Ulcinj will delight lovers of old streets, romantic balconies with a huge number of flowers and, of course, beautiful views of the fortress walls and seascapes.

Today, historians claim that once upon a time this territory was inhabited by the Illyrian tribe Olciniyatas, after whom the city was named - Olcinium. But still, the founders of the first city on this site were the Romans in the 2nd century BC.

During Roman rule, Olcinium became the main city of the entire region, and the construction of the Old Town with fortifications and defensive structures began.

After all, because of his geographical location, relief and it has always been popular place for conquest. The fortress walls of the Old Town of Ulcinj were often destroyed during the centuries-old history, but, fortunately, there were always those who rebuilt the walls, restored them and gave the city the opportunity to continue to live.

Already at the end of the 12th century, as part of the Serbian Zeta state, Ulcinj became one of the main cities on the coast. Representatives of the aristocracy and those close to the court liked to build villas and residences here. Many wives, sisters and relatives of the ruling dynasty lived here, lived out their lives and were buried here.

According to one legend, in the 13th century, Ulcinj was even besieged by the Mongols, but they never managed to conquer the city. But the Venetians succeeded, and from the beginning of the 15th century to the end of the 17th century they ruled here. During their reign, Ulcinj, after Venice and Dubrovnik, had the third largest fleet, and the city was very often attacked by pirates.

During the flourishing slave trade, at one point there were about 100 black slaves living in the city, who, after their emancipation, took the surnames of the families for which they served and became ordinary citizens of the city.


It is interesting that in 1571, when the city was captured by the Turks, another Spaniard, Miguel Cervantes, was captured after a battle with the Spaniards in the Mediterranean. And here he remains in prison for 5 years, during which he writes the novel “Don Quixote”.

At that time, the city was still called Cita di Dolcinio, and Cervantes gives the name Dulcinea to Don Quixote's beloved, who does not reciprocate his feelings.
From the end of the 16th century to the end of the 19th century, the Turks dominated here. The city was liberated by Montenegrin princely troops after a two-year siege.


Thanks to historical events, which took place in the vastness of Ulcinj, a multi-ethnic and multi-national structure of the population was formed here, which at all times knew how to find a common language, defend the city and rebuild it, this was especially useful during and after the Second World War.

In memory of those years, many memorial plaques are hung around the city, some of which can be seen while walking through the Old Town.

At all, Old city- this is the concentration of the cultural and historical heritage of Ulcinj. If you enter its northern gate, you will immediately find yourself in the upper part of the Old Town - the “museum quarter”.

It is here that the church and mosque now houses the local history museum. In the museum you can see all the archaeological materials found in the Old Town.


Among its collections, of particular interest are an antique pedestal with an inscription in Greek, an antique cameo with the image of the goddess Athena, an Ionic capital, parts of a 9th-century church bowl from the Small Church (Mala crkva) and many objects from the period of Turkish rule.

Right after local history museum there is the Balšić Tower (Kula Balšića) from the 12th century, which now houses an art gallery. And right in front of it you can see a small quiet square. Once upon a time it was a square where slaves were traded (Trg robova), and its second name is Cervantes Square (Trg Servantesa).

It is still surrounded by revelin casemates - a small defensive structure. Directly opposite is the high wall of Balani (zid Balani), built by the Venetians. Here you can also find a spring built by the Turks in 1749.


Walking through the many streets of the Old Town, you will inevitably end up in the lower part of the Old Town. Here, opposite the southern entrance to the city, is the foundation of the 12th-century Church of the Virgin Mary, which was later converted into the Catholic Cathedral of St. Mark. Not far from here is the reservoir of the Old Town, which was built under the Venetians.

A little further on is an 18th-century Turkish gunpowder warehouse. After walking a little more along the streets of the lower part of the Old Town, you will see the Venice Palace (palata “Venecija”), which looks more like just an ancient building, which has always been the residence of the city manager, dating back to the times of Italian rule.

And you can finish exploring the local attractions at the Balšića Courtyards (Dvori Balšića), located not far from “Venice”. This complex consists of several buildings of the Venetian type, and its central part is the most ancient.

They say that once you get to the Old Town of Ulcinj, you will return here again and again, enchanted by it.

In the article I will tell you everything I know about the sights of Ulcinj: the Old Town, temples, mosques and just interesting places, which is worth a look during your holiday in this Montenegrin resort and a short trip here from another city. The first and main attraction of Ulcinj is the Old Town. It is not as big as in Budva and especially in Kotor, but it also deserves attention. Let's start with it.

