Local houses in Ulcinj Old Town or Stari Grad, an ancient castle and neighborhood in Ulcinj, Montenegro

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Ulcinj

For a taste of Albania without actually crossing the border, head down to buzzy, beautiful Ulcinj (Улцињ). The population is 61% Albanian (68% Muslim), and in summertime it swells with Kosovar holidaymakers for the simple reason that it’s a lot nicer than the Albanian seaside towns. The elegant minarets of numerous mosques give Ulcinj (Ulqin in Albanian) a distinctly Eastern feel, as does the lively music echoing out of the kebab stands around Mala Plaža (Small Beach). Ulcinj’s ramshackle Old Town looms above the heaving beach and is a fantastic spot for people-watching without being surrounded by people.


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The memorable view over the Bay of Kotor © Julian Love / Lonely Planet

Beaches

From piracy to paddleboarding: on the trail of maritime Montenegro

May 6, 2016 • 5 min read

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