Get ready for an extensive ranking of the best beaches in Montenegro! This isn’t just a simple Top 10—you’ll also find out where to discover Montenegro’s sandy beaches (yes, they do exist!), as well as secluded spots for a peaceful retreat. Each beach in this guide comes with photos, a map, and useful tips for your visit.
Table of contents:
- Best Beaches in Montenegro: General Information
- Top 10 Beaches in Montenegro: Sandy & Pebble Beaches
- Best Beaches Map
- 1. Žanjic
- 2. Jaz
- 3. Mogren 1 & Mogren 2
- 4. Hawaii – A Beach on an Uninhabited Island
- 5. Kamenovo
- 6. Sveti Stefan & Miločer Beaches
- 7. Perazica Do & The Abandoned Hotel
- 8. Lučice
- 9. Devachen Tunnel Beach
- 10. Velika Plaža – A 13 km Stretch of Sand
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Best Beaches in Montenegro: General Information
Let’s start with some key insights about Montenegro’s beaches, so you can get a full picture of what beach vacations in this country are like.
- Almost all beaches in Montenegro are public, meaning they are free to access for anyone.
- However, there’s a catch: locals can rent sections of the beach and place sunbeds there for a fee. You’re free to walk and swim anywhere, but laying down with your towel in these areas is nearly impossible due to tightly packed sunbeds. There is always a free section of the beach, but its size varies—sometimes, it’s barely enough.
- Some private beaches exist, where access is either restricted or extremely expensive. These will not be included in this ranking. This guide covers only free beaches.
- Important note: During peak season (July-August), all beaches in Montenegro are crowded, even those outside the cities. Finding a secluded, beautiful beach with easy water access and no people is practically impossible.
Below, you’ll find a photo example of what any Montenegrin beach looks like in August—packed with people. However, for this guide, all beach photos were taken during the low season, so you can see them without the crowds.
- Average price for two sunbeds and an umbrella for the whole day in high season: €20. Some beaches offer prices as low as €10, while others can charge up to €30.
Top 10 Best Beaches in Montenegro: Sandy and Pebble Shores
Montenegro’s coastline is washed by the Adriatic Sea. For those unfamiliar, the Adriatic is known for its rocky, rugged shores, and long, continuous beaches are quite rare. However, most of Montenegro’s beaches are nestled in sheltered bays, meaning they are protected from strong winds and waves, the water is usually crystal clear, and the sea remains calm.
Montenegro boasts hundreds of beaches, and every year, around 30-40 of them are awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification—a mark of exceptional water and beach cleanliness.
If we summarize:
- 80% of all beaches in Montenegro are pebble beaches.
- 10% are sandy beaches.
- The remaining 10% are urban beaches with concrete platforms, which are especially common in the Bay of Kotor, where natural beaches are scarce.
Map of the Best Beaches in Montenegro
Important:
Montenegro doesn’t have a single “WOW” beach that stands out as the absolute best in the country. Instead, many beaches are stunning in their own unique way. That’s why this list does not rank them from best to worst. Instead, they are sorted by location—from north to south.
A few key observations:
- There are no beaches from the Bay of Kotor in this ranking. Simply put, there aren’t many beaches there at all. The only decent ones are near Herceg Novi. However, places like Kotor, Perast, and Tivat are not beach destinations.
- Most of Montenegro’s best beaches are in the Budva Riviera—a 35 km stretch of coastline in the center of the country. No wonder Budva is the most popular resort town, offering a huge variety of beaches for every taste.
1. Žanjic Beach
The northernmost beach in this ranking, Žanjic Beach is located near the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. It remains relatively uncrowded, mainly because there are no large cities nearby, and public transportation does not reach this area. If you have a car, this beach is definitely worth visiting!
- Coordinates: 42.39919131593003, 18.580388100156785
- Beach length: ~300 meters
- Beach width: ~20 meters
- 100% pebble beach
- 4-5 restaurants, sunbeds available in high season
- Sheltered from the wind
- Great for families with children, with a gentle water entry
Author’s tip:
One of the coolest things about Žanjic Beach is its proximity to some amazing attractions. From here, it’s just a 15-minute boat ride to the stunning Blue Cave and the abandoned submarine base (although the submarines are long gone). These are fantastic spots to explore while spending a day at this beach. Additionally, at the entrance of the bay, you’ll see Mamula Island, a historic fortress island, visible from any part of the beach.
Read more about these attractions in my guide to the city of Tivat.