Old Ulcinj

The old town of Ulcinj is located on the western cape bordering the Small Beach (). Here stands the Citadel or Castle of Kalaya, first built by the Illyrians and ancient Greeks. Since the founding of the city, the castle has been rebuilt many times, but now it looks neat.

The Citadel occupies the area in the upper part of the Old Town, and closer to the sea is the Lower Town. At the top, I advise you to find the Balsic Tower, it stands next to the entrance. In 1672-1676, Shabtai Tzvi lived in the Tower, built by the Balsics as a summer residence. In 1666, the Jewish false messiah converted to Islam in the Tower, and a year later he died under the name of Mehmet Efendi. Now there is an art gallery here.

Also on the territory of the Citadel there is an archaeological museum, where the main material attractions are collected. Ulcinj located the museum halls in the building of the Church of St. Mary from 1510. In 1693, the Christian church was turned into a mosque, and after the fall of the Ottoman Empire it was abandoned. Now in the museum you can look at finds dating back to the Bronze Age, jewelry, and weapons.


In the Lower Town, monuments from the times of Venetian and Turkish rule have been preserved. Visit the 15th-century Venice Palace, where the viceroy once lived. Now you can also live here in the building. The Lower Town is also worth a walk for the views of the bay and ancient mosques.


Finally, Old Ulcinj is worth just walking around. Admire the sea expanses opening from its walls, take a photo on the stone steps on one of the narrow streets, watch the sunset on the site near the archaeological museum. Feel free to look into all the nooks and crannies. Even a detailed study of the Old Town will take a maximum of 2-3 hours; usually it takes an hour and a half to get acquainted.

Other resort attractions

Ulcinj Market

The market in Ulcinj is a real oriental bazaar, with a huge selection of fruits, meat, fish, olives and spices, olive oil, dried fruits, cheese, milk, and oriental sweets.

If you want to experience the full range of sensations of the East, visit the Ulcinj market. As they say local residents, you will not only please the eye with beautiful things and decorations, but also gain all the skills of a skillful and demanding buyer.


He seemed to tell us about all the main attractions of Ulcinj. All that remains is to mark them on the map to make it more convenient for you to explore the city.

Sights of Ulcinj on the map

Attractions in the vicinity of Ulcinj

  1. - a natural salt mine in the past and a bird sanctuary in the present, where you can find a lot of crabs (100%) and pelicans with flamingos (if you're lucky).

Most Montenegrin cities have their own unique historical part; Ulcinj also has its own Old Town. But Ulciniv’s Old Town stands apart, and here’s why.

Pay attention to this map of the Old Town, it shows the most interesting sights in the historical part of Ulcinj.

  1. Illyrian wall (Cyclopean masonry);
  2. Jail;
  3. Slave Market;
  4. St. Mary's Church-Mosque;
  5. Balsic Tower;
  6. Citadel;
  7. North Gate;
  8. Northern Bastion;
  9. Art Gallery;
  10. Ethnographical museum;
  11. Archaeological Museum;
  12. Archaeological artifacts;
  13. Venetian Palace;
  14. South Gate;
  15. South Bastion;
  16. Lighthouse;
  17. Hotel;
  18. Powder magazine;
  19. Western Bastion;
  20. Tomb.

The historical part of the city is located on the top of a small hill, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides. The Old Town is a well-preserved fortress. Everything is mixed up in the fortress, houses of local residents, cafes, restaurants, hotels, historical artifacts, museums, etc.

This entrance to the fortress is located from the Maly Ulciniv beach. The road from the modern part of the resort is very picturesque.

You first walk along the Small Beach with its Marine Mosque and embankment, then go around the small “pirate port”, and along a serpentine staircase you rise to the Southern Fortress Gate.

The gates themselves look like this, their design is not very sophisticated, and they do not look menacing.

Small port for pleasure boats and water taxis. It is from here that the boats to the Great Beach start.

Upon entering the fortress, you find yourself in a deserted square, which is either abandoned and not restored after the earthquake, or has always been like this. There is a good sense of space here, and the walls offer an excellent panoramic view of the city.

In the immediate vicinity of the square you can find cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Some buildings emit an undisguised remake, which for knowledgeable person immediately catches the eye.

Northern gate to the fortress

You can also enter the Ulciniv fortress from the north side, bypassing the beach area and numerous stairs.

The path to the Northern Gate starts from a spacious parking lot, so there is a place for your car here. Located next door Orthodox church(current), city cemetery, and one of the city beaches of Ulcinj.

