Bečići Beach Guide: Montenegro's Award-Winning Sandy Shore

The sandy beach the Budva Riviera is actually famous for

Most of Montenegro’s beaches are pebble or coarse gravel — beautiful in their own way, but not the powdery European seaside ideal. Bečići is the exception. The sand is pale, fine-grained by Adriatic standards, and extends for 2 km in a wide arc at the base of low coastal hills.

The International Tourism Federation awarded Bečići its “Pearl of the Mediterranean” distinction in 1935. The award was for the quality and appearance of the beach itself, and nearly a century later the sand remains the main draw. Behind it, a line of large resort hotels provides every facility a family or comfort-oriented traveller could want without independent planning.

Bečići sits about 2 km south-east of Budva’s city centre and is separated from it by a rocky headland — which keeps it slightly quieter and a noticeably different character from Budva’s Slovenska Plaža.

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The beach itself

Length: Approximately 2 km from the northern end (adjacent to the Budva headland) to the southern end at Rafailovići village.

Width: 20–30 m at the widest, narrowing slightly at the south end. Wide enough that even at peak season there is space to spread out.

Sand quality: Fine and light-coloured, occasionally with a slightly dark mineral streak. Cleaner in the early morning before daily use; raking is done by the main concession operators but not uniformly across the free sections.

Water entry: Gentle slope, very gradual. Children can wade 20–30 metres before the depth becomes significant. The bay is exposed to the south-east but generally sheltered from the main northerly swell by the Budva headland. Waves rarely exceed 30 cm in calm conditions.

Water clarity: High. The lack of river input and the sandy bottom make visibility excellent on calm days.

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Sun lounger and concession situation

Multiple competing operators manage sections of the beach. The overall pattern:

• Peak season pricing (July–August): €10–20 per lounger (pair typically sold together at €18–35), with umbrella included. Minimum drink orders may apply at some operators.
• Shoulder season (June, September): €6–10 per lounger, more negotiable, fewer operators active.
• Free zones: Exist at both ends of the beach and along the narrow strip at the water’s edge (legally public throughout). The northern end near the Hotel Splendid headland and the southern end at Rafailovići are the easiest free-access points.

The largest resort hotels (Splendid Conference & Spa Resort, Iberostar Becici) operate their own beach sections with service included for guests. Non-guests can rent from concession operators in the same area.

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Water sports

Bečići has well-developed water sports infrastructure:

Kayaking: Single and double sea kayaks from €10–15/hour. The popular route is the 3 km kayak south to Sveti Stefan island — a straightforward open-water paddle taking 45–60 minutes one way. The sea is usually calm enough before 11 am and after 4 pm. Do not attempt if the afternoon wind is strong.

Paddleboarding: €12–15/hour rental. Good conditions in the mornings in the sheltered bay.

Jet skis: €60–80 for 30 minutes. Operators along the central beach section.

Banana boats: €10–15/person for 10–15 minutes. Popular with families.

Pedal boats: €15–20/hour for two-person boats. Good for exploring the bay at a gentle pace.

Parasailing: Operates from the beach in calm conditions, typically mornings. €35–45 per person.

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The Rafailovići end

The southern end of Bečići beach technically becomes Rafailovići — a small village with a cluster of restaurants, apartments, and a quieter concession area. The transition is gradual and unmarked. If you want a slightly lower-key version of Bečići without going further south, position yourself here. Fewer large hotel groups, same quality sand and water.

Rafailovići has a small promenade with fish restaurants, konobas (local taverns), and a modest harbour where small pleasure boats moor.

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Getting to Bečići

From Budva on foot: 25–35 minutes along the coastal promenade south from Budva’s Slovenska Plaža. A pleasant walk with sea views; mostly flat.

By taxi from Budva centre: €5–8. A sensible option at the end of a long beach day.

By local bus: Summer services from Budva’s bus station south toward Petrovac pass through Bečići. Journey about 15 minutes, fare under €2.

