img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}Planning a little escapade across the pond, but the sudden increase in prices, the low availability of rooms, and the sight of crowds are suddenly coming to haunt you again?
It may no longer be the peak of summer, but across much of the sun-drenched Mediterranean, all the most popular tourist hotspots are still jam-packed, and operating on high-season prices: we’re talking Santorini, Mallorca, Barcelona, and Split.
What if we told you you can still enjoy a little swim in the Med off-season, sample delicious seafood, and explore cobbled streets devoid of the cruise hordes, all of this without going broke?
This fall, your European beach paradise goes by the name of Budva, and it’s a tiny town on the Adriatic Coast of the lesser-known country of Montenegro:
The Most Affordable Destination In The Mediterranean
According to new research conducted by easyJet, one of Europe’s most popular low-cost airlines, Budva in Montenegro is one of the cheapest beach breaks across the pond for some end-of-season sun this fall.
Straddling the turquoise Adriatic Sea, one of the clearest branches of the wider Mediterranean, Budva is best known for its mix of Old World allure and modern coastal town life.
Other than its undeniable picturesqueness, easyJet has found that Budva is, in fact, the second-cheapest European beach getaway this fall, behind only Nessebar in Bulgaria, which we’ve covered here. Seeing that Bulgaria borders the Black Sea, this makes Budva the cheapest Mediterranean destination.
A three-course meal here will set you back around $40.50, while a pint of beer is just under $2, and you could find beachfront stays from as cheap as $60.86. That’s enough of a bargain for a late-fall escapade, that’s right, but affordability is not Budva’s only appeal:
A Fairytale Historic Old Town Awaiting Discovery
Despite its less-than-impressive size, with a permanent population of around 17,000, the town is a cultural hub of the first order, and one of Montenegro’s liveliest vacation spots.
It is centered around Stari Grad, or ‘Old Town’, a maze of cobble-paved alleys flanked by traditional stone houses. These lead either to secret patios bordered by restaurants or the coastal walk that runs along Budva’s historic Venetian walls.
Stari Grad is also home to some impressive landmarks, like Budva Citadel, attached to the Venetian walls and boasting impressive views of both town and the Adriatic, St. Ivan Church, built all the way back in the 7th century, topped with a signature bell tower, and the romantic Square of Poets.
Beaches Galore
Budva is a beach paradise for sun-seekers in the fall, after all, and just outside the city walls, its seaside promenade leads to a harbor packed full of restaurants and bars, and further even, past the iconic Ballerina sculpture, the scenic Mogren Beach.
Beaches in and around Budva are made up of small pebbles mixed with coarse sand, so make sure you pack water shoes if you’re sensitive.
Farther away from the center of town, quieter, and by no means less-equipped, Jaz Beach has a plethora of beach bars and eateries to pick from, including the well-rated Restaurant Poseidon, where you can get some seafood pasta and beer for around $18, and of course, Slovenska Beach:
The longest beach in the municipality, spanning nearly a mile of uninterrupted coast, it’s very popular with families due to its kid-friendly section, absence of loud, thumping music, and calm, gentle waves—that stay warm long after summer’s gone.
How To Get To Budva This Fall
Weather-wise, Budva experiences ‘mild’ temperatures as the fall sets in, with the occasional rainfall mixed with long sunshine hours.
It’s definitely not as hot as summer, when temps can hit 95°F and higher, but it’s pleasant enough if it’s a culture-loaded coastal break, with a little dip in the sea hither and thither you’re looking for. To be more precise, expect average daily highs of 71.6°F and nighttime lows of 55.4°F.
Getting to Budva this October, the easiest way for Americans is actually flying to Dubrovnik, in neighboring Croatia, which hosts direct Transatlantic flights from Newark through October 24.
It takes only 2 hours to drive the 58 miles that separate the city of Dubrovnik from Budva, and considering it’s not high season, the usually-busy border crossing won’t be as busy.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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