The first surprise on a Budva Riviera beach isn't the pebbles or the turquoise water — it's the rows of neatly laid sunbeds and the attendant who appears the moment you eye one. So what does a day by the sea actually cost here, and can you skip the fee entirely? The honest answer is that it depends on which beach, which row and which month — and that there's almost always a free option nearby if you know where to look. Here's how the money works on the coast around Bečići.
What a day on the beach costs
| Beach | Typical sunbed set (2 loungers + umbrella) | Free option? |
|---|---|---|
| Bečići beach | Roughly €10–15 (among the better value on the Riviera) | Yes — public sections away from the sets |
| Slovenska Plaža (Budva) | Roughly €15–25 | Yes — public stretches at the ends |
| Mogren (Budva) | Paid sets on the organized strip | Limited; small coves, arrive early |
| Sveti Stefan area | Far higher; hotel/premium beaches | Public Sveti Stefan Beach is free |
Those are peak-season guide figures for a standard set of two loungers and an umbrella, and every one of them moves with the beach, the row and the time of year — so treat them as a sense of scale, not a fixed tariff. Below is how to read that variation.
The public-access principle
The rule that shapes everything is this: in Montenegro, the beach itself is public. The concession that lays out the loungers is renting you the furniture and the service — the tidy row, the umbrella, the attendant — not the sand or pebbles beneath. That means on most organized beaches you'll find free public sections, typically at the ends or between the paid blocks, where you're perfectly entitled to spread a towel at no cost.
So the choice on almost every Riviera beach is a genuine one. Pay for the comfort of a made-up set, or bring your own towel (and ideally a bit of shade) and use the free stretch. Neither is "cheating" — the paid sets simply monetize the convenient, shaded, front-facing rows, while the public principle keeps the water's edge open to all. For the lay of the land beach by beach, see our guide to the best beaches on the Budva Riviera.
What drives the price
Three things move a sunbed set up or down the €10–25 range — and beyond it on the premium beaches:
- The beach. Bečići's long beach tends to sit at the more affordable end for what you get, while Slovenska Plaža in Budva — the busy resort beach nearest the old town — generally runs a little higher. Both are a world away from the premium and hotel beaches around Sveti Stefan, where a set can cost many times more and some stretches are reserved for guests entirely.
- The row. The front row, right on the water, is the priciest; step back a row or two and the same beach gets noticeably cheaper for essentially the same day. If the front is sold out or steep, the back rows are the easy saving.
- The season. Peak July and August command the top prices and fill up fast; in June or September the same set is easier to get and often cheaper. Prices also tend to be quoted per day, though some concessions offer a lower half-day or afternoon rate once the morning rush thins out — worth asking.
Because these rates are set locally by each concession and change through the season, it's always worth confirming the price with the attendant before you settle in, rather than assuming. A quick question up front avoids any surprise when they come to collect.
What the fee actually buys
It helps to know what you're paying for, because the value swings a lot by beach. At the basic end, the fee gets you two loungers and a shared umbrella in a tidy row and, usually, an attendant who keeps the area clean and may bring drinks from the attached bar. Better-run and beach-club sets add cushioned loungers, table service, and access to showers, changing cabins and toilets — amenities that also exist, in more basic form, on the free public stretches of the bigger organized beaches like Slovenska Plaža. If all you want is a swim and a couple of hours in the sun, the free section plus your own towel loses very little; if you're settling in for a full day with kids, drinks and shade, a made-up set starts to look like fair value. The gap between a €10–15 set at Bečići and a premium lounger near Sveti Stefan is largely this: how much comfort, service and exclusivity is bundled in.
How to pay less (or nothing)
- Bring your own kit. A towel, a beach mat and a bit of packable shade turn any free public stretch into a no-cost day. It's the single biggest saving on the coast.
- Choose the back rows. If you want a lounger but not the front-row premium, ask for a set further back — same sea, smaller bill.
- Go early or late. Claim a free spot before the mid-morning crowd, or take an afternoon set at a reduced rate once the day-trippers leave.
- Favour value beaches. Bečići's own beach is among the better-value organized stretches; the premium beaches near Sveti Stefan are the ones to admire rather than rent on a budget.
- Factor in the bar. Many sets are tied to a beach bar or club, and part of the appeal is table service to your lounger — see our roundup of the best beach bars in Bečići for where the sunbed-and-cocktail combination is worth it.
Beyond the sunbed: the rest of the beach budget
The lounger is only part of a beach day's spend. Budget too for:
- Food and drink. Beachfront cafés and bars carry the usual seafront markup — a coffee, beer or snack costs more with your toes in the sand than a street back. It's easily the most avoidable cost: walk inland for lunch and save the terrace for a sunset drink.
- Watersports and extras. Jet-skis, pedalos, banana-boat rides and parasailing are sold along the busier beaches at per-activity prices that vary widely; agree the cost before you climb aboard.
- Getting there. Bečići, Budva and the smaller coves are linked by the seaside promenade (free to walk), local buses and, in summer, taxi-boats that hop between beaches. For the quieter, more scenic end of the Budva strip, our Mogren Beach guide covers the walk in from the old town and what to expect when you get there.
Montenegro uses the euro — though it's outside both the EU and the eurozone — and beach attendants, kiosks and small bars are frequently cash-only, so carry small notes for your sunbed, your drinks and the pedalo. Between the free public principle and the value at Bečići's own beach, a day by the Adriatic here needn't cost much at all — the price is a choice, and there's a comfortable free version of it on nearly every beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are sunbeds on Budva Riviera beaches?
In 2026 a standard set of two loungers and an umbrella typically runs roughly €10–15 on Bečići beach and around €15–25 on Slovenska Plaža in Budva, with premium beaches near Sveti Stefan far pricier. Prices vary by beach, row and season and are highest in July and August, so confirm with the attendant first.
Are the beaches in Budva and Bečići free?
The beaches themselves are public in Montenegro — the concession rents you the loungers and umbrella, not the sand. Most organized beaches keep free public sections, usually at the ends or between the paid blocks, where you can lay a towel at no cost. Bring your own kit and a day by the sea can cost nothing.
Why are front-row sunbeds more expensive?
Concessions price by position: the front row on the water is the priciest, and stepping back a row or two gets you the same beach and sea for noticeably less. If the front is full or steep, ask for a set in the back rows — it's the easiest saving without giving up a lounger.
Do I need to pay for a sunbed to use the beach?
No. You can always use the free public stretches with your own towel, or pay only if you want the comfort of a made-up set with an umbrella and attendant service. On premium and hotel beaches around Sveti Stefan, however, some areas are reserved for paying guests, so check before settling in.
Can I pay for a beach sunbed by card?
Often not. Beach attendants and small kiosks on the coast are frequently cash-only in euros, so keep small notes handy for your sunbed, drinks and any watersports. Montenegro uses the euro despite being outside the EU and the eurozone, so no currency change is needed if you arrive from a euro country.
