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7 trips from Budva by car that are worth visiting
Day trips from Budva by car are an excellent way to discover much more than just the Budva Riviera during your holiday. Thanks to Budva’s location, you can visit famous coastal destinations, historic towns, mountains, or Lake Skadar in a single day and then return to your accommodation.
If you have a rental car, you do not need to adjust your plans to bus schedules or organized tours. You choose your own departure time, route, places to stop, and how long you want to stay at each destination.
If you are still choosing a car for your holiday, take a look at the available MVP Rent A Car vehicles and choose a model that suits your trip.
Best day trips from Budva by car
Budva is a very convenient starting point for exploring the Montenegrin coast and other parts of the country.
Day trips from Budva can include short drives to Bečići and Sveti Stefan, as well as full-day trips to Kotor, Tivat, Cetinje, Lovćen, Lake Skadar, or Bar.
If you have not booked a car yet, you can find details about vehicle pickup on the Car rental Budva page.
Below, we highlight seven interesting routes that you can organize by car.
1. Budva – Bečići – Sveti Stefan
The first and easiest trip takes you through the Budva Riviera.
Bečići is located right next to Budva, so you can visit it without a long drive. After Bečići, you can continue toward Rafailovići, Pržno, and Sveti Stefan.
This route is an excellent choice for a day when you want to combine driving, the beach, walking, and visiting several smaller places.
If you are staying in Bečići or want to pick up your car there, visit the Car rental Bečići page.
More tourist information about Budva, Bečići, Sveti Stefan, and nearby places can be found on the official website of the Budva Tourism Organization.
This is also our first quality outbound link for Yoast.
2. Sveti Stefan – Petrovac
If you want to continue south after Sveti Stefan, you can head toward Petrovac.
This route follows the coast and allows you to connect several well-known destinations on the Budva Riviera in a single day.
Petrovac is a good choice for a walk, lunch, or a break by the sea before returning to Budva.
The advantage of traveling by car is that you are not tied to bus departure times. If you like a particular place, you can simply stay longer.
That freedom is exactly why day trips from Budva are much easier with a rental car.
3. Budva – Kotor
Kotor is one of the most popular destinations for a day trip from the Montenegrin coast.
From Budva, you can drive toward the Bay of Kotor and, after arriving in Kotor, leave your car in a suitable parking area and explore the Old Town on foot.
During the main tourist season, we recommend leaving earlier because traffic may be heavier on the road and around the approaches to Kotor.
If you are planning several day trips across Montenegro, also read our detailed guide Car rental Montenegro – guide to renting a car.
There you will find additional information about choosing a vehicle, pickup locations, and planning your trip.
4. Budva – Tivat
Tivat is another destination that you can easily include in your travel plans.
You can visit it as a separate day trip or combine Tivat and Kotor on the same day.
If you are arriving on the Montenegrin coast by plane through Tivat, you can book a car in advance and pick it up after arrival.
For detailed information, visit the Car rental Tivat Airport page.
After pickup, you can continue toward Budva, Bečići, or another destination and use the same vehicle for trips throughout your holiday.
5. Budva – Cetinje – Lovćen
If you want to spend a day away from the coast, an interesting option is a trip toward Cetinje and Lovćen.
Driving inland offers a completely different atmosphere from the coast.
You can use Cetinje as your first stop for a walk and sightseeing, then continue toward the Lovćen area.
This trip is especially interesting for visitors who want to discover the mountainous side of Montenegro during their holiday.
Drive carefully on mountain roads, especially on sections with curves and changes in elevation.
You can find additional ideas for exploring Montenegro on the official tourism portal Montenegro Travel.
6. Budva – Lake Skadar
Lake Skadar is an excellent choice if you want to dedicate one of your day trips from Budva to nature.
One of the best-known starting points for exploring the area is Virpazar.
By car, you can reach the lake area, take a break, go for a walk, or organize additional activities according to your own plan.
For this route, it is worth leaving earlier so that you have enough time at the destination and for the return trip to Budva.
If this is your first time driving through Montenegro, it is useful to plan a general route in advance while still leaving enough time for spontaneous stops.
7. Budva – Sutomore – Bar
To explore the southern part of the Montenegrin coast, you can organize a trip toward Sutomore and Bar.
