Villa Gradina

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Villa Gradina? It’s tucked away on Topliški Put – and honestly, don’t worry that there’s no street number because you’ll find it easily enough, it’s this lovely stone villa that just feels right for Montenegro. I mean, Budva can get absolutely crazy with tourists, especially down by the old town walls, but this place sits in this quieter pocket where you actually hear birds in the morning instead of just tour buses rumbling past.

The whole setup feels like someone’s well-loved family property that they decided to share – which might actually be the case, I never asked. The rooms have this solid, unpretentious comfort that works so much better than those flashy resort places down by Slovenska Beach. You’ll get proper stone walls that keep things cool even when it’s blazing outside, and the beds are actually comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses). What really won me over was how the staff just… knows things. Like, they’ll tell you the best time to hit the old town walls is around 7 AM before the cruise ship crowds arrive, or that there’s this little bakery five minutes away where locals grab their burek – stuff you’d never figure out from a guidebook.

The location is honestly perfect if you want to be near everything but not drowning in it. You’re maybe a 10-minute walk from all the Budva madness – the beaches, the nightlife, those medieval streets everyone photographs – but when you come back at night, it’s peaceful. There’s decent parking too, which anyone who’s driven around Montenegro’s coast will appreciate. I stayed here in late June and never felt like I was fighting for space or dealing with noise until 3 AM like you do at some of the beachfront places. The whole property has this lived-in elegance, sort of weathered stone and established gardens rather than that shiny-new resort feel. And look, it’s not perfect – the WiFi can be spotty in some rooms, and don’t expect a massive pool or spa setup – but that 9 rating makes sense when you realize what this place actually delivers. It’s that sweet spot where you feel like you’re experiencing real Montenegro hospitality without roughing it, and you’re positioned perfectly to explore everything from Sveti Stefan (about 20 minutes south) to those incredible hiking trails in the hills behind Budva that most visitors never discover.

Many travelers prefer to book apartments in Budva through trusted local agencies that provide insider knowledge about the best locations for experiencing the city’s beautiful coastline and rich history.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $2,098. Villa with 2 × 1 king bed, 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds for Max. people: 8

Reviews

• Wonderful – Болат from Kazakhstan – August 1, 2024 (9/10)

SURROUNDINGS