Budva Shopping Tips by karenincalifornia

Dirt Cheap CDs

There are a few CD shops in Budva, and since I love music so much, we stopped by one and searched through the CD collection. The store we visited had one section for regional artists and one for international artists. Vocalists and groups of international fame such as Dido, Maroon 5, Sara McLachlin, and Norah Jones were very popular.

When we travel abroad, we like to bring back CDs of national artists. In Budva, the shopkeeper was very helpful and gave us some very helpful recommendations for Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian artists. He even played snippets of each CD for us before we bought them.

What to buy: Most of the regional (Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian) artists featured in this CD shop were solo singers. We asked the shopkeeper if there were any good Serbian or Croatian groups. He said, “No, not really. Groups don’t do too well in Serbia & Montenegro. Solo artists do.” After hearing this, I wondered what would have happened if the Fab Four or Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones tried to get their start in Yugoslavia.

I was amazed at the low prices. The CDs, even those recorded by the international artists were only 3 or 4 Eurodollars apiece. After expressing my amazement several times, my 16 year old son said, “Mom, these are all bootlegged copies. See, these aren't packaged and they don't have seals. And look at the pictures on the cover. There’s something not quite right about them. They’re all distorted.”

How does my 16-year old son know these things?? I bought a bunch anyway, bootlegged or not. The pictures might be distorted but I sure have enjoyed listening to my CDs. When they are playing on my stereo, you’d never know they were bootlegged.

What to pay: $3 to $4 Eurodollars

Address: Budva Stari Grad

Theme: Music

Onyx: Big Bargains - Better than Factory Outlets

Like other places in Montenegro, there are a lot of bargains to be had in Budva. We stopped by this gold shop (“zlatare”) called Onyx and I purchased a good quality 14K gold bracelet for $120 Eurodollars and a gold chain for my daughter for $35 Eurollars.

What to buy: The shop had quite an assortment of jewelry – beautiful anklets (my favorite), rings, watches and necklaces. They even issue a certificate of authenticity (“garancija kvaliteta”) when you make your purchase.

What to pay: Not much compared to the US

Address: In Budva Stari Grad

Phone: 069 588 998

Theme: Jewelry