Sutomore – A Controversial and Lesser-Known Montenegrin Resort on the Adriatic Sea. In this article, you’ll find a complete overview of this coastal town. I’ll cover all the beaches, share the coordinates of the best restaurants, and highlight the main attractions in and around Sutomore. Most importantly, by the end, you’ll be able to decide whether this destination is right for you or if you should consider another resort.
Table of contents:
- Sutomore: general information
- How to Get There: Bus, Train
- Best Hotels and Apartments in Sutomore: Where to Stay
- Where to Eat: The Best Taverns and Restaurants in Sutomore
- Beach Overview: City Beach, Nudist Beach, Tunnel Beach
- Attractions in Sutomore
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Sutomore: general information
Here are some key facts about the town:
- The name Sutomore comes from the words Suto (land) and more (sea).
- The town’s history began only after the Ottoman conquest. Before the 15th century, there were no known settlements in this area.
- Today, Sutomore has a population of around 3,000. During the peak tourist season, this number swells to around 50,000—common for many coastal towns.
- City coordinates on the map: 42.14190137771442, 19.047260421943104
- For the past 200 years, it remained a small fishing village.
- Tourism started developing actively only in the last 15 years. Even now, there are only about ten hotels. 95% of all rental accommodations are apartments owned by locals.
It’s important to know:
Sutomore is considered the most budget-friendly resort on the Montenegrin coast.
As a result, during peak season, it attracts many local tourists. Residents from Podgorica and Nikšić often come here for beach vacations. Unlike Budva, which is popular among international tourists, Sutomore is primarily visited by Montenegrins.
How to Get There: Bus, Train
If you look at a map, Sutomore enjoys a strategic location within a triangle of three major Montenegrin cities: Budva, Bar, and Podgorica. This is one of the reasons why Podgorica locals prefer to vacation here—it’s just 30 km away, a straight road, and only a 30-minute drive to the sea.
- Budva to Sutomore: 30 km
- Bar to Sutomore: Just 6 km
Important to Know: There are no direct buses from either of Montenegro’s airports. Transfers are required.
By Car or Taxi: Reaching Sutomore by car or taxi is straightforward—no explanations needed.
By Bus:
- Buses run daily and frequently between Sutomore and Bar, Budva, Ulcinj, and Podgorica.
- Podgorica – Sutomore Bus Schedule & Prices:
- There are three times more buses from Budva and Bar than from Podgorica.
- Tickets can be purchased at the bus station in your departure city.
- For detailed information on Montenegrin buses and trains, including schedules, check the provided link.
By Train:
- Podgorica and Bar are connected by Montenegro’s only railway line that reaches the coast.
- This route is served by commuter trains running 6–10 times per day, depending on the season.
- The trains stop at key locations, including Podgorica Airport and Sutomore Station.
- The train is the most convenient way to get from Podgorica Airport to Bar or Sutomore.
- Travel time: ~1 hour
- Ticket price: ~€4
- For a detailed guide on taking the train from the airport to the coast, check our article on Montenegro’s international airports.
Best Hotels & Apartments in Sutomore: Where to Stay
Almost every local rents out apartments to tourists. While conditions vary, you can generally expect:
- A bedroom + living room with a kitchen
- A small garden or terrace
- Parking for your car
Since Sutomore is a budget-friendly resort, you can find affordable apartments for around €40 per night. In contrast, similar accommodations in Budva during peak season will cost significantly more.
Good to know:
If you check the city map above, you’ll notice that most of Sutomore is not beachfront. The farther from the sea, the steeper the incline—but the cheaper the accommodations. This is another reason why this resort remains affordable. If proximity to the beach is important to you, pay attention to location when booking.
Below, you’ll find a list of the most popular hotels and apartments in Sutomore. Click to view photos, prices, locations, and reviews.
Where to Eat: The Best Taverns & Restaurants in Sutomore
Sutomore is a small town, but it has plenty of restaurants. In Montenegro, finding a good place to eat is never a problem—food is delicious, portions are large or extra-large, and prices are reasonable. Here, I’ll highlight only my personal favorites.
All of these restaurants will be marked on the city’s attractions & beach map (found in the “Things to See” section below).
The following three restaurants serve authentic Montenegrin cuisine with big portions and affordable prices:
- Kafana Kuzina: 42.14072, 19.04379
- Restoran Pristan: 42.13436, 19.06087
- Izvor: 42.13826, 19.05045
Beach Guide: Main Beach, Nudist Beach, Tunnel Beach
To be honest, there are no historical landmarks or major attractions in Sutomore. The main highlights of this town are its beaches.
It’s important to know:
All the photos below were taken in April or October-November, when there are barely any tourists. During peak season (July-August), the beaches are packed to the point where people are sunbathing almost on top of each other. This issue is worsened by the fact that enterprising locals have lined nearly every inch of the shore with sun loungers, leaving minimal space for those who prefer to relax on towels. Renting two loungers and an umbrella in August will cost you €15-20 per day—quite a price tag, right?
