Ada Bojana

Ada Bojana is a triangular river island at the southernmost tip of Montenegro. It sits where the Bojana River splits into two channels and empties into the Adriatic Sea. The island belongs to the municipality of Ulcinj. The Albanian border runs along the southern riverbank. It is roughly 3.5 kilometres long and 1.3 kilometres wide. One bridge connects it to the mainland. That bridge is the only way in by car.

The geography is unlike anything else on the Montenegrin coast. On the sea side, a long sandy beach stretches toward the horizon. On the river side, houses stand on wooden stilts above the water — a building tradition that goes back decades. Between the two, the interior of the island is flat, covered in tall reeds, low scrub, and sandy paths that wind through the vegetation.

The Bojana delta is one of the most important wetland ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Fresh water from the river mixes with salt water from the sea, creating a brackish environment that supports a remarkable range of life. Over 250 bird species have been recorded here. Herons, cormorants, and egrets are common. Pelicans pass through during migration. The area has been identified as a key habitat for bird conservation in southeastern Europe.

But Ada Bojana is not a nature reserve behind a fence. People live here. Fishermen cast nets in the early morning. Restaurants serve lunch on wooden decks over the river. Guests stay in houses where the water laps against the stilts below. It is a working river island with a rhythm that follows the seasons — quiet through winter, alive from May to September. The culture here is shaped by the water. Everything faces the river. The river is the road, the view, and the reason people come.

From Ulcinj, the drive takes about 10 minutes. Head south on the coastal road toward Velika Plaza. You will see a sign for Ada Bojana. Turn right and cross the bridge. That is it.

From Podgorica Airport (TGD), the drive is around 1.5 hours and covers about 110 kilometres. The road is straightforward — south through Podgorica, then the highway to the coast. From Tivat Airport (TIV), expect about 2 hours and 130 kilometres. The route follows the coastal road through Budva, Petrovac, Bar, and then Ulcinj. The coastal road is scenic but winding in places, so factor that into your travel time.

There is no public transport to Ada Bojana itself. Buses run between Podgorica and Ulcinj, and between Bar and Ulcinj, but from Ulcinj town you will need a car or a transfer to reach the island. We can arrange airport transfers — ask us on WhatsApp.

Velika Plaza — Long Beach — stretches 13 kilometres along the coast south of Ulcinj. It is the longest sandy beach in Montenegro and one of the longest in Europe. The sand is wide and the water is shallow, which makes it good for families and for walking. Outside of the peak weeks in July and August, it feels uncrowded. Some stretches are completely empty.

The beach on the sea side of Ada Bojana itself is more intimate. It is wilder, backed by dunes and natural vegetation rather than beach bars. The sand is fine and the setting is quiet. The sea side includes a nudist beach, which is what many people initially associate with Ada Bojana. But the island is much more than that — the river side, where most of the activity happens, is a completely different experience.

Velika Plaza is also one of the best kitesurfing spots in the Mediterranean. Strong thermal winds blow consistently through the summer months, especially in the afternoon. The shallow water and wide beach make it ideal for both beginners and experienced riders. You will see kites in the air most days from June through September.

The river is the centre of activity on Ada Bojana. Most things worth doing here involve the water in some way.

Water sports. Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and water bike rental are available at Pirates Nest, right on the riverbank. The river is calm and wide — good conditions for beginners and for anyone who just wants a quiet hour on the water. You can paddle upriver through the reeds and into the delta, where it gets very still. The full list of water activities is here.

Boat trips. We run river tours, sunset cruises, and coastline exploration trips from our dock. The river tour takes you through the delta — past fishing boats, stilt houses, and into the open lagoon where the river meets the sea. The sunset cruise runs in the evening when the light turns golden over the water. Check the boat trips page for routes and availability.

Cycling. The terrain on and around the island is flat, and the roads are quiet. You can cycle along the riverbank, across the bridge to Velika Plaza, or into the surrounding countryside. It is not dramatic scenery — it is peaceful, open landscape with water on both sides.

Birdwatching. The Bojana delta is one of the most important wetland areas in the Mediterranean for birds. Over 250 species have been recorded. You do not need to be a serious birder to appreciate it. Just sit on a dock in the early morning and watch. Herons stand motionless in the shallows. Cormorants dry their wings on the wooden posts. Kingfishers flash past.

Walking. Wooden boardwalks run through sections of the reeds. Paths follow the riverbank. The island is small enough to walk from one end to the other in under an hour. There is no traffic to speak of.

Fishing. Traditional fishing still happens on the Bojana. In the early morning, you will see fishermen working with nets from small boats or from the platforms built over the water. It is not a tourist activity — it is the daily rhythm of the island. But if you want to try it yourself, ask around. Some of the locals are happy to take visitors out.

The river restaurants are the heart of the Ada Bojana food scene. They sit on wooden platforms over the water, shaded by bamboo and reed canopies. You eat with the river moving beneath you. Fish comes off the boats in the morning and onto the grill by lunch.

TIKAS opened in July 2025 and brought something new to the island. The interior is bamboo and rattan — warm, textured, designed with care. The menu centres on fresh-catch fish from the river and the sea. The signature dish is Cicko's Fish Soup, a recipe that has been in the family for 35 years. It is rich, slow-cooked, and unlike anything you will find at the other restaurants. TIKAS also runs the only water delivery service on Ada Bojana — they will bring food directly to your dock by boat.

Other restaurants line the riverbank, each with its own character. Most serve grilled fish, seafood risotto, and Montenegrin classics. The fish is fresh. The portions are generous. Prices are reasonable by European standards — a full fish dinner with wine runs €15-25 per person. You can read more on the TIKAS restaurant page.

The original Ada Bojana experience is sleeping in a house on stilts over the river. You fall asleep to the sound of water. You wake up and the river is right there below you. It is not luxury in the conventional sense — it is something better. It is being that close to the water.

We manage four properties on the island, each with its own character. The Glass House is an A-frame with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a private jacuzzi on the deck. The Pool House has an infinity pool that seems to merge with the river, plus a private dock where boats pull up. The Cabin is more rustic, lower-priced, and quietly charming. And at Pirates Nest, we have boutique rooms designed for couples — small, considered, with direct river views.

Booking direct via WhatsApp gets you the best price. We manage the properties ourselves, so there is no middleman. If you prefer the guarantees that come with a platform, our properties are also listed on Airbnb. Either way, you are dealing with us directly once you arrive. Browse all properties on the stays page.

The season runs from May to September. Outside of those months, almost everything on the island closes. The restaurants shut. The water sports pack up. The houses go quiet. Ada Bojana is a summer place.

July and August are peak season. The water temperature climbs above 25°C. The days are long and hot. The beach gets busy, but the river side stays calmer — there is always space on the water. These are the months when the island feels most alive. Restaurants are full in the evenings. Boats move up and down the river. Music drifts across the water after dark.

June is arguably the best month to visit. The weather is warm enough to swim. The crowds have not yet arrived. Prices are lower. The light is beautiful. Everything is open but nothing feels rushed.

September is golden. The air cools slightly. The light turns softer. The summer visitors have mostly gone. It is the quietest month of the season and, for many people, the most pleasant. May is lovely on land — green, pleasant temperatures — but the water is still cool for swimming. It suits people who come for the walks, the birdlife, and the food rather than the beach.