Budva
Private Tour

It was founded by Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, Greece, in the 4^th century BC. Throughout the centuries it was ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Muslim Saracens, Serbs, Venetians, Habsburgs, French, Austrians. It finally came under the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, with a short interruption between 1941 an 1944 when it was considered Italian territory. Montenegro was part of a union with Serbia from 1991 to 2006, when it declared itself an independent country.

Built on a rocky peninsula by the Illyrians, most of the old city buildings, surrounded by defensive stone walls were made by the Venetians, that ruled the region for about 400 years. The old city’s pedestrian-only orthogonal layout, connects its many narrow streets with piazzas, like the one where 3 churches are placed: St. Ivan’s church, Santa Maria in Punta and The Holy Trinity church. The city is set on an active seismic area, and its last significant earthquake happened in 1979, where most of the old town was destroyed. The damages are hardly seen today after the reconstructions and repairs were completed in 1987.

The development of tourism brought great expansion for the city, bringing several hotel chains and international investments to the Budva city center. Other areas of the city and its hills grew without urban planning or adequate infrastructure due to real state pressure and today traffic and parking space are real problems in Budva, specially during the season when the city population triples in size. The city is know for being a crowded beach resort, with a vibrant atmosphere and fun nightlife.

The Budva Riviera is very popular, with Mogren beach being its most famous area. Other city beaches closer to the old town are also popular, such as the Ričardova glava, Pizana beach and Slovenska plaža. Outside of Budva, but within its Riviera, Jaz Beach is very popular, for being spacious and the venue for concerts and summer festivals. Tourists are also fond of the Saint Nichola’s island, across from the Old town, as it is easily reachable by watertaxi and less crowded.

Gambling is legal in Montenegro, and many hotels in Budva have their own casino. Maestral hotel and its casino Pržno are the most popular among international gamblers. The James Bond 2006 film Casino Royale was partly set in Budva, bringing visibility for the gambling tourism in the region.

Sveti Stefan was first mentioned in 1442 as a fort in the defense line against the Turks. Venetians rebuilt the city in the 16^th century, and by the 17^th century the village already had over 400 people. In the 20^th century it became the summer residence for Queen Marija Karađorđević, of Serbia.

During the Yugoslav ruling, all of the buildings were acquired by the government and turned into an upscale hotel, forcing villagers to move to the mainland. The area became a popular destination for celebrities, like Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Princess Margaret.

The resort declined with the fall of Yugoslavia, and was eventually awarded to Aman Resort chain in 2007 for a 30 year lease. It was renovated in modern style and opened for public in 2009.

This 5 star resort in Sveti Stefan attracts a luxury clientele, arriving by air or onboard luxurious yachts. It offers 2 of the most splendid beaches in Montenegro, the 800m long Sveti Stefan and te 400m long Miločer, as well as luxurious rooms, cottages and  suites, restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts and casinos, surrounded by palm trees, olive groves and manicured gardens.

The resort’s structure includes 58 guest rooms, cottages and suites, including 8 luxurious suites at Villa Miločer, across the island. Every room is unique, and architects have managed to preserve the original walls, and add traditional windows and doors, combining with modern amenities.

The island is situated about 10kms away from Budva, and has a 2km coast line, marked by the rose sandy beaches of Sveti Stefan, Miločer Beach and Queen’s Beach. The island’s area is about 12,400 m².

Several buildings within the area are protected:

• Katuns: summer settlements of farmers and old stone houses with roofs made of sawn straw or laminar limestone
• Guvna: village where folk meetings were held, and people celebrated
• House of Petrović: located in the village of Njeguši, it is the birthplace of Montenegro’s royal family
• Petar Petrović Njegoš’s Mausoleum: biggest, most important and most visited monument in the park, located at the summit of Jezerski vrh

Most visited monument in the Lovćen National Park, the Mausoleum of Njegoš is located at the breathtaking Lake Crest peak (Jezerski vrh) and was chosen by Njegoš himself.

Petar II Petrović Njegoš was a ruler, poet and philosopher, today considered among the most important in Montenegro. The mausoleum started to be built in 1951 during Yugoslavia rule and was the  work of renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. It was finished and open for public in 1974.

The mausoleum is a mixture of architectural and artistic work, and can be reached after climbing 461 stairs from the parking lot. The chapel is the most impressive attraction, as it is 9 meters high and covered with gold plated tile mosaics. It is also decorated in the traditional Montenegrin style, with the state emblem and a cross carved in stone on the Njegoš sarcophagus.

Its location between the Adriatic sea and the mainland is marked by the presence of 2 distinct climates, the Mediterranean and Continental, as well as the difference in altitude. This helped develop different biological systems in the park area. There are 9 different habitats registered and about 2000 species cataloged in Lovćen, four of which are endemic.

Lovćen National Park is famous for Nordic skiing, tracking and walking. Every year thousands of tourists visit the park interested in the amazing Adriatic views from Mount Lovćen.