Why Drive Instead of Walk
You could walk between some of these beaches — Mogren is a short cliff path from the old town, and Slovenska is right in central Budva. But Jaz is 3 km northwest, Bečići is 3 km southeast, and Kamenovo sits between them on a road with no pavement. Without a car, you are dependent on taxis and summer bus schedules that change every year.
With a car, you set your own timetable: Jaz at 8am when the sand is empty and the parking is free. Mogren by 10 before the tunnel path gets crowded. Slovenska for a quick waterfront coffee. Bečići for lunch at a beach restaurant. Kamenovo in the late afternoon when the cliffs throw shade over the western end. You cover the whole riviera in one day and still make it back for dinner.
Stop 1: Jaz Beach
Three kilometres northwest of the old town, Jaz is the riviera's biggest open beach — a 1.2 km arc of mixed sand and fine gravel backed by green hills. The Sea Dance music festival sets up stages here in summer, and the vibe stays energetic even on non-festival days. Parking is tiered: the upper lot is free but means a five-minute walk. The beachside lot costs €3–5 depending on how close you get. Arrive before 9am on weekends or you will park on the road shoulder. The western end is quieter and has a small section popular with nudists. The eastern end has beach bars and sunbed hire.
Stop 2: Mogren Beach
Two connected coves hidden behind a cliff tunnel, just 500 metres from the old town walls. You reach them via a paved coastal path that starts near the Hotel Avala. The tunnel is short and dramatic — hewn through solid rock with the sea crashing below. Mogren I is the first cove, with sunbed hire and a beach bar. Continue through a natural stone arch to Mogren II, which is quieter and has a famous bronze ballerina statue on the rocks. The pebble shore drops off steeply, making the water deep and clear close to shore. No car parking nearby — walk from the old town or use the street spots along the path.
Stop 3: Slovenska Plaza
Budva's main town beach runs for 1.6 km right through the centre, directly below the promenade. It is not the prettiest — the sand is coarse, the sunbed operators are aggressive, and you are never more than thirty metres from a bar blasting music. But it is convenient, has lifeguards all summer, and the shallow entry makes it popular with families. The eastern end near the Lido complex is more organised. The western end closer to the old town is narrower and less commercial. Grab a coffee on the promenade and watch the beach fill up — then leave for quieter sand.
Stop 4: Bečići Beach
A gentle 2 km crescent of fine sand that won a Parisian tourism award in 1936 and still deserves it. The water is shallow for a long way out, lifeguards are on duty in season, and a string of beachside restaurants means you can eat grilled squid without leaving the sand. Water sports operators run jet ski hire, parasailing, and banana boats from the central section. Parking is in the paid lots along the main road above — about €3/hour in peak season. For the quieter stretch, continue past the main entrance toward Rafailovići where the beach narrows and the crowds thin. This is also the starting point for exploring the coast south toward Petrovac.
Stop 5: Kamenovo Beach
Between Bečići and Pržno, a side road drops steeply down to this sheltered cove. It is the beach that locals choose when they want to avoid the Budva scene. A single beach bar operates in summer, renting sunbeds and serving drinks, but the atmosphere is relaxed and the water is some of the clearest on the riviera. The pebble shore is flanked by rocky outcrops that are good for snorkelling. Parking is limited to a small gravel lot at the top of the access road — about fifteen spaces. Get there by mid-morning or you are out of luck.
What to Pack for a Beach Day
- Water shoes: Essential for Mogren and Kamenovo where the pebbles are rough on bare feet.
- Sun protection: Factor 50 and a hat. The riviera sun hits hard from June through September, and shade is scarce on open beaches.
- Cash: Many beach bars and parking attendants still prefer cash. Keep €20 in small notes.
- Snorkel gear: Kamenovo and Mogren II have rocky edges with surprisingly good visibility for snorkelling.