Ulcinj, Montenegro – one of the best retirement places to live in the world
When we are young, we enjoy the sun and the sea and visit famous tourist destinations. But what about the oldest ones? We all know that retirement is a time to wave goodbye to workday stresses and discover an idyllic spot where you can take things easy and enjoy every day. One of the cities that could be ideally enjoyed, especially in the later years of life, is undoubtedly Ulcinj, in Montenegro. This city deserves special attention with its beautiful combination of nature, endowed this area with unique features like few other places. From the “hug” of the river Bojana with the Adriatic Sead, across the 13km long The Great Beach to the Old Town, which hides many past mysteries, Ulcinj has a unique charm. Like the other most popular retirement destinations worldwide, Ulcinj features good weather, professional healthcare provision, simple access, and affordability.
Ulcinj is the southernmost city on the Montenegro coast, near the border with Albania. It is well connected with the rest of the country. It is only 27km away from the city and Port of Bar and 78km from the capital of Montenegro and the airport Podgorica. It is 88km away from the luxury yacht marina Porto Montenegro and Tivat airport.
History of the city and legends about Ulcinj
Ulcinj was founded in the 5th century BC, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic. The cultures of the Orient and the West have clashed in this area for centuries, which is felt at every step due to the richness of the cultural heritage. The geographical position and the benefits of nature have attracted many civilizations and religions that have left an indelible mark here. The intertwining of different cultures, which continues to this day, is felt in the cultural heritage of this area but also in the gastronomy, customs, and openness of the local people to guests from around the world. Numerous archeological places remain – Ulcinj’s Old Town and the ruins of the nearby town of Shas, which is over 2.500 years old, as well as a large number of religious buildings, testify to this.
Ulcinj was also a place of long and rich maritime and trade traditions. The maritime trade of the people of Ulcinj with their ships took place with larger ports and trade centers of the Adriatic, the Levant, and the Mediterranean. It is also interesting that in the 17th century, Ulcinj was a famous meeting place for Maltese pirates, about whom many legends are still told. Among the most famous tales is that at one time, the renowned writer Miguel Cervantes was among the booty of Ulcinj pirates as a slave, after whom one of Ulcinj’s squares was named Slave Square. Legend has it that he spent five years in Ulcinj, which inspired him to write the famous work “Don Quixote.” He also named the heroine of his novel Dulcinea, which means “Ulcinj woman,” and many of the landscapes described in this masterpiece of world literature are accurate descriptions of the city in which Cervantes was enslaved.
Ulcinj weather – one of the sunniest places on the Adriatic sea
The Ulcinj area is characterized by the Adriatic variant of the Mediterranean climate and subtropical vegetation. Ulcinj is the southernmost town on the Montenegrin coast, with as many as 2.700 hours of sunshine during the year – which is 218 sunny days on average. That makes Ulcinj one of the sunniest places on the Adriatic coast. This part of the coast is considered the brightest area in the Mediterranean.
Ulcinj is also famous as a climatic summer and winter resort. The average annual temperature is 16.5°C, which means that Ulcinj is generally warmer than many coastal places. Although the summers are hot and warm, due to constant airflow, i.e., the blowing of a very pleasant wind mistral, the shade of the pine forest is extremely pleasant even during the warmest days in July and August.
The coldest month is January, with a multi-year average of 8.6°C; the warmest is July at 26.3°C. The air temperature in Ulcinj is suitable for sunbathing and swimming for six months, from May to October, and the sea temperature is also appropriate during that period. The most characteristic winds are Bora, Yugo, and Mistral. The bora blows from the northeast in late autumn and winter, and the wind is cold. Yugo occurs in autumn, winter, and spring, brings rain, and creates large waves at sea. The mistral comes from the west and southwest; it is pleasant wind because it brings refreshment from the heat in the hottest summer hours. Due to its influence, summer in Ulcinj has a few steamy and overheated days.
Ulcinj’s natural beauty and beaches
Some of the most recognizable features of Ulcinj are long sandy beaches, hundred-year-old olive groves, and the splendor of Mediterranean vegetation. Pine forests and palm trees surround the entire Ulcinj coast. Here you will have the opportunity to taste the best Mediterranean fruits – figs, citrus, grapes, pomegranates, almonds, and olives.
