Ulcinj is the most extraordinary city in the south of Montenegro, a real olive paradise, famous for its huge sandy beaches and diverse culture. Although most people come here to relax by the sea, there are many interesting places and sights to visit while in Ulcinj. It is a city which never leaves anyone indifferent and its history is probably the most fascinating. There will be pirates, slave owners, poets, and a confluence of religions, eternal struggles and uncertainties.
History of Ulcinj
According to historical records, Ulcinj is one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic coast. The earliest mention of Ulcinj dates back to the 3rd century B.C. The Illyrians settled on this land and in the 5th century B.C. a full-fledged town was founded there, called Kolhinijuma.
Ulcinj then came under Roman rule in 163 BC and became known as Olcinium (Olcinium). And after the great dissolution, it passed into Byzantine hands. During this period the town began to gain unprecedented popularity, albeit rather dubiously. It became a veritable pirate haven and centre of the slave trade. Which, on the one hand, made it quite spooky and dangerous, but on the other, incredibly rich and lively.
In 1423, under the aegis of the Republic of Venice, the town was incorporated into the province of Albania Veneta and given a new name, Dulcigno.
In the second half of the 16th century, the city was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and remained under its rule for a long time, which has left its indelible mark on the city's culture to this day.
It was only in 1878, after the independence of Montenegro as a sovereign Principality was recognised, that Ulcinj was fully integrated into the Principality.
Despite these events, the city has managed to retain its distinctive oriental flavour and a small part of its historical heritage, which you can still see within the walls of the Old Town.
Population
Ulcinj is now home to more than 10,000 inhabitants. It is in close proximity to the Albanian border and the majority of the population is Albanian (over 70%). In this regard, unlike in other parts of Montenegro, the main faith here is Islam. The streets are lined with Orthodox churches and Muslim mosques. The contrast is rather disconcerting for many tourists, but one need not fear this city, despite its sinister past. It is quite safe to rest in Ulcinj, but as everywhere else you'd better be vigilant, as there are plenty of beggars in the streets.
How to get to Ulcinj
From Podgorica
If you are flying into Montenegro for a holiday, the best way to get from Podgorica Airport to Ulcinj is, of course, by taxi. The cost of such a trip will be about 70 Euros. So if you are travelling in a large group, this is a great option.
You can also rent a car. Inside the airport you will find several rental desks where you can book a car on the spot, but we recommend doing so in advance.
You can also get to Ulcinj by bus. You can check the current timetable on busticket4.me. On average, a bus from Podgorica to Ulcinj costs €8 (including the bus station fee). But it all depends on the time of departure and the carrier.
For budget travellers who are willing to sacrifice comfort for economy, there is another option for cheap travel to Ulcinj — the train.
You can walk to the train station (20 minutes) and then take the train to Bar. A train ticket will cost you between €1.80 and €2.80. The timetable can be found on the railway's official website www.zcg-prevoz.me (select the Aerodrom boarding station).
Then you can get to Ulcinj from Bar by bus. The journey time will take about 40 minutes and the ticket price will be about 3-4 EUR.
From Tivat
Getting from Tivat Airport to Ulcinj is also easy. You can take a taxi or public transport. The prices +/- will be the same as in the case of Podgorica, as the distance between Tivat and Ulcinj is only 10 km longer than the distance between Podgorica and Ulcinj.
from other cities
If you want to travel to Ulcinj from other Montenegrin cities, such as Budva, Herceg Novi or Kotor, the cheapest option is to take a bus. You can find the tickets on the official website, but it is better to buy them on the spot on the bus or at the bus stations, as local drivers always require a printed ticket.
Ulcinj attractions
Ulcinj Old Town
The Old Town area in Ulcinj is considered one of the oldest on the entire Adriatic coast. This picturesque place with its narrow and winding streets captures the spirit of several eras, bringing together buildings from the Ottoman period and the Middle Ages, as well as Renaissance and Baroque elements. It is a very atmospheric place which cannot be missed. When visiting the Old Town in Ulcinj pay special attention to the Balšić Tower, Slave Square, the Pirate Museum and the Archaeological Museum. Also, in front of the very entrance to the Old Town, you will encounter a burial chamber, which is typical of the Ottoman period.
St Nicholas Church
Just in front of the Old Town, amidst the olive trees, you can see the Church of St Nicholas, built in 1890 (there used to be a mosque here, but it was rebuilt). It is close to the Pasha Mosque, which houses the only real Turkish Hamam in the country. The church is very picturesque and there is a souvenir shop for teas, candles, brandy, and handmade souvenirs.
Valdanos Bay
The Ulcinj region is famous for its large olive groves, especially in Valdanos Bay, where there are more than 80,000 olives. The trees that grow here are more than a few centuries old. The cove was also, in its prime years, a major pirate harbour where many battles were fought. Locals even say that the remains of sunken ships from the Greek and Roman periods can still be found there.
