As of February 2023, it is possible to walk the entire way from Budva to Sveti Stefan with only a very short section (approximately 100 yards) on the shoulder of the main road.

The journey is approximately 5 1/2 miles and takes a little over 2 hours. Although it may be a little long for some, it is a very easy walk on (mostly) paved surfaces. As the photos below show, it is a beautiful walk that we highly recommend!

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Sveti Stefan (aka Saint Stephen) is a fortified village located on a small island near the shore that developed in the 15th century. In 1955, the town was converted into an exclusive resort. Today, the luxury hotel (including the private beach with umbrellas) is operated by Aman Resorts as Aman Sveti Stefan.

There are four churches on the island. Two of them are dedicated to Saint Stephen, one to Holy Transfiguration, and one to Saint Aleksander Nevsky (now in ruins).

The walk from Budva to Sveti Stefan was one of the highlights of our month-long stay in Budva. The Seven Bay Trail, which is more paved promenade than hiking trail, is a beautiful route connecting the town of Budva with the Sveti Stefan island resort. The walk passes through interesting seaside towns and beautiful secluded beaches. Unfortunately, the path is not always as crystal clear as the water. To help find the way, we have put together a turn-by-turn description with photos showing the way.

The route starts near the Duckley Marina on the promenade that runs along the Budva Riviera. It goes by numerous beaches and passes through a tunnel on the way to Becici.

Once you reach Becici you pass the alongside the Mediteran Hotel and down the walkway by a canal that leads to another beautiful promenade along the very long Becici Beach.

The promenade that runs along Becici Beach continues through the seaside village of Rafailovici and by Beach Rafailovici.

One beach leads to another. At the end of Beach Rafailovici you will come up on Devistenje Beach and around the corner from there, Public Stone Beach marks the end of the bay. Two large rock formations tower over the small stone beach.

Here you find the entrance to Sandy Tunnel that connects Rafailovici to Kamenova Beach.

The tunnel from Rafailovici leads to the next beach – the large but mostly secluded Kamenova Beach. Vendors rent day beds, a beach bar sells drinks, and there are restrooms, but there’s not much more.

According to some sources, the Seven Bays Trail ended at Kamenova Beach just a few years ago. From there, you had to walk along the edge of the road for a long distance.

Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Now, you can follow a short trail from the end of the beach that goes through the woods and up to the road near Konoba Kusta. The trail was somewhat overgrown in February, and the bridge over the concrete canal is not well maintained. But, it is a short distance, and a welcomed alternative to walking along the road. Also, there are steps leading up the small hill to the road.

Once you reach the road, you only have to walk on the shoulder for a short distance (less than 100 yards) before you get to a sidewalk and steps leading down to the promenade along Przno Beach.

Ignoring the modern architecture of the Maestral Resort & Casino, the quaint fishing village of Przno is one of the highlights of the walk from Budva to Sveti Stefan. There are fishing nets on the walls and fishing boats on the patios of small restaurants in town. Although these are obviously decorations, it is not hard to imagine them being used recently.

Following the promenade, you will wind your way along the beach and then turn left along a cobbled path through town and over the hill, and along a tree-lined path that leads to Queen’s Beach. At the top of the hill, you will pass through an open gateway and see a large hotel under construction on the left. The operators of the Sveti Stefan resort had plans for this hotel to be part of the resort. However, construction has been halted due to a dispute with the government.

At the bottom of the hill past the construction site, you will turn right and see the Sveti Stefan resort spa on your left and Queen’s Beach ahead. The spa is for resort guests only. However, Queen’s Beach – possibly one of the most beautiful beaches in Montenegro or anywhere in the world – is open to the public. It is secluded with crystal clear water reminiscent of The Beach in Thailand from the movie of the same name.

NOTE: As of February 2023, the path is open to the public. According to online sources, the operator of Sveti Stefan is trying to close this area to the public and make it accessible to resort guests only.

A short, well-maintained path connects Queen’s Beach to King’s Beach. King’s Beach aka Milocer Beach is another beautiful stretch of sand in a secluded bay. The beach is significantly larger than Queen’s Beach but no less beautiful. Also, the island of Sveti Stefan is looming just outside the enclosure of the bay.

Villa Milocer is located behind the beach. The large stone structure once served as the Yugoslavian Queen’s summer residence but is now home to suites that are part of the Sveti Stefan resort.

