Bečići vs Petrovac: family beach resort vs quiet pine-scented cove
Is Bečići or Petrovac better for families?
Bečići is Montenegro's best family beach — 1.7 km of gentle sand, shallow entry, all beach services, and a short walk or bus ride from Budva's amenities. Petrovac is better for couples and slow travellers wanting quiet — a small pebble beach flanked by Venetian towers, Olive Island just offshore, and a genuinely low-key pace that Bečići and Budva completely lack.
Same coastline, completely different rhythm
Bečići and Petrovac both sit south of Budva on the Montenegrin Riviera, and both are alternatives to the noise and density of Budva itself. But they appeal to almost opposite types of traveller.
Bečići (3 km south of Budva) is an extension of the Budva resort zone — a long sandy beach backed by large hotels, with beach bars, water sports and a summer atmosphere that mirrors Budva in miniature. Petrovac (15 km further south) is a small coastal town that has preserved a genuinely quiet character: a curved pebble beach, pine trees, a 16th-century Venetian tower, and a pace of life that belongs more to the 1970s than to the contemporary Adriatic resort circuit.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Bečići | Petrovac |
|---|---|---|
| Beach type | 1.7 km soft sand, shallow gradient | Curved pebble cove, clearer water |
| Atmosphere | Resort, organised, beach services | Quiet, local, pine trees, old town |
| Families with children | Excellent — shallow, sandy, safe | Good — calmer than Budva but pebble |
| Couples / slow travel | Adequate | Excellent |
| Accommodation | Large resort hotels + apartments | Smaller hotels, apartments, B&Bs |
| Cost | €€–€€€ | €–€€ (cheaper than Budva/Bečići) |
| Nightlife | Low-key (Budva 3 km away) | Very low-key |
| Restaurants | Good variety | Limited but quality, local fish |
| Landmark | Milocer reserve nearby | Venetian tower, Olive Island |
| Nearest city | Budva (3 km) | Budva (15 km), Bar (30 km) |
Bečići beach: Montenegro’s best sandy beach
Bečići won a Blue Flag award in 1935 — one of the first beaches in the world to do so — and the beach has maintained its reputation for clean, well-organised swimming. The 1.7 km of sand is the longest unbroken sandy beach in Montenegro, with a gentle gradient that makes it ideal for children who are still learning to swim. Sun loungers and parasols are available for rent throughout the beach (€5–10 per lounger per day), water sports operators offer jet ski, paddleboard and banana boat rentals, and the beach bars and restaurants run the entire length.
The backdrop is large resort hotels — some aging Yugoslav-era blocks alongside newer developments. The strip has more infrastructure than charm, but as a beach destination for families it is genuinely excellent.
Budva: Tandem Paragliding (All Inclusive)Petrovac: the quiet choice
Petrovac na Moru (to give it its full name) is a small town of about 1,500 residents that sees a surge in summer visitors — mostly Montenegrin families, Serbian weekenders, and a growing number of international travellers who have discovered that it’s possible to have a genuinely quiet beach holiday in Montenegro without going to the mountains.
The beach is a 460-metre crescent of rounded pebble, flanked at one end by the 16th-century Venetian fortress (Kastio) and at the other by pine trees descending to the waterfront. Olive Island (Katic Island) sits 150 metres offshore — a tiny rock topped with a chapel, accessible by swimming or short kayak. The water here is notably clear, consistently rated some of the cleanest on the Montenegrin coast.
The old town behind the beach is modest but genuine: a handful of traditional restaurants, a morning market, the fortress-tower now used as a café terrace. In the evening, the promenade fills with locals in the passiata — the southern European tradition of an evening walk that Petrovac has retained more authentically than Budva.
Cost difference
Petrovac is meaningfully cheaper than Bečići or Budva:
- Accommodation: A double room in a family-run apartment in Petrovac: €40–75 in July. Equivalent in Bečići resort hotel: €90–160.
- Beach: Petrovac’s beach has fewer organised sunlounger rentals (some free zones remain). Bečići’s beach is almost entirely organised.
- Restaurants: Local restaurants in Petrovac run €12–20 for a full meal. Similar quality on Bečići’s beachfront: €18–30.
The saving over a week is €150–400 depending on accommodation choice.
Profile cards
If you’re travelling with children under 10 and sandy shallow water is non-negotiable: Bečići. The beach is made for small children.
If you’re a couple looking for quiet evenings, local atmosphere and pebble-cove swimming: Petrovac wins clearly.
If you want to be 3 km from Budva’s restaurants and nightlife but not inside the noise: Bečići — close enough to access everything, slightly removed from the most intense concentration.
If you’re a solo slow traveller or digital nomad: Petrovac. The slower pace, lower prices and pine-scented walks make it an excellent base.
If you want both: Bečići for the first half, Petrovac for the second — they’re 18 km apart.
FAQ
Can I swim at Bečići if I’m not staying in one of the resort hotels?
Yes. The beach is public. You can walk in from the town, rent sunloungers independently, and use the beach bars and restaurants without being a hotel guest. Some hotels have fenced private sections, but the majority of the beach is open.
Is Petrovac beach sandy or pebble?
Pebble — rounded smooth stones, not sharp gravel. Many visitors find it comfortable with beach shoes or sandals. The water tends to be clearer over pebble than sand.
How do I get from Budva to Petrovac?
Regular local buses run from Budva bus station to Petrovac (journey: approximately 30–40 minutes, cost: €2–3). By car or taxi: 15 km, 20 minutes. Taxis cost around €20–25.
Are there good restaurants in Petrovac?
Yes, though limited in number. The best are the traditional konobe (taverns) in the old town serving fresh grilled fish, seafood pasta, and local lamb. Čista, Konoba Olive and several seasonal restaurants on the promenade have good reputations. Reserve in peak season.
Is Petrovac good for snorkelling?
Yes — one of the better snorkelling locations on the Montenegrin coast due to the clear water and rocky outcrops near Olive Island. Visibility is typically 5–10 metres.
Can I easily day trip from Petrovac to Kotor?
Yes. Petrovac to Kotor is 46 km, approximately 55 minutes by car. Regular buses run to Budva, from where connections to Kotor are frequent. The drive is scenic — the coastal road offers beautiful views.