When you go up to the fortress, it is near these gates that the main historical attractions of Ulcinj are located. Which, in the absence of free time, allows you to make a very quick but cursory inspection of the museum complex.

Sea Gate, or pirate route to Ulcinj

I don’t know what these gates were used for, but there is a high probability that they were a secret entrance to the fortress. I also don’t know whether pirates used them. Of course, this entrance looks more like a secret path than the usual fortress gates, nevertheless, you can get into the fortress through the Western Bastion.

Although it is not entirely clear how one could approach them? After all, the coast in this part is very rocky, which makes mooring a vessel impossible, and a small boat will not fit here in a storm either.

Today, the Sea Gate is used as a route to the local beach. The beach is tiny, but very atmospheric, and the presence of infrastructure makes it very attractive.

Now you know almost everything about the Ulciniv Gate! We are going up to the city through the Northern Gate.

Observation deck and restaurant area

After entering the fortress through the South Gate, you find yourself in a completely abandoned square, part of which is something between a wasteland and a lawn.

As a matter of fact, this is one of the squares of the Old City, the second is located at the South Gate, and another one is in the Citadel, but entrance to it is paid.

The area at the South Gate has an incomprehensible geometric shape, and there are significant differences in heights that must be overcome using ladders. But from the fortress wall there are magnificent views panoramic views to the central part of Ulcinj and Small Beach.

This photo shows the Jadran Peninsula; I previously published an article on the site about a walking tour along the private Ulcinj beaches. I recommend reading it and planning a walking tour.

A little to the side there is a mini lighthouse. It looks like a toy, but locals say it's working.

The lighthouse stands on the same square as a very pleasant hotel, on the terrace of which there is a small cafe.

The sea view from the lighthouse is magnificent. If you look through the loophole of the fortress wall, you can see a tiny beach, we will visit there soon.

Now a few words about restaurants and cafes, and why I called this square a restaurant square. This one is simple. All buildings and structures near the Southern Fortress Gate are either hotels with a mandatory restaurant, a restaurant, or a tavern. I recommend studying these establishments in a little more detail.

From the square there are stairs leading up to the hill, climbing which you get to narrow street with restaurants.

The Dulcinea and Teuta restaurants are especially popular; they are adjacent to each other. There is a decent selection of catering establishments here. Prices are approximately the same for all, budget 40-60 Euros for dinner, this is for two.

Streets of old Ulcinj

As I said earlier, the vast majority of buildings in the historical part of the city were badly damaged by numerous ups and downs of life, natural disasters and banal negligence. So most of them are remakes, which in some cases are very hard on the eyes.

But despite my criticism, the city has retained a pleasant atmosphere, a sort of mix of a medieval pirate lair and a coastal fishing village.

I recommend taking some time to wander through the intricate nooks and crannies of Ulcinj, in search of inspiration and new discoveries. If you are careful, then on the winding streets you can find subtle signals from different eras, somewhere a Venetian tablet on the facade, somewhere a part of an ancient column was used in the masonry, and somewhere the owner of the home placed a talisman on the facade, etc.

Let's take a walk around Ulcinj and see what's happening on its sleepy streets. All the streets in this medieval city, as if designed to confuse tourists. But once upon a time, instead of tourists, enemies could walk the streets, so the city’s layout helped the defending citizens.

Nowadays, there are no enemy troops on the city streets; residents try to decorate their homes and surrounding areas. Sometimes it’s just indoor plants placed on the threshold that look very organic.

Some residents do this to the detriment of pedestrians, and some take up precious street space, making an already narrow street even narrower.

Here someone just dumped all the trash out of the house. Or laid out pillows and blankets to dry, in old Montenegrin cities - this is normal.

As you can understand, there is no transport on the streets of the Old City, with the exception of this primitive tractor.

Some of the houses are in ruins, while others are completely restored and have all the benefits of civilization. Some benefits of civilization do not at all brighten up medieval Ulcinj. Well, was it really difficult to hide the air conditioner under some kind of false panel, but no, it was necessary to place it in plain sight. Other Montenegrin cities with air conditioning have the same problem.

But there are also very nice doors, most likely in the near future they will be replaced with soulless double-glazed windows.

Some of the houses in Ultsino have been so obscenely restored that they are outright screaming about it, and even the sea views can’t help here. Although this is probably not a restoration, but a new building.

Among the ruined part of the Old Town you can meet local residents, most of them are busy with their own affairs and do not care about tourists.

And there are those for whom a tourist is a welcome guest. On the western side of the fortress there are several restaurants whose owners speak excellent Russian and even offer small discounts to our compatriots. I got into a conversation with one of them, a very nice guy. The owner of the restaurant had a very high opinion of Russian tourists and invited everyone to visit. It's nice.

