Perhaps you’ve already noticed—I’ve written more than once that the best beaches in Montenegro are usually far from the most popular resorts. Why is that? Because the beaches near popular resorts are always very crowded. I won’t go into the reasons why having too many people around might spoil your beach day—I think that’s quite clear to everyone.
The fewer people there are on the beach, the more comfortable it is to relax. And you’ll find fewer people on beaches that require travel to reach. If you’re looking for a great beach without a crowd of tourists, Žanjice Beach in Montenegro is exactly what you need. I really love this beach and believe that Žanjice is one of the best beaches in the country.
Unfortunately, we rarely go there because it’s relatively far, and I don’t like to swim for more than an hour. So, driving somewhere just to swim for an hour doesn’t appeal to me. Most tourists in Montenegro think the same way—it’s much easier to walk to the nearest town beach than go all the way to Žanjice. That’s why there aren’t that many people on this beach.
Clean and Clear Water
The water at Žanjice Beach is very clean, and there are two simple reasons for that. First, as mentioned above, fewer people visit this beach than the urban ones. The fewer people, the cleaner the water—simple logic. Second, it’s a pebble beach, not a sandy one, so there’s no murk in the water.
Facilities and Comfort
The infrastructure at Žanjice Beach is standard for Montenegro. You’ll find showers, changing cabins, restrooms, and several cafes and restaurants. Entry to the beach is free if you bring your own towel, and you can rent a sunbed and umbrella if needed. The cafes here are very good, so if you’re staying for the whole day, you won’t go hungry. Prices are about the same as at other resorts in Montenegro.
The sunbeds are spaced out well, so it’s more comfortable to walk between them than on city beaches. This year, two sunbeds and an umbrella cost €10.
Should you pay to rent a sunbed and umbrella? At town beaches, I almost never pay for them. But I also don’t stay long. Since Žanjice requires a trip, it doesn’t make sense to go for just one hour. If you’re spending half a day or more, it’s more comfortable to relax on a sunbed. So, when my family and I visit this beach, we always pay for the rental.
Beautiful Olive Grove and Boat Excursions
An olive grove surrounds the beach, creating a beautiful setting and providing natural shade from the heat. You can also take a boat tour from the beach. The destinations may vary depending on the tour organizer, but they usually include the following sights: Mamula Island, the Blue Cave, and an abandoned submarine base.
The excursions are interesting, so if you’re tired of lying on the beach, you can just buy a ticket and go on a boat ride.
In the photo below, you can see Mamula Island, with an old Austrian fortress on it.
In 2014, a horror movie called The Mermaid was filmed on this island.
The island is definitely worth visiting. As for the movie—don’t bother. It’s really not worth watching.
In the next photo, you see the Blue Cave, located not far from Žanjice Beach. Many tours leave from Žanjice to visit it. In my opinion, there’s nothing particularly interesting about the cave itself, though the water does have an unusual color. Tourists usually swim here. Thankfully, most tours don’t end with just this cave—they include other places too. Personally, I found Mamula Island and the submarine base much more interesting.
Here’s what the submarine base from the Yugoslav era looks like.
How to Get to Žanjice Beach
Žanjice Beach is located on the Lustica Peninsula. You can get there by boat—regular water transport operates between the beach and nearby resorts. You can also drive there by car.
How to get to the beach depends on where in Montenegro you are staying, and whether you’ve rented a car. From some resorts, it’s easier to drive (if you have a car); from others, taking a boat is better.
Let’s assume you’ve rented a car and see how far Žanjice is from nearby resorts by road—to help decide whether it’s worth driving.
- To Herceg Novi – 49 km, including a ferry crossing. The drive takes about an hour. It’s easier to go by boat. Water transport between Herceg Novi and Žanjice is regular and well-organized.
- To Tivat – 30 km. The drive takes no more than 30 minutes—driving is a good option.
- To Kotor – 28 km. It’s not far; car travel is preferable.
- To Budva – 41 km. The drive takes about 40 minutes. You can drive or take a boat.
