Ahh, Ulcinj.

Beautiful, laidback, unique Ulcinj.

Off the beaten path and hidden beneath the sands of south Montenegro, Ulcinj is famous for having the longest beach in Montenegro (more than 14 kilometers!) as well as being crowned New York Times’ Best Destination back in 2010. In short, Ulcinj is an absolute paradise that you have to visit at least once in your life.

Whether you’re already planning a trip to this marvelous city and need more information or are just dreaming for now, my Ulcinj travel guide has you covered!

ULCINJ CITY GUIDE

Ulcinj is perfect for …

A relaxing seaside escape 🏖 Non-touristy Montenegro 📸 Where Montenegrin and Albanian cultures meet 🗺 Laid back atmosphere 😌

Known as the southernmost city in Montenegro, Ulcinj has a special laid back atmosphere that few other cities can emulate.

Thanks to its close proximity to Albania, Ulcinj is unique because it’s the only city in Montenegro that has an Albanian majority. In fact, more than 70% of locals are ethnically Albanian, and as such, Ulcinj is rich with Albanian culture — without needing to cross the border! In fact, you can see Albania’s influence everywhere, from the signs written in both languages, dozens of mosques around the area, and locals who are happy to chat in either language.

Ulcinj’s other claim to fame is, of course, its beaches! In fact, I had to create a special section under ‘What to Do’ just to talk about all of Ulcinj’s beaches. With cute Bora Bora-inspired thatched umbrellas, warm sand, and smooth waves, Ulcinj definitely cinches the spot of having some of the best beaches in Montenegro — in a country that has exactly 117 beaches, is a true feat in itself!

How many days do I need in Ulcinj?

Two days is plenty of time to get a taste of Ulcinj. Take the first day to explore the town, perhaps even make a day trip to the olive groves or Ada Bojana, and use the second day to go beach hopping.

However, to be honest, Ulcinj’s pleasant ambiance will make you never want to leave… but that’s a choice only you can make.

HOW TO GET TO ULCINJ

BY BUS: Ulcinj can be reached from most major cities like Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, Cetinje, and so on. Bus tickets cost less than 10 EUR per person — for example, a ticket from Kotor to Ulcinj costs between 7 to 8 EUR per person.

Please note that the Ulcinj bus station is a bit far away from the main tourist area, as it’s about 2.5 kilometers away (around 30 mins. walking). You can grab a taxi from the Ulcinj bus station, but be careful when negotiating the price — there are scammers loitering around the bus station who prey on unsuspecting tourists. A taxi should cost anywhere from 1 to 3 EUR, but we ended up paying 5 EUR because we had no idea. :(

If possible, I recommend asking your hotel or accommodation to book your taxi ahead of time to avoid being scammed.

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BY CAR: Ulcinj is right off the E851 freeway, which starts at the Croatian border and runs down the entire coast to the Albanian border. It’s a lovely ride with gorgeous views, although some areas of the road are a bit winding and small. If you have time, you can exit off the freeway and visit the olive groves and Valdanos beach, which are a few kilometers before Ulcinj.

TRANSPORTATION & GETTING AROUND ULCINJ

Ulcinj is fairly compact and you can easily get around by walking, especially if you stay near the Old Town (or at least the lower part of the city).

However, like many other seaside cities in Montenegro (such as Kotor or Herceg-Novi), it can get pretty hilly in certain areas! I recommend bringing adequate shoes if you want to fully explore Ulcinj, including areas that have thick cobblestone streets, walking up the stairs around the Old Town, and so on. If you’re planning to go to the beach after touring the city, I recommend wearing durable water shoes (like this pair) so that you don’t have to go back home and change. :)

WHAT TO DO IN ULCINJ

Explore the Old Town

It might not be as famous as the Old Town in Kotor or Budva, but Ulcinj’s Old Town has a unique historical charm that you can’t get anywhere else! Thick cobbled streets, hidden nooks and crannies, and epic sea views await as you make your way up to the Old Town via the stairs that feel as if they were carved into the cliff. Although there’s not much to see in terms of typical tourist attractions (it’s mostly a residential area), give yourself an hour to get acquainted and wander around — and if you’re up for a challenge, try to find the olive tree in my photo above!

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Visit Ulcinj’s Olive Groves
We can’t mention Valdanos without talking about its olive groves! Valdanos has one of the biggest olive groves in Montenegro (there’s around 18,000 olive trees packed into 0.4 sq. kilometers) and many trees are hundreds of years old! In fact, there’s an olive tree that’s rumored to be more than 1,300 years old that can be found at the Buzuku Montenegro Olive Oil (call in advance for a tour of the farm).

