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Best Beaches in Ulcinj
Ulcinj’s coastal landscape is made up of long stretches of sand in the south and a number of small, picturesque cove beaches at close distance from the town center, which share relatively similar characteristics. They are deep and have gin-clear waters which contrasts beautifully with the low sandstone cliffs and coastal pine forests that surround them.
These coves can be reached easily via scenic pathways or the Adriatic coastal road, providing picturesque viewing points along the way. Most of the beaches come with facilities (showers, changing cabins, bars, and toilets), evidence of their huge popularity during the peak of summer. However, there are also some hidden gems only accessible by boat, and beautiful nudist and female-only beaches. Read on to find out more!
Ulcinj
Discover the ancient coastal town of Ulcinj, a popular resort in the south of Montenegro, known for its hospitality, mix of cultures, and long, sandy beaches.
Long Beach
Long Beach is one of the most popular beaches in town (it is also the largest!) because of its clean waters and soft gray sand that extends for over 12 kilometers along the southernmost stretches of the Montenegrin coastline. It is wedged between the resort town of Ulcinj, the coastal wetlands of the Salina, and the Bojana River Delta, straddling the border with Albania.
‘Velika Plaza’, as this strand is known locally, is a relaxed beach that draws a diverse crowd: kitesurfers and twenty-and-thirty-year-old bohemians occupy its southern parts while older beachgoers and families with small children prefer the areas closer to town. Long Beach is divided into two dozen designated sections, each with its own unique personality and varying ranges of facilities and services.
Sun loungers and parasols are available for hire all around while some beach clubs also provide Bali beds, children’s playgrounds, beach volleyball fields, lounge areas, etc. Still, there will always be ample space for placing your towel directly on the soft (but hot!) sand. If you won’t rent one, make sure to bring your umbrella, as the only shade is in the pine forests backing the beach. Long Beach is rightly so considered one of the top 20 beaches in Montenegro.
Long Beach
Twelve kilometers of soft sand, shallow waters, and gentle breezes make Long Beach an obvious choice, especially for families with children.
Liman I
The 80-meter-long rocky pebble beach of Liman I lies within footwalk distance from the old town and is especially popular with couples and solo beachgoers. There are several facilities, including deckchairs, Bali beds, umbrella rentals, showers, toilets, and a bar serving simple but tasty beach fare.
Liman I overlooks crystal-clear waters, two scenic islets, and the western edges of Ulcinj Castle. If you swim out a bit, you’ll have the historic center in plain sight. Despite its central location, the beach doesn’t feel built up – there is still a buoyant sense of escape. What else? The rocky coastline offers ideal snorkeling conditions, with plenty of fish, mooray eels, and octopuses. Our tip: Consider spending a summer evening at Liman Beach – the sunsets are without equal.
Liman II
Liman II lies right in the neighboring cove, just 500 meters north of Ulcinj Castle. Two concrete terraces extend out from the sandy core and are lined with deckchairs and umbrellas. The installed ladders and rails make it easy to dip into the sea without the need to cross over to the beach. This beach has all the vital facilities needed for a relaxed day by the sea such as showers and toilets.
Liman II finds itself in a neighborhood of residential homes and small apartment buildings. It is overlooked by Hotel Mediterraneo’s restaurant terrace and a beach club. It is thus very popular with hotel guests and locals but is less frequented by other tourists – partly due to the narrow, winding access road. It’s possible to arrange private boat transfers right on the spot.
Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach, a 150-meter-long paradisical cove on the northernmost tip of the Ulcinj Riviera, combines beauty and aloofness. It’s an attractive bay with a Robinson Crusoe vibe and no on-site amenities. It is only accessible by boat or via an overgrown, thorny pathway. In accord with its natural setting, there are no hotels in sight, just the Marine Protected Area of Stari Ulcinj.
It should come as no surprise that this pretty beach takes its name from its crystalline, turquoise-colored waters, which also make it one of the best snorkeling sites in Montenegro. There are picturesque rocky outcrops and large boulders on either side and leaping into the sea is one of the key pastimes here. Our tip: fill your beach bag with snacks and drinks and spend a relaxing afternoon at the beach. Alternatively, book a boat trip and (fish) picnic from the marina in Ulcinj.
Ada Bojana Beach
Ada Bojana, which translates to ‘Island of the Bojana River’ is the setting for Montenegro’s largest and most popular nudist beach. Ada Bojana Beach will tempt nature-loving naturalists, with its sense of seclusion, wild beauty, and gentle, Mediterranean breezes. The water is truly fantastic here, and a major bait for skinny-dipping beachgoers of all ages.
Shallow, and tranquil, with occasional waves stirred up by the wind, the beach is backed by sand dunes, shrubs, and a Yugoslav-era nudist settlement with bungalows and garden apartments. There’s also the Nova Ada Bojana beach restaurant and a section with sunbeds where wearing clothes is not only frowned upon but also strictly against nudist rules.
Ada Bojana Beach
Sitting on a triangular-shaped island south of Ulcinj and invoking a sense of tranquility, Ada Bojana Beach attracts naturalists from all across the world.
Ladies Beach Dada
Ladies Beach Dada finds itself in a narrow bay in the pine forests between Ulcinj and Long Beach. The beach here, a female-only nudist beach, is pocket-sized, off-the-beaten-track, and a truly idyllic spot for all-day (sun) bathing. Pleasantly warm water temperatures in summertime mean that you’ll likely spend more time in the sea than out.
