The Old Town of Ulcinj

On a small island, that is, a cliff, northwest of Ulcinj, in the inlet Kruče, there are the ruins of what were thought to be the remnants of the Old Town of Ulcinj - Dolcigno Vecchio. According to the Venetian historical documents, it was assumed that the ancient Olcinium was located between this crag and the shore and that it sank. However, the later archaeological explorations have found that a small signal station (specula) was placed on this rock, that is, on this little island in the ancient times, and that in the Middle Ages a fortress was built there which served as a watchtower.

The Old Town is a core of cultural and historical heritage of Ulcinj. On the upper plateau of the fortress, next to the northern gate, there is a museum complex of the city. This is where the most interesting monuments of the history of Ulcinj are located. There is a church-mosque converted into a museum where all findings from the Old Town are exhibited. An ancient pedestal with a Greek inscription to the goddess Artemis is particularly noteworthy as well as an antique cameo with the image of the goddess Athens with helmet, two axes from the Bronze Age of the Skadar-Dalmatian type. The Collection of Stone Monuments contains Ionic capitals, parts of the ciborium from Mala crkva (the Small Church) from the ninth century and objects from the Turkish period. Right behind the museum there is Kula Balšića (the Balšić’s Tower) whose premises are used today by a gallery. In front of it there is a small square, once known as Trg robova (the Slave Square) which is enclosed by casemates (arches) of the fortress. At the entrance there is a fortress ramp and across from it there is a high wall Balani from the Venetian era. In front of the entrance to the museum there is a Turkish drinking fountain from 1749. 

Nearby there is the Ethnological Museum with an extremely rich collection of exhibits. Many streets lead to the lower plateau of the fortress. In front of the southern entrance to the city foundation of Bogorodicna crkva (the Orthodox Church of the Holy Mother of God) from the twelfth century is located which was later converted to the Catholic church of St. Marko. Not far from there, there is a Turkish powder magazine from the eighteenth century covered in irregular-shape calotte. On the place where today’s Palata Venecija (Palace of Venice) stands there were the remains of the building which was assumed to have been the seat of the governor of the city during the Venetian rule. Because of its beauty and functionality subsequent rulers had used the building as palace. Not far from Palata Venecija there is Dvori Balsica (The Balšićs’ Castle) which consists of a large Venetian building.

The Old Town of Ulcinj hosted a famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes as prisoner who had subsequently wrote the world famous novel “Don Quixote.” Since the city’s name was Cita di Dolcinio, Cervantes named his hero’s mistress Dulcinea after the city of Ulcinj in which he was imprisoned for five years. Even today in Ulcinj there is a square where slaves were brought and sold and is called Trg robova (the Square of Slaves) or Servantesov trg (the Square of Cervantes).

Museum of Local History in Ulcinj

Through exhibits from the archaeological, ethnographic and artistic collection, in the Museum of Local History you can learn about life in Ulcinj from the 5th century BC to the Turkish period.

The Museum is located in a church from 1510, which had been transformed to a mosque by the Turks in1693. Within the archaeological collection, there is an exhibition of antique Greek and Roman ceramics, glass, coins as well as items which show the time of the sovereignty of the Montenegrin dynasties of Vojislavljević and Balšić. In the part of the exhibition that displays items from the ethnographic collection, there are traditional costumes, jewellery and local handicraft which show the variety of folclore creativity in this area.

Šasko Lake

Šasko lake – this is the eyes of Ulcinj, full of life, joy, and long history where you will feel in heaven!

Šasko Lake is located in the vicinity of the city of Ulcinj. It is the lake of great beauty, clarity, calmness and rich in fish. It is the shelter of many species of birds. Ruins of the “dead city of Svač” lie of the shores of Šasko Lake. The legends say that the city had as many churches as there are days in the year. Simeon’s daughter Kosara built them as a sign of great love for Prince Vladimir.

Tourist season on the lake lasts throughout the whole year. This is the place ideal for picnics, outdoor activities, playing football, swimming in warm water, sailing on a small boat or driving a speedboat.

Small City Beach

This is a city beach with a sandy strand. Because of that the color of the water is dark green-blue. This beach is distinctive for its shallow bottom which goes far into the sea. That's why it is very suitable for children. The Small Beach is 360 m long and its capacity is 2 500 people. At the very end of the beach, beneath the Old Town, where the walls emerge as if directly from the sea, is a small Ulcinj port (360 m) with a well managed pier. In its background there are restaurants, beer bars, cafes, and towards the inside is the town Ulcinj-the southernmost spot of the Montenegrin coast-line. Ulcinj is built in sea-oriental style.

Valdanos Beach

The Valdanos Beach together with its background are a true olive treasure.

Inlet Valdanos in the form of a natural water body is located approximately four miles north of the Old Town of Ulcinj, between Mavrijan and Mendra. Valdanos is a 600-meter long and on average 20-meter wide beach unique for its round stones which are from 1-20cm wide in diameter. Due to its shape and location, Valdanos inlet is protected from both south and north winds and shelters ships from long-lasting storms. 

Long Beach

Long Beach is a natural phenomenon of beauty and abundance. It is 5km away from Ulcinj, 13km long, 60m wide, so the locals call it "Kopakabana of Ulcinj".

It spreads out from Djerane Cape to Ada Bojana. It is covered with the finest sand (the diameter of a grain is 0.1-5mm) and it is estimated that its capacity is 15 000 people. The quality of the sand is such that is has medicinal features. It is rich with minerals, good for those suffering from rheumatism and other illnesses.

The Great Beach is distinctive for a long shallow belt of sea water. 100 m away from the sea there is a hotel complex with tennis, football, baseball, volleyball, and handball terrains. The background of the Great Beach is rich with subtropical, Mediterranean and decorative plants. Beneath the Djeran Cape, at the very beginning of the Great Beach there is a marina, Porto Milena, deeply pulled into the dry land. There are numerous wooden keels called "kalimera" by the locals. Various sports equipment can be rented at the beach. You can sail, surf, water ski, play football or volleyball on the sand, or just relax.

Woman's Beach

Along the pine forest, between the hotels Galeb and Albatros, are a succession of small natural and hotel beaches: Skalic, Birici, Ludvig's beach, Zenska beach, etc.

Further, there are pebbly and rocky beaches for those who want a mysterious and quiet spot in a perfectly natural environment: Maslinjak, Opaljice, Dzemina Beach, Ljana, Crnogorsko guvno. In front of these beaches there are convenient terrains for underwater fishing.