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Relax at the Beach(es)

After hiking up to St. John’s Fortress in Kotor, partying in Budva, and traversing the old ruins in Bar, isn’t it time to enjoy a nice break? I’m glad you chose Ulcinj as your next destination, because it has some of the best beaches in Montenegro — including the longest beach in the country, Velika Plaža!

⛱ Velika Plaža — Spanning more than 14 kilometers from Ulcinj to Ada Bojana, Velika Plaža is lined with warm sandy shores and framed with the country’s picturesque mountains as its backdrop.

If you can’t make it to Long Beach, no worries! Here are some of the best beaches in Ulcinj:

⛱ Mala Plaža – Located right in the center of Ulcinj between the Old Town and the marina, ‘Little Beach’ is such a cute and picturesque place to chill out and enjoy Ulcinj! My absolute favorite beach in Montenegro, Mala Plaža has these sweet thatched umbrellas (a la Maldives or Bora Bora style) and calm to normal water swells. When we spent our second day at this beach, we saw everyone from families with small children to couples, and even a group of sweet older grandmas chilling out. Mala Plaža has everything you need for a beach day — there are umbrella and lounger rentals, lifeguards on duty, showers, and restaurants and cafes nearby (with plastic chairs) .

⛱ Ladies Beach – As the name says, this is one of the few ladies only beaches in Montenegro! The entire area is hidden in an alcove (along with thick trees and a security guard at the entrance for good measure) so that it’s completely covered from peeping toms. There’s a small stand where you can buy drinks and snacks as well.

⛱ Valdanos – Just a 15 minute drive from Ulcinj, Valdanos is an inlet famous for its beach and olive groves. If Mala Plaža and Velika Plaža are full, escape to this lesser-known beach and enjoy the crystal clear waters. On the way down to the beach, you might encounter local farmers selling olive-themed goods — perfect if you want to buy a local souvenir. :)

Looking for even more amazing beaches in Montenegro?
Check out my Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide here!

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The Sailors’ Mosque in the middle

Hear the Call to Prayer from the Sailors’ Mosque

After being stuck in Turkey over the summer and then traveling all around Montenegro, it was such a surprise to hear the familiar call to prayer on our first day in Ulcinj!

Since Ulcinj is made up of predominantly ethnic Albanians, 72% of the population is Muslim, which means there are mosques all around the region. However, what makes the Sailors’ Mosque really unique is the fact that it was originally used as a lighthouse!

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Ada Bojana

Located just 15 kilometers south of Ulcinj, the river island of Ada Bojana makes for a relaxing day trip (or an entire week-long retreat!)

The legend of Ada Bojana started when some captain supposedly wrecked his ship, and that the island was created on top of the sunken ship. The more “scientific” theory states that the unique geography of Ada Bojana was created as a runoff from a river that connects to Lake Skadar, but I’ll let you choose which story you prefer. ;)

Ada Bojana is a destination in itself with plenty of activities to do, including kitesurfing/windsurfing, camping, paragliding, horseback riding, or simply chilling at the beach. There’s even a nudist resort called FKK Ada Bojana for the adventurous.

ACCOMMODATIONS IN ULCINJ
WHERE TO STAY IN ULCINJ

TOP PICK

Apartments Bogojevic
This was where we chose to stay during our trip to Ulcinj, and I’m happy that we did so! This was one of the most modern and stylish accommodations that we stayed at during our entire month in Montenegro, and that’s saying something because we stayed at around a dozen accommodations in total.

We reserved the “Studio with Sea View,” and it lived up to its name. The view was fantastic from our spacious terrace, and we used it every day to enjoy breakfast and dinner. There’s also a TV, mini fridge, full kitchen, and air conditioning (especially important during the summer!). The studio is a 2 minute walk to a mini-market store and a popular restaurant that’s in the shape of a ship (which you can read more down below in the ‘Where to Eat’ section ), as well as a scenic 7-ish minute walk down to the beach.
Book on Agoda || Booking.com

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Ulcinj Hostels

Pirate Hostel — Noted as one of the best hostels in Ulcinj (seriously, their reviews are glowing!), Pirate Hostel is a great budget-friendly option. They offer bunk beds in 4- and 6-bunk bed rooms, as well as private double and twin rooms.
Book on Agoda || Booking.com

Hostel Center — Set in Ulcinj’s city center (about 2 km from Old Town and Mala Plaža), Hostel Center offers modern and clear rooms with a garden view.
Book on Agoda || Booking.com

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Ulcinj Hotels

Plaza Hotel&SPA – For the ultimate in luxury, look no further than Plaza Hotel
Situated right in front of Mala Plaža (Ulcinj’s main beach), this hotel has gorgeous upscale rooms, complimentary à la carte breakfast every morning, and beautiful views of the sea thanks to its multi-story building.
Book on Agoda || Booking.com

Apartment Fisherman Hari- Located in the heart of Old Town, Fisherman Hari is both a hotel and a restaurant. Each room comes with a lovely sea view from the window, and some even feature terraces. Fans of seafood will love the restaurant, which is freshly caught and cooked to perfection. *chef’s kiss*
Book on Agoda || Booking.com

Apartments Eneida – Endless views of the sea, lush gardens filled with olive trees, and plenty of opportunities to relax on the terraces? You can find it here at Apartments Eneida.

