The sea temperature at Budva (Sveti Stefan) today is 20.1 °C (68 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 20.8 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 22.9 °C to 20.1 °C. Swimmable from May to November, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.8°C / 56.8°F | 14.2°C / 57.5°F | 14.7°C / 58.4°F |
| February | 13.0°C / 55.4°F | 13.3°C / 55.9°F | 13.7°C / 56.7°F |
| March | 13.1°C / 55.5°F | 13.8°C / 56.8°F | 14.4°C / 58.0°F |
| April | 14.3°C / 57.7°F | 15.2°C / 59.4°F | 16.5°C / 61.7°F |
| May | 18.4°C / 65.2°F | 18.9°C / 66.0°F | 19.6°C / 67.3°F |
| June | 22.5°C / 72.4°F | 23.3°C / 73.9°F | 24.2°C / 75.5°F |
| July | 24.3°C / 75.8°F | 25.2°C / 77.4°F | 25.9°C / 78.6°F |
| August | 24.5°C / 76.1°F | 25.4°C / 77.7°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F |
| September | 23.3°C / 73.9°F | 24.0°C / 75.1°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| October | 19.6°C / 67.3°F | 20.8°C / 69.5°F | 22.1°C / 71.8°F |
| November | 18.0°C / 64.4°F | 18.9°C / 66.0°F | 19.6°C / 67.3°F |
| December | 15.0°C / 59.0°F | 15.6°C / 60.1°F | 16.0°C / 60.7°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.3°C / 45.1°F | 8.5°C / 47.3°F | 10.3°C / 50.6°F |
| February | 7.3°C / 45.2°F | 9.1°C / 48.4°F | 11.5°C / 52.7°F |
| March | 9.2°C / 48.6°F | 10.9°C / 51.6°F | 12.9°C / 55.3°F |
| April | 12.1°C / 53.7°F | 13.8°C / 56.8°F | 15.6°C / 60.2°F |
| May | 16.8°C / 62.2°F | 18.5°C / 65.4°F | 20.5°C / 68.9°F |
| June | 22.4°C / 72.2°F | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 26.6°C / 79.8°F |
| July | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 26.9°C / 80.5°F | 29.4°C / 84.9°F |
| August | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 26.4°C / 79.4°F | 28.9°C / 84.0°F |
| September | 20.4°C / 68.8°F | 22.2°C / 71.9°F | 24.5°C / 76.2°F |
| October | 16.1°C / 61.1°F | 17.8°C / 64.0°F | 20.1°C / 68.1°F |
| November | 12.4°C / 54.3°F | 13.5°C / 56.3°F | 15.3°C / 59.5°F |
| December | 8.8°C / 47.8°F | 9.9°C / 49.8°F | 11.6°C / 52.9°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Sveti Stefan holidays
Sveti Stefan is a walled 15th-century fishing village on a small island off the Budva Riviera in Montenegro, joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus of sand. Its stone houses and red roofs are now a luxury resort, and the view of the island from the coast road above has become an emblem of the Montenegrin coast.
Beaches
Two beaches run along the isthmus on either side of Sveti Stefan, with reddish sand and small pebbles. Public access, sunbed hire and resort-managed areas are set by local arrangements that have changed over the years, so check the signs on arrival. To the north-west, through the pine park of Miločer, lie Queen's Beach, part of the resort, and the small public beach of Pržno. The water is clear and deepens fairly quickly, and water shoes help on the pebbles.
Things to do
The viewpoint on the Adriatic highway above Sveti Stefan is the classic place to photograph the island, especially in the evening light. A shaded coastal path leads through Miločer park to Pržno in about half an hour. Budva, about 7 km north-west, has a walled old town and a lively seafront, and Kotor, with its UNESCO-listed old town on the Bay of Kotor, makes a day trip, with driving times depending on coastal traffic. Petrovac, to the south, is a quieter resort with a small fortress by the sea, and in the hills above Sveti Stefan the Praskvica Monastery is a short drive away.
Weather and best time to visit
At Sveti Stefan the sea stays above 20 °C / 68 °F from June to October.
Summers on the Budva Riviera around Sveti Stefan are hot, dry and sunny, and July and August bring the most visitors and traffic along the coast road. June and September are warm and calmer, and the sea is usually calm on summer mornings. Autumn and winter are mild but wet, and the cold bura wind can blow down from the mountains.
Hotels and where to stay
The island of Sveti Stefan and Villa Miločer form the Aman Sveti Stefan resort; stays on the island are seasonal, and access is normally limited to guests. The village of Sveti Stefan on the hillside above has hotels and apartments with views of the island, and Budva has a far wider choice.
Signature hotels: Hotel California by Aycon
Airport and getting there
Tivat Airport (TIV) is about 30 km from Sveti Stefan, roughly 40 minutes by car, and Podgorica Airport (TGD) is about 60 km inland. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in Croatia is also used, with a border crossing on the way. Buses along the coast road between Budva and Petrovac stop at Sveti Stefan.