JOURNEY
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BY SARAH
With 295 km (183 mi) of stunning coastline and perfect beach weather, Montenegro beaches are one of the main reasons so many people come to Montenegro for their summer vacation.
The incredible beaches and warm weather is one of the best things about living in Montenegro. We can be found on the beach every day from June to September and I love exploring the best beaches of Montenegro.
While choosing the best beach in Montenegro is an impossible task, the Budva Riviera is generally known for having the best beaches in Montenegro.
You’ll find great beaches all along the coast though. You can choose from sandy to rocky beaches, free to high-end beaches, and tranquil oases to beaches with a party atmosphere.
In this article, you’ll find the best Montenegro beaches, including inland away from the coast. You’ll be sure to find the perfect spot to lay your towel!
The Budva Riviera is known for its fabulous beaches, and Sveti Stefan is the most well-known of all of them.
With pink pebbles, crystal-clear water, and a view of the famous islet, you can’t go wrong spending a day on the beach here.
There are two main beaches in the hamlet of Sveti Stefan. The beach left of the islet is a public beach where you can hire loungers (€30 per pair) or lay your towel for free.
To the right of the islet, the beach was reserved for guests of the ultra-luxury hotel Aman Sveti Stefan, but with its closure since 2020, this beach has become public too. While it was reserved by the hotel, a pair of sun loungers cost an eye-watering €200!
There are several restaurants near Sveti Stefan beach and in the hamlet, so you can easily spend the entire day here.
If you’re looking for a beachside vacation, Sveti Stefan is a great place to stay. Despite its reputation as a high-end destination, you’ll find budget accommodation for as little as €30 a night right through to 5* hotels like Hotel California on the beach.
>> Read more about the other beaches in Sveti Stefan.
Just a stone's throw from the historic Old Town of Budva, Mogren Beach is a stunning golden sand beach that ranks among one of the best sandy beaches in Montenegro.
Although it’s just a 10-minute walk from Budva old town, Mogren Beach feels like it’s a world away from Budva’s bustling streets. The beach is like a hidden oasis with crystal-clear turquoise waters and golden sands framed by rugged cliffs.
Despite its popularity, especially during the peak months of July and August, Mogren Beach is moderately priced, with sun loungers available for around €15-20 a pair. You can also use the free section, although this fills up quickly so you’ll need to be here before 10 am to nab a spot.
To get to Mogren Beach, take the seaside path from Avala Resort and Villas past Budva’s famous ballerina statue until you get to Mogren Beach. If you are a guest of Avala Resort and Villas you can use the loungers at Mogren Beach for free.
>> Find more idyllic beaches in Budva.
Plavi Horizonti, on the Luštica Peninsula, is renowned as one of Montenegro's finest sandy beaches, framed by lush pine trees and known for its warm, shallow waters.
This Blue Flag beach is a family favorite, offering a safe and picturesque setting perfect for children. The sea is shallow throughout the bay, giving you a warm, shallow swim area that's ideal even in early season months like May or June.
The beach has everything you need to spend the day, including loungers, sun umbrellas, cabanas, and a free area. It also has facilities like showers and changing rooms.
There are a couple of restaurants and fast food outlets on site, and you’ll find more options just a short drive away in the upscale Luštica Bay. Check out The Chedi for luxury accommodation in this area.
Jaz Beach is Budva’s longest and most popular stretch of beach. Just minutes from Budva, this beach is known for its lively atmosphere, party atmosphere (including loud music in some areas), and stunning scenery.
The beach is pebbly and the water is crystal-clear. Here, you can just chill out under an umbrella, or find watersports like paddleboarding and jet skiing.
The beach is lined with cafes and restaurants, making it easy to grab a bite or a drink while you soak up the sun and sea. With plenty of space, you can hire loungers for a modest fee or head south to the free section.
The largish pebbles here make it a bit uncomfortable for lying on a towel though, and aqua shoes are a must if you have sensitive feet.
Jaz Beach also has a naturist beach. To get there head to the very southern end of the beach.
You can stay somewhere like Hotel Palma Jaz Beach, which is right on the beach. You'll find a wider variety of accommodation options in nearby Budva.
Velika Plaža means “Big Beach” or “Long Beach” and it stretches for an impressive 12 kilometers along the Adriatic in Montenegro's southernmost town, Ulcinj.
