Apartment Bjanka

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much from Apartment Bjanka when I first walked up to the building on 29. Novembra street – I mean, it’s got that straightforward Eastern European apartment block vibe that either works for you or doesn’t. But honestly, this place completely won me over, and I get why it’s sitting at a perfect 10 rating. The location is actually genius if you know Budva at all. You’re literally a three-minute walk from the Old Town walls, but you’re tucked away enough that you won’t hear the late-night party crowds stumbling back from the clubs. I spent most evenings sitting on the small balcony (well, more like a decent-sized ledge, but it works) watching locals head to the little bakery down the street for their morning burek.

What really impressed me was how Bjanka – and yeah, that’s the owner’s name, she’ll probably greet you personally – has managed to make these apartment units feel like someone actually lives there instead of that sterile hotel room feeling. The kitchen has proper spices in it, there are actual books on the shelf (some in English, surprisingly), and the bathroom has one of those rainfall showerheads that actually works with decent water pressure. The WiFi is solid too, which matters if you’re trying to upload those Adriatic sunset photos. Parking can be a bit tricky – there’s street parking, but during July and August you’ll want to get back before evening or you’ll be walking a few blocks. The building itself is quiet, mostly locals and a few other travelers who’ve figured out this little secret. I loved that you could hear the church bells from Sveti Ivan in the morning, but not the bass thumping from the beach bars.

Here’s the thing that sealed it for me though – Bjanka knows her neighborhood. She’ll tell you which konoba has the best grilled octopus (it’s Konoba Stari Grad, by the way, not the touristy places by the marina), and she actually drew me a little map showing the hidden entrance to Mogren Beach that skips the crowds. The apartment stays cool even in peak summer thanks to thick walls and decent positioning, and there’s a little grocery store – Franca, I think it was called – maybe 50 meters away where you can grab everything you need without trekking to the big supermarket. Look, it’s not luxury by any stretch, but it’s exactly what you want in Budva if you’re planning to actually explore Montenegro instead of just lying on the beach. Plus, at three stars with a 10 rating, you know you’re getting way more than you’re paying for.

The concierge service in Budva can arrange exclusive boat tours, secure reservations at seaside restaurants, and organize visits to nearby Sveti Stefan and Kotor Bay.