By car: 3 km from Budva centre on the coastal road heading south-east (toward Sveti Stefan). Parking is the challenge — see below.

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Parking

Bečići has limited dedicated parking. Options:

• Hotel lots: Hotel Splendid and Iberostar Bečići have guest parking; non-guests sometimes pay €3–5/day if space is available.
• Roadside along the coastal road: Free but competitive in peak season. Fill quickly by 9 am.
• Rafailovići village: Slightly more parking space near the harbour end, 5–10 minutes’ walk to the central beach.

Better strategy in July–August: park in Budva and walk the 25 minutes along the promenade, or take a taxi.

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Food and drink near Bečići

On the beach: Beach bars and a couple of more serious restaurants operate seasonally along the strand. Quality ranges from snack operations (grilled ćevapi, sandwiches) to full fish menus. Budget €12–20/person for a beach lunch with drinks.

Rafailovići promenade: The better restaurants are here. Restaurant Galija (facing the small harbour) serves reliable grilled fish and local seafood — expect €15–25/person for a full meal.

Budva old town: 25 minutes on foot, or a quick taxi for dinner-quality restaurants with more variety.

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Kayak to Sveti Stefan

The most popular self-guided excursion from Bečići is paddling 3 km south to the Sveti Stefan isthmus. The route follows the coast past small coves and limestone cliffs. The crossing from Rafailovići to the first bay south of Sveti Stefan takes about 50–70 minutes in calm conditions.

Rent kayaks from the Bečići beach operators early in the morning. Return by the same route or take the bus back from Sveti Stefan (leaving the kayak creates a logistical problem — clarify with the rental operator whether one-way drop-off is possible; most do not offer it).

Boat Tour to Sveti Stefan Hidden Beaches Budva 5h Private Boat & Beach Hopping

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What Bečići does better than Budva’s main beach

Travellers who stay in Budva often spend one beach day at Slovenska Plaža (the main Budva beach) and one day at Bečići, and consistently prefer Bečići for actual beach quality. The comparison:

Bečići advantages:

• Finer, softer sand than Slovenska Plaža’s coarse mix
• Wider beach — more space per person even at peak
• Slightly calmer water (more sheltered from the open south-east swell)
• Better kayak and paddleboard conditions in the morning
• Cleaner water at the edges (less boat traffic than Budva harbour area)

Budva advantages:

• Walking distance from the old town and central restaurants
• More nightlife options directly adjacent
• More choice of water sports operators
• Easier to combine with a cultural visit to the Stari Grad

For a day dedicated purely to beach quality, Bečići wins. For convenience and variety, Budva’s beach wins.

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Combining Bečići with the wider Riviera

Bečići is 2 km from Budva, 4 km from Sveti Stefan, and 6 km from Petrovac. It sits at the centre of the Riviera’s most visited section. A multi-day Riviera stay naturally combines:

• Day 1: Jaz Beach — water sports and activity
• Day 2: Bečići — soft sand and resort comfort
• Day 3: Sveti Stefan — iconic view and hidden coves

The Budva Bay boat tour covers Sveti Stefan, Sveti Nikola island, and sea caves in one loop — an excellent complement to the beach days.

For the broader Bay of Kotor experience, Kotor is 35 km north: an easy day trip combining old town exploration with the Bay of Kotor cruise.

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Nightlife near Bečići

Bečići itself is quieter at night than Budva proper. The large resort hotels have bars and some have live music in season. For active nightlife — beach clubs, DJ nights, late venues — Budva (2 km, €5 taxi) is the destination.

Travellers who want beach quality in the day and easy access to Budva’s nightlife at night find Bečići an ideal compromise: stay here, play there.

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Best time to visit Bečići

June: Water at 22–24°C, relatively quiet, full facilities not yet open but main operators running. Best for value.

July–August: Peak season. Every operator at full capacity, water at 26–28°C, lively atmosphere. Plan to arrive by 9 am for a good spot; later arrivals find the free zones crowded.

