Montenegro has no shortage of well-known beaches. Budva, Bečići, and Sveti Stefan draw crowds every summer and for good reason. But the coastline stretches for 293 kilometres and some of its most beautiful spots are tucked away on roads that buses never reach. If you have a rental car, you have access to a completely different Montenegro. Here are the best beaches in Montenegro away from the summer crowds.
Buljarica
Buljarica is a 2.3-kilometre stretch of beach south of Petrovac, one of the longest on the Budva Riviera. The beach is wide and sandy with shallow, clear water ideal for families with children. Unlike the beaches in Budva, there are no large hotel complexes here, just a handful of small restaurants and beach bars run by local families, which is why it stays noticeably quieter even in the height of summer.
The beach is easily accessible by car from Petrovac, with parking available on site. Alternatively, small boats ferry passengers from Petrovac harbour to Buljarica for around €2 each way during summer. A forest path from Petrovac also reaches the beach in around 30 minutes on foot.
From Budva the drive takes around 25 minutes south along the coastal road. From Tivat Airport, allow around 40 minutes. Check our full fleet to find the right car for the journey.
Plavi Horizonti, which translates as Blue Horizons, is a sandy beach on the Luštica Peninsula, approximately 15 minutes by car from both Tivat and Kotor. It is one of the few genuinely sandy beaches in Montenegro and one of the few with Blue Flag status for water quality and environmental management.
The beach is sheltered and faces the bay, with warm, shallow water that extends for a significant distance from the shore. This makes it one of the best beaches in Montenegro for families with young children. Pine trees provide shade along the back of the beach and a restaurant operates on site throughout the season.
From Tivat Airport the drive takes around 20 minutes. From the main roundabout near Tivat Airport and the Voli supermarket, follow signs towards Krašići and then Luštica Bay. Signs for Plavi Horizonti are clearly marked at all major junctions. Parking in the olive grove costs €2 per day and entry for vehicles is €2-3. Review our full fleet before booking and check our rental conditions for everything you need to know.
Ada Bojana is a river island at the southern tip of Montenegro, where the Bojana river meets the Adriatic. It is technically an island but connected to the mainland by sandy strips on both sides. The beach stretches for several kilometres in both directions and is one of the longest and least crowded in the country.
Ada Bojana is known for its relaxed atmosphere, fresh fish restaurants along the riverbank, and the wide open space that is genuinely rare on the Montenegrin coast. The beach on the river side is calmer and popular with families. The sea-facing beach is more exposed and preferred by those who want waves.
The drive from Budva takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes south via Ulcinj. From Podgorica the drive takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Ada Bojana is not reachable by public transport from most parts of the country, which is the main reason it stays as quiet as it does. Check our full fleet to find the right car for the journey.
Velika Plaža is 13 kilometres of uninterrupted sandy beach stretching south from Ulcinj towards the Albanian border. It is the longest beach in Montenegro and one of the longest in the entire Adriatic. Despite this, large sections remain quiet throughout the season because the beach simply has more space than any number of visitors can fill.
The sand at Velika Plaža is darker than most beaches on the Montenegrin coast, rich in minerals and said to have therapeutic properties. The water is shallow for a significant distance from the shore, making it excellent for children and for those who prefer calm swimming conditions.
From Budva the drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Podgorica allow around 1 hour and 10 minutes via the main southern highway. Book your rental car in advance to guarantee availability.
Lučice is a beautiful, smaller sand-and-pebble beach nestled in a cove just south of Petrovac. The beach is framed by hills and a pine forest that stretches almost to the water's edge, keeping it calm and sheltered from the wind. The water is exceptionally clear, and the bay retains its natural charm despite its proximity to the town.
A few restaurants and beach bars operate in the area behind the beach where you can get refreshments. The combination of green surroundings, clear sea, and easy access makes it one of the most naturally beautiful spots on this part of the coast.
From Budva the drive takes around 25 minutes. From the center of Petrovac, it is just a 5-minute drive or a short, pleasant walk.
Žanjice is at the tip of the Luštica Peninsula, facing the open Adriatic. The beach is a crescent of pebbles with exceptionally clear, deep water and pine trees providing shade along the back. A small number of restaurants serve fresh fish and local food throughout the season. Žanjice is also the main departure point for boat trips to the Blue Cave, one of Montenegro's most visited natural attractions.
The drive from Tivat takes around 30 minutes along the peninsula road. Parking is available near the village of Mirišta, a short walk from the beach, and costs €3-4. For those staying near Herceg Novi, the beach is also reachable by boat from Herceg Novi marina, which is a popular option in summer.
For families with more luggage or larger groups, check our fleet options to find a vehicle with enough space.
All of these beaches reward early arrival, particularly in July and August. Starting before 10am means you arrive before the day-trippers and have the best choice of parking and space on the beach. Most of the access roads are narrow enough that parking fills up quickly at the most popular spots.
A rental car gives you access to beaches that most tourists simply never find. Review our rental conditions before your trip and book your car in advance, especially if you are travelling in peak season.
Some of the best quieter beaches in Montenegro include Buljarica and Lučice near Petrovac, Plavi Horizonti on the Luštica Peninsula, Žanjice at the tip of the Luštica Peninsula, and Ada Bojana at the southern tip of the country near Ulcinj. Most of these are best reached by car.
Most of the main beaches in Budva and Kotor are reachable by bus or taxi, but the quieter beaches are harder to reach without a car. Buljarica can be reached by a small boat from Petrovac harbour (€2 each way) and Žanjice by boat from Herceg Novi marina, but for most of the beaches on this list a car is the most practical option.
Velika Plaža near Ulcinj is the longest beach in Montenegro at 13 kilometres. It is also one of the longest beaches on the entire Adriatic coast. Despite its size, large sections remain uncrowded throughout the summer season.
Yes. Ada Bojana is one of the most unique beach destinations in Montenegro. It is a river island where the Bojana river meets the Adriatic, with kilometres of sandy beach, fresh fish restaurants along the riverbank, and a relaxed atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere on the coast. A car is the most practical way to reach it from most parts of the country.
June and September offer the best combination of warm weather, calm sea, and manageable crowds. In July and August, arriving before 10am is strongly recommended to secure parking and space on the beach.
From Tivat Airport, follow signs from the main roundabout towards Krašići and Luštica Bay. Signs for Plavi Horizonti are clearly marked at all major junctions. The drive takes around 20 minutes. Parking in the olive grove costs €2 per day.