Best Beaches in Ulcinj: Top 5 Destinations Worth Visiting
Ulcinj has something most Montenegrin towns do not: 17 kilometers of coastline and beaches so different from one another that you would hardly believe they belong to the same town. From the longest sandy stretch on the Adriatic to a river island with a completely different landscape, the beaches in Ulcinj cover a range you rarely find in a single destination. And it is precisely this diversity that is making more and more travelers choose this town over some of the more “commercial” destinations on the Montenegrin coast.
Part of that character comes from its geography. Ulcinj is the southernmost town in Montenegro, located right next to the Albanian border, and its sea is influenced by both the open Adriatic and the Bojana River, which flows into the sea near Ada Bojana. As a result, on some beaches you will find fine dark sand rich in minerals, on others coarser pebbles, while on Ada Bojana you will experience a blend of river and seaside atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the region.
In this guide, we have selected five beaches in Ulcinj that are truly worth visiting, whether you are traveling with family, looking for good kitesurfing conditions, or simply want to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere without large crowds. For each one, you will find out what makes it special, who it suits best, and what to keep in mind before spreading out your towel. So let’s get started…
1. Velika Plaža — the Longest Beach in Montenegro
When someone mentions beaches in Ulcinj, Velika Plaža is almost always the first association. It stretches for 13 kilometers, covered in fine dark sand from the town all the way to the mouth of the Bojana River, which is so long that walking from one end to the other would take you close to three hours. According to the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro, this is the longest sandy beach in Montenegro, and it is estimated that the entire area could potentially accommodate more than 100,000 swimmers at the same time.
Who Is Velika Plaža Best Suited For and What Can You Expect?
Velika Plaža suits almost everyone, but for completely different reasons. Families with children most often choose the central section, as this is where the infrastructure is most developed, with sun loungers, showers, and beach bars every few hundred meters. Kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts tend to prefer the southeastern end, closer to Ada Bojana, where the wind is more consistent and where licensed schools and rental centers are available.
The sand is typical of the beaches in Ulcinj: dark, fine, and rich in minerals that have traditionally been believed to have healing properties. This dark sand heats up much faster in the sun than white sand, so beach slippers are a necessity here, not a luxury. As for access, parking is available along the entire stretch, although if you are planning to visit in July or August, we recommend arriving a bit earlier to find a spot.
2. Ada Bojana — a Beach Between the River and the Sea
Ada Bojana is a triangular river island located where the Bojana River flows into the Adriatic Sea, and in many ways, it is the most unusual among the beaches in Ulcinj. What makes it special starts with its very formation: in the late 19th century, a ship sank in the riverbed, and over the years, the current deposited sand around the wreck until an entire island was formed. Today, Ada has around three kilometers of beach divided into a sea-facing and a river-facing side, each with a completely different character.
Why Is Ada Bojana One of the Most Famous Beaches in Ulcinj?
It owes its reputation to a combination you rarely find in one place. The sea-facing side offers the open Adriatic, consistent winds, and conditions that have made Ada one of the most popular kitesurfing locations in Southeast Europe. On the other hand, the river-facing side is the complete opposite, characterized by calm water, warmer than the sea, and swimming to the sound of the river while you can hear the sea on the other side of the island.
Still, among the beaches in Ulcinj, Ada also stands out for something less obvious. It is home to the only nudist resort in this part of the Balkans, which has existed since 1973. The atmosphere there is extremely pleasant and tailored to all lovers of naturism, as shown by the fact that for more than 50 years the resort has welcomed visitors from all over Europe. The beach itself fully deserves its place among the best beaches in Ulcinj, something you will realize after your very first visit.
3. Ženska Plaža (Women’s Beach)
Ženska Plaža is located in a small cove between Mala Plaža and Velika Plaža, hidden from view by a dense pine forest. What sets it apart from all other beaches in Ulcinj is the fact that from May to October it is reserved exclusively for women, while access for men is strictly prohibited. It is considered the only beach of its kind in the entire Mediterranean, and CNN included it among the five most beautiful nudist beaches in the world.
What Is Special About Ženska Plaža?
Beneath the surface of the sea, in the shallow waters of this beach, thermal springs of sulfur water emerge, whose healing properties were first scientifically examined in 1925 by Italian scientists. According to Dr. Jovan Kujačić in his 1932 book on Ulcinj as a spa resort, water rich in hydrogen sulfide and iodine has a positive effect on the female reproductive system, skin conditions, and respiratory problems. That this story is not merely a local one is also shown by the fact that in 1911 Mihajlo Pupin wrote to the Montenegrin ruler Nikola I Petrović about the health potential of these springs, with the specific intention of opening a hospital for bone diseases at that location.
In addition to the mineral water, the beach is surrounded by a pine forest whose air, combined with sea aerosol, creates a natural inhalation effect that enhances the therapeutic benefits. According to tradition, women come to the beach in the early morning hours and bathe in complete silence, a practice that has lasted for centuries. Although it is one of the smaller beaches in Ulcinj, it is equipped with all the necessary facilities, including a shower, sun loungers, and a refreshment bar, while an entrance fee is charged during the season.
4. Valdanos — a Cove Surrounded by Olive Groves
Valdanos is a completely different story compared to the previous beaches in Ulcinj. This cove lies between the capes of Mavrijan and Mendra, about five kilometers northwest of the town, and is surrounded by nearly 80,000 olive trees, some of which are over 2,000 years old. The beach has held the status of a Natural Monument since 1968, and according to Primorski Portal, the entire complex with its olive groves is a potential candidate for the UNESCO list of protected cultural landscapes.
