Budva - Montenegro | Montenegro.com

Two stylized fish, with their tails facing each other, could practically become the symbol of any coastal city. But they didn't. Those two fish, which today can be found on many souvenirs, ex

Two stylized fish, with their tails facing each other, could practically become the symbol of any coastal city. But they didn't. Those two fish, which can be found on many souvenirs today, are an exclusive symbol only of Budva (Montenegro).

The legend says that Budva was founded by Cadmus, one of the three sons of the Phoenician king Agenor. Since he failed to return his runaway sister Europa to his father's home (she was abducted by Zeus), Cadmus founded the city of Thebes abroad. From Thebes, he was married to his wife Harmony, and he came and founded Budva (Butua, Budoe). In order not to turn into a dragon due to an ancient curse, Cadmus throws himself into the sea with Harmonia. Transformed into two fish, they still exist in touristic lore today.

Be that as it may, Budva is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the Adriatic! Budva (Montenegro) was first mentioned in the 4th c. ex. n. e. There used to be a peninsula on the site of the Old Town. Over time, that peninsula completely merged with the mainland. Stone houses and churches, as well as narrow streets and small green giardini (gardens) surrounded by ramparts on all sides - make Budva a typical medieval coastal town. It offers a view of the blue open sea, kilometer-long beaches and the nearby island of Sveti Nikola, the largest on the Montenegrin coast. Peninsular Sveti Stefan, unique in the world - a luxury city-hotel - is inseparable from the image of Budva, to which it gravitates and belongs.

That Budva has its own rich Greek and Roman history is evidenced by the exhibition of the Archaeological Museum. Budva was Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and part of the Serbian states, under the Republic of Venice, and part of Austria. The heart of Budva, and its image, is in its Old Town, perhaps around the churches on the Cape, perhaps in the labyrinth of narrow stone streets. From here, the elite Budva riviera stretches for kilometers around, like a pomegranate full of fairy-tale beaches, luxury hotels, villas, small quality fish and national restaurants, Mediterranean vegetation, off-season silence, all kinds of services, craft shops, exclusive boutiques, perfumeries, souvenir shops, coastal night clubs... Budva offers everything: urbanity and glamour. Refined fish dishes and cheap barbecue.

In Budva, you can meet the most famous names, and friends from the region. Young people especially love Budva, because summer is the time of seasonal migrations and freedom. Everything that is not allowed at home, during the summer kanda is understood. A kiss on the ramparts, for example, or on the nearby idyllic Mogren beach. Many luxury yachts are waiting for tourists on (the waterfront) Pisana, about 10 meters from the ramparts of the Old Town. While the fishermen arrive with their fresh catch, many take fancy photos here and immediately send them to their friends via MMS: Greetings from Budva!

Today, Budva is referred to as the Queen of Montenegrin tourism. It earned that epithet thanks to what it truly offers: the most urban form of summer entertainment. Budva can host over 100,000 tourists, some in luxury hotels, some in small family hotels, and in apartments and rooms for rent. The official slogan of Montenegrin tourism, Divlja ljepota / Wild beauty, is the least applicable to Budva: during the season, the city is a meeting place for many Balkan celebrities, especially those from show business. The summer season is just starting with the "Song of the Mediterranean" - a fun music festival that takes place in front of the walls of the Old Town every June. During that time, Budva and Montenegro are visited by many famous pop music stars from the ex-YU area. Budva gained worldwide promotion after the legendary Rolling Stones, Madonna, Leni Kravica (Jaz beach)...

Budva has been known for decades for its cultural and entertainment events. The oldest and most important summer cultural event in Montenegro is the City Theater, which hosts theater performances, classical music concerts throughout the summer, and literary evenings on Poets' Square - where the biggest Montenegrin and world literary names are guests. Considering the 270 sunny days, and the fact that the bathing season lasts from May to October, Budva is the most visited part of the Montenegrin coast for a reason.