September: Excellent — water still warm from summer (25–27°C), 30–40% fewer visitors, lower prices. Many families with children have left, making September the month locals often prefer.

October: Some operators close after mid-October. Water cools to 20–22°C. Can be very pleasant with no crowds.

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Accessibility at Bečići

Bečići is one of the more accessible beaches on the Riviera for travellers with reduced mobility:

Beach access: The beach has a gradual approach from the coastal road with minimal steps. The large resort hotels (Splendid, Iberostar) have dedicated accessible routes from their facilities to the beach.

Terrain: Sand and fine gravel — firmer than deep-sand beaches, easier to navigate with a wheelchair or mobility aid. The promenade from Budva is flat and paved throughout.

Sun lounger facilities: Most concession operators can accommodate specific needs — ask in advance for positioning near the water entry.

Sea entry: The gentle slope makes entry easy for those with limited mobility. There are no sudden drops.

This is not a formally certified accessible beach, but the practical conditions are significantly better than many alternatives on the Montenegrin coast.

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Bečići vs Petrovac: the quieter southern alternative

Petrovac, 12 km south of Bečići, offers a comparison point for travellers who want good beaches with even fewer crowds:

Petrovac beach: About 600 m of coarse sand with a small Venetian fortress at one end and a handful of restaurants on the promenade. Much quieter than Bečići in July–August (smaller capacity, less accessible, fewer tour operators based there).

Water quality: Very good — similarly clear to Bečići, slightly more open to south-east swell.

Facilities: More limited than Bečići — fewer water sports operators, fewer beach bar options.

What Petrovac wins on: Atmosphere. Petrovac feels like a proper small town with a beach rather than a resort beach with a town attached. The promenade restaurants are more local in character; the evening pace is slower.

For travellers who find Bečići too busy even in shoulder season, Petrovac is the natural step further south. Accessible by bus from Budva (30 min, several departures per hour in summer).

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FAQ

Is Bečići the same as Budva beach?

No. Bečići is a separate beach about 2 km south-east of Budva, on the other side of a rocky headland. Budva’s main beach is Slovenska Plaža, which connects directly to the old town. They are connected by a coastal promenade.

Can I walk from Bečići to Budva?

Yes — the promenade from Budva’s Slovenska Plaža continues around the headland to Bečići. Allow 25–35 minutes. It is one of the more pleasant coastal walks on the Riviera.

Is Bečići good for families with young children?

Yes — the gentle water entry, soft sand, and calm bay make it one of the best family beaches in Montenegro. The large resort hotels provide full facilities including lifeguards in season.

Are there jellyfish at Bečići?

Occasionally in late August, as elsewhere on the Riviera. Not a major or consistent issue. Ask locally upon arrival.

What is the difference between Bečići and Rafailovići?

They are the same continuous beach; Rafailovići is the southern section, adjacent to the small village of the same name. Rafailovići is slightly quieter and more local in character.

Can I reach Sveti Stefan by kayak from Bečići?

Yes — the 3 km paddle takes about 50–70 minutes. Do it in the morning when the sea is calm. Rent from beach operators; confirm that they are comfortable with the distance before you go.

How busy does Bečići get in August?

Very busy. The central beach section is dense with sun loungers and people from 10 am onward. The northern and southern ends remain more manageable. Going before 9 am or after 4 pm makes a significant difference.

Is there a best section of Bečići for families with toddlers?

Yes — the central section adjacent to the Hotel Splendid has the gentlest water entry and the most organised facilities including seasonal lifeguard coverage. The northern end near the Budva headland tends to have slightly more boat traffic in the water.

What is the water visibility like at Bečići?

Generally excellent — 5–10 m visibility on calm days. The sandy bottom reflects light upward and creates the turquoise colour visible in most beach photos. After heavy rainfall (rare in summer), sediment can temporarily reduce visibility.