Ulcinj has a variety of beaches, including sandy, rocky shores next to the pine forest, which in addition to the healing effects of the sea salt, have healing sand, sources of mineral sulfur waters, and mineral mud.
Valdanos Bay, with a 376m long beach, has been declared a natural monument due to its beauty and importance. The hinterland of this beautiful bay is recognized as a region of a centuries-old olive grove covering an area of over 400.000 square meters.
The small city beach is 400m long and is located in the heart of the city of Ulcinj, between the Old Town and fortress and peninsula Ratislava.
Another beautiful city beach is “Ženska plaža”, which means female-only beach. It is fenced and strictly prohibited for men. A lovely little cove with healing waters where women of all ages, shapes, and sizes could relax and enjoy in a safe, clean, private, attractive place sacred with incredible natural healing powers. This place is really like a sulfur spa healing center for ladies, and soaking in sulfur water baths may help with several health conditions: arthritis, respiratory disorders, nourishing the organs, stimulating the immune system, lowering back pain, relieving the burning, pain, and itching caused by hemorrhoids, premenstrual issues, menopausal symptoms, disorders of the female reproductive system, heightened cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Sulfur is also suitable for sensitive skin, hair, and nails against acne and bacteria.
If you want to describe the perfect place to enjoy, it would be enough to say Ulcinj Great Beach, also known as the Montenegrin “Copacabana.” As much as 13km long, covered with fine sand of healing properties, and well-known for its unique play of wind and waves, this beach is the perfect place to enjoy the sea and the sun. A warm, clean, clear sea (whose highest transparency in the Adriatic of 56m is measured near Ulcinj) with long shoals is ideal for walking, football, volleyball, and sandgames. At the same time, due to favorable winds that make great waves, it is a natural paradise for surfers and kitesurfers.
The island Ada Bojana ensued artificially in such a manner that in the XIX century, in the place of the present Island, a ship called “Merito” came aground. The years of the sedimentation of the river alluviums have sculpted Ada Bojana, which today is considered a paradise on earth. Ada is one of the most famous tourist gems of Montenegro. The nudist place on Ada with the specific ambiance is skillfully hidden from the curious looks, which from two sides is surrounded by a beautiful river Bojana, and from the third with the most transparent seawater. Ada is most beautiful in the sunset – while the sun sets, the fantastic game of colors merges the sea, sand, and sky in a unique picture. Besides the tourists, especially nudists, on Ada in summer come those who wish to unite their personalities with intact nature, expecting the most beautiful sunsets and their reflection on the blue sea every day. From summer to summer, numerous poets, literates, singers, moviemakers, journalists, business people, bohemians, and eccentrics return to it.
Ulcinj birds watching
The seawater saltworks of Ulcinj (Salina) are one of the most important places for bird watchers (birding) and ornithologists from all over Europe: Over 240 species of birds (half of all registered in Europe) can be found all year round here. The Salina is home to many birds, with 19 globally endangered species documented. About 250 species can be seen here, amounting to roughly 70% of all bird species in Montenegro and about half of all native species in Europe.
The Salina is an important breeding, resting, or wintering site for hundreds of thousands of birds. It is labeled as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. Magnificent birds like the Greater Flamingo, the Dalmatian Pelican, and the Spoonbill can be observed in Ulcinj Salina. The Black-winged Stilt is a typical species present here, and unsurprisingly the Salina is the only breeding place for this tiny, long-legged bird in Montenegro.
Ulcinj – a paradise for retirement
After all this, we hope you have a better picture of this cozy Montenegrin town. The all-year sun, and Mediterranean cuisine with a lot of fish, domestic fruits, vegetables, and virgin olive oil, together with excellent and affordable healthcare provision, make this town one of the best places to retire for many people. Life in Ulcinj is not expensive, and there are plenty of outdoor activities that people can enjoy during the whole year. Good climate, excellent connectivity, kind residents, and beautiful nature – we believe that could be the right choice for you!
