Sutomore Beach
Infamous for being one of the most overcrowded beaches during the lively holiday season, the budget-friendly resort of Sutomore balances an urban feel, with the surrounding hotels and condo buildings, with a real beach escape atmosphere as you gaze out along the Adriatic coast on this long, skinny, pebble beach, about one kilometer, with crystal-clear water.
This lively beach is particularly popular with tourists from Serbia, Poland, and Russia interested in some affordable sun, sand, and fun. The seaside walkway that sweeps along the entire width of Sutomore Beach has been recently facelifted, giving it a more contemporary Mediterranean feel, lined with al-fresco cafes, beachfront restaurants, and small shops selling beach wear, ice crea, pizza slices, and all sorts of souvenirs.
And while this beach is not exactly the best choice for anyone looking for a peaceful and serene beach holiday, the water is truly spectacular here, especially in the off-and-shoulder season, and certainly the single biggest draw for visitors. A gentle entry, calm, with occasional waves and a mild Mediterranean breeze, it boasts the deep blue color so typical for the Adriatic. By many of its bigget fans, Sutomore Beach is considered one of the best beaches in Bar.
History and Culture of Sutomore
Sutomore is almost entirely purpose-built as a holiday resort but has a year-round population of about 1,500. Since the 1990s, it is notorious as a destination for hedonistic young Serbs who arrive in large numbers on the Bar – Belgrade railway that also stops here. The local nightlife scene boasts several bars and nightclubs, primarily scattered along the busy promenade.
Party-inclined holidaymakers start early in the beach bars amid the upbeat music and seductive special offers on cocktails. Even though negative public opition stemming from decades of excessive, alcohol-soaked celebrations continues to taint Sutomore’s image, change already appears on the horizon.
During the last five years, Sutomore has enjoyed some considerable investment: The Accor Hotel Group, together with Spanish Iberostar, will open the first five-star hotel in town, which is scheduled for the 2025 season. The local community works hand in hand with the municipality of Bar to turn Sutomore once again into a top holiday resort, a reputation it enjoyed in the 70s and 80s.
Safety and Access
The beach itself goes from sand to pebbles to rocks, depending on where you plan spreading your towel. Lifeguard towers can be found in the busier sections of Sutomore Beach, and there is also one area with a ramp with rails for wheelchair users. And while you can find showers and changing cabins on-site, you need to climb up to the cafes and restaurants on the promenade for toilets.
With no natural shade anywhere on the beach, you should consider bringing an umbrella yourself and try to find an empty spot in the public beach section, or simply rent a deckchair from one of the beach bars. Sutomore Beach is easily accessible by car via the Adriatic Highway, but be prepared to park a little further away during the peak season.
You can also arrive here by train or bus, via Podgorica or Bar. The bus and train stops are within a 10-minute walking distance. It is one of the few beaches in Montenegro that can be reached by train in Montenegro.
Things to do in Sutomore
Despite its infamous reputation, Sutomore is safe and well-policed, and offers all sorts of family-friendly summer activies. Most of the action happens on the seaside walkway that is filled with people, day and night. At daytime, you will meet many young families and older folks strolling up and down the promenade, stopping for a coffee or cold drink, and enjoying the Mediterranean vibes.
The waterfront restaurants and cafes are popular breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots, and there is a second strip of very affordable local venues, takeaway spots, and supermarkets not far from there. Prices are more than reasonable for everything from pizza and ice cream to draught beer, wine, and seafood.
Further, there are endless fun seaside activities to engage in for the whole family, besides swimming and snorkeling. You can rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or jet ski right on the beach, and taking a water taxi or private boat tour to nearby coves and less crowded beaches.
Restaurants in Sutomore
There is certainly no shortage of places to eat in Sutomore. Between the main town square and the other side of the beach, there are dozens of beachfront eateries and cozy taverns with a good range of cuisines to choose from, just waiting for your visit. There are a few prominent restaurants along the beach, including Trattoria di Radenko, which sits right on the beach.
It has an unhurried, truly Mediterranean vibes, with trational checkerboard tablecloths and serves tasty Italian dishes such as spaghetti a la carbonara, Black Risotto, and seafood pizza. This venue is popular with families and couples and is well-visited for sundowners and glassses of good local Montenegrin wine.
Tutto Bene has a well-placed al-fresco terrace, overlooking the sea, and has replaced the former Vecchio Pescatore restaurant, which was previously located here. Their grilled squids are popular, as are their meat dishes and salads. For authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, head straight to the newly opened Marco Polo, which is also very popular with locals.
Hotels in Sutomore
This popular holiday resort offers an eclectic mix of hotels, from family-run low-budget hotels to Cuba-themed boutique hotels and roomy beachfront apartment hotels with breathtaking views. Probably the most comfortable and luxurious hotel at the moment is the four-star Sea Fort Apart Hotel located directly on the beach.
In general, accommodation in Sutomore tends to be more affordable than in neighboring resorts, and there are only a few hotels with pools. One of those is Del Medio, a boutique hotel housed in a high-rise building, which also comes with private beach access – who wouldn’t want that?
The 5-star Hotel Rixos will be a full-service, high-end hotel with direct beach access, scheduled to open for the 2024 or 2025 holiday season. It will be a lovely option if it fits your budget. There is an abundance of private vacation rentals to be found in the surrounding area, many of which are very affordable.
The Surrounding Area
For a more authentic beach day head for one of the nearby little bays and coves. Strbina Beach and Maljevik Beach are popular with locals, scuba divers, and boat owners. The tunnel beach is also worth a visit for holidaymakers in search of a more natural, unspoiled setting; its crimson-colored cliffs and boulders open up to crystalline waters.
Water taxis depart every other hour from Sutomore to Queen’s Beach, a sheltered and tranquil cove beach, only accessible by boat. With small waves and crowds, there is not much in the way of spending some relaxed, quality family time here. Naturalists will appreciate the proximity of Ratac Beach, a small strech of rocky pebbles, where clothings are optional.
The next stop along the Adriatic Highway is Petrovac, a tranquil fishing village turned resort town that has remained elegant and accessible over the years, and is especially popular with families and pensioners. Petrovac offers a wide range of accomodations, including a 5-star hotel and intimate, charming boutique hotels.
The port and holiday resort town of Bar is only a 15-minute drive away in the other direction, for a day shopping and sightseeing. Its 2,240-year-old olive tree is one of its major tourist attractions besides the walled old town. The Skadar Lake National Park is popular with nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers, and just 20 minutes away by car.