A real oriental flavor, a convenient beach and a clear Adriatic Sea – this is Ulcinj , Montenegro, one of the best places to relax on the Balkan Peninsula. Tourists and independent travelers rarely choose this resort. But given the peculiarities of Ulcinj – hotels, beaches and attractions, here you can recuperate, gain new positive impressions.
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Description, location
This is the southernmost resort in Montenegro. It is located on the border with Albania, is a separate municipality of the country. The population is 11 thousand people. The city has a good tourist infrastructure, historical and natural attractions. The resort has become popular because of the black sand beach. He meets on the beaches of Velika plaza or Plazha e Madhe.
Interesting facts about Ulcinj :
- Most of the population are Albanians. They make up 73%.
- Religion is Islam. But this does not affect the attitude towards tourists and independent travelers.
- Nature lovers can visit the island of Ada Bojana with its unique flora and fauna.
- The original European medieval architecture has been preserved in the Old Town. There are also many restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops.
The only drawback is that the sights of Ulcinj in Montenegro are far from the geographical center of the country. It takes a long time to get to other memorable places, so it is recommended to plan trips in advance with departure in the morning.
The weather in Ulcinj does not differ from the conditions in other resorts of the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. Summers are hot, with low rainfall due to the mountains. The decrease in air and sea temperature occurs only by mid-October. In winter, the weather in Ulcinj is cloudy, but the temperature rarely drops below 0. On the beaches of the resort, you can see vacationers doing hardening.
How to get there
Before the trip, it is recommended to choose the airport of Montenegro – Tivat or Podgorica . The first is located on the coast, a direct route leads from it to the beaches of Ulcinj . And although the distance from Tivat to the city is 88 km, the places of travel are picturesque – along the way you can see the nature of Montenegro, some sights. The distance from Podgorica is less – 74 km. But the route passes through landscapes that are standard for Europe. In summer, most of the charter flights arrive in Tivat .
Tips for choosing a route to Ulcinj hotels :
- The average cost of an air ticket from Moscow to Montenegro is 6 thousand rubles.
- can rent a car in Tivat or Podgorica , but the cost of gasoline in the country is high.
- Use the services of only official taxi services in Montenegro . Private traders greatly inflate the fare.
- The country has a well-developed public transport network. The cost of a bus ticket from Tivat is 12 Euro, from Podgorica – 9.
If a tour to Montenegro was purchased, it includes a transfer from the airport to the place of residence by default. Independent travelers are advised to first check the weather in Ulcinj , Montenegro, and then plan a trip.
Resort map
Before the trip, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the map of Ulcinj , which has all the sights of the city, memorable places, beaches, large cafes, restaurants and nightclubs. On it you can plan a walk around the city, with breaks for lunch and rest. The latter can be done in the city park; there are several groves on the outskirts. This is a good alternative to relaxing on the beaches of Ulcinjwhen the temperature rises to a maximum during the day.
Things to consider when analyzing the map of Ulcinj :
- Opening hours of museums, attractions of the resort.
- Route. It should not be more than 5-7 km, in summer the weather in Ulcinj is hot, you can quickly get tired.
- There are several entrances to the city beach. Choose the one closest to where you live.
- On the map, you can find out where the hotel, apartment or villa in which you booked a room is located.
With the help of the map you can find out where hotels or hostels are located in Ulcinj . They should not be far from the coastline, there are grocery stores nearby. It is recommended to visit the local food market.
Be sure to find out where on the map of Ulcinj there is a hospital, pharmacies, an ambulance station. This will help in emergency situations when you need to respond quickly. This information can be obtained from the travel agency before the trip, at the resort in the municipality.
Accommodation in Ulcinj
Booking a hotel in Ulcinj is the first and main stage of preparation for the trip. There are many offers of accommodation in villas in the city. These are private houses of hotel type with all conveniences. Check the availability of air conditioning, refrigerator, room size. To save money, it is recommended to book a villa or apartment with a small kitchen instead of a hotel in Ulcinj.
It is preliminary recommended to study the rating of hotels in Montenegro . It includes the following accommodation options:
- Guest house Smajlaga . The villa is located on the first line, 5 minutes walk to the sea. The distance to the Old Town is 600 m. This is a small guest house with a garden and a common terrace. There is free Wi – F, rooms are cleaned every two days. Some apartments have a small kitchen. The rental price is from 30 Euro.
- Hotel Senator . Small hotel complex with free parking for guests. Advantage – Ulcinj beach can be reached in 2 minutes. There is a communal swimming pool on site and outdoor seating. However, the cost of living is from 80 Euro per room.
- Apartments Timoni . The villa is located in the Old Town. It offers vacationers and independent travelers a bar, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi , wired internet in the rooms. You can walk to the beach in 3 minutes. Room rental – from 38 Euro.
- Hotel Kulla e Balshajve . If you want a relaxing holiday in Ulcinj , this type of hotel is the best choice. The hotel complex is located in the Old Town, offers several types of apartments with TVs, free internet, air conditioning. Ulcinj beach is 40 m away, there are several grocery stores nearby. Rental price – from 66 euros.
- Villa marinero . The villa is located near the border of the Old Town, 1 m from the beach. In Ulcinj , hotels offer good service, but at a high price. This accommodation option is average, both in terms of conditions and cost. Some rooms have small kitchens. Booking price – from 60 Euro.