The little stairs run towards the sea, and we follow them. What there is a lot of in Ulcinj is the sea, it is here on all sides and in all variations. It is beautiful.

How do you like this view of the Adriatic Sea? But in fact, we came to the next goal of our excursion. Right behind this photogenic door, on a small embankment, you should find a descent to the beach.



The Ulciniv Museum is organized next to the Northern Gate; entrance to the territory is paid; inside there are several modest museums and a good Observation deck for selfies.

This historical place has many myths and legends, some are outright fakes, I’m talking about the famous writer Cervantes. Others, on the contrary, have visual confirmation, I’m talking about part of the wall that was built by the Romans.

Explore, learn, enjoy!

Although Ulcinj is primarily famous for its beautiful beaches, the attractions of this city and its surroundings also attract tourists here. The attractions of Ulcinj are quite varied, as there are many historical, cultural and natural objects.
What to see in Ulcinj? Below we will present you the main attractions of this southernmost city of Montenegro.

MORE INTERESTING ABOUT ULCIN:

Old city

Situated on a small promontory with walls up to 60 meters above sea level, the Old Town of Ulcinj is the number one attraction for everyone who comes to the southernmost city of Montenegro. The old town of Ulcinj is one of oldest fortresses Total Adriatic coast with a history of more than 2500 years. Traces remain in the Old Town of Ulcinj ancient civilizations who lived in this area. Illyrians, Romans, Greeks and Turks have left many traces of their presence in the fortress over the centuries. Currently, the Old Town of Ulcinj is a center of cultural and historical tourism region. In addition to the rich cultural and historical monuments, here are some of the best restaurants and hotels in the southernmost city of Montenegro. The small streets still breathe the air of an old and charming period, and the locals have not changed their traditions and connection with the sea over the centuries.

The old town of Ulcinj is one of the most authentic places in Montenegro. He makes a great impression. It is worth mentioning that during Ulcinj's golden period, when pirates dominated the area, Ulcinj was the third largest city in the Adriatic. Miguel de Cervantes' book Don Quixote, according to legend, was written based on the inspiration and experience that Cervantes received while in prison in Ulcinj.
Currently, the Old Town of Ulcinj is in the process of being included in the list of UNESCO sites.
In front of the entrance to the Old Town there is a burial chamber, which is a special marker of the period of Ottoman rule. According to legend, the burial chamber testifies to a fight between two brothers or friends for the love of one woman. According to this story, two men fought to the death, and the winner of this fight was supposed to receive the woman he loved. Unable to make a decision or even watch their struggle, according to legend, the young woman jumped out of the house and fell to her death. Nevertheless, the duel between the young people took place. One of them died in the battle, and the other died a little later. The burial chamber at the site of their battle represents holiness, which, according to popular belief, radiates and heals.
Numerous locals, as well as tourists, who pass through the Old Town throw a coin into the chamber for good luck.

Ada Boyana

If you are interested in the main attractions of Ulcinj, then you should not miss out on the island of Ada Boyana. This is the most South part Montenegro and the municipality of Ulcinj. When Anton Allegretti's boat from Trogir sank near the mouth of the river, no one even thought that 130 years later there would be an island here that would become the most famous nudist area in Europe.
The island of Ada Boyana is surrounded on two sides by the Boyana River and on one side by the Adriatic Sea. Ada Boyana Beach is the second largest beach in Ulcinj. This sand beach which is often nudists and true nature lovers. On the western shore of Ada Boyana Island and on the banks of the Boyana River there are several fish restaurants that are ready to serve their guests fresh fish dishes at any time.

Lake Sas

The city of Sas and the lake of the same name next to it hold many secrets under water and in ruins. Sas was a very powerful city of Madiaval, which according to legend had 365 churches (as well as the number of days in a year), and was destroyed twice during its history. After the first destruction by the Mongol army, the city was able to recover, but after the second destruction by the Turks, the city was unable to rise again from the ruins.
IN last years some scholars have stated the theory that the Trojan Battle took place in this area. It is not known for sure whether this is true or not.
Lake Sas, after Lake Scutari, is the richest lake in Europe in terms of the number of bird species found here (about 265 recorded bird species out of more than 500 that can be found in Europe).

