Strbina Beach
Strbina Beach, or Plaza Milene Dravic ( named after a Yugoslav actress), is a perfect example of why beaches on the Bar Riviera can be so unspoiled and exceptional. Tucked in between the larger resort towns of Sutomore and Petrovac, Strbina Beach is a small cove only about 150 meters wide that is surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs and thick pine forests.
This is a secluded and relaxed beach that draws a mixed crowd of families with children and younger beachgoers who are looking to escape the crowds of nearby Sutomore Beach, but you will also find older people as well, some of whom come purely for the complimentary outdoor Spa treatment – mineral-rich mud is plentiful here.
Sutomore Beach
A long pebble beach that is popular with a younger party crowd, but also with families and pensioners who visit in the off-season. Find out more about Sutomore Beach.
Things to do on Strbina Beach
Engulfed by fragrant pine trees and crystal-clear, azure waters, Strbina Beach is popular with locals and tourists alike who appreciate the strand’s sense of wildness, rugged beauty, and summer heat. To escape the sun, visitors either rent sun loungers and parasols or place their towels in the natural shade of the beachside woodland.
Surrounded by towering cliffs, the sun sets earlier here, particularly on the public part of the beach; keep that in mind when planning your beach day. There are few, if any watersports you can try on Strbina Beach, and with only one beach restaurant, there is not much in the way of sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling to the fullest.
Watersports in Montenegro
Kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and wind-and-kitesurfing are some of the most popular watersports in Montenegro. Find out more here!
In calm weather, it’s an idyllic spot for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, but you would need to bring your equipment. Onsite, you’ll find basic beach facilities, including showers, cabins, and toilets. The beach restaurant serves typical beach fare at affordable rates: french fries, hamburgers, ice cream, and the like. Enjoying stunning views and cold drinks from the beach bar is always highly recommended.
For a good range of lunch options, head to the neighboring resort of Sutomore, which is just 1.5 kilometers further south. Swim zones are well-marked with buoys, but good swimmers can also venture further out to neighboring Maljevik Beach, another favorite with locals. Divers love this area, too, thanks to the rich marine world.
Maljevijk Beach
Maljevik Beach is an often-overlooked beach on the Bar Riviera, attracting many local visitors. Surrounded by lush greenery, it is valued by nature lovers and divers.
Things to do in Bar, Montenegro
Our list of the best things to do in Bar includes many (family-friendly) outdoor activities as well as cultural and romantic options geared towards couples.
Safety and Access
Though it feels remote, Strbina Beach is relatively easy to locate coming from Budva, Bar, or Sutomore. It is just one kilometer off the main Adriatic Highway but there is a general lack of signage; you’d be better advised using a navigation system. You can park for free along the unpaved road leading up to the beach.
From the parking lot, it’s just 100 meters to the beach but it requires going down a series of stairs, making it impossible to access for wheelchair users or anyone with reduced mobility. Public transport stops in the nearby town of Sutomore: you can walk the remaining 2 kilometers and hailing a taxi won’t be too expensive either.
Anchoring your boat in the bay is possible but the nearby cove of Maljevik offers more protection from the wind. As far as the beach is concerned, a lifeguard should be on duty all summer long. You might consider water shoes, especially in the free public part of Strbina Beach which is rockier than the private section.
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a port and resort town with a long and turbulent history. Surrounded by Lake Skadar and the Adriatic, it is the perfect setting for a memorable family holiday.
The Surrounding Area
There is much to visit nearby Strbina Beach. Petrovac na Moru is only a 15-minute drive away along the Adriatic highway for an evening dining in one of the romantic waterfront restaurants, and the port and resort town Bar is about 20 minutes in the opposite direction. There you can soak up its welcoming, laid-back atmosphere and indulge in genuine Balkan cuisine.
Wanting to do a little beach hopping? There are several top-notch beaches not far from here, including Vezir’s Beach, Maljevik Beach, and Queen’s Beach in Canj. Birdwatching and wine tasting are popular activities in the Skadar Lake National Park, which lies on the other side of the Sozina Tunnel and is easily accessible.
Sutomore lies within a 20-minute walking distance (3 minutes by car) and is popular with a younger crowd in search of a fun beach vacation and some nightlife, as well as families with children who value all the nearby amenities, kid-friendly restaurants, and available watersports activities. At Sutomore, you’ll find many Serbs, Poles, Russians, as well as local visitors.
Lake Skadar
The Skadar Lake National Park is one of five parks in Montenegro. Pleasure boat trips across the lake and birdwatching are the most popular activities here.
Hotels nearby Strbina Beach
Even though the beautiful surroundings and the shade of the pine trees lend themselves well to camping, it is officially not allowed at Strbina Beach and there are no overnight accommodations either. Sutomore is your best bet for affordable mid-size hotels and vacation rentals, which are also available in the Zagradje neighborhood, behind the beach.
There are plenty of family-friendly holiday accommodations in Petrovac and Bar (20 minutes either way but there is significantly less traffic in the direction of Petrovac). If you are looking for something more rural, you might want to stay at the serene Tramontana Glamping ground in the Susanj neighborhood of Bar. Not far from there are the Talici Hill villas, which might appeal to larger groups looking for more privacy.
Best Hotels in Bar
Here is our selection of the best hotels in Bar, Montenegro. Whether you are looking for proximity to the old town, a sea view room, or private beach access, you’ll find it here.
Petrovac na Moru
The former fishing village of Petrovac na Moru has everything from quaint beachfront cafes to trendy seafood restaurants for the whole family to enjoy.
Best Beaches in Bar
Some of the best beaches in Bar have been recognized with the prestigious Blue Flag Award. Explore what Bar’s Riviera has to offer!