The gap from one finish of Montenegro’s coast to the opposite will not be even 100km (62 miles) because the crow flies, but this tiny nation nonetheless manages to snag a number of the greatest surroundings the Mediterranean has to supply. Tucked between historic, fortified cities are small, glowing coves, divided by rocky headlands and lapped by remarkably clear Adriatic waters.
Seashores stretch from the breathtaking Bay of Kotor proper all the way down to the Albanian border. Here is our decide of Montenegro’s best spots for swimming, sunbathing and diving into the crystal waters of the Adriatic.
1. Pirates Bar seashore, Perast
We’re dishonest a little bit in classing this slither of pebbles as a seashore, however when you’re floating within the water, with a Venetian fantasy of a city on one facet and the sky-blue-domed church of Gospa od Škrpjela Island on the opposite, you’ll perceive why we’ve included it. The setting on the Bay of Kotor is spectacular, with steely mountains plunging straight into crystal-clear waters, however the water high quality within the innermost a part of the bay will be variable.
Fortunately, Perast is positioned on the apex of the bay, with a transparent path via the center heads opening it as much as the clear waters of the incoming tide. On high of that, it’s one among Montenegro’s prettiest cities, comprised virtually solely of Venetian-style palaces and church buildings. Swimming terraces are scattered all alongside the waterfront, however there’s solely a tiny sliver of precise seashore, proper down on the west finish of city, adjoining to the favored Pirate’s Bar. When you can’t discover a spot on the pebbles, there are ladders main immediately into the water from the terrace of the bar itself.
Planning tip: When you’re in Perast, it is value taking a ship over to Gospa od Škrpjela Island, which was artificially created in 1452 round a rock the place a picture of the Madonna was discovered. In summer season, boats line up on the Perast waterfront to ferry folks throughout to the island.
2. Dobreč seashore, Luštica Peninsula
Herceg Novi’s buzzy waterfront promenade has loads of enchantment, however for a correct swim with some area to unfold out afterward, you’re higher off catching a water taxi out to Dobreč on the finish of the Luštica Peninsula. This fantastic seashore can solely be reached by boat, which reduces the crowds considerably – though it does nonetheless get busy. The water high quality out right here on the mouth of the Bay of Kotor is great, and there’s restaurant, too, so make a day of it.
3. Ploče Seaside, Budva
Budva’s lengthy however massively overdeveloped principal seashore, Slovenska Plaža, will be overwhelming in summer season. When all of it will get an excessive amount of, take a 15-minute drive or a €5 boat trip west alongside the shore to Ploče Seaside, an remoted however extraordinarily common complicated, full with eating places, swimming swimming pools set into sunbathing terraces, and inflatable water slides for the youngsters. There’s even a bar with tables positioned in knee-deep water. It may well get raucous, however there’s greenery throughout, fantastic views alongside the coast and nary an condominium block in sight.
Planning tip: Boats depart for Ploče Seaside from the waterfront in Budva repeatedly in the summertime season; when you come by automotive, there’s loads of free parking close to the seashore.
4. Sveti Stefan Seaside, close to Budva
You’ll pay a hefty value if you wish to keep within the walled village of Sveti Stefan, however everybody can benefit from the views over the picturesque island resort from the seashore. Simply watch out which facet of the causeway you throw your towel down on – the almost-always-deserted northern finish of the seashore belongs to the Aman Sveti Stefan resort and prices an outrageous €100 day-use charge for non-guests.
Across the subsequent headland is arguably essentially the most stunning seashore in Montenegro – beautiful Miločer or King’s Seaside – however this too belongs to the resort (with a day-use charge of €120). Nonetheless, the pinkish pebbly sands on the southern finish of Sveti Stefan are free and the water will get deep rapidly right here, making it excellent for swimming.
Planning tip: If you wish to go to the atmospheric village of Sveti Stefan however cannot stretch to an evening on the Aman resort, 40-minute excursions of the island go away from the kiosk close to the causeway, with a most of 10 folks per tour.
5. Drobni Pijesak seashore, Rijeka Reževići
Drobni Pijesak means ‘floor sand’ and this little cove has a 240m (787ft) stretch of the stuff, wedged in between inexperienced hills and aquamarine waters. The seashore is hidden in plain sight simply beneath the coastal freeway, minutes north of Rijeka Reževići. There’s no city or village connected, only a sole seashore bar and restaurant, including to the laid-back temper.
6. Murići, Lake Skadar
As an alternative choice to the Adriatic seashores, lakeside Murići is our decide of Montenegro’s inland seashores. It’s set on the southwestern shore of Lake Skadar, beneath the dramatic ridge of the Rumija mountain vary. A steep street leads all the way down to the village offering entry to the clear waters on the lake’s edge. It is a scenic spot for a paddle and clouds of tiny fish dart via the underwater vegetation and comply with your toes as you splash about.
7. Lučice seashore, Petrovac
The once-blissful coastal resort of Petrovac is swiftly descending into Budva-like ranges of overdevelopment, however this little seashore across the headland from the primary city seashore nonetheless retains loads of allure. The backdrop is a traditional Mediterranean scene comprised of cypress timber and oleander bushes, and there’s a restaurant and water slide down the far finish.
Planning tip: To succeed in Lučice Seaside, wander south from the busy city seashore at Petrovac. Proceed over the leafy headland for an additional half-hour to achieve interesting Buljarica Seaside, one other comparatively undeveloped stretch of loveliness.
8. Women’ Seaside, Ulcinj
Heading southeast from the sandy, perpetually crowded arc of sand at Mala Plaža within the heart of Ulcinj, you will discover a string of fairly little rocky coves, every with an accompanying seashore bar. Whereas a few of these bars compete to deafen their clientele with dueling sound programs, Women’ Seaside is exclusive in that it’s each quiet and a strictly women-only area. The excessive sulfur content material of the water is meant to spice up fertility, however ladies primarily come right here to sit back out away from the gaze of males. For the extra religiously inclined ladies of this majority Muslim city, it’s a carefree place to chill out.
9. Velika Plaža, close to Ulcinj
A powerful 12km-long expanse of sand simply southeast of Ulcinj, Velika Plaža is Montenegro’s longest seashore (the title truly interprets as “Large Seaside”). Whereas the setting is gorgeous, the water is just too shallow for satisfying swimming, but it surely’s nice for toddlers to splash about in and excellent for kitesurfers.
In summer season, Belgrade scenesters descend on a set of cobbled-together seashore bars down on the southern finish of the seashore, every of which has an connected kitesurfing faculty. After a day on the sands, head to one of many glorious fish eating places jutting out over the Bojana River.
Planning tip: If you wish to go kitesurfing at Velika Plaža, contact the D’Olcinium Kitesurf Membership, a long-established group providing kitesurfing classes and leases for knowledgeable kitesurfers.
10. Ada Bojana, close to Velika Plaža
We’ve saved the perfect for final. This 3km (1.9-mile) strip of sandy seashore continues simply throughout the Bojana River from the place Velika Plaža leaves off and continues to the Albanian border. And in contrast to at Velika Plaža, the water’s deep sufficient for correct swimming.
Ada Bojana is definitely a 520-hectare island sitting between two branches of the river and joined to the mainland by a bridge. Through the Yugoslav period, it grew to become one of many nation’s most well-known naturist resorts, a convention that continues to today.
Planning tip: Whereas many of the island is put aside for the clothing-averse, there’s a bit of seashore and a few Robinson Crusoe-style eating places on the northern finish which might be open to these with extra modest inclinations.
