Tours to Montenegro are gaining in popularity every year, thanks not only to the inexpensive prices but also to the incredible mountain scenery. However, many people still associate Montenegro with beautiful beaches and the mirror-like clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. But even in such a small country choosing the best place for a holiday can be quite a challenge. There are plenty of beaches in Montenegro, but not all of them are sandy and well equipped. That's why in this article we decided to collect the 7 best places for beach holidays in Montenegro, so you can choose where you will be most comfortable to spend your holiday.
Beach resorts in Montenegro and their characteristics
This small country is unique in that there are resorts to suit all tastes. You can relax with the kids, have a relaxing weekend with your parents or relatives, go for a wellness holiday, and at the same time you'll find plenty of places to hang out, as well as luxury-style beaches for the upmarket segment.
First of all, you need to decide on the type of holiday you want to take. The next step is choosing where you want to go, namely whether you want to swim in the bay or the open sea. Strangely enough, it takes longer for the water to warm up in the bay. However, in midsummer it gets hotter than the open sea and takes longer to cool down. For this reason, resorts on the coast of the Adriatic Sea are preferred in the first half of summer and the Bay of Kotor in the second half of the season.
Resorts on the Montenegrin coast: Budva, Becici, Petrovac, Sveti Stefan, Bar, Sutomore, Ulcinj, etc.
Resorts in the Bay of Kotor: Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor, Lustica, Risan, Perast, Dobrota, Prcanj, Morinj, etc.
All of Montenegro's beach resorts are surrounded by mountains, but you should be aware of some of the nuances of seaside and gulf holidays.
- The water in the bay is calmer and there are no strong waves, unlike on the coast.
- There are hardly any sandy beaches in the Bay of Kotor. Most are either pebbly or concrete. The sand here is imported, so at such beaches, such as Waikiki in Tivat, the entry is paid.
- The resorts in the bay are more suited to relaxation, while the coast is more «youthful».
When is the best time to go to Montenegro to swim in the sea?
The swimming season in Montenegro usually starts in June. But with good weather in spring, from as early as the 20s of May some tourists can swim in the sea. If you like very warm water, then it is better to come here from July to September. During this period the water is at its most pleasant.
However, the Adriatic Sea has its own surprises. From time to time, strong winds and streams can cause the water to turn abruptly cold, but as a rule, this does not last more than 3 days and the water returns to its usual summer temperature (+25°C on average).
What is worth knowing about the beaches in Montenegro?
The whole coastline of Montenegro belongs to the state, but most beaches are rented by entrepreneurs for the season. As a result, there are some requirements that renters must comply with, which you will also find useful to know about when going on a beach holiday to Montenegro.
- Sun loungers, parasols, and other equipment on the beaches are chargeable, but 50% of the beach area must be freely accessible. In other words, anyone can come and sit on his or her own sun lounger or mat.
- For the duration of the rental period, the renter undertakes to clean and level the beach every day and to beautify it.
- Entrance to the beach should be free for all visitors. But there are some exceptions, which apply to the elite areas near Sveti Stefan and Milocer beach, where celebrities often visit.
In other words, almost every beach on the Montenegrin coast has good infrastructure (cabins, showers, toilets, cafes) and at the same time is free. Renting sun loungers is entirely up to you, not a requirement from the beach renters.
Montenegro's 7 best beach resorts and vacation spots
Budva
This resort is the most popular in the whole of Montenegro. Not only families with children come here, but also young people, so it is quite noisy and crowded in summer. But to be honest, it is a resort for the appreciators. Some advice to come here ONLY, and some advice to go anywhere but here. The prices here are quite democratic if you know how to bargain with the locals. But bear in mind that traffic jams are terrible in summer, so if you go anywhere, you might be stuck in a traffic jam for hours.
Suitable for: Families with children and young people
Pros:
- well-developed infrastructure;
- excellent location;
- a wide range of excursions;
- wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets;
- aqua park;
- frequent exhibitions, festivals, concerts and other events.
Cons:
- lots of construction
- quite noisy, for a quiet holiday it is better to travel outside of Budva;
- Very crowded, not much privacy.
Where to stay in Budva:
Splendid Conference and Spa Resort
This five-star hotel is ideal for families with children. It is 2 km from the city and has its own private beach as well as 3 swimming pools and a spa. There are babysitting services and a kids' club.
Iberostar Bellevue
This hotel is located in Becici (3 km from Budva city centre) and has 4 stars. There are restaurants on site, but an all-inclusive hotel package option is also available. There are also 4 swimming pools, a gym, a spa centre and other infrastructural services necessary for a comfortable holiday.