Valdanos Bay

Those tourists who are interested in the natural attractions of Ulcinj should pay attention to the Valdanos Cave, which is the old sailors' bay of Ulcinj. Sailors returned here after long and exhausting voyages with food, drinks or money from the sale of local products such as wine, olives, olive oil and fish. During the communist regime, the bay of Valdanos and the land behind it with more than 60,000 olive trees were seized from its owners (bought at very low prices), and the military center of the former Yugoslav National Army was created on this territory.
Valdanos Bay is a real pearl not only of Ulcinj and Montenegro, but of the whole of Europe. It is, one might say, a natural health spa with fresh air, plenty of... mineral springs And healing mud. Besides these advantages, Valdanos Bay is also famous for its beach. Previously, only locals knew about it, but over time, even tourists discovered this place and now they visit this area every year.

Old Ulcinj is one of the most ancient cities located on the coast Adriatic Sea. Its history goes back at least 25 centuries, during which various civilizations have changed here, starting with the Illyrian, enriching the city with valuable cultural and historical heritage. Old Ulcinj is a unique combination of many styles and cultures, reflected in the city walls, fortifications, street network of markets and squares, in city buildings, many of which are used for their intended purpose to this day.

Location: city, a small rocky peninsula on the coast.

Colchian colonists began to build Ulcinj, who in the 5th century BC. They built a fortress on a small coastal cliff, which gave rise to the rest of the urban settlement. The first Roman name of the city was Olcinium, but the Venetians, who subsequently gained power over the city, gave it a new name - Dulsinho. During Turkish rule, the city became a center of maritime piracy, turning into main center slave trade on the coast. According to one urban legend, the great Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes was held captive for 5 years in Ulcinj, and it was from the Venetian name of the city that the heroine of the novel “Don Quixote” Dulcinea got her name. To be fair, it should be said that Cervantes himself did not confirm this version, but there is a Cervantes Square in Old Ulcinj. Another famous guest of the city, this time completely reliable, is the medieval philosopher Mahmud Efendi, who lived for a long time in the Balsic Tower in the 17th century.

Over its centuries-old history, Ulcinj has absorbed several different cultural eras, nevertheless, maintaining the organic unity of the buildings. Today's city with picturesque winding medieval streets, is full of 2- and 3-story houses, sometimes with elements of the Renaissance and Baroque, sometimes with the heritage of the Ottoman era. And some of the oldest remains of the city walls date back to Illyrian times. You can get to the old city, sometimes called “Kalaja”, through two entrances - the lower or southeastern one, which is located on the coast, or the upper (northwestern), which is located within the city limits.

Historical quarter of Old Ulcinj on the map

The most interesting objects located in the upper part of the old city. This, for example, was converted by the Turks into a mosque. In 1510 it was built as St. Mary's Church, and in 1693 it changed its religious affiliation. Now it houses the city archaeological museum. It contains an ancient pedestal with a Greek inscription dedicated to the goddess Artemis, several images of her wearing a helmet, as well as two Bronze Age axes. In addition, the museum collection includes Ionic capitals, part of the exhibits of a small church from the 9th century and some objects from the Turkish period.

Next to the museum is the architectural dominant of the entire old city, a classic example of medieval architecture. It was built by representatives of the Balsic dynasty at the end of the 14th - beginning of the 15th century, who chose Ulcinj at that time as their place of residence. Later, the Turks completed the third floor of the tower and reconstructed the first. This building offers a very beautiful view to the sea on three sides. Today the Balšić Tower is used as an art gallery and a venue for poetry readings.

The small square in front of the city museum is called. It is surrounded by arches in which slaves languished in special cages before being sold. From the 17th century, Ulcinj began to play a leading role in the slave trade of the entire region, most of the slaves were from Italy and Dalmatia, as pirates most often attacked rich villas along the coast of Apulia and Sicily. By the way, among the current residents of the city there are even descendants of these slaves.

The palace also remains from the Venetian era. Previously, the Venetian governor of Ulcinj lived in it. The palace was so beautiful and comfortable that all subsequent rulers of the city also chose it as their residence. Nearby is another former palace - the Balsic Courts. Both buildings are now used as hotels.

At the lower entrance to the old part of the city, the old Balani wall remains from the Venetian era. Nearby there is an ethnographic museum with a very rich collection of exhibits. In front of the museum entrance there is a Turkish drinking fountain from 1749.

In the lower part of the city is the Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, built in the 12th century, but later converted into catholic church St. Mark's. Not far from it there is a Turkish perfume shop that has been operating on this site since the 18th century.

Old Ulcinj is not only architectural monument past, it continues to remain a functioning city quarter, where locals live, tourists settle, shops and catering establishments operate where you can eat deliciously, enjoying the stunning medieval atmosphere and very beautiful seascapes.