The gap from one finish of Montenegro’s coast to the opposite just isn’t even 100km (62 miles) because the crow flies, but this tiny nation nonetheless manages to snag among 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 choose 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 just a little 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 may be variable.
Fortunately, Perast is positioned on the apex of the bay, with a transparent path by the center heads opening it as much as the clear waters of the incoming tide. On prime of that, it’s one in all 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. Should 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: Whilst you’re in Perast, it is price 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 individuals 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 effective 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 superb, and there’s restaurant, too, so make a day of it.
3. Ploče Seaside, Budva
Budva’s lengthy however massively overdeveloped important seashore, Slovenska Plaža, may 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 standard complicated, full with eating places, swimming swimming pools set into sunbathing terraces, and inflatable water slides for the children. There’s even a bar with tables positioned in knee-deep water. It could actually get raucous, however there’s greenery throughout, effective views alongside the coast and nary an condominium block in sight.
Planning tip: Boats depart for Ploče Seaside from the waterfront in Budva usually in the summertime season; if you happen to come by automobile, there’s loads of free parking close to the seashore.
4. Sveti Stefan Seaside, close to Budva
You’ll pay a hefty worth 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 fees an outrageous €100 day-use price for non-guests.
Across the subsequent headland is arguably probably the most stunning seashore in Montenegro – gorgeous Miločer or King’s Seaside – however this too belongs to the resort (with a day-use price of €120). Nonetheless, the pinkish pebbly sands on the southern finish of Sveti Stefan are free and the water will get deep shortly right here, making it good 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 individuals 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 hooked up, only a sole seashore bar and restaurant, including to the laid-back temper.
6. Murići, Lake Skadar
As a substitute for the Adriatic seashores, lakeside Murići is our choose 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 by the underwater vegetation and observe 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 principle city seashore nonetheless retains loads of attraction. The backdrop is a traditional Mediterranean scene comprised of cypress bushes and oleander bushes, and there’s a restaurant and water slide down the far finish.
Planning tip: To achieve Lučice Seaside, wander south from the busy city seashore at Petrovac. Proceed over the leafy headland for one more 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 may 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 relax 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 “Huge 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 ideal 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 hooked up 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 Club, a long-established group providing kitesurfing classes and leases for skilled kitesurfers.
10. Ada Bojana, close to Velika Plaža
We’ve saved one of the best 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. Throughout the Yugoslav period, it turned one of many nation’s most well-known naturist resorts, a convention that continues to at the present time.
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.
