Bečići sits in the middle of everything worth seeing on the Montenegrin coast, which makes it an ideal base for a short, varied trip: beach mornings, a UNESCO bay, and a mountain interior of monasteries and old royal capitals, all within an hour or two. Here's a balanced three-day plan — beach, bay and mountains, without backtracking — plus how to stretch it to four or five. Every stop links to its full guide.
The plan at a glance
| Day | Focus | Key stops |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Beach & Budva | Bečići beach · promenade to Budva old town · the Citadela |
| Day 2 | The Bay of Kotor | Kotor old town + San Giovanni fortress · Perast · Our Lady of the Rocks |
| Day 3 | Mountain interior | Lovćen & the Njegoš Mausoleum · Cetinje · Njeguši pršut |
Day 1 — Bečići beach & Budva old town
Ease in. Spend the morning on Bečići's long sandy beach — one of the Riviera's best strands — then walk the seaside promenade the flat 3 km north into Budva. Its walled medieval old town is a maze of marble lanes, churches and the sea-wall Citadela (about €3.50–5), and it's at its best in the late-afternoon light. Stay for dinner and the Riviera's liveliest evening scene, then stroll back along the water.
Lower-key alternative: skip Budva's crowds and take the boat or a short hop to Sveti Nikola ("Hawaii") island for a quieter swim.
Day 2 — The Bay of Kotor
Give the whole day to the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, 30–40 minutes up the coast. Wander Kotor's UNESCO-listed old town, then climb the city walls to the San Giovanni fortress (~1,350 steps; go early before the heat and cruise crowds). In the afternoon, continue 12 km up the bay to baroque Perast and take the little boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks, the only man-made island in the Adriatic. Prefer the water? Swap the driving for a Bay of Kotor boat tour with a Blue Cave swim.
Day 3 — Mountains: Lovćen, Cetinje & Njeguši
Head inland for Montenegro's heart. Drive the serpentine up into Lovćen National Park and climb the 461 steps to the Njegoš Mausoleum at 1,657 m for one of the widest views in the Balkans. Drop down to Cetinje, the old royal capital, for King Nikola's palace and the National Museum, and stop in Njeguši on the way for the protected Njeguški pršut (prosciutto) and cheese. It's a full, scenic day of high mountains, royal history and mountain food.
Stretching it to 4 or 5 days
With more time, add the best of the rest:
- Day 4 — Skadar Lake or Ostrog. Skadar Lake, the largest lake in the Balkans and a Ramsar bird reserve, for a Virpazar boat trip; or the cliff-face pilgrimage monastery of Ostrog.
- Day 5 — Durmitor or Dubrovnik. The alpine Durmitor & Tara Canyon in the far north (best as an overnight), or a long cross-border day to Dubrovnik in Croatia (passport required).
Practical notes
- Base yourself in Bečići the whole time — it's central, cheaper than Budva, and everything above is a day trip. See is Bečići worth visiting.
- A car makes the inland day easiest, but tours and buses cover all of it; see best day trips from Bečići.
- Go early on the Kotor and Perast day to beat the summer crowds and heat.
- Carry some euros in cash for boats, church entries and cash-only sights, and pack a layer for the cooler mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Bečići?
Three days is the sweet spot: one for the beach and Budva, one for the Bay of Kotor (Kotor and Perast), and one inland for Lovćen, Cetinje and Njeguši. With a fourth or fifth day you can add Skadar Lake, Ostrog Monastery, or a longer haul to Durmitor or Dubrovnik. Fewer than three and you're choosing between the coast and the mountains; see our how-many-days guide for the full picture.
What's the best 3-day plan from Bečići?
Day 1: settle into Bečići's beach and walk the promenade to Budva's walled old town for sunset. Day 2: the Bay of Kotor — Kotor's old town and fortress climb, then Perast and the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Day 3: go inland to Lovćen for the Njegoš Mausoleum, the old royal capital Cetinje, and a pršut-and-cheese stop in Njeguši. It balances beach, UNESCO coast and mountains without backtracking.
Do you need a car for this Bečići itinerary?
It helps, especially for the inland Lovćen–Cetinje–Njeguši day, but it's not essential. Budva is a 3 km walk, the Bay of Kotor is easily done by organised tour or bus, and inland days run as tours too. A car buys freedom and the serpentine drives; without one, lean on tours and buses and you'll still see the highlights.
