Ulcinj
Montenegro's southernmost town, an old town with an Albanian flavor, a 12 km sandy beach and kitesurfing at Ada Bojana, with Stari Bar and Lake Šas to the north.
Ulcinj is Montenegro's southernmost seaside town, right by the Albanian border. Most residents are ethnic Albanians, and mosque minarets alongside the Adriatic give it a distinctive look, with food and language strongly shaped by Albanian culture. It has a Mediterranean climate: June to September is beach season with warm water; spring and autumn are mild and good for birdwatching at the salt pans and Lake Šas or visiting the old town of Stari Bar; winter is rainy and many beach facilities close. There are three main areas. First, the 2,000-year-old old town with the small beach and seafront promenade below it. Second, Long Beach, about 12 km of sand stretching southeast to Ada Bojana at the mouth of the Bojana River, a kitesurfing hotspot whose riverside stilt restaurants are famous for fresh fish. Third, day trips: north to the old town of Stari Bar and its ancient olive tree, or to Lake Šas and the ruins of Svač. Getting there: the nearest airports are Podgorica (about 1.5 hours by car) and Tivat, and you can also cross over from Shkodër in Albania; sights in the area are spread out, so rent a car or take taxis. Allow 3–5 days. Note: accommodation and parking are tight in high season, so book ahead; some beaches have strong rip currents, so swim where lifeguards are on duty.
Top sights
- Ulcinj Old Town – A two-thousand-year-old town built on a headland, with stone lanes, city walls and towers overlooking a small beach. It is the symbol of Ul…
- Velika Plaža – The longest beach on the eastern Adriatic coast, with about 12 km of fine sand and gentle entry into the water. A family holiday spot and a…
- Ada Bojana – A triangular river island at the mouth of the Bojana River, with a naturist beach, a kitesurfing base and riverside stilt restaurants.
- Mala Plaža – A crescent-shaped city beach at the foot of the Old Town, backed by the city walls and seafront promenade. Convenient for swimming and stro…
- Ulcinj Salina – A natural park on about 1,500 hectares of abandoned salt pans, one of the most important bird habitats on the eastern Adriatic coast.
- Stari Bar – The medieval hilltop town ruins beneath Mount Rumija, with layered remains of walls, churches and aqueducts. Known as the "Pompeii of Monte…
- Old Olive Tree in Mirovica – An ancient olive tree said to be more than 2,000 years old, protected as a Montenegrin natural heritage site and a symbol of Bar.
- Šas Lake – A tranquil lake near the Albanian border, with the medieval ruins of Svač nearby. Good for birdwatching and lake fish.
- Valdanos Bay – A pebble bay northwest of the Old Town, backed by ancient olive groves. The water is clear and it is quieter than the town beaches.
- Ladies' Beach – A rocky beach below the pine woods southeast of the Old Town, with sulphur springs said to aid fertility. Parts are reserved for women only.
- Pasha's Mosque – An Ottoman mosque completed in 1719, with a Turkish bathhouse beside it. It reflects the strong Albanian Muslim heritage of Ulcinj.
- Sailors' Mosque – A white mosque beside Mala Plaža, funded in the 18th century by local seafarers. Its minaret is part of the seafront skyline.
Where to eat
- Restaurant Teuta – A family seafood restaurant inside the Old Town walls of Ulcinj, where the owner goes fishing himself. The terrace over…
- Lovac Restaurant (Since 1928) – A family restaurant founded in 1928. Home cooking and grilled seafood are served under a trellis of grapevines and kiwi…
- Kod Ranka – A stilt-house fish restaurant at the mouth of the Ada Bojana river. Enjoy sea views and sunsets while eating the day's…
Itineraries
- Kotor to Tirana via Ulcinj and Theth – Head south along the Montenegrin coast into Albania, ascend to the Theth Valley, and finish in Tirana.