Abandoned saltworks (Ulcinj Salina)
A man-made salt mine never put into production, is home to a number of rare bird species. In 2004, it was officially recognised as a biosphere reserve. The Bajo Sekulić salina is a birdwatcher's paradise. You can even see pelicans and flamingos here (most often in winter).
Beaches
Ulcinj is the beach capital of Montenegro. As mentioned earlier, visitors come here for the most part just to sunbathe and relax on the large sandy beaches, and this is a justifiable reason. Nowhere else in this country, you will not find such variety and scale, so when choosing the best beach destination in Montenegro, feel free to include Ulcinj in this list. Now let's take a look at the best beaches in Ulcinj.
Long Beach (Velika Plaža)
This is the biggest sandy beach you'll find on the Adriatic! Velika Plaža has over 13km of coastline covered in sand. It really is a very large area with a huge number of volleyball courts, cafes, beach bars and kitesurfing clubs. There are no crowds and no one sits on each other's heads as there is plenty of room for everyone.
Ada Bojana
This beach is considered to be the biggest nudist beach in Europe, about 3km long. There are good fish restaurants here and you can also encounter unbelievably beautiful sunsets.
Small Beach (Mala plaža)
In the very center, near the walls of the Old Town, is the Small Beach in Ulcinj. It is very colourful and lively. In summer there are straw umbrellas and many cafes and restaurants right across the road. The beach is very well equipped, so families with children and young people alike like to relax here.
Ladies' Beach (Ženska plaža)
If you like rocky beaches, Ladies' Beach is a great option. It can only be visited by women between May and October, otherwise, everyone is welcome. Ladies' Beach gets its name from the sulphur-mineral spring that springs up at the foot of the rocks on the beach, which has healing properties and helps cure infertility. The beach is surrounded by a dense forest and is located in a recess, hiding it from prying eyes.
Valdanos
About 5 km from Ulcinj, next to an olive grove, is the pebbly beach of Valdanos. This place used to be a storm shelter for ships, as this bay is well protected from the wind due to its horseshoe shape. If you like quiet and comfortable places, and a pebbly beach does not scare you, you should definitely check it out.
Leisure time in Ulcinj
Those who say there is nothing to do in Ulcinj are sadly mistaken. A beach holiday in Ulcinj is of course great, but there are also other things to do here that you might enjoy.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
Ulcinj is the «capital» of kitesurfers on the Adriatic and can even compete with the Canary Islands, Portugal, or Egypt. The open spaces on Long Beach and the Maestral wind blowing from the sea to the coast about 90 days a year create perfect conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Shopping
When you arrive in Ulcinj you will immediately feel the spirit of the East. In addition to the mosques and the many souvenir shops, you should also check out the local market. Apart from the fact that this is the only place where you'll find the cheapest, juiciest and tastiest fruit, fresh fish, and meat, you'll also find plenty of craft shops where you can buy leather, linen, and silk products, and be sure to check out the jewellery shops!
Exploring history and visiting ruins
In addition to the archaeological and ethnographic museums, the Ulcinj Pirates Museum, and the Old Town, there are many other historical attractions to be found in the vicinity of Ulcinj. For example, visit the ruins of the medieval town of Svac (Šas). This town was founded in the early VI century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian; later, coins were even minted in this town. But the history of the town stops in 1575, after which only the ruins and the cathedral can be seen. Archaeological excavations are still underway.
Bicycle ride
For cyclists and cycling enthusiasts, there is also something to do. In 2010, the bicycle route along the Buna River was reconstructed. Therefore, cyclists can now travel safely between Ulcinj and Skadar Lake.
Prices
Prices in Ulcinj increase significantly during the season compared to the winter, but nevertheless, it is still cheaper than other resort towns like Budva or Tivat.
A meal in a restaurant will cost you approximately €15-25 per person, in a café €5-10. Rental accommodation in Ulcinj during the summer season starts from 20 EUR/day. On the beaches, you can come with your own equipment, or you can rent chairs, umbrellas, or entire bungalows. The latter are best booked in advance, as they sell out quickly due to low prices (about 15-20 euros per day).
Rental housing
There are some good hotels in Ulcinj. There aren't many, but they are there. You can also rent nice villas here at nice prices and of course apartments from landlords.
If you come for a beach holiday in Ulcinj without a car, look for accommodation either in the centre of the town or directly by Long Beach (Velika plaža). There are many different options for apartments there, hotels and villas are less common and it is advisable to book them well in advance. Hotels have the advantage of course that breakfast is included in the price (most often) as there are practically no grocery shops near the beach.
If you're in Ulcinj for a quiet holiday, you have a car and the sea is not a priority for you, it's best to rent a villa or house outside the city.
The fact is that in summer Ulcinj can be quite noisy, with lots of tourists and beggars, and you might want to get away from it at least at night.
The villas in the municipality of Ulcinj have a solid appearance and are often situated among olives, which adds to their charm. And the prices are sure to please because a whole villa with a pool can be rented from 100 euros per day!