Dukley Hotel and Resort
If you want to go on a luxury holiday then this hotel is ideal. It is located on the high ground of the Budva Riviera, between Slavic Beach and Becici. To avoid standing in traffic jams you can take a water taxi which is provided by the hotel. Overall the hotel is very luxurious and completely immersed in greenery. It is an ideal place for a holiday with a group of friends or for a romantic trip.
Kotor
The city itself is very interesting in terms of cultural heritage, but we wouldn't recommend coming here for a beach holiday. For this purpose, consider the nearest towns in the Bay of Kotor, such as Dobrota, Perast or Risan. There are good enough hotels and equipped beaches for a comfortable holiday.
As these places are not as popular as Budva, there are far fewer people and a calmer atmosphere, so you can enjoy plenty of beautiful views and really take a break from the hustle and bustle.
Suitable for: Couples
Pros:
- a very beautiful place with incredible scenery;
- quiet and peaceful;
- ideal for sailing and hiking;
- many attractions, old villages, forts, and other things in the surrounding area;
- fast travel from Tivat airport.
Cons:
- parking problems;
- not the sunniest part of Montenegro (the bay is surrounded by mountains, so the sun comes in late and goes out early);
- few activities for children.
Where to stay in Kotor::
Forza Mare
This boutique hotel is located in the town of Dobrota, near Kotor. They have a private beach with sun loungers where you can enjoy beautiful views. There are a total of 10 rooms ranging in style from Moroccan to Japanese, so it is best to book in advance if you want to get in. The hotel has a pool, gym and small spa. Famous celebrities such as Jay-Z and Beyonce used to stay here.
Iberostar Heritage Grand Perast
This hotel is located in the heart of the UNESCO-protected city of Perast. The rooms offer an incredible view of the Bay of Kotor, as well as the island of Our Lady of the Rocks and the island of Saint George.
Sveti Stefan
The resort of Sveti Stefan is most recognisable thanks to the island of the same name, which is considered a symbol of Montenegro and features on almost all postcards and picture cards.
But to be honest, it's far from an ideal resort if the infrastructure is critical to you, as there isn't even a supermarket in this village. But there are nice cafés with delicious food.
Suitable for: Couples and families with children
Pros:
- nice beach;
- beautiful views;
- large park for walking;
- compared to Budva, there aren't many people here.
Cons:
- No developed infrastructure, the nearest supermarket is located in another town;
- High prices during the season because of the island's attractiveness (many tourists come here).
Where to stay in Sveti Stefan:
Aman Sveti Stefan
Right on the island of Sveti Stefan there is a luxurious hotel that has preserved the primitiveness of this small village, built in the 15th century. So if you want to fully experience this atmosphere and immerse yourself in the history and charm of old Montenegro, this place is sure to leave an unforgettable pleasant imprint in your memory.
Villa Milocer
Not far from the island of Sveti Stefan, in a cedar-olive grove, there is the former residence of Queen Marija Karađorđević (Maria of Yugoslavia) and now Villa Milocer, which welcomes guests. The villa has a small courtyard for walks as well as a private beach with crystal clear waters and a beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea.
Maestral Resort & Casino
The rooms in this hotel are very elegant and spacious, there are even duplex suites with jacuzzi. Located between Sveti Stefan and Rafailovići, this hotel has a private beach, spa area, indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a casino for gambling enthusiasts.
Petrovac
If you are coming to Montenegro for a short holiday and want to spend all your days on the beach, then this resort is perfect for you. The majority of families with children spend their holidays here, as Petrovac has unbelievably clean water and air, a well-equipped sandy beach, and beautiful cliffs around it. Petrovac is easily accessible, as it is located less than 50 km from both Podgorica Airport and Tivat Airport.
For young people, we wouldn't recommend this resort, as you'll quickly become bored here, as all the «town's life» is concentrated on the seafront, and there's not much to do outside of it. So there's not much to do and there's not much to hang out in.
Suitable for: families with children
Pros:
- good sandy beach;
- a pleasant pine scent and a good walking area;
- peaceful place.
Cons:
- prices higher than in Budva;
- only one playground and few activities;
- hard to find parking during high season.
Where to stay in Petrovac:
AMI Budva Petrovac
This five-star hotel has luxury views from its windows, indoor and outdoor pools, spa area, conference room and many other facilities. The AMI Hotel is just 200 metres from the beach and the price includes sun loungers and umbrellas, so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about anything.
Riva Hotel
This hotel is located right on the seashore and has a private beach. There are only 34 rooms, so a comfortable holiday without the crowds will be assured. The hotel also has its own restaurant with a beautiful view of the two islands opposite Petrovac: Katića and Sveti Voskresenje.
