Ulcinj: Old Town, Valdanos and Shas

Two distinct areas sit side by side in Ulcinj’s Old Town: the citadel dominates the upper section, which has a military character, while a civilian settlement lies below. The surrounding defensive walls are also part of this historic urban structure. Since 1961, the Old Town has been protected as a cultural asset of national importance.

Old Town and cultural history

The Church of St. Mary was built in 1510 and converted into a mosque in 1571. The Church-Mosque houses the Ulcinj City Museum. The Old Town thus offers both a layered architectural history and a place to explore the city’s past further.

The event is called “Ljetnja scena – Summer Scene”. It takes place during the first three weeks of August in Slave Square, in front of the Balšić Tower. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the dates for your year of travel.

Olive grove and landscape near Shas

The Valdanos olive grove contains around 18,000 trees, averaging 800 years old. It is under special state protection. Valdanos Beach is also designated a natural monument; it is 376 metres long. The olive grove and beach give the landscape distinct features: on one side is a protected stand of ancient trees, and on the other, a clearly measured stretch of coastline.

The historic town of Shas offers another kind of landscape. It lies on 85-metre-high Shas Hill, north of Lake Shas, and offers views of the lake and the entire Bojana Delta. Shas is also a site of archaeological evidence: the ruins of around ten ancient churches have been found there, including St. John’s and St. Mary’s. The views and historic traces are two different reasons to take an interest in Shas.

Activities and practical information

At Velika Plazha, the mistral is an essential condition for kitesurfing. Wind and activity conditions can vary by season, so check them for the period you are planning. At Ladies’ Beach, sulphurous mineral springs can be found in the shallower areas of the water.

Ulcinj’s salt pans have infrastructure that is important for birdwatching. If you are planning a visit, check the visitor arrangements locally. For a different kind of local discovery, visitors can visit wine cellars in Ulcinj and sample local wine. As the availability of individual cellars can vary, it is best to arrange your visit in advance.

Buses connect Ada Bojana with Ulcinj. As transport information can change seasonally, check the timetable before travelling.

Event dates, seasonal conditions and individual visitor options may require different planning steps.

Discover more destinations: Ulcinj, Kunje, Utjeha-Bušat, Sveti Nikola, Doni Štoj, Mala Gorana, Bratica, Kolašin.

For the broader travel overview: Montenegro.