2. Jaz Beach near Budva
Another top contender among Montenegro’s best beaches is Jaz Beach. Located in the Budva Riviera, Montenegro’s most famous beach resort area, Jaz sits just 5 km outside of Budva. While it gets crowded in peak season, it is still less busy than Budva’s main city beach. It is a large, wide beach with well-developed infrastructure.
- Coordinates: 42.2837300499107, 18.805447702521025
- Beach length: ~1500 meters
- Beach width: ~50 meters
- Mostly sandy, with occasional sections mixed with pebbles
- Dozens of restaurants, a small promenade, sunbeds available in peak season
- Sheltered from the wind on all sides
- Great for children, with a gentle water entry
Author’s tip:
A fantastic, clean, and spacious beach in the classic sense. It has everything you need for a comfortable beach day. However, you need a car to get here.
3. Mogren 1 & Mogren 2
Two small beaches separated by a narrow rock formation—but in reality, they form a single beach known as Mogren. Located within Budva’s city limits, these beaches are among the very best in Montenegro in my opinion.
- Coordinates: 42.27706, 18.83259
- Each beach is about 300 meters long
- Fully sandy, with coarse sand resembling sugar granules
- Two restaurants, sunbeds available in season, and even Wi-Fi for those renting a sunbed
- Completely sheltered from the wind by steep cliffs
- Great for children, with easy water access
Author’s tip:
The Mogren beaches are not just another pretty bay—they are a true hidden gem. What makes them special is that they are only a 10-minute walk from Budva’s Old Town, along a stunning seaside trail carved into the cliffs. This scenic pedestrian path is an experience in itself.
👉 For a detailed guide to Budva, including photos of the Mogren trail, check out my full Budva review.
4. Hawaii Beach – A Beach on an Uninhabited Island
The only island beach in this ranking, Hawaii Beach, also known as Sveti Nikola Beach, is located on Sveti Nikola Island. This is a large, uninhabited island sitting just 700 meters off the coast of Budva, directly opposite the city’s main beach.
- Coordinates: 42.2707, 18.84608
- Beach length: ~400 meters
- 100% pebble beach, with medium to large pebbles
- Two or three restaurants, sunbeds available in season, and Wi-Fi for sunbed renters
- A boat departs from Budva’s main beach every 15 minutes, costing €10-15 round trip and taking just 5 minutes
- Not ideal for children, due to the rocky terrain and deeper waters
Author’s tip:
This beach concept is amazing—you can relax on an uninhabited island, sip cocktails, enjoy fully equipped beach facilities, and admire the stunning view of Old Town Budva. The main downside is that there isn’t much space for walking or exploring. But if your goal is sunbathing and swimming in a peaceful setting, this is a perfect spot.
5. Kamenovo – Budva Riviera
A small, clean, and cozy beach on the outskirts of Budva. It is only 2.5 km from the city, so you can walk here. The beach itself is not very long but is quite wide.
One of Kamenovo’s unique highlights: if you walk here from Budva, you’ll pass through two long pedestrian tunnels, which make the journey unforgettable and picturesque.
- Coordinates: 42.27552009571346, 18.886865600526445
- Beach length: ~200 meters
- Fine pebbles mixed with sand
- Two or three restaurants, sunbeds available in season, water activities for kids (pedal boats, small boats)
- Great for children, with a smooth water entry
Author’s tip:
This is a fantastic beach for families with kids. The tunnel walk adds to the adventure, making the trip even more enjoyable. Popular among tourists staying in Bečići, a resort town adjacent to Budva.
6. Sveti Stefan & Miločer
This is one of the most iconic locations in Montenegro. If you’ve seen photos of Montenegro’s beaches, chances are you’ve already seen Sveti Stefan—it frequently appears in global rankings of the world’s best private hotels and beaches.
This area features three separate beaches:
- Sveti Stefan Beach 42.25561658477089, 18.894786382027583
- Sveti Stefan 2 Beach
- Miločer Beach (the Royal Beach)
- All three beaches are 100-200 meters long
- A mix of coarse sand and fine pebbles
- Restaurants and cafés available
- Pristine waters with an excellent swimming area, great for children
Author’s tip:
Sveti Stefan is one of Montenegro’s most photographed locations and appears in every major list of top beaches and luxury resorts. It is the country’s signature postcard image. My opinion? It’s undeniably beautiful and deserves its place on this list, but I wouldn’t say it’s dramatically better than many of Montenegro’s other stunning beaches.
👉 For a full guide to Sveti Stefan and its fascinating history as a luxury island hotel, check out my dedicated article.