When choosing accommodation, consider the location of the hotel or villa. The main thing is that the weather in Ulcinj , Montenegro, can be hot. Therefore, the windows should not face the sunny side. The sights of the resort are located compactly. They can be visited without hiring a taxi, walking.
Ulcinj beaches
The coast of the Bar or Ulcinj Riviera is a few large and small beaches where you can relax and sunbathe. If you are planning a vacation with children in Montenegro , choose Ulcinj beach with a gentle entry into the sea. Entertainment is often arranged on the coastline – slides, scooter rentals, boat trips. Rent sunbeds and umbrellas – from 5 Euro. But tourists are allowed to rest on towels and bedding.
Resort beaches:
- Mala plaža or Small beach. It is located within the city limits, its length is only 350 m. It is located near the historical center of the resort. Width – up to 50 m., There are small shops, cafes. This Ulcinj beach is convenient for families with children. The entrance to the sea is gentle, the coating is sandy. However, during the peak season there are many vacationers, it is recommended to take places in advance, in the morning. There is a rental of jet skis, catamarans, there is a rescue service, medical assistance.
- For a relaxing holiday, try beach clubs – these are small platforms located on the rocky part of the Adriatic coast. Landmark – pine forest. They are aimed at active vacationers. For example, in the Aquarius club you can use the cabanas, relax on the outdoor terrace by the sea. From here you can enjoy picturesque views of the coast. However, due to the specific weather in Ulcinj , it is sometimes windy here.
- Zhenska plaža or Women’s Beach Ulcinj . Made for Muslims, only women are allowed in here. Entrance – 2 euros. It is famous for its underground springs, which are credited with healing properties. Because of them, women often come to the beach for infertility treatment. The water temperature does not exceed +15°С. For tourists, they offer changing cabins, showers, massage services, clay wrapping procedures and other SPA procedures.
- Velika plaža or Veliki beach. It consists of several large recreation areas – Ada Boyana , Copacabana , Ivana, Tropicana, Miami, Mojito , Safari. They have been awarded the Blue Flag, which means cleanliness and comfort for tourists. The total length of the beach line is 13 km. The coating is dark sand, which is why it is often called the black beach of Ulcinj . This sand is used for medicinal purposes – for the treatment of rheumatism, skin diseases. It is recommended to sunbathe without bedding. There are restaurants, bars, entertainment for children and adults.
For lovers of a quiet holiday, we recommend visiting the most remote beach – Ada Bojana . Its length is 3 m, it is located on the island of the same name in the delta of the Boyana River . You can get here by bus or taxi, the trip time is up to 10 minutes. The cost of a bus ticket is 2 euros.
Catering
A feature of holidays in the country is the national dishes of Montenegro , which fully reflect the Balkan cuisine. The portions are large, meat and vegetables are preferred. Be sure to try dishes with Montenegrin olive oil. You can also take it as a souvenir. The cost of food in Montenegro depends on the location of the cafe, restaurant – the farther they are from the resort area, the lower the prices.
Tips for tourists and independent travelers on catering:
- One dish can be ordered for two. This applies to cold cuts, fish. The portions are big, you can overeat.
- Start your breakfast with a good cup of coffee. In Montenegro, this drink can be prepared correctly.
- Tipping is optional. From this, the attitude of the waiter towards you will not change.
- Remember that Montenegrins are a very proud people. Do not allow neglect, familiarity in communication. This applies to service personnel in hotels, restaurants, bars.
Of the traditional dishes of Montenegro, we recommend trying prosciutto , cevapcici , splash , negush cheese. For the latter, you can go on an excursion to the village of Negushi . But it is located far from Ulcinj hotels , about 1 hour drive.
Resort attractions
Be sure to visit the famous sights of Montenegro – the Ostrog Monastery, the canyons of the Tara River, Skadar Lake. You can travel with a tour group or on your own. But the latter will be difficult for novice drivers, the roads in the country are winding, the trip can be delayed. You can rent a car at the airport or in Ulcinj.
If you don’t want to leave the resort, you can plan a trip to the sights of Ulcinj . They are located nearby, no need to use public transport or taxis.
What you can see at the resort:
- Tower of Sakhat-Kula . It was built during the Turkish conquest. The height of the building is 16 m. The peculiarity is that it had a clock brought from Italy. They have long been the standard of the time in the city. At the end of every hour, the bells chimed. Near the tower is another attraction of Ulcinj – the central city square.
- Market. Located in the Old Town, here you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood. The buildings were built in the 19th century, restoration work is carried out periodically. Bargaining in Montenegro is not accepted.
- Remains of the city of Svacha . This Ulcinj attraction is located 22 km from the resort. It is located on the shore of the lake and represents the ruins of an ancient city. They are not of interest to tourists, you can visit on the way to another excursion.
Excursions are recommended to be booked in the city. If this is done at the time of booking the tour, the cost may be higher. Having studied the map of attractions in Montenegro, you can plan a trip around the country yourself.
Reviews of tourists
Ulcinj is not a very popular resort among domestic tourists. This is due to its remoteness from Tivat airport , a small number of accommodation offers. However, according to reviews in Ulcinj , you can have a good vacation if you plan activities in advance. Spend more time on the beach, swimming in the sea. For trips on excursions you need to allocate a whole day.
From the reviews of Ulcinj , the following advantages can be distinguished:
- Nice clean sea.
- Sandy beach, which is rare for Montenegro.
- Convenient service.
- Proximity to the coastline, walk to the beach no more than 10-15 minutes.
The disadvantage is that there are few ATMs and bank branches. You need to take more cash with you.