Ulcinj

The coastal town of Ulcinj in Montenegro is the southernmost town on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro. The wider area has had inhabitants since the Bronze Age, according to the dating of tombs in the area. Ulcinj resembles a sort of living record of cultures and civilizations past and is a true representation of the area’s unique and dull past. Ulcinj is rich with historic monuments, amongst them many mosques, the clock tower and the 6th Century Villa Rustica with its ancient mosaics.

Ulcinj is a very reputable and popular location, acquiring a place in The 31 Top Places To Go in 2010 list published by The New York Times and making the allure of Montenegro news on a massive scale and rightfully so, as this place is outstanding. Ulcinj is also home to the longest stretch of beach that faces the Adriatic sea from Montenegro; Velika Plaza, or the Long Beach, is 13 kilometres by 60 metres of picturesque seaside beach that pulls in families from far and wide and offers all of the things expected from a high-quality beach break: ocean view accommodation, shops, beach and sea activities and games, and excellent restaurants. There are also galleries containing some of Montenegro’s and the world’s finest art and displays of local culture.

Due to the nature of Ulcinj, many who visit tend to come back time and time again. This is partly due to the sheer beauty of the region and partly due to the fact that when people start to explore the surrounding area and its mountain foot villages, natural heritage sites, historically significant ancient ruins and monuments, and the mile upon mile of breathtaking beaches, they are equally impressed and intrigued by the country, which is a little too large to absorb in a mere two-week holiday break.

Those who like to walk should sample some of the trails along the coastline, some of which take the holidaymaker past reefs and over cliff tops, and there are islands not far off the shore that make for an outstanding view; some of these islands are accessible from the shore or ports by boat excursions. 

Valdanos beach is the famous Ulcinj cove which, as part of a beach walk, is a must-see and attracts many who stroll the Adriatic coastline looking for serenity and unique surroundings.

Kitesurfing is really popular in this area. If you enjoy adrenaline shots than this might be an activity for you. Many private beaches along the Ulcinj Riviera are organising kitesurfing classes daily and with the affordable price, so when you are at the beach, you can see a lot of kitesurfers in the air, but you can also become one of them. 

Also, the Velika Plaza (Long Beach) is a home to the annual event called Southern Soul Festival. For all the lovers of the soul music, this is a must-visit event. Every year this festival brings the best soul music artists in the world, and this combined with the beautiful ambience of Velika Plaza means great time guaranteed.

If festivals aren't your cup of tea, there are many other things you can do here. What's really popular amongst tourists lately are little wooden houses located on the river Bojana, that flows into the Adriatic Sea. They are perfect for you to gather your friends and have a nice holiday or organise a great private party. 

When it comes to hiking in Ulcinj, one of the best spots for this activity is the Ulcinj Salina. This extraordinary area is located in the southernmost part of the city and covers approximately 14.5 km² of salt basins. Thanks to long periods of sunshine on the Adriatic this is an ideal place for a saltpan, which its salt production is derived from evaporation. The saline is close to the border with Albania. Today, this saline is out of order which made a great area for various sorts of birds and today Ulcinj Salina is famous for birdwatching. The most popular birds to watch are flamingos and this can be an awesome daily hiking tour for everyone who enjoys the nature. 

If you feel like a naturist and you like to enjoy these sort of beaches, Ulcinj has some more surprises for you. The nudist camp, a part of the touristic village where Bojana meets the Adriatic, was established in the time of ex Yugoslavia (there is even a movie on this topic called "Ljepota Poroka", where the director wanted to describe the conservative behaviour of the Montenegrin people back then, when the camp was first opened). The nudist village is still looking similar as it was at first, but of course, some of the accommodation units were renowned and arranged for the modern tourists of today! The village includes tennis courts, a big parking for cars and RVs, numerous accommodation units at the beach and some of them in the beach hinterland, a mini-market etc. Intact nature and the unique ecosystem will make your stay unforgettable. The nudist camp and village are called Ada Bojana. 

Svac or Sas is a fort near Ulcinj that dates all the way from the 8th century. Throughout the history, this midcentury town had a lot of different rulers. From Stefan Nemanja in 1183, then Mongols, led by Batu Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan) in 1242. But, unfortunately, the Mongols destroyed the place almost to the ashes as they conquered it. Later, Serbian queen, Jelena ordered its reconstruction in the 13th century. The town remained in good shape all the way to the rise of Ottoman Empire when around the year 1571 they completely destroyed it.

This place hides a lot of secrets, when you show up there you can actually breathe history. Truly unique experience for all the hikers, bikers and adventure seekers. 

There are many spiritual and healing energies and plant life associated with many areas of Montenegro. These include the medicinal botany of Mount Orjen, the peace and spirituality of the 2,000-year-old olive tree in Bar and, in Ulcinj, one of the more spiritual locations in the form of the ‘Female Beach’. 

This beach is reputed to have health benefits due to the medicinal properties of the sulphites in the water of the natural springs on the stretch of the Adriatic coast. Many women benefit from the medicinal properties and treatments offered on the beach, which is exclusively for females and is also a nudist beach.