What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Ulcinj, Montenegro.
Photo: Daciana Cristina Visan / Pexels
Ulcinj is a small beach town of about 11,488 people on the coast of Montenegro. Life centres on Small Beach (Mala Plaža) in the town centre, close to the Old Town and its museum. For quieter swimming, head north to Ladies' Beach and Valdanos Bay. Ada Bojana sits at the river mouth, and the Salina lies south-east of town. The best months are June to September, with July and August top of the list.
The sights add up quickly. The Old Town takes 2–3 hours, Valdanos Bay 2–4 hours, and Ada Bojana and Lake Šas half a day each. Add free time on the beaches and plan several days.
Stari Grad
A walled old town on a rocky headland above the sea, with stone lanes, old houses and towers. Walk the walls for wide views over Small Beach and the coast, especially in the late afternoon.
Town centre
The town beach in a sheltered bay right below the Old Town. It gets crowded in summer, but it is the easiest place for a quick swim and has cafés along the promenade.
Bojana River mouth
A river island where the Bojana River meets the sea, known for its sandy beach and naturist resort. Fish restaurants on wooden stilts along the riverbank are a classic stop for a seafood meal.
Stari Grad
A small museum inside the Old Town with archaeological finds and items from the town's long history. Its building, which has served as both a church and a mosque, tells part of that story itself.
North of Ulcinj
A quiet pebble bay surrounded by old olive groves, a short drive from town. It is less developed than the town beaches and good for a calm swim and a walk under the olive trees.
Between Small Beach and Valdanos
A rocky stretch of coast with sulphur springs, traditionally visited by women seeking the water's believed health benefits. It is an unusual local custom rather than a classic beach day.
South-east of town
Former salt pans that are now an important wetland for migrating birds, including flamingos at some times of year. Access can be limited, so check locally or join a guided birdwatching visit.
Šas, inland from Ulcinj
A rural lake near the Bojana River, popular with birdwatchers and anglers. The ruins of the medieval town of Svač stand on a hill nearby, making a good combined countryside trip.
Town centre
One of the best-known Ottoman-era mosques in Ulcinj, with a hammam (Turkish bath) next to it. It reflects the strong Albanian and Muslim heritage that shapes the town's character.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Sea temp | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C / 5°C | 13 days (221 mm) | 6.7 h/day | 15°C | 1.5/10 |
| February | 12°C / 6°C | 11 days (172 mm) | 7.8 h/day | 14°C | 2.0/10 |
| March | 14°C / 8°C | 13 days (175 mm) | 9.0 h/day | 15°C | 1.8/10 |
| April | 18°C / 11°C | 9 days (112 mm) | 10.7 h/day | 17°C | 3.0/10 |
| May | 22°C / 15°C | 11 days (135 mm) | 11.7 h/day | 20°C | 5.2/10 |
| Best month: June | 27°C / 20°C | 7 days (57 mm) | 13.3 h/day | 24°C | 9.1/10 |
| Best month: July | 30°C / 23°C | 3 days (27 mm) | 13.7 h/day | 26°C | 9.7/10 |
| Best month: August | 31°C / 23°C | 5 days (43 mm) | 12.9 h/day | 26°C | 9.4/10 |
| Best month: September | 26°C / 19°C | 8 days (163 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 25°C | 8.9/10 |
| October | 21°C / 15°C | 10 days (218 mm) | 9.1 h/day | 22°C | 6.0/10 |
| November | 17°C / 11°C | 14 days (324 mm) | 6.7 h/day | 19°C | 2.6/10 |
| December | 12°C / 7°C | 11 days (230 mm) | 6.6 h/day | 16°C | 1.7/10 |
Cool and wet, with highs of 10.2°C, 12.8 rain days and 221 mm of rain. The sea is 14.8°C. A score of 1.5 makes this quiet low season.
Highs reach 12.4°C, with 11.3 rain days and 172 mm of rain. At 13.6°C, the sea is too cold for most swimmers. It scores a low 2.
Still wet, with 13.1 rain days (the second most of the year) and 175 mm of rain. Highs reach 14.2°C. It scores 1.8, so this is low season.
Warming up to highs of 17.6°C, with 9.3 rain days and 112 mm of rain. The sea is still chilly at 16.5°C. It scores 3, below the main season.
Highs reach 21.7°C and the sea is 19.9°C, but there are still 11 rain days. It scores 5.2, an ok month for walks and cool early swims.
Warm and drier, with highs of 26.6°C, 6.7 rain days and 13.3 sun hours. The sea reaches 24.1°C. A score of 9.1 makes it a best month.
