Budva is considered one of the oldest settlements in the Balkans. The legend, according to Greek mythology, says that Budva was established by Cadmo, the son of the Phoenician king Agenon. He was expelled from Thebes and arrived by ox-drawn car in this area where he started Budva. 

The old town of Budva lies on a little island that was linked to the land by a sandbar and in time turned into a peninsula. It is surrounded by ramparts originating from the XV century including a medieval fortification system with city gates, defense walls and towers. Inside the walls the town is a combination of narrow streets and little squares with valuable monuments of different Mediterranean cultures that marked its development:

- The St. Ivan’s church, VII century, has pictures and icons by Venetian artists from the XV - XVII century. There is a library in the church and an archive where valuable examples of the old church books are kept.

- The Church of St. Mother of God, Mary in punta, was built by the Benedictines in 840.

- The St. Sava church originated from the period of Nemanjici in the XIV century. It was first mentioned in 1413 in the Charter of the Zeta’s ruler Balsa III.

- The St. Trinity church is from 1804. There is a grave of Stjepan Mitrov Ljubisa, a famous writer, in front of the church. The church is located in the old town in front of the Citadel.

Today Budva is a center of tourism and a city of theatre, festivals and celebrations. It is a summer stage for cultural productions.