There is a beach cafe/restaurant to which you can retreat after having rejuvenated yourself with one of the natural mud treatments and baked yourself to oblivion. Yes, female visitors come here not only for full-body tanning but also wellness, and some even claim that the sulfur springs help with fertility. I’m not sure if this is true, but this beach certainly helps with soaking away stress.
Albatros Beach
Located just outside Ulcinj, within footwalk distance to the town center, Albatros Beach is definitely worth the small ascend, as you will be surrounded by coastal pine forests and the blue waters of the Adriatic. This oasis of serenity also has a dedicated nudist section where your full-body bronzing goals are easily accomplished.
Take note however, this is not a beach in the traditional sense, but a layered plateau of concrete decks, with ladders and rails helping you dive into the clean water. Still, some beachgoers prefer jumping into the sea from the low-hanging cliffs. The pine-covered rocky outcrops in the back provide ample shade and protect the bay from the wind.
On Albatros Beach, you’ll find several facilities, including sun loungers and parasol hire, showers, changing stations, and lifeguards in summer. There are restaurants with al-fresco terraces serving snacks and drinks on the forested walkway along the back. Swimming, snorkeling, and luxuriating in the quiet are popular here, as there are no other water sports activities. available.
Kruce Beach
Kruce Beach lies in a rocky bay and is backed by unpretentious, low-rise vacation homes and lush Mediterranean shrubs, and is less busy than some of the neighboring beaches. Its sheltered, secluded setting and crystal-clear waters make it ideal for anyone craving a stimulating swim or peaceful snorkeling expedition.
Wearing appropriate water shoes and renting sun loungers, will provide the needed comfort. On-site facilities are limited to basic showers and changing cabins. There are also restaurants on either side and a cozy beach bar, occasionally featuring live music after 6 pm and giving a little party atmosphere. Still, in general, Kruce Beach remains a chilled environment.
Aquarius Beach
Aquarius Beach is less a beach and more a beach club sitting on a smooth, terraced surface that is popular with local and visiting twenty-year-olds. If your idea of a relaxing day at the beach is one of sipping cocktails to the sound of upbeat house and Balkan-style music, this might be your spot.
Head here on foot (it’s just a stone’s throw away from the center) and follow the promenade towards the forested cliffs to claim your spot under one of those tiki-style parasols or Bali beds. Green-blue waters flood the surrounding bays and coves, making it easy to spend long sun-kissed summer days stretched out on the rocks.
Divanovica Beach
Divanovica Beach is a hidden, pebbly cove that is seriously picturesque yet not easy to reach, which is part of its appeal. It is naturally very popular with everyone looking to spend some beach time away from the crowds. In fact, this 20-meter-long beach is as undemanding as it gets: go for a relaxing swim, dry off in the sun, and enjoy your castaway-style picnic afterward.
Don’t forget to bring a parasol, sturdy beach mats, and plenty of water since there are no facilities here. This is a true off-the-radar spot not many people know of – even locals – and it is just a few hundred meters south of Kruce. Its natural surroundings are beautiful: either side is hugged by pretty rock formations and makes up a fantastic spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Basbuljuk Beach
Basbusljuk Beach lies to the north of Ulcinj and is only accessible by boat. It’s a tiny cove measuring approximately 25 meters wide and 15 meters deep. It has good to great off-beach snorkeling thanks to its clean, Carribean-blue waters – that offer exceptional visibility – and a variety of small fish and beautiful sea creatures. Due to its remoteness, it appeals to those in search of a quiet seaside escape.
Valdanos Beach
Valdanos neighbours Babusljuk Beach yet is quite different. This former Yugoslav Army vacation resort boasts one of the largest beaches on the Ulcinj Riviera, measuring 300 meters of rocks and pebbles. It’s equipped for beachgoers, with wooden sun loungers and tiki-style parasol rentals, showers, toilets, and an unpretentious beach restaurant, serving delicious pizza.
This horseshoe-shaped bay is a common meeting point for divers, and it was possible to arrange diving expeditions on-site at the Dolcinium Diving Club – at least when we visited. Valdanos Beach is backed by centuries-old olive groves and conifers that provide heavy shade for holidaymakers to relax in, some in colorful hammocks and others on beach mats. Our observation: Unfortunately, the water here is not as clear as on nearby beaches, making this strand a better choice for sunbathing and diving instead of swimming and snorkeling.
Valdanos Beach
Discover Valdanos Beach, a strand visited for its stunning setting, north of Ulcinj and amidst hills dotted with centuries-old olive trees.
Sapore di Mare
Tucked away on a scenic rocky outcrop, located just 1 kilometer away from the historic town center, Sapore di Mare is one of Ulcinj’s culinary and leisure time secrets. This beach club is a true paradise for those seeking an exclusive and refined beach day experience. Much like neighboring coves, bushy Mediterranean pines that grow behind the cliffs help conserve its pristine, natural beauty.
Surrounded by lucid waters, Sapore di Mare offers a laid-back escape from the toing and froing of downtown. Boasting a casual and cozy vibe, Sapore di Mare is the perfect place for couples to spend sunny and relaxing days. From your comfortable sun lounger, you’ll look out across the wild and dramatic coastline known for its stunning snorkeling opportunities.