Ulcinj
Ulcinj is a coastal town in southern Montenegro with a 12 km sandy beach and a medieval citadel, the Old Town, above the Adriatic.
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Ulcinj is a coastal town in southern Montenegro and the seat of Ulcinj Municipality. The town's name also appears as Ulqin in Albanian and Dulcigno in Italian, so maps and signs may use any of the three names. Albanians form about 70% of the municipality, and Albanian is the most spoken language. The town had 11,143 residents at the 2023 census.
The Old Town is a medieval citadel on a rocky bluff above the shore, with the 14th-century Balšić Tower and stonework from the Greek-Illyrian period. Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans all held the town at different times, and the Ottomans left hammams, mosques, fountains and a clock tower. Long Beach, a 12 km sandy shore, is the main place for water sports. Ada Bojana island is known for its quiet and for kitesurfing. Ulcinj is busiest from May to September, when cafés and bars fill up. Tivat and Podgorica airports are each about 70 km away.
Ulcinj in five
- Choose Long Beach for spaceThe tourism board lists Long Beach at 13 km and calls it the longest sandy beach on the Adriatic. A beach this long spreads people out, so the far stretches are calmer than the middle.
- Check the kitesurf school before you bookThe board lists kitesurfing among the activities on the Ulcinj coast, with large sandy beaches. Ask schools about instructor qualifications and equipment checks.
- Look for birds at the salt pans and Ada BojanaThe tourism board names Ulcinjska Solana, Long Beach and Ada Bojana among Montenegro's bird-watching places. Bring binoculars and ask locally about access.
- Cross to Albania at Sukobin if you plan ShkodërThe board lists Sukobin among the Albania road crossings. Carry your passport, and ask your car rental company in writing whether you may take the car across.Entry conditions
- Budget a long transfer from the northUlcinj is the far south, so Kotor or Tivat is a long ride. Podgorica Airport is the closer gateway, which makes the capital the usual first stop.Adriatic coast planner
Things to do in Ulcinj
See all attractions in Ulcinj
Need to know
- Airport
- Podgorica (TGD) is closer; Tivat (TIV) is far to the north
- Getting there
- Bus or car along the coast, or by road via Podgorica
- Getting around
- Walk the old town; taxis and buses to Long Beach
- Best base
- Near the old town for views; Long Beach for sand
- Time needed
- Two to four nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Mild, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 235 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Mild, wetFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 176 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Spring, windyMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, windy
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Warm, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- MayRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Warm, calmMayRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Hot, beachJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, beach
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberRain8 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Warm seaSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 182 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberRain10 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Mild, calmOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 223 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°RainyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 372 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberRain12 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Mild, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 254 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Ulcinj, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ulcinj
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Ulcinj
06:03 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today16°14°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed18°13°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°13°0%Thursday: Clear. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri18°13°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat14°11°34%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 34%.
- Sun17°13°50%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Mon17°13°52%Monday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 52%.
Updated 02:02 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Ulcinj
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Rules for Ulcinj, checked
- Visa-free stays depend on your nationality, so check the rules with Montenegro's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Montenegro.
- Take off your shoes and cover your shoulders and knees before entering the mosques in Čaršija. Women should bring a headscarf.
- Tipping waiters and taxi drivers is customary. Some restaurants add a service charge, so check the bill.
Plan around Ulcinj
Where Ulcinj fits in a coastal plan
Read the guidePetrovacA calmer beach town to the north
Read the guideLake SkadarBoats, birds and wine inland
Read the guidePodgoricaThe capital and nearest airport
Read the guideVirpazarThe lake's gateway village
Read the guideGetting around EuropeBuses, trains and border planning
Read the guideAll of MontenegroEntry rules, coast and mountains
Read the guideUlcinj FAQ
Is Ulcinj worth visiting?
Yes for a long sandy beach and a hilltop old town, especially in June and September. It is far from the Bay of Kotor, so pair it with Lake Skadar or Petrovac, not Kotor.
How long is Long Beach in Ulcinj?
The tourism board gives 13 km and calls it the longest sandy beach on the Adriatic.
How far is Ulcinj from Podgorica?
It is a road trip inland to the capital, closer than Tivat. Check the bus timetable on BusTicket4.me or hire a car; this guide quotes no travel times.
Can you do a day trip from Ulcinj to Albania?
Yes, by road, but check your rental company's rules and carry your passport. The tourism board lists Sukobin and other Albania crossings.
When is the best time to visit Ulcinj?
June and September suit swimming with room on the sand. July and August are hot and busy; May and October suit walks in the old town but are cool for the sea.