Tivat
It is by no means the most popular resort on the Montenegrin coast, but it does have its good points, chief among them its location. Especially when it comes to airport transfers. In fact, you can even reach the town on foot, more about that here. However, when it comes to beaches, most of the beaches in Tivat are concrete, but the really good places where you can comfortably relax and swim are outside the city, so vacationing in Tivat is better to rent a car.
Overall, if you're not picky about where to stay, Tivat is a good choice. You can find budget accommodation as well as luxury hotels with beautiful views.
Suitable for: multi-purpose resort
Pros:
- No large crowds like in Budva;
- Сonvenient location;
- Swanky promenade for strolls;
- A lot of trails for hiking.
Cons:
- Less developed infrastructure compared to Budva;
- A few good beaches in the city.
Where to stay in Tivat:
La Roche Hotel
The hotel has gorgeous panoramic windows overlooking the sea and there is a private beach and indoor swimming pool at guests' disposal. Another advantage of this hotel is that you can stay here with your pet.
The Chedi Luštica Bay
This hotel is situated in the new village of Lustica Peninsula and is only a 10-minute drive from Tivat Airport. It is in perfect harmony with the overall architectural style of Montenegro. If you prefer a relaxing holiday away from all the city noise, Lustica Bay is perfect for you.
Regent Porto Montenegro
One of Montenegro's most luxurious residential complexes, Porto Montenegro is also home to a five-star Venetian-style hotel. The chic apartments have views of the mountains and the marina. If you like a luxury holiday, you will love this hotel!
Ulcinj
This town is ideal for those who are looking for the best beach holidays in Montenegro. Ulcinj is ideal for those who love sandy beaches, and out of 30 km of coastline, 17 km of it are sandy beaches. However, it is worth to take into account that Ulcinj is quite different from the other cities in Montenegro, as the majority of the population here are Albanians. However, if you want a «seal holiday», it is probably the best place in Montenegro for this purpose. Ulcinj is also a great place for kitesurfing.
By the way, the largest nudist beach Ada Bojana is also here, so nude sunbathers will love it.
Suitable for: young people
Pros:
- A fairly budget-friendly option compared to the other resorts;
- Large sandy beaches;
- Ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing;
- the water here is the warmest.
Cons:
- remote location;
- the atmosphere is very different from other cities.
Where to stay in Ulcinj:
Hotel Palata Venezia
This hotel is located in the most beautiful part of Ulcinj and the building where it is located was built around 2000 years ago and was the Royal Castle. The complex has everything you need for a comfortable holiday and it takes no more than 5 minutes to get to the beach.
There is an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, sunbathing veranda and even a library on site.
Herceg Novi
Every year Herceg Novi is becoming more and more popular not only as a holiday destination, but also as a health resort. It is home to the Igalo Physiotherapy Centre (Simo Milosevic Institute) and the Igalo spa in Herceg Novi municipality is known for its therapeutic mud. However, it should be noted that Herceg Novi is on the hills, so there may be a lot of stairs if you book slightly farther from the sea.
The town is literally buried in greenery and has pebble and concrete beaches. For lovers of hiking, the resort of Herceg Novi is also perfect. There are many hiking trails in the area and the old part of town is well preserved.
Overall, there's plenty to do and see here, so the resort is suitable for young people, families with children and seniors alike (provided you've booked accommodation close to the shoreline).
Suitable for: multi-purpose resort
Pros:
- a very «green» city, it has very pleasant, fresh air;
- wellness treatments, therapeutic mud;
- swanky promenade, 5 km long;
- wide range of beaches;
- well-developed infrastructure.
Cons:
- many steps and climbs;
- remote location.
Where to stay in Herceg Novi:
Palmon Bay Hotel & Spa
Palmon Bay Spa Hotel is located in Igalo, literally on the beachfront. It has a modern look, a private enclosed beach and several pools (indoor and outdoor). The hotel offers the mud treatments for which the resort is famous.
There are many restaurants near the hotel and a promenade for walking.
Iberostar Herceg Novi
Families with children are most likely to stay at this hotel, as it has all the facilities for a comfortable holiday, including a kids' club. There is direct access to the beach and the hotel has a rooftop pool, bar and sunbathing area with spectacular mountain and sea views.
Lazure Hotel & Marina
Lazure Hotel & Marina is located right on the beachfront, next to the marina. This luxury hotel is suitable for couples and families alike. The building itself is made of stone and has a modern design and cosy rooms. There is a spa, a gym, an indoor pool with panoramic windows and a spectacular outdoor pool. There are also good restaurants with delicious cuisine on site.
One&Only Portonovi
This hotel is located in the modern residential complex of Porto Novi, which is reminiscent of a little piece of Switzerland inside Montenegro. It has the most luxurious apartments and villas, the best spa and restaurants.
