Ulcinj, Montenegro (see on Montenegro map) - this charming, picturesque coastal town is closest to neighboring Albania in terms of place and spirit, being one of the brightest "eastern" places of Montenegro. The influence of the Venetian Republic, which swept the coast of the Budva Riviera and Bay of Kotor, is completely absent in Ulcinj, giving way to the oriental flavor brought by centuries of Ottoman rule. TTurkish conquerors left a bright mark here in the form of many mosques, some of which have survived to this day (in total, there are over 20 mosques in Ulcinj). The population of Ulcinj up to 70% is made up of Albanians, whose speech, which is completely different from the usual Serbian language, you will hear everywhere in the city: all road signs and signs, as well as the texts of advertising posters, are duplicated in Serbian and Albanian. The oriental flavor of the city is also manifested in the fact that Ulcinj has some of the best markets in Montenegro: prices here are lower than, for example, in Budva or Kotor, and the quality of food, vegetables and fruits is high, because Ulcinj is the southernmost city, and from this area to Budva and Kotor peasants deliver the fruits of their labor - already at a premium.
But tourists have chosen Ulcinj not only because of its rich history - Ulcinj is literally surrounded the best sandy beaches in Montenegro, the most famous of which are Mala Plaza (“Small Beach”) right next to the walls of the old town and the Ratislav peninsula, Velika Plaza (“Big Beach”), located between Ulcinj and the Albanian border (stretching for as much as 13 kilometers), as well as women's beachfamous for its healing properties. Tourists are also attracted by the well-known nudist beach on the river Ada Bojana, which, coming out of Lake Skadar, flows into the Adriatic Sea just in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Great Beach. The river Ada Bojana forms the triangular island of Ada Bojana, washed by the river on two sides and the Adriatic Sea on the third. Ada Bojana is also famous for its fish - here it is found in large quantities and goes straight to shop windows, market stalls and the kitchens of local restaurants.
The serene beaches are little reminiscent of the stormy pirate past of this city, which during the time of Turkish rule was the real pirate "capital" of the Mediterranean. Locals say that Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes was a prisoner of pirates here for five years. In Ulcinj, the fortress of the old town has been perfectly preserved (construction period: Middle Ages). It is located on the top of a mountain, from where a beautiful view of the sea opens, and the sea waves crash noisily at the foot of this sea fort, transferring the impressionable tourist to the heyday of piracy and drawing in his imagination the fleets with black flags approaching from behind the horizon. The old city of Ulcinj was severely destroyed as a result of the strongest earthquake in 1979 - now only part of the buildings has been restored, which you will see for yourself when you get to this fortress.
As elsewhere in Montenegro, in Ulcinj you can treat yourself to great dishes at a reasonable price: the promenade and streets of the city are literally dotted with cafes and restaurants where you can also taste Albanian dishes. In few cities in Montenegro, you can taste the Albanian dessert "kadaif" - but this can be done in any cafe in Ulcinj. With long sandy beaches, barely limited by bays, the Great Beach area is ideal for outdoor activities - surfing, sailing, water skiing, etc. Ulcinj is located very close to Skadar Lake - therefore, our advice - be sure to set aside a day for a tour of Skadar Lake - fresh water and a change of scenery will diversify your vacation in the best possible way. True adventure lovers are invited to visit the Turkish fortresses in Albania - in the summer, visa-free entry to Albania is open to Russians.
HOW TO GET TO Ulcinj
Arriving at the airport Tivat or Podgorica (either to Dubrovnik, Croatia), or we arrive by train in town Bar or again Podgorica. Pre-order transfer and a meeting at the airport, when you leave the arrivals hall, you will be met by a representative of the host country with a sign on which your name will be applied, and taken to your place of residence. You can also use the services taxi drivers, which are full both at the airport and at the train station - although the taxi driver is unlikely to know exactly where your villa or apartment is located - you yourself most likely do not know this - after all, in Montenegro, many buildings do not have an exact address.
You can also take rental car and order delivery to the airport / train station and get to the place on your own (for example, ask the apartment owners to put a mark on the Google or Yandex map). The car map of Montenegro and the map for the navigator can be downloaded Here. Orientation along the roads of Montenegro is quite simple, the country is small, the main directions are marked with road signs.
The last option is public transport, which is not always convenient with a bunch of things, and, for example, buses do not go to Tivat airport. If you arrived in Tivat, then you need to go to the highway (20 meters from the airport building) and wait for the passing bus with the Ulcinj sign (Ulcinj), and vote to stop. You can try to vote for a car passing by and hitchhike, in Montenegro it is quite safe and can be quite a working option if you arrived light. Usually they don't take money from hitchhikers.
Read about Ulcinj in our blog:
Great beach, imposing fortress and lemon brandy (Ulcinj)
Ulcinj: desolation and hope
