Here is one of the best kept secrets of Montenegro
One of the longest beaches in the world **(Velika Plaza, 12 kilometers long) **, one of the best spots for practice kitesurfing , guaranteed party, affordable prices, an old town that takes away the meaning and a nudist settlement from the former Yugoslavia converted into a resort that still retains the charm of the seventies. What can go wrong?
All this is what can be found in Ulcinj , a small coastal town **on the border between Montenegro and Albania ** and that no one visiting these two countries should miss.
Corner in the beautiful citadel of Ulcinj
With a majority Albanian population (61%), this city offers a whole series of activities that should not be missed, as well as being a mosaic of cultures and religions and an example of rare coexistence in ** the Balkans **.
**Its old town (Stari grad)**, one of the oldest architectural complexes in the adriatic sea coast and with more cultural heritage, has starred in endless pirate stories (in the 17th century the city was a very prosperous market for slaves captured by pirates) and today it stands as a true architectural jewel thanks to its citadel and its Illyrian walls, more than 2,500 years old.
Stari grad, or the old town of Montenegro
Strolling through its cobbled streets, **taking a rakjia at sunset at the Fisherman Hari ** **or at the Antigona ** with breathtaking views, visiting the numerous mosques and Ottoman-style buildings or take a bath in one of the town beaches are must-do activities, but in Ulcinj, there is so much more to do.
Ada Bojana, THE island
Once in Ulcinj, you can't miss visiting Ada Bojana (or even making a technical stop for a couple of days), a naturist island 10 kilometers from the town.
There awaits us a nude beach and a simple but charming resort, with bungalows to rent at very cheap prices and a camping area for those who travel with the tent on their backs or in a caravan.
the resort was built in 1972 , in the middle of nature Bojana river delta and has survived without hardly altering the natural ecosystem of the area. If the traveler does not want to stay at the nudist resort, there are dozens of houseboats at the mouth of the Bojana at more than affordable prices.
Beach in Ada Bojana
Of course, the traveler who chooses this option should not forget a mosquito repellent and a good mosquito net to be able to sleep without incident. On the other hand, if you don't feel like getting naked in front of strangers, don't worry: Not the whole island is nudist and if you walk a little further south, the beach stops being nudist.
The island, which is surrounded by the delta and the Adriatic Sea and has a triangular shape, It houses different species of birds. In the delta you can see some of them, but the best place to do it is, without a doubt, Las Salinas, a few minutes drive from the island.
To go from the center of Ulcinj to Ada Bojana can you take a bus (stops are not signposted, but if asked, people will point the traveler out) for four euros or take a collective taxi for five euros.
On the way back, you may have to take a taxi (10 euros). You must also pay an entrance to the island (two euros). Once there, there are some ** restaurants on the beach ** and a couple of groceries where you can buy soft drinks and basic food to get you through the day.
Ulcinj from a bird's eye view
The Ulcinj Salt Pan
The Ulcinj Saltworks 1,500 hectares , is one of the most important bird watching sites in the Adriatic. In it you can see more than 250 species of birds and plants , as well as can be make routes on foot or by bicycle.
Pelicans, flamingos, sandblasters, gray herons, turtles, otters, bats or praying mantises are some of the animals that the traveler can find in this place.
For the people of Ulcinj, the saline it is a symbol of prosperity and, despite not being in operation (it was between 1920 and 2013), it constitutes one of the hallmarks of the region.
During its period of activity, this enclave employed more than 400 workers and it produced about 40,000 tons of salt per year , which makes the people of Ulcinj feel intimately attached to it.
Kitesurfing, the most popular sport in the area
For sports enthusiasts of the sea, Ulcinj stands out as a unique place to practice kitesurfing. There are several schools in the area that offer introductory courses and individual classes (usually at 60 euros per hour with all the material included , which, in fact, can continue to be used for the rest of the day) .
Sunset at Velika Plaza
If you do not want to practice this sport, the traveler can walk until exhausted through Velika Plaza, one of the 25 longest beaches in the world, with 12 kilometers in length , where you will find hundreds of Montenegrin, Albanian and Kosovar families enjoying the holidays.
The beach is surrounded by dunes and there are dozens of beach bars and restaurants , camping areas and shady parks for the little ones.
And those who do not want to move from the arena should not worry: it is common for street vendors with refreshments and assorted food (from coconuts, through donuts and donuts or ice cream) .
Cervantes was also here
Could Ulcinj be the town that gave rise to the name of Dulcinea del Toboso ? Could be. Apparently, it is said that Miguel de Cevantes he was imprisoned in this city (and not in Algiers), and it is speculated that the name of Dulcinea could come from here.
the journalist Angela Rodicio wrote in 2016 Dulcinum. Cervantes' lost love , an essay in which she investigates the captivity of the most universal writer that Spanish literature has produced. What if Dulcinea was not a character, but a place? asks Rodicio.
In the old town (in fact, in one of the bars with the best views and the best music in Ulcinj, the ** Barbarrosa Pirate Bar ** ), you will find a sculpture of Cervantes , of almost four meters, made by the sculptor of Albanian origin Bukhar Vani in 2018.
Whether true or not, the truth is that the inhabitants of Ulcinj are convinced that Cervantes passed through the city and, proud, do not hide their enthusiasm for the writer.
Turbofolk and rakjia, Ulcinj's crazy night
No one can leave Ulcinj without at least enjoying a night of turbofolk. On the beach, when Stari Grad is left behind , from ten o'clock at night to one o'clock, Ulcinj's promenade turns into a street disco, with reasonable prices and party guaranteed.
Young people, both locals and those on vacation, gather to dance the latest summer hits and pass the heat with some very cold beers. Of course, all well tanned and in their best clothes.
Ulcinj's nightlife will not leave you indifferent
the turbofolk , popularized in the nineties, mix traditional rhythms with electronic music and pop rhythms.
It has a patriotic and ethnic component, which has often been criticized by intellectuals, since during the Balkan War was very popular in Serbia, therefore, it continues to be associated, although less and less, with organized crime groups.