From Budva, head toward Petrovac and then continue to Sutomore and Bar.
Depending on how much time you have, you can make several shorter stops along the way or spend most of the day in the Bar area.
If you are staying in this part of the coast or want to arrange vehicle pickup there, visit the Car rental Sutomore page.
For Bar, we have a separate local page: Car rental Bar.
This way, one blog post naturally connects the different locations where MVP Rent A Car delivers vehicles.
Why are day trips from Budva convenient with a rental car?
The biggest advantage of having a car is the freedom to organize your day.
With organized tours, departure times, sightseeing duration, and return times are usually fixed in advance.
With a rental car, you decide when to leave, where to stop, and how much time to spend at each location.
You can leave early in the morning, avoid some of the summer traffic, or change your plans if you discover an interesting place along the way.
That is why day trips from Budva by rental car are especially convenient for couples, families, and visitors who want to explore several destinations during their holiday.
For vehicle pickup directly in Budva, visit the Car rental Budva page.
Which car should you choose for day trips from Budva?
For most trips along the coast, a large vehicle is not necessary.
A smaller car can be practical because it is easier to park and more economical to drive.
If you are traveling with family or a larger group, choose a car with enough space for all passengers and luggage.
When choosing a vehicle, pay attention to:
- number of passengers,
- trunk size,
- automatic or manual transmission,
- air conditioning,
- fuel consumption,
- planned travel distance.
You can view the current vehicles and prices on the MVP Rent A Car homepage.
Are you arriving in Budva through Podgorica Airport?
A large number of travelers staying in Budva arrive through Podgorica Airport.
If you pick up a car immediately after landing, you can continue directly toward the coast and use the same vehicle for all your planned trips.
For vehicle pickup after landing, visit the Car rental Podgorica Airport page.
If you are still planning your trip, also read our guide to renting a car in Montenegro.
When is the best time to leave for a day trip from Budva?
During the main summer season, it is recommended to leave earlier in the morning.
This gives you more time for sightseeing and can also help you avoid some traffic congestion.
For shorter routes such as Bečići, Sveti Stefan, and Petrovac, you do not need to set aside an entire day.
For Kotor, Cetinje, Lovćen, Lake Skadar, or Bar, we recommend planning more time.
Always adjust your driving to road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic intensity.
Planning several day trips from Budva during your holiday
If you are planning several trips, it is convenient to have a car available for most of your holiday.
You can dedicate one day to the Budva Riviera, another to Kotor and Tivat, and the next to Cetinje, Lovćen, or Lake Skadar.
This way, you do not have to organize transportation separately each time.
If you are not sure which vehicle suits your travel plans, take a look at the MVP Rent A Car vehicle selection or contact MVP Rent A Car for additional information.
Book a car for day trips from Budva
If you are planning day trips from Budva and want to explore Montenegro independently, you can reserve a car in advance.
On the MVP Rent A Car website, you can view vehicle models, basic specifications, and current prices.
If you want to pick up your vehicle in Budva, Bečići, at Tivat Airport, Podgorica Airport, or another available location, check the relevant local page or contact MVP Rent A Car.
Frequently Asked Questions about day trips from Budva
What are the best day trips from Budva by car?
Popular routes include Bečići and Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, Kotor, Tivat, Cetinje and Lovćen, Lake Skadar, as well as Sutomore and Bar.
Can I visit Kotor from Budva and return the same day?
Yes. Kotor can be visited as a day trip from Budva. During the tourist season, keep in mind that traffic may be heavier.
Can I combine Kotor and Tivat in one day?
Yes. If you leave early enough and organize your time well, Tivat and Kotor can be combined into one day trip.
Is it worth driving to Lake Skadar?
A car allows you to choose your own departure time, places to stop, and how long you want to stay, which makes it very convenient for this type of day trip.
Can I visit Sveti Stefan and Petrovac in one day?
Yes. Both destinations are located south of Budva, so they can easily be combined into the same trip.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Budva?
Information about pickup and reservations can be found on the Car rental Budva page.
Should I book a car in advance?
During the main tourist season, it is recommended to book your car in advance so that you have a wider choice of available vehicles.
