Ulcinj is one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic — founded by the Illyrians in the 5th century BC, later Greek, Roman, Venetian and for more than three centuries Ottoman. Its Old Town (Kalaja in Albanian, Stari Grad in Montenegrin) sits on a rocky cape above the sea, with Cyclopean walls, a Venetian castle, a museum in a former church-mosque, and narrow lanes of stone houses now home to restaurants and small hotels. Below it curves Mala Plaža, the town beach. Hotel Uma Premium is 2.5 km away — 5 minutes by car or a pleasant 30-minute walk.
What to see in the Old Town
Enter through the main gate on the north side and climb to the Upper Town: the Balšić Tower, the Venetian Palace and the Museum of Local History in the former Church of St Mary (later a mosque) with Illyrian, Roman and Ottoman finds. Walk the ramparts for views over Mala Plaža and the coast towards Albania. The Slave Square (Trg robova) recalls the town’s pirate era in the 17th century, when Ulcinj corsairs traded across the Mediterranean. Come at golden hour: the sunset from the western walls is one of the best in Montenegro.
Mala Plaža and Ladies Beach
Mala Plaža ("Small Beach") is a 360-metre crescent of fine sand right below the Old Town, lined with cafés and ice-cream stands — the place for an evening swim followed by a stroll along the promenade. Two kilometres north is Ženska Plaža (Ladies Beach), a small sulphur-spring cove traditionally reserved for women, and beyond it the pine-shaded rocky coves of Liman and Valdanos with clear water for snorkelling.
Eating, drinking and evenings
The restaurants inside the walls serve seafood — grilled sea bass, black risotto, octopus salad — with a view; the streets around the market below sell burek, baklava and strong coffee. In summer the promenade above Mala Plaža fills after 21:00 with families, live music and open-air bars. Weekly markets and the summer cultural festival bring concerts to the castle courtyard.
Getting there and practical tips
From Hotel Uma Premium the Old Town is 2.5 km: a 5-minute drive (paid parking under the walls in season) or a 30-minute walk via the town centre. Wear comfortable shoes — the lanes are steep and cobbled. Entry to the Old Town is free; the museum charges a small fee and is usually open 09:00–14:00 and 17:00–21:00 in summer.
Good to know
Yes — it is one of the best-preserved fortified towns on the Adriatic, compact enough to explore in two hours, and the sunset views from the walls are exceptional.
Yes. It is sandy, shallow and sheltered, with lifeguards and showers in summer. It gets busy in July and August; mornings are quietest.
The lower town and promenade are flat, but the Old Town lanes are steep with steps. The viewpoint near the main gate is reachable without climbing far.
