Ulcinj Guide

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. 🙂