Thanks to its location right behind the Old Town, you can enjoy serenity and a peaceful vacation in this upscale yet homely accommodation.
Book on Agoda || Booking.com || Hotels.com

Hotel Palata Venezia — Did you know Ulcinj has a 2,000-year old castle? Now you do — and you can stay in it too! The hotel is nestled right in the middle of Ulcinj’s Old Town and is filled with historical artifacts and decor. If you’re looking to enjoy Ulcinj’s beaches, you won’t need to look far: Liman Beach, Mala Plaža, and Skela beach are all within walking distance… or you can call it a day and relax by the hotel’s pool!
Book on Agoda || Booking.com || Hotels.com

WHERE TO EAT IN ULCINJ

Thanks to its location right on the Adriatic Sea, Ulcinj is fortunate enough to have some of the freshest seafood in all of Montenegro!

Il Galeone – A wonderfully understated restaurant, we went to Il Galeone on our first day and were pleasantly surprised at the food and service. I ordered the sample platter (you can see it above) which included cuts of local ham, cheese, bruschetta, shrimp, and mussels, while my boyfriend had the lasagna. Besides the delicious food, our waiter was fantastic — he was extremely friendly, explained the entire menu to us, and even gave us a treat on the house. Best of all, Il Galeone is located a short walk from the place we stayed at (Apartments Bogojevic).

Higo Restaurant & Lounge – If you’re looking for a ‘fancy’ restaurant in Ulcinj, this is your place! Higo is absolutely stunning and reminds me of a high-end restaurant (like Tao) or even a Michelin-starred restaurant. The menu is thorough — they serve breakfast/brunch as well as a traditional assortment of appetizers, meats, seafood, and an extensive wine list. It’s the perfect restaurant for date night or if you want to try fine dining without breaking the bank.

Fisherman Hari’s – As mentioned in the ‘Where to Stay in Ulcinj’ section, Fisherman Hari’s is a hotel and a restaurant — how convenient, right? Get a beautiful panoramic view of the bay as you bite into some of the freshest seafood in Ulcinj at Hari’s!

Misko – A legend among locals, Misko is probably the best restaurant in Ulcinj to eat seafood (or rather, Ada Bojana, but you get the point :)). The secret to Misko’s success? They catch the fish right before cooking it and serving it to you. Try the fish soup (a crowd favorite), sea bass, or grilled octopus.

USEFUL REFERENCES FOR TRAVELING TO MONTENEGRO

Looking for more information before your trip to Montenegro? I recommend the following websites that I personally used:

🛂 Need a visa to Montenegro? Check out iVisa for more information.

✈️ Once you have your visa all set, it’s time to book airline tickets! I use both CheapOAir and SkyScanner to book flights.

🛏 Book accommodations on Booking or Hotels. These two offer fantastic options for every traveler, from hostels to hotels, apartments to penthouses, local guesthouses, and everything in between!

✨ Speaking of amazing accommodations… I have an entire blog post dedicated to the best guesthouses, apartments, and Airbnbs in Montenegro!

📷 Find tours, day trips, or sightseeing activities at Get Your Guide or Viator.

❗️One of the most popular day trips is the All Montenegro Tour. This 12-hour tour gives you a taste of Montenegro as you enjoy breakfast at a local village, tour the Old Royal Capital, visit the birthplace of the Petrović dynasty, enjoy a boat ride through River Crnojevica, and finish the day with a panoramic view of the famous Sveti Stefan.

🚗 Prefer to carve out your own itinerary? Rent a car through RentalCars.com, which has the biggest selection of car rentals and the company that I use whenever I rent a car.

🧳 Not sure what to pack? I have an entire blog post that details what to pack for a trip to Montenegro for all four seasons!

🇲🇪 Looking for even more information before traveling to Montenegro? Check out my Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide for everything you need to know before your trip OR 17 Montenegro Travel Tips for some bite-sized tips…

🇲🇪 … Or check out all of my blog posts on Montenegro here! Happy travels :)