The long sandy curve of Velika Plaža beach south of Ulcinj, Montenegro, with dunes and the shallow Adriatic

Beach

Walk Velika Plaža

Ulcinj · Southern Coast & Ulcinj

QUICK INFORMATION

CATEGORY
Beach
COUNTRY
Montenegro
REGION
Ulcinj · Southern Coast & Ulcinj
DURATION
A few hours to a full day; the beach runs for 13 km, so a long walk is easy.
DIFFICULTY
A flat beach walk and a swim — no effort required.
BEST TIME
June to September for swimming and kitesurfing; May and October for quiet beach walking.

ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE

Velika Plaža — the “Great Beach” — is the 13-kilometre stretch of uninterrupted sand that runs south from Ulcinj to the Bojana river and the Albanian border, the longest sandy beach in Montenegro and one of the longest on the Adriatic. Unlike the small coves of the Budva coast, it is a wide, open, shallow-shelving beach backed by dunes and the river estuary, with room enough that even in high summer it never feels full. Its steady thermal winds and shallow water also make it one of the main kitesurfing and windsurfing spots on the Adriatic, and the Ada Bojana island at its southern end is a destination in its own right.

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

What you’ll experience

You head south out of Ulcinj to the start of the sands, where the beach opens out into a wide, flat stretch of pale sand backed by dunes. The walk along the beach is as long or short as you like — the sand runs for 13 kilometres to the Bojana river, so you can walk for an hour and still have beach ahead. The water is shallow and warm, shelving gently, which makes it good for swimming and for families. Toward the southern end, kitesurfing schools operate on the beach in season, taking advantage of the steady afternoon thermal wind, and the Ada Bojana river island sits at the mouth of the Bojana, lined with fish restaurants reached by small boats.

THE EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL

What it’s really like

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

HIGHLIGHTS

Moments worth savouring

01

13 kilometres of uninterrupted sand — Montenegro’s longest beach, running south to the Bojana river and the Albanian border.

02

Wide, open and shallow-shelving, so even in high summer there is room, and the water is warm and gentle.

03

A steady afternoon thermal wind makes the southern end a major kitesurfing and windsurfing spot.

04

The Ada Bojana river island at the southern end, with boat-trip fish restaurants along the Bojana.

05

Dunes and the river estuary behind the sand — a wilder, less developed coast than the Budva coves.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Good to know before you go

Velika Plaža is a public beach, open and free to walk. In summer there are beach bars, sun loungers and kitesurfing schools at intervals along the sand, with long stretches of empty beach between them. The water is shallow and warm, shelving gently for a long way out. There is little natural shade, so bring sun protection and water for a long walk. The southern end, around Ada Bojana, is the kitesurfing centre; the northern end near Ulcinj is the busiest. Transport runs from Ulcinj to the beach in season, or it is a short drive.

WHY IT MATTERS

Why it matters

Velika Plaža is the counterpoint to the small, crowded coves of the central Montenegrin coast — a genuinely vast sandy beach with room to breathe, and the place that gives Ulcinj its character as a beach destination rather than only a fortress town. For a visitor it is the best place on the Montenegrin coast for a long beach walk, a shallow swim, or a kitesurfing day, and it shows a wilder, less developed side of the coast than Budva or Kotor.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Before you go

Where
The beach runs south from Ulcinj for 13 km to the Bojana river and the Albanian border. The northern end is closest to town; the southern end is at Ada Bojana.
When
June to September for swimming and kitesurfing; May and October for quiet, warm walking on the sand.
Facilities
Beach bars, sun loungers and kitesurfing schools at intervals in season, with long empty stretches between. Little natural shade — bring sun protection and water.
Water
Shallow, warm and gently shelving — good for swimming and families. The steady afternoon wind suits kitesurfing at the southern end.
Pairing
Combine with a morning in Ulcinj old town and an evening at the Ada Bojana fish restaurants at the river mouth.

MAP & LOCATION

Walk Velika Plaža

Walk Velika Plaža, Ulcinj, Southern Coast & Ulcinj, Montenegro

41.9128, 19.2889

Open in OpenStreetMap

FOOD & DRINK

Where to eat nearby

01

Konoba Liman — fish beside the old town harbour

02

Ada Bojana river restaurants — stilted fish restaurants on the Bojana, reached by boat or bridge

03

Old Town harbour cafés — seafood, grilled fish and Albanian-Montenegrin dishes along the waterfront below the walls

Explore destination

HOTELS & STAYS

Where to stay nearby

01

Hotel Palata Venezia — inside the old town walls

02

Velika Plaža beach clubs and apartments — closer to the long sandy beach south of town

03

Ulcinj waterfront apartments — quieter rooms and apartments within walking distance or a short local ride of the old town

Explore destination

INTERESTS

Explore by what you love

PART OF

Keep exploring

The atlas goes on — more attractions, destinations and stories from every corner of the world.