Budva Citadel

Budva Citadel is the southern stronghold of the Old Town, crowning a rocky headland above the sea. Shaped from the Middle Ages onward, it closes the town walls into a defensive loop and dominates the maritime approaches.

• Sea-facing ramparts ~160 m long – the main coastal curtain tied into the town walls.
• Remains of Santa Maria de Castello – traces of the early sacred core removed during 19th-century Austrian works.
• Austro-Hungarian stone barracks – the citadel’s most prominent interior mass.
• Library and small museum – collections of Balkan maps and Budva history within the fortress.
• Active cultural venue – summer concerts and theatre in the courtyard.

• Wall-walks and lookouts over the Adriatic and the Old Town.
• Ruins of Santa Maria de Castello and masonry details in casemates.
• Rooms with maps and rare books, plus the open-air stage.

First recorded in 1425, the stronghold was known as the Castle of St Mary and grew through the Venetian era (15th–18th c.). For a time after leaving Prevlaka, the Zeta Metropolitan had his seat here.

In the 19th century, Austrian authorities refashioned the citadel, erecting barracks and demolishing the small church of Santa Maria de Castello. After the 1979 earthquake, the yard was adapted as an open-air venue. Long state-owned, the site is now privately managed, combining museum and hospitality uses.

Location: southern end of Budva Old Town, directly above the sea; entrance is from inside the walls via a narrow passage off one of the main lanes.

Getting there: walk to the Old Town from central Budva, then follow signs to “Citadela/Citadel”; it’s about 15–20 minutes on foot from the main bus station along Mediteranska Street to the Old Town, plus 3–5 minutes through the alleys. Paid parking is available near the walls.

Access: admission is ticketed; as of 2025, adult tickets generally fall in the €3.5–5 range, depending on season and source, and cover access to the terraces, museum corner and library. The restaurant/bar is paid separately.

Visiting hours: in the warm season (roughly April–October) the citadel typically opens daily around 09:00 and closes about 20:00, with some sources reporting extended summer hours into late evening; winter hours are shorter – always confirm locally.

Visit duration: 30–60 minutes is enough for the walls, terraces, museum and library; allow 1.5–2 hours if you plan to linger over photos or a drink/meal in the restaurant.

Best time: mornings for a quieter visit and softer light; late afternoon and sunset for dramatic views over the Old Town and St Nicholas Island. Midday in high summer can be hot and crowded.

Notes: expect many steps and uneven stone surfaces with relatively low railings, so sturdy shoes and care with children are important. Terraces can be slippery in rain. The Citadela restaurant operates its own schedule and may occasionally close areas for private events.