The top month, with a score of 9.7. Highs reach 29.9°C, with just 2.6 rain days and 27 mm of rain. The sea is 26°C, the warmest it gets.
The hottest month, with highs of 30.5°C and lows of 23°C. There are 4.6 rain days and the sea is 26°C. It scores 9.4, a best month for the beach.
Highs of 25.7°C and the sea is still 24.9°C. Rain rises to 8 days and 163 mm. A score of 8.9 keeps it among the best months.
Highs reach 21.1°C and the sea is 21.5°C, but there are 10.1 rain days and 218 mm of rain. It scores 6, a good shoulder month.
The wettest month, with 14.1 rain days and 324 mm of rain. Highs reach 16.5°C and the sea is 19.3°C. It scores 2.6: quiet, rainy low season.
Highs of 12.3°C, with 11.2 rain days, 230 mm of rain and 6.6 sun hours. A score of 1.7 makes it a cool, wet winter month.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Montenegro →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, nightlife, no car
This is the town centre around the small main beach, with cafés, restaurants and the seafront promenade all within walking distance. It is the easiest base for a first visit because buses, shops and the Old Town are close. The beach gets very crowded in summer, and music from the bars carries late into the night.
Good for couples, history lovers
The walled Old Town sits on a headland above Mala Plaža, with stone houses, narrow lanes and wide sea views. Staying inside the walls gives you quiet mornings and sunset views over the bay. The streets are steep and cobbled, so it is hard work with heavy luggage, and cars cannot reach most doors.
Good for couples, quiet, swimmers
Liman lies south-west of the centre, along the coast past the Old Town, with small rocky and pebble coves and a calmer feel. It suits people who want clear water and less noise but still want to walk into town. The walk back is hilly, and there are fewer shops and places to eat.
Good for families, beach time, drivers
Štoj is a spread-out village behind Velika Plaža, the long sandy beach south-east of town. Rooms here are close to shallow water that works well for children, and many beach bars open in summer. It is too far to walk to the centre, so you will need a car, taxis or the local buses.
Places within 2½ hours by train, bus, ferry or car.
bus
Several buses a day via Bar. The time is approximate and I could not check it. Check on busticket4.me.
bus
Coastal buses via Petrovac and Bar. There are more services in summer. The time is approximate and I could not check it.
bus
Fewer direct buses. Otherwise, change in Budva or Bar. The time is approximate and I could not check it.
Fresh sea and river fish, grilled simply with olive oil and garlic. Locals eat it at the wooden fish restaurants built on stilts along the Bojana river, near the Albanian border.
A thick fish soup, often made with several kinds of fish, rice and vegetables. It is usually served as a starter in the town's seafood restaurants before grilled fish.
The Valdanos area outside town has old olive groves, and local oil and olives appear on almost every table. Families often press their own oil after the autumn harvest.
An Albanian dish of thin batter layers, baked slowly under a metal lid covered with hot embers. It takes hours to make, so locals often cook it for family gatherings and celebrations.
Flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat or spinach. People buy it warm from bakeries in the morning and often drink plain yogurt with it.
Thin pastry layered with nuts and soaked in syrup, a sweet from the Ottoman period. Many families make it at home for Bajram and other religious holidays.
The best time is June to September, with July scoring highest at 9.7. In these months highs are 25.7–30.5°C and the sea is 24.1–26°C. July is the driest month, with only 2.6 rain days and 27 mm of rain. September is a little cooler at 25.7°C, but the sea is still 24.9°C.
Yes, August is one of the best months for a beach trip, with a score of 9.4. It is the hottest month, with highs of 30.5°C and lows of 23°C. The sea reaches 26°C. Expect about 4.6 rain days and 12.9 sun hours a day.
Many people will find it fine for swimming, though it is cooler than in summer. In October the sea is 21.5°C and highs are 21.1°C, but rain rises to 218 mm over 10.1 days. In May the sea is 19.9°C, with highs of 21.7°C and 11 rain days. October scores 6 and May scores 5.2.
Winter is mild but wet. November is the wettest month, with 324 mm of rain over 14.1 days. In January highs are 10.2°C, lows are 4.5°C and the sea drops to 14.8°C. Sun hours fall to about 6.7. This suits sightseeing and walks more than swimming.
A short day trip only covers part of Ulcinj. Ada Bojana and Lake Šas each take half a day. Ulcinj Old Town needs 2–3 hours, and Valdanos Bay 2–4 hours. Ulcinj Salina takes 2–3 hours. Add beach time at Small Beach (Mala Plaža) or Ladies' Beach (Ženska Plaža), and plan your stay around which of these you want to see.
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