7. Perazica Do and the Abandoned Hotel
This beach made it into the ranking not just for its beauty but for its uniqueness. Perazica Do is a stunning beach with turquoise water, located on the outskirts of the resort town of Petrovac. About 20 years ago, construction began on a luxury five-star hotel with a private area here. However, the hotel was never completed, and today it looms over the beach, becoming its signature landmark.
- Coordinates: 42.21036, 18.92589
- Beach length: 500–800 meters, width only 50 meters—quite a narrow beach.
- Surface: Some areas have fine pebbles, while others feature large boulders.
- Facilities: In peak season, sun loungers are available, and a few cafés and restaurants operate, but there aren’t many.
- For children? Some families do visit, but in my opinion, it’s not the best beach for kids due to the large rocks and uneven entry into the water.
- Unique feature: To reach the beach from Petrovac, you’ll pass through three small pedestrian tunnels.
Author’s tip:
On a sunny day, the water is a breathtaking shade of azure, reminiscent of the Maldives. Since the beach is far from major cities, it tends to be less crowded than the main beach in Petrovac. The abandoned 20-story hotel only adds to the unique atmosphere of this place.
8. Lučice – On the Outskirts of Petrovac
This is probably one of the best beaches in Montenegro for a family vacation with children. Small and cozy, it is located in a bay, well protected from wind and waves. It is also close to the charming Adriatic resort town of Petrovac.
- Coordinates: 42.20051, 18.95087
- Beach size: About 200 meters long.
- Beach type: Sandy, with an excellent water entry. The beach is sheltered from the wind on all sides. There are large rocks along the edges, both onshore and in the water, but most people relax in the center.
- Facilities: Sun loungers, a restaurant, and a cafe are available. In peak season, pedal boats and other water activities for children can be rented.
- Getting there: A 15-minute walk from the center of Petrovac along a scenic route.
Author’s tip:
A great spot for a relaxing holiday. If you are staying in Petrovac, you can alternate between Lucice Beach and Perazica Do, as both are within walking distance of the town.
9. Devočen beach
The most unusual beach on this list. It may not even make the top ten, but it is definitely unique and deserves to be included. A wild, tiny, undeveloped beach on a rocky outcrop—right among the stones and boulders.
- Coordinates: 42.13705, 19.03714
- Beach size: About 50 meters long and 15 meters wide.
- Beach type: Completely wild—no sun loungers, no restaurants, no Wi-Fi. Definitely not suitable for children.
- Getting there: The beach is near the resort town of Sutomore.
Author’s tip:
What makes this beach unique is that there is no road leading to it—only a narrow, long tunnel carved into the rock. This tunnel was not even built for people but for seawater, which was once directed into the town. Now, the tunnel is dry and walkable, but a flashlight is necessary. Unlike Montenegro’s other wide, well-lit pedestrian tunnels, this one is completely wild. A phone flashlight will be enough.
10. Velika Plaža – 13 km of Endless Beach
The final highlight of this ranking is Velika Plaža, which literally translates to “Big Beach.” It stretches for an astonishing 13 kilometers, forming an uninterrupted line of sand. The entire length of the beach is sandy.
Coordinates (for the most developed section): 41.894943888356195, 19.290097136277367
Beach size:
- Length: 13 km
- Width: 200–300 meters, making it one of the widest beaches in Montenegro.
Beach type: Fine-grained, black volcanic-like sand.
Facilities:
- The first 1–2 kilometers (closer to Ulcinj) have full infrastructure.
- Many wild, deserted sections can be found even in peak season.
Special features:
- The number one spot in Montenegro for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
- Not protected by mountains, so winds and waves are common.
Location: The beach is in southern Montenegro, near the town of Ulcinj. A full guide to the town, the beach, and how to get there is available via the link.
Author’s tip:
Montenegro’s beaches are usually rocky coves with turquoise waters, Mediterranean pines, and scenic cliffs, most of them just a few hundred meters long. Velika Plaža stands out from the rest. If you did not know better, you might not even guess you were in Montenegro.
This is a perfect place for families with children—there is plenty of space for everyone.
The downside is that some areas are not well-maintained. In certain spots, the sand contains cigarette butts, plastic cups, and beer cans. However, most of the beach is clean.
By the way, Montenegro’s main nudist beach is located on a nearby island. If that interests you, check out the article with an overview of Montenegro’s nudist beaches and everything you need to know about them.
Final Thoughts
This was a subjective ranking of the best beaches in Montenegro. The goal was to highlight the most unique and impressive beaches in the country, not just those near Budva.
It is impossible to pick just one best beach—Montenegro has at least 10 to 20 world-class beaches that are worth visiting.
Come to Montenegro for a beach holiday—you will not be disappointed!
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