14 Best Things to Do in the Lustica Peninsula Region

14 Best Things to Do in the Lustica Peninsula

The Lustica Peninsula is one of my favourite parts of Montenegro’s coastline. This largely undeveloped region is full of natural beauty, historic sights, delicious wine, and outdoor adventures. 

After spending years exploring the Lustica Peninsula, here are my recommendations for the best things to do in the Lustica Peninsula region.

The Best Things To Do In Lustica Peninsula Region

Below are listed the best things to do in Lustista peninsula region based on local guides and travel insiders.

Ribarsko Selo

Ribarsko Selo is an authentic fishing village on the northern coast of the Lustica Peninsula. This is a glimpse into traditional Montenegrin life, with stone houses, narrow alleyways, and fishing boats bobbing in the bay.

Have a meal of freshly caught seafood at one of the restaurants lining the harbour, then stroll through the picturesque village. It’s a peaceful place to start your explorations of the peninsula.

Blue Grotto

One of Montenegro’s most famous natural attractions is the Blue Grotto cave, located just off the coast of Lustica. Local boat tours take visitors into this stunning sea cave where the water glows an electric blue colour.

The tours only run when the sea is calm, so go early and be prepared that you may not be able to enter the cave if the waves are too large that day. Even seeing the cave from the outside is impressive though, with its dramatic sea cliffs and turquoise waters.

Head Out on a Wine Tour

The Lustica Peninsula is home to 14 wineries producing local varieties like Vranac, Krstac, and Grk.

Many of the wineries offer tours where you can learn about traditional winemaking methods, stroll through vineyards, and sample the wines.

My favourite was the Savic Winery, run by a family that has been making wine for over 100 years. Their white Grk wine is crisp and flavorful, perfectly complementing the fresh seafood of the region.

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Village of Rose

The picturesque village of Rose is situated on a small bay surrounded by olive groves. This is one of the oldest settlements on the peninsula, with stone houses dating back 500 years.

There is a small pebble beach where you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, and then enjoy a meal at one of the seaside restaurants serving fresh fish and Mediterranean fare. The relaxed pace of life in Rose makes it a charming place to wander for an afternoon.

Plavi Horizonti Beach

If you’re looking for a scenic beach on the Lustica Peninsula, head to Plavi Horizonti. This small stretch of pebbly shoreline is flanked by densely forested hills and sea cliffs dropping into the Adriatic’s vibrant blue waters.

While not ideal for swimming due to the rocky seabed, Plavi Horizonti Beach is one of the most dramatic places to enjoy a picnic on the peninsula. Bring snacks and drinks and soak in the peaceful beauty surrounding you.

Uvala Veslo Beach

For the best swimming beach on the Lustica Peninsula, visit Uvala Veslo. This curved bay with golden sand and shallow turquoise waters is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and other beach activities.

There are beach chairs, umbrellas, and a beach bar for rent. Come early to get a good spot, as Uvala Veslo Beach can get quite crowded in the summer months. For a more tranquil experience, walk to the edges of the beach where fewer people venture.

Mountain biking

The Lustica Peninsula has an extensive network of dirt and gravel roads that are ideal for mountain biking and cycling. Rent bikes in the town of Radovici, then set off to explore the peninsula’s interior away from the coast.

Biking at Lustica Peninsula

You’ll ride through pine and oak forests, olive groves, and traditional villages with stunning mountain views. Pack a picnic to enjoy along the way. For an easier ride, stick to the coastal roads along the Adriatic with their scenic beaches and sea vistas.

Set Sail Along Lustica

With its 97 miles of coastline, one of the best ways to experience the Lustica Peninsula is from the water.

Organized boat tours and yacht charters leave from Herceg Novi and Tivat, taking visitors along the Lustica coastline with stops at beaches, caves, and fishing villages.

Set Sail Along the Coast of Lustica

If you want to try your hand at sailing, you can also rent small sailboats or catamarans to explore at your own pace. Wake up to swims in secluded bays, dinners of fresh-caught seafood in harbour towns, and stargazing at night from the deck of your vessel.

Discover Bird Watching at Solila

Solila is a salt pan in the interior of the Lustica Peninsula and an important spot for birdwatching in Montenegro. Over 170 species of birds have been recorded feeding and nesting in the salt marshes, including rare birds like the slender-billed curlew and the collared pratincole.

Early morning is the best time for bird watching at Solila when birds are most active in feeding after sunrise. Bring binoculars and a good birdwatching guide to help identify the many species.

Visit Mamula Island

Just off the southern tip of the Lustica Peninsula sits Mamula Island, home to an abandoned Austro-Hungarian fortress. Boats from Herceg Novi offer tours to the island so visitors can explore the fortress ruins and its dark history as a concentration camp in WWII.

Walk the ramparts for panoramic views of the sea, then find a spot to sit amid the ruins and enjoy a picnic lunch. Mamula Island is a glimpse into the region’s complex past in a spectacular setting.

Spend a day on the beach

With nearly 100 miles of coastline, the Lustica Peninsula has no shortage of beaches. Some of my favourite beach spots include Uvala Veslo, Plavi Horizonti, and Zanjice Beach, with scenic sea cliffs, pebbly shores, and crystal-clear waters.

Lustica beach

Pack snacks, drinks, towels, and anything else you need for a relaxing day seaside. The beaches on the peninsula’s southern coast tend to be more sheltered if the bura wind is blowing.

Find your secluded stretch of shore or join other beachgoers – with so much coastline, there’s a perfect beach for every mood on the Lustica Peninsula.

Visit Arza Fortress

For the best views of the Lustica Peninsula, head to the remains of the Arza Fortress. This ancient hilltop fortification located in the village of Rose dates back over 2000 years. While the fortress itself is mostly in ruins, the walk up the hill and 360 views from the top are stunning.

Visit Arza Fortress on Lustica Peninsula

You’ll overlook olive groves, coastal villages, beaches, and the Bay of Kotor. Pack sturdy shoes as the hill can be steep, and bring water since there is little shade – but the panoramas from Arza Fortress are well worth the climb.

Dobrec beach

Secluded Dobrec Beach is one of the Lustica Peninsula’s hidden gems. Reached only by hiking trail or boat, this small stretch of coastline feels wonderfully remote and peaceful. The beach is all rounded stones, backed by dense maquis bush.

Come here to swim, sunbathe without crowds, enjoy a picnic, or camp under a sky full of stars at night. The hike-in takes about 30 minutes from the nearest road, so bring everything you need for the day.

Dobrec Beach is the perfect spot when you want to escape from it all on the Lustica Peninsula.

Zanjice beach

Zanjice Beach is one of the most stunning beaches on Montenegro’s coast, located on the western shore of the Lustica Peninsula. Dramatic white stone cliffs plunge into vibrant blue waters, creating a backdrop for a perfect day of swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. 

There are beach chairs and umbrellas to rent, as well as a small beach bar for drinks and snacks. The pebbly shore gets deep gradually, making Zanjice Beach suitable for children to swim at as well. Arrive early to get your pick of spots along this scenic stretch of coastline.

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