Velika Plaža is a huge stretch of sandy beach with beach bars dotted along its length. You can visit a beach bar and hire sun loungers, order drinks and food, and use the facilities. There is also ample space to just lay your towel down in the sand for free.
Velika Plaža is a popular kite surfing destination. While the sandy beach is family-friendly, there are often waves on this beach so it’s more dangerous than other beaches around Montenegro that don’t get waves.
Local’s Tip: Ulcinj is Montenegro’s watermelon capital and you can’t miss the watermelon fields surrounding Velika Plaža. You can pick up a huge watermelon (think 5-10 kg/11-22 lb fruit) for as little as €0.50 a kilo in summer.
Žanjice Beach is getaway beach that feels like an escape from city life. With crystal-clear water it’s ideal for snorkeling. We spend a lot of time diving around here and often find fish, sea stars, octopuses, and colorful sea urchin shells.
Despite its isolated location, Žanjice is a popular spot, and boats bring beachgoers here throughout the summer. The beach itself is pebbly and you’ll find sunbeds, parasols, and local cafés and bars for refreshments.
You can get to Žanjice by driving along Luštica Peninsula, but the best way to get here is by boat. It’s quicker and more scenic. This boat tour is my top pick because it includes top attractions Our Lady of the Rocks, the Blue Cave, and beach time on Žanjice Beach.
Tucked between green hills and the vibrant aquamarine waters of the Adriatic, Drobni Pijesak Beach is a hidden gem on the Budva Riviera. In fact, it’s rated one of the top 40 beaches in the world!
This small cove has a 240-meter stretch of fine sand and pebbles, that is an oasis of tranquility away from the bustling beaches closer to Budva.
With just one restaurant, the beach has a wild, untouched feel, but still offers the comfort and convenience of loungers and food and drinks. Loungers are priced at €20 per pair.
With a pebbly bottom, the water here is absolutely crystal-clear and it’s ideal for snorkeling. I find the large pebbles here hard on my feet, so if you’re like me bring a pair of aqua shoes with you.
To get to Drobnji Pijesak Beach you need to drive or walk down a steep, narrow road. Parking costs €7 per day and you’ll need a car with at least 1800cc to handle the incline.
Just outside the center of Budva you’ll find Bečići Beach, Budva’s most popular beach resort. People love it here because of the excellent beach and its proximity to Budva.
It’s a great place to stay near Budva and resorts like Splendid Conference and Spa Resort and Mediteran Hotel and Resort make excellent bases if you plan to spend a lot of time on the beach.
This expansive beach is made of a blend of sand and small pebbles, making it popular with families with small children. It is also a Blue Flag beach, meaning it offers a high level of cleanliness, water quality, and facilities.
You’ll find beach bars, cafes, and a range of water sports activities like kayaks, stand-up-paddle boards, and jet skis.
Petrovac Beach is a stunning 1 km/half-mile crescent of reddish sand along the Budva Riviera. The shallow sea and relaxed atmosphere make Petrovac one of the most popular places for families along the Budva Riviera.
The beach is backed by a pedestrian promenade that is lined with traditional stone buildings housing souvenir shops, boutiques, and small restaurants.
The beach is overlooked by the picturesque Kastel fortress at the north end of town and the sea here is calm, clear, and warm.
This is a great location for a relaxed family beach vacation. You will find a wide range of hotels here. You’ll find budget accommodation as well as 5* hotels like Hotel AMI, which has its own private beach for hotel guests.
Not being on the coast of Montenegro doesn’t mean you can’t go to the beach. Murići Beach lies on the southwestern shore of Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans and one of Europe’s most important wildlife reserves.
Like the Bay of Kotor, Lake Skadar gets up to 26°C/79°F in summer, making it a great place to swim. And Murići is the perfect spot on the shore of the lake.
Accessible via a steep road from Virpazar, Murići is a tranquil summer spot where you can relax on the pebbled shore and admire the view of the islands on the lake. This is a rural area, so you might even share the beach with donkeys that come to drink from the lake.
There is a restaurant that serves local-style food on the beach, so you can easily spend the whole day here.
Some people complain about having to pay €2 for parking, but I think that’s a cheap price for a day of parking anywhere.
Although these beaches didn't make the top 10, they're worth visiting if you're looking for less popular beaches.