How to Get to Valdanos and What to Bring?
You can reach Valdanos by car in about ten minutes from the center of Ulcinj, along a road that passes through olive groves and is well worth the drive in itself. There is parking available, but it is not organized and fills up quickly during the summer. What you should know before arriving is that there are options to rent sun loungers, as well as food and drink available, but the choice is not as wide as on the other beaches in Ulcinj.
The beach is covered with large pebbles, so water shoes are practically essential when entering the sea. If you do not want to depend on what is available on the beach, we recommend bringing enough water, food, and your own sun umbrella. On the other hand, it is precisely this “lack” of commercial facilities that makes this beach special among the beaches in Ulcinj, because you come here for the clean sea, centuries-old olive trees, and the silence that sailors recognized as far back as the Middle Ages, when they called Valdanos the “cove of silence.”
5. Mala Plaža (City Beach) — a Beach in the Center of Ulcinj
While the other beaches in Ulcinj require at least a short drive, Mala Plaža can be reached on foot in just a few minutes from any part of the center. Located in a cove between the Ratislav peninsula and the walls of the Old Town, this 360-meter-long beach offers something no other beach in the town can: swimming with a direct view of a fortress that is more than two millennia old. Behind the beach, along the promenade that locals call the Korzo, cafés, pizzerias, and restaurants line up one after another, so going from the sea to lunch takes no more than a minute.
Is Mala Plaža Worth Visiting If You Are Only in Ulcinj for a Short Time?
If you only have a day or two, Mala Plaža is probably the most logical choice. The sand is fine and finer than on Velika Plaža, the sea is shallow along the shore, which is excellent for families with small children, and everything you need is within easy reach. After swimming, all you have to do is climb the steps to the Old Town, where stone streets, the former Slave Square, and walls overlooking the entire Ulcinj coastline await you.
What Mala Plaža lacks is space. At the height of the season, its capacity of 2,500 swimmers is already filled by noon, so early morning is the only safe time for a comfortable visit. Still, for those who want to combine swimming, food, and history in one place, this is the most complete of all the beaches in Ulcinj.
Where to Stay Near the Best Beaches in Ulcinj?
The choice of accommodation largely depends on which beach you plan to spend the most time on, as the distances between beaches in Ulcinj can be quite significant. The area around Mala Plaža and the town center offers the most options for those who care about restaurants, the Old Town, and being able to do everything on foot, while along Velika Plaža there is accommodation for every budget, with the advantage of staying right by the coast without needing a car.
For a quieter setting and proximity to Valdanos, there are private apartments and villas in the surrounding villages, although the selection is much smaller than in town.
Accommodation on Ada Bojana — for Those Who Want the Beach Just Steps Away
Ada Bojana offers something other accommodation areas do not: waking up some twenty meters from the water, with access to both the sea-facing and river-facing sides of the island without any need for transport. Accommodation on the island within the nudist resort includes bungalows and smaller-capacity units, which means fewer guests and a much more private atmosphere than in the hotel zones along the coast.
Add to that kitesurfing schools, fish restaurants by the river, and one of the best beaches in Ulcinj literally just steps from your accommodation, and it becomes clear why Ada is so often chosen as a base for an entire holiday.
Why the Beaches in Ulcinj Are Among the Best in Montenegro
Now that we have gone through the entire list, one thing is clear: Ulcinj is not a town with just one beach that suits everyone. From the thirteen kilometers of Velika Plaža and the river island of Ada Bojana, through the sulfur waters of Ženska Plaža and the centuries-old olive trees of Valdanos, to Mala Plaža beneath the walls of the Old Town, each of these five locations offers a completely different day by the sea. It is precisely this diversity within a relatively small area that makes this part of the Montenegrin coast so interesting and places these beaches among the best beaches in Montenegro.
Whether you choose just one beach or plan to visit them all, the most important piece of advice is simple: come with enough time, because Ulcinj cannot be fully explored in just two days. And once you experience everything the beaches in Ulcinj have to offer, you will understand why people are always happy to return to them year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Beautiful Beach in Ulcinj?
That depends on what you are looking for. Velika Plaža offers space and the longest sandy stretch on the Adriatic, Ada Bojana offers a unique blend of river and sea, while Valdanos offers peace and untouched nature.
Are the Beaches in Ulcinj Sandy?
Most of them are. Velika Plaža, Ada Bojana, and Mala Plaža have fine dark sand rich in minerals. The exception is Valdanos, whose shore is covered with large pebbles, so water shoes are practically essential.
How Warm Is the Sea in Ulcinj?
The sea warms up to around 24 to 26 degrees Celsius during July and August, making it one of the warmest along the Montenegrin coast. The swimming season lasts from May to October, while the most pleasant water temperature is from mid-June to the end of September.
Is Entry to the Beaches in Ulcinj Free?
Most beaches are free to enter, including Velika Plaža, Mala Plaža, and Valdanos. Ženska Plaža charges an entrance fee during the season, from May to October. Sun loungers and umbrellas are rented separately on all beaches where they are available.
Which Beaches in Ulcinj Are Best for Families with Children?
Mala Plaža is the most logical choice for families because it has shallow water, fine sand, and all the necessary infrastructure within easy reach. Velika Plaža is also an excellent option, especially the central section with beach bars, showers, and a gentle entrance into the sea. In general, the beaches in Ulcinj are very well suited for families because most of them have a gradual entry into the water and a soft sandy seabed.
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