Montenegro and the Albanian Riviera: beach reality check
Short answer: 8 beaches checked. In mid-July the sun leaves first at Kraljičina plaža (18:35), Mala plaža - Plazhi i Vogël (19:35), Plazhi i Dhërmiut (19:45); the latest sun is at Plazhi i Shëngjinit, Plazhi i Velipojës, Valdanos.
| Beach | Surface | Sun in July | Climb from parking | Water | Sea in Aug | Clubs mapped |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraljičina plaža Buljarica | ? | 07:25–18:35 | 620 m, ↑24 m | ? | 26 °C | — |
| Velika Plaža - Plazhi i Madh | Sand | 05:30–20:15 | 340 m | shallow | 25 °C | 7 |
| Plazhi i Dhërmiut Himarë | Pebbles | 07:35–19:45 | 340 m, ↑18 m | shallow | 25 °C | — |
| Plazhi i Drimadhës Himarë | Pebbles | 06:45–20:05 | 80 m, ↑6 m | shallow | 25 °C | — |
| Valdanos Ulcinj | Gravel | 06:50–20:15 | 80 m, ↑5 m | shallow | 25 °C | — |
| Mala plaža - Plazhi i Vogël Ulcinj - Ulqin | Sand | 06:40–19:35 | 110 m, ↑8 m | shallow | 25 °C | 1 |
| Plazhi i Velipojës | Sand | 06:05–20:15 | 300 m | shallow | 25 °C | 12 |
| Plazhi i Shëngjinit | ? | 05:50–20:15 | — | shallow | 25 °C | 1 |
Plan it
Places to stay in Montenegro and the Albanian Riviera Boat trips
Questions
Which beaches in Montenegro and the Albanian Riviera lose the sun first?
8 beaches checked. In mid-July the sun leaves first at Kraljičina plaža (18:35), Mala plaža - Plazhi i Vogël (19:35), Plazhi i Dhërmiut (19:45); the latest sun is at Plazhi i Shëngjinit, Plazhi i Velipojës, Valdanos.
Which beaches in Montenegro and the Albanian Riviera are sand?
Velika Plaža - Plazhi i Madh, Mala plaža - Plazhi i Vogël, Plazhi i Velipojës.
Sun and shade come from the sun's position and the skyline around each beach, measured every 4° of compass direction from a 30 m elevation model out to 6 km. The climb back up is the height difference between the beach and the nearest mapped car park or bus stop (about 0.17 m per step). Water depth comes from the EMODnet seabed model; surface, beach clubs, toilets and showers from OpenStreetMap; sea temperature is the 1991–2020 average from NOAA OISST and waves the 2015–2024 average from ERA5. Prices are not shown: they change every season and differ between clubs. Map data checked 7 Nov 2026; next check 1 Dec 2026 (monthly). Sea averages are refreshed every January. Sun and shade are calculated for any date you pick.