everything to do with remote work visas.
Safety
Off-work
Explore the Old Town
Encircled by a fortress wall, the Budva old town provides a refreshing contrast to the wave of new construction high rises cropping up throughout the city.
Visit Slovenska Plaža
The main draw of Budva is it's beaches. Plenty of bars and resutraunts along the front.
Duration & season
The weather wasn't quite warm enough during April to be consistently on the beach but did prove to be a great period for exploring the outdoors. If planning on making the most of the beaches you'd be best off heading for the peak summer months.
One week was plenty and I would have been in no hurry o stay longer.
Food & drink
People
My visit coincided with the COVID period which perhaps painted an unfair reflection on how quiet the area was, but the lack of coworking spaces at the time were an indication that there wasn't much demand for such services. That appears to have changed recently with two new offerings having opened up in the last couple of years.
In the summer it is a popular draw for people across Europe, so expect there to be high seasonal differences.
Exercise
Beach Loop
Verdict
Positives
- Beaches on your doorstep.If are you are looking to be by the beach no matter where you are staying you can be there within 10 minutes.
- Good value for a European destination.Outside of peak season some good deals can be had on accommodation and restaurants are cheaper than you would expect in Western Europe.
- Outside of the Schengen Zone.If for whatever reason you have reached your limit of time available within the Schengen group of countries, Montenegro is an alternative.
Negatives
- Very touristic.It's a resort town unless you are visiting during peak season, it's likely to feel a little anti-climactic.
- Small old town.There isn't a great deal to explore there and it is noticeably smaller than in Kotor.
Tips
- Give Podgorica a miss.Having ventured through the capital on a couple of times and it may be the most underwhelming cities in Europe.
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