Ulcinj — The Other South

Ulcinj (approx. 11,000 inhabitants) is Montenegro's southernmost city and a world of its own. Just 25 km from the Albanian border, Ulcinj is predominantly Albanian-populated and has a completely different atmosphere than the rest of the coast: mosques instead of churches, Albanian cuisine, Ottoman architecture, and a rugged, authentic energy reminiscent of Turkey.

Beaches

• Velika Plaža (Great Beach) — At 13 kilometers, the longest sandy beach on the Adriatic. Fine, dark sand, shallow water (ideal for families), kite-surfable wind, and a vastness reminiscent of North Africa. At the northern end: beach bars and restaurants. At the southern end (near the Albanian border): almost deserted and wild. Here you will also find nudist areas and the Ada Bojana.
• Ada Bojana — A triangular river island at the mouth of the Bojana into the Adriatic. The island is famous for its stilted fish restaurants (Kalimera), nudist tourism, and kite surfing. The restaurants serve the freshest fish in Montenegro — straight from the river and the sea. A unique place.
• Mala Plaža (Small Beach) — The city beach below the old town. Small but charming, with views of the fortress walls.

Old Town (Stari Grad)

The Old Town of Ulcinj perches on a rocky outcrop above the sea and is one of the oldest on the Adriatic (founded in the 5th century BC as a Greek colony, then Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman). The massive walls, the church-turned-mosque main mosque, and the view over the open sea tell stories of pirates, slaves, and conquerors. Legend has it that Miguel de Cervantes was held here as a slave — and was inspired by Ulcinj for characters in Don Quixote.

Ulcinj is also an important site for the Solana Ulcinj — a large salt pan south of the city, which is one of the most significant bird sanctuaries on the Adriatic. Over 250 bird species rest here, including flamingos, pelicans, and black storks. Best observed in spring and autumn.