The 6 Best Montenegro Beaches

If you’re staying in Budva, you have one of the best Montenegro beaches right on your doorstep. To reach Budva Old Town Beach, you needn’t even hop on a bus. It’s a compact stretch of sand with some small pebbles situated right outside the walls of the old town, boasting a more authentic feel than the two main beaches in the bay. The highlight of a day here in summer is swimming around the citadel and sunbathing against the ancient backdrop of the old town walls. Snag a prime sun lounger at the most peaceful time of the day by popping there early – you can even grab a morning coffee or breakfast in a beach bar or old town cafe on the way down. At night and in the early evening, the beach is bathed in a pretty glow from the candles and dimmed lights of the surrounding eateries.

No list of the best beaches in Montenegro would be complete without the iconic Sveti Stefan beach. This prime Instagram spot has had some incredibly famous visitors over the years, including Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor. The biggest attraction here is the island, linked to the mainland by a narrow stone peninsula. The tiny islet that started life as the fishing village of St Stefan is now a luxury hotel open only to guests, but it looks fabulously photogenic when admired from the public beach to the left of the island walkway. The beach itself is mostly pink pebbles, and you can hire beach umbrellas and sunbeds and take a dip in the gloriously clear sea. Swimming along any part of the coast here is a beautiful experience, with plenty of snorkelling opportunities and a pleasant temperature. Behind the beach, the village rises up the lush green hill, and just at the back you’ll find cafes, restaurants and bars galore.

At 2.5 km long, Jaz Beach is one of the largest Montenegro beaches, surrounded by rolling green hills and vegetation. The wide stretch is a mix of sand and shingle, but it’s sandy underfoot as soon as you step in the water. The beach is flanked by a sunny promenade with cafes and restaurants, and one half of the area backs onto a popular camping spot. There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, as well as some water sports rental spots where you can find paddleboards, glass-bottomed kayaks, inflatables, jet-skis and more. There’s even an inflatable water park obstacle course for little ones in high season. With all these amenities plus parking just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Budva, it’s no wonder it’s such a popular spot with families and young people alike. Jaz also occasionally hosts open-air concerts and festivals.

You get two beaches for the price of one when you head to Mogren, a popular spot for younger visitors to Budva. The two small coves are bursting with colour: pale pink sand and fine, multi-coloured pebbles backed by dramatic, orangey-red limestone cliffs that look like they’ve been delicately stacked in layers, topped with lush green that tumbles down towards the aquamarine sea. These two idyllic nooks can be reached via an easily accessible stone walkway from Budva, giving you splendid views of the coast and the old town. The first of the two Blue Flag beaches is usually the more crowded, since the second cove can only be accessed by swimming, by boat, or by walking through the archway in the cliffs. Once here, you can rent a sunbed or grab a seat at the beach bar. Be warned, though: as the only eatery in this secluded spot, it certainly charges a premium, so bringing your own picnic is definitely recommended. If you like snorkelling, head to the rockier ends of the beaches to spy some real treasures – but remember to slip on some swimming shoes or sandals first, in case of sea urchins.

Dobrec is still a bit of an insider tip when it comes to Montenegro beaches, largely because it’s only accessible by boat, so few people make the journey. You can take a boat from Herceg Novi, Rose, Žanjic or Mirišta, and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a serene cove, pure blue water and a quiet beach even in high season. Because of the exclusivity of the spot, you can expect to pay for a sunbed and parasol, and there’s even a little beachfront restaurant serving fresh, locally caught fish (usually pulled in that morning) and Montenegrin specialities. It’s absolutely worth spending an afternoon in this unusually secluded spot for a feeling of total escape and otherworldly relaxation, surrounded by forest-covered cliffs.

This one isn’t your typical Montenegro beach, but it definitely deserves a mention. Nestled on the shores of Lake Skadar, which the country shares with its neighbour Albania, Murići Beach is the perfect destination for anyone seeking peace away from the bustle of the Adriatic Riviera. This freshwater lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site and, in summer, it reaches around the same temperature as the sea. The beach itself is surrounded by olive groves, with coarse sand and some shingle. There are sun loungers for hire, as well as one restaurant-cafe. Since there are no public transport options, you’ll have to drive, take a boat trip from another spot on the lake, or book a driver to bring you here – but this all means the beach is pleasantly tranquil and undisturbed. If you can, pack a full day’s worth of snacks and drinks and stay here to watch the sky turn milky-purple at sunset. The bay is made even more picturesque by the island of Beška, home to Beška Monastery. You can enjoy the view from the shore or book an excursion – by kayak, for example – to explore the wooded, rocky outcrop.