Another well-kept path connects King’s Beach to Sveti Stefan Beach. At the south end of the beach, you’ll find the path leading up a hill. As you crest the hill and come out of the woods, Sveti Stefan will come into view on your right. There are several good viewing areas as you descend the hill toward the walkway to the island.

As of February 2023, Sveti Stefan is closed due to a dispute between the Montenegro government and the report operator. Although access to the island is not permitted, the property is still being maintained and is beautiful to see from the mainland.

Following are some suggestions about the best place to view and photograph the island.

The trail from King’s Beach to Sveti Stefan has one of the best views of the island.

The trail from King’s Beach to Sveti Stefan has one of the best views of the island.

The view down the long, narrow walkway leading to the island is iconic.

The view with the beach in the foreground and the walkway creating a leading line to the island is worth checking out.

The view from above is excellent.

There are steps from the parking lot leading up to the road. There are a couple restaurants and a rooftop viewing deck with views of the island below.

Google Maps indicates there is a viewpoint a little further north on the road. However, there is no sidewalk or shoulder on the road to get there.

NOTE: Be sure to consider where the sun will be when you plan to visit—the low sun during winter months made for less-than-ideal conditions during our mid-day visit from Budva.

Our suggested walking route from Budva to Sveti Stefan starts on the Budva Riviera, proceeds along multiple promenades, goes through multiple tunnels, and passes many beautiful beaches before arriving at Sveti Stefan.

There are multiple ways to get from Sveti Stefan to Budva.

We walked both directions, but it was a pretty long walk to go both ways in one day.

If you want to catch a taxi in Sveti Stefan, there is a taxi stand at the bottom of the hill near the beach. Alternatively, you can reserve a taxi using one of the online services. On average, a taxi ride from Sveti Stefan to Budva should cost about €10.

The internet shows a bus station above the beach. But, based on personal observation, it’s more of a stop than a station.

According to multiple sources, one can easily get from Sveti Stefan to Budva by small shuttle for just €1.5-2 per person. The journey time is purported to be around 30 minutes.

There are many great places to stay in Budva. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Old Town (the castle marker on the map below). If you don’t stay in the Old Town, we recommend staying near the sea. The architecture of Budva is not as memorable as you go inland and away from the Old Town and the Adriatic Sea.

Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

Do you need cellular data during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t lose it). Click below for more info.

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Budva is April, May, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

If you fly into Tivat Airport, you can take a short 25 min. taxi ride to Budva.

If you need door-to-door service, then a taxi from the airport to the front door of your hotel is best. To arrange a taxi or private transfer in advance, we recommend GetTransfer.

Sveti Stefan is a beautiful and historic island off the coast of Montenegro, known for its picturesque scenery and luxurious resort. It has been a popular tourist destination for many years, attracting visitors from all over the world. Whether or not it’s worth visiting depends on your interests and preferences. If you enjoy stunning natural landscapes, historical architecture, and high-end accommodations, then Sveti Stefan may be an ideal destination for you.

Yes, there is a bus that runs from Budva to Sveti Stefan. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes and the bus operates regularly throughout the day. It’s always a good idea to check the bus schedule in advance to ensure you have accurate information on departure times and fares.

Assuming you are looking for public transportation options, the cheapest way to travel between Budva and Sveti Stefan is by bus. Several local bus companies operate along the coast, providing regular service between these popular destinations. A one-way ticket is typically quite affordable, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious travelers. Alternatively, you could take a taxi or share a ride with other travelers if you prefer a more direct and personalized transportation experience.

There are several ways to travel from Budva to Sveti Stefan, depending on your preferences and budget. One option is to take a taxi or hire a car, which will give you the most flexibility and convenience, but may be more expensive. Another option is to take a local bus, which runs regularly between Budva and Sveti Stefan and is a more affordable option.

As discussed above, you can also walk along the scenic coastal path that connects the two towns. It’s approximately 5 1/2 miles (a little less than 9 km) and is about a 2-hour and 30 minute walk. But you’ll be distracted by the stunning views of the coves along the Adriatic Sea and will be there before you know it!

Whichever mode of transportation you choose, be sure to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journey so that you can enjoy all that this beautiful part of Montenegro has to offer.

The distance between Budva and Sveti Stefan depends on your route, but it is generally around 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). If you are driving, it should take you less than 15 minutes to get from Budva to Sveti Stefan. However, traffic and road conditions may affect your travel time. If you are traveling by public transportation or taxi, check the schedules and fares in advance to plan your trip accordingly.