Montenegro

Budva, Montenegro: Booze, Boats, and Beaches

Budva, Montenegro

The summer was hot and getting hotter and I was ready for the beach—for those cool Montenegrin waters, for seafood and wine and sunsets and swimming.

Budva Bay

So, rested and rejuvenated from my gloriously uneventful stay in Podgorica, I hopped on a bus and headed down to Budva, on Montengro’s Adriatic shore.

Turquoise Water Montenegro

Whoa, Budva. I thought this would be the relaxing part of my summer travels. Turns out that Budva is a mad Russian mecca of skin and booze and beats and boats.

Boats and Russians, Budva

Budva has a carnival-like ambience at night, with pumping music and shouting tourists and beachy boozing. By day, it is only slightly less manic—the beaches full up quick and the streets of the Old Town are overrun with Russian tourists and boutique owners hawking expensive hats. My friend Liza and I set out to the beach early to enjoy it before the crowds came in, and returned around sunset, when most people had left. I preferred that—it was easier to relax. As an added bonus, the sea turned pink and purple as the sun went down. It was exceptionally lovely.

Budva Sunset

Evening Budva Beach

Budva Views

I met Liza through a fortuitous booking screw-up that left me in the room she’d booked as a private—we hit it off right away, thank goodness. Liza is Russian, but had no idea either that Budva was such a magnet for Russian tourists. She wasn’t so pleased that she’d left Russia to find herself in a summertime Russian exclave, but I was thankful to have her there—she could talk to everyone I couldn’t, and was great company.

Budva Roofs

Even though the beaches full of vacationers can feel a little overwhelming, Budva was more than redeemed by its inherent beauty—the Old Town winds and narrows and turns, and seems to get quainter and lovelier with every step.  The naturally stunning surroundings—the sparkling crystal-clear waters and the distant blue mountains—filled me with awe. Even the harbors brimming with yachts and sailboats added to the ambience. I dreamed of hopping on one of the boats and sailing away, down the Adriatic.

Boats in Budva

Curving Old Town Budva

I didn’t have any wild nights out in Budva. I preferred our early mornings on the beach, and calmer nights drinking wine with Liza. But even skipping the “party” part of this party town, I still had a good time—I got my fix of seafood and wine and sunsets and swimming, and that made me a very cheerful Katrinka.

Happy Katrinka

7 Comments

  • Kev
    October 28, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    I absolutely love this!

    Reply
    • Katrinka
      October 29, 2013 at 3:55 PM

      I’m glad. Thank you!

      Reply
  • Kerry
    October 30, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    I love the way you shoot light and space – these are great photographs!

    Reply
    • Katrinka
      October 30, 2013 at 6:39 PM

      Thank you so much Kerry! That’s the secret to good photography, you know– chase the light 🙂

      Reply
  • Naomi
    November 15, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    Awww, your dress matches the flowers! ♥♥♥

    Reply
    • Katrinka
      November 15, 2013 at 10:53 PM

      Some folks try to blend in with the locals; I tend to blend in with the flora.

      Reply

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