All beaches are marked on the map of attractions, which you’ll find in the next section.
- The town’s main beach, Sutomore Beach, is about 1 km long. It has a scenic promenade lined with numerous restaurants and cafes. The northern part of the beach is pebbly, but as you move south, the pebbles become finer, and there’s even a small sandy section. During peak season, this is the busiest area in town. Two sun loungers and an umbrella cost €10-20.
- Malevik and Small Malevik Beaches. Located just a 15-minute walk north of the main beach, these two small pebble beaches are around 200 meters long each. Malevik Beach features a café and sun loungers starting at €15. Small Malevik is more secluded and even has sections of healing mud, which many tourists enjoy applying to their skin. The effectiveness of this mud is debatable, but it adds to the experience. Since the beach is semi-wild, loungers here cost from €10.
- FKK Beach (Nudist Beach). Located 800 meters south of the main beach, this is a designated nudist beach. The area is rocky, with a steep and deep water entry, making it inconvenient for regular tourists. However, for those who prefer a more secluded sunbathing experience, this is the place to go.
- Štrbina Beach. Locals call this “Horseshoe Beach” because of its unique shape. It is a small, well-protected cove with calm waters and no wind. The beach has sun loungers, a restaurant, and—unsurprisingly—a crowd of visitors during peak season.
- Zlatna Obala (Golden Coast Beach). Located 400 meters south of the main beach, this is a wild, unmaintained beach with no amenities. It’s a good spot for those who prefer a more natural setting away from the crowds.
Devočen Beach & the Tunnel:
Now for the highlight—the most unusual and, for many, the best beach in Sutomore. Devočen Beach is a hidden gem, located under a cliff. Instead of sun loungers and pebbles, there are large boulders where people sunbathe. The beach also has several cliff-diving spots with heights ranging from a few meters up.
What truly makes it special is the only way to reach it—through a 200-meter-long tunnel carved into the rock. This tunnel was originally created to allow seawater to flow through, but today, it serves as a unique walking path. There’s no lighting, but a phone flashlight is enough to guide you.
- Beach coordinates: 42.13705582886853, 19.03713516136236
- Entrance to the tunnel (from Sutomore): 42.14029995760594, 19.039047434674615
Things to See in Sutomore
As mentioned earlier, Sutomore is not a destination for sightseeing. If you compare it to the top 10 attractions of Budva or Kotor, Sutomore has exactly zero landmarks of that level.
That said, there are a few places worth a short visit, which can be covered in about 3-4 hours on foot. Below is a map marking the town’s best restaurants, beaches, and points of interest:
Green markers are beaches
Purple markers – taverns and restaurants
Red markers – attractions
- Haj-Nehaj Fortress (“Fear-Not-Fear Fortress”)
- An abandoned Ottoman-era fortress located 230 meters above sea level. The uphill walk is rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the town and coastline. This is arguably the best attraction in Sutomore—or at least, what remains of it.
- Tabija Fortress
- Another Ottoman fortress, much easier to access compared to Haj-Nehaj. The views here are nice, but the first fortress has better panoramas.
- Both sites are free and open 24/
Churches
- Sutomore has around 10 small churches, but only two stand out:
- Church of St. Tekla
- Church of St. Petka (reached by a scenic trail)
Exploring Beyond Sutomore
If you’re staying in Sutomore, you’ll likely run out of things to do within two days. Most tourists use it as a base to explore nearby attractions. Fortunately, there are plenty of interesting places within a 50 km radius:
- Ulcinj (1 hour by car)
- Home to Montenegro’s longest beach and an abandoned saltworks teeming with wildlife.
- Petrovac (10 km away)
- Features two scenic coastal hiking trails.
- Sveti Stefan (20 km away)
- Montenegro’s most iconic island-hotel.
- Bar (5 km away)
- Sometimes promoted as the “shopping capital” of Montenegro. Spoiler alert: it’s not—but it’s still worth a visit.
- A complete list of cities in Montenegro and where to go for a tourist read here.
- Skadar Lake National Park (15 km away)
- A paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers.
- Lipa Cave (45 km away)
- And finally, the TOP 25 best attractions in Montenegro that you must visit.
Final Thoughts
Sutomore is a controversial resort. Its biggest advantage is its convenient location—perfect for day trips across the country. You can easily visit Budva, Kotor, or even Ulcinj in a single day.
However, the town itself offers little in terms of attractions, and its beaches are overcrowded in peak season. If you’re seeking paradise beaches and rich history, this is probably not the best place.
That said, if you do visit, you’ll still get your fair share of sun, sea, and new experiences—and ultimately, that’s what a vacation is all about.
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel