Another one of Montenegro’s hidden gems, Crvena Glavica Beach (not to be confused with the adjacent Crvena Stijena Beach), is a series of small beaches located between the resort towns of Sveti Stefan and Petrovac na Moru, on the Budva Riviera. To its south, it neighbors the lovely cove of Drobni Pijesak, one of Montenegro’s most beautiful beaches.
Named after the crimson-colored cliffs surrounding it, Crvena Glavica Beach is mostly known for the Galija Beach Club which offers a hedonistic but pricey experience, and Crvena Glavica Nudist Beach, a secluded, hard-to-access, and clothes-optional oasis not many visitors to Montenegro know about.
Winds do rarely pick up on this part of the coast, but once they do, they bring small waves and currents, which are fun for splashing around. The nude beach is tucked in among steep rocky cliffs and has no facilities whatsoever – a real refuge in every possible way where beachgoers can happily skinny-dip to get that coveted all-over tan. It is protected on both sides by pine-draped cliffs, only adding to the ambiance.
Along the well-maintained beaches of Crvena Glavica, the waters are crystal-clear and perfect for snorkeling. Sun loungers, umbrellas, and Bali beds (in case you want to splurge) are available for hire at the Galija Beach Club. It goes without saying that its clean on-site facilities – showers, changing stations, and toilets – are a major draw for visitors.
Expect to find a mixed bag of people here, mainly a well-heeled under-40 crowd and families with older children. At night, Crvena Glavica gets into a party mode, with regular (themed) events being organized in its boho-chic surroundings, though watching the sunset from here with a beer or cocktail is already sufficient for most beachgoers.
Tourists might dominate in the peak of the summer, but scores of locals and expats also make the journey from the capital city of Podgorica, Budva, and other nearby coastal towns to soak up this one-of-a-kind atmosphere and scenery that has inspired so many impressionists and other artists for generations.
Access and Safety
Crvena Glavica Nudist Beach is reached via a steep and unpaved trail, making it a bad choice for everyone with impaired mobility. Still, the scenery around it is so picturesque that it has become one of the most popular nude beaches in Montenegro, particularly for those visitors vacationing on the Budva Riviera. And it is easy to see why: it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing seaside escape.
Despite coming with more fiery red pebbles than sand, it’s far from uncomfortable to lie on them because of their small size and softness. Offering the ultimate Robinson-Crusoe experience, with no sun loungers or parasols to rent and no drinks and snacks available, bringing your own towels and other prerequisites is mandatory.
Unpaid parking is available not far from the entrance to the Galija Beach Club, and from there, it’s just a few steps down to the shoreline. There is a public bus from Budva that stops in neighboring Sveti Stefan, roughly two kilometers away from the beach. There is no wheelchair access here, but a lifeguard is on duty from May through October.
Galija Beach Club
Paradise must be something like Galija Beach – if only the quality of service could be improved. Just walking down the clean, wide stairs to the red-pebbled beach is like entering a worry-free world where relaxing and unwinding comes naturally. This project started more than a decade ago as a simple beach shack and has now evolved into a serious beach club with all the bells and whistles.
Its well-crafted menu of refined drinks – 10 types of champagne incl. Dom Perignon and Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades – and MediterrAsian fusion cuisine, offer something for everyone willing to pay the premium prices. The team behind Galija frequently organizes beach parties, where you can eat, drink, and party until late at night – in an environment that has been created just for enjoyment.
You can either choose to lounge on the comfortably spaced sun loungers or Bali beds, which get exponentially more expensive the closer you get to the water’s edge, in the boho-chic beachfront restaurant, or down by the rocky outcrops that add a little drama to the otherwise more than picturesque scenery of the Budva Riviera.
We visit on a sunny afternoon in early summer, a few days after the record-breaking 40-degree heat wave, with just a few small clouds softening the Montenegrin sun and a gentle sea breeze chilling our skin. Galija’s beach club vibe is comparably subtle, with dreamy ceilings of driftwood and reclaimed wooden beams, combined with a toned-down color palette of taupe and beiges.
Everything here can serve as a good backdrop for a photo: the tropical cactus wall, the carmine-colored cliffs, or the peacock-blue Adriatic. Furthermore, these delightful surroundings are rounded off by the pleasure of the palate. A glimpse into the menu reveals contemporary beach club trends, with Geisha & Dragon Rolls, pasta & rice dishes, and grilled meats and seafood… all prepared with fresh ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.
The rich savor of the dishes and the dramatic surroundings are complemented by DJ live performances that transport you to Elysian Fields through the best of melodic house music. Unsurprisingly, this pricey and hedonistic beach club concept works best with a well-heeled younger crowd of Budva locals and visitors who want to look and be seen.
The Culinary Offer
Overlooking the rows of bronzing bodies lazing in the sun, we sat at comfortable linen-fabric dining chairs that made the wooden square table feel a little higher than usual. We start our gourmet session with tuna tartare, burrata, and oven-roasted eggplant with olive oil – these light Adriatic classics are unquestionably some of our favorite summer snacks.
It would almost be a sin to leave Galija without trying their sushi offering – so we ordered a nice assortment – unfortunately, they took a little longer to arrive than expected. However, this was quickly forgotten after the first bites were taken. The spicy shrimp rolls surprised with perfectly balanced flavors and texture, offering a creamy filling with a zesty kick.
We also sampled tuna sashimi in sesame sauce and the crunchy dragon rolls drizzled with spicy mayonnaise in unagi sauce – both delightful, and fresh, and evidence of the chef de cuisines’ expertise behind the roll. For the main course, the elegantly presented grilled octopus tentacles had a tender texture while the sauce’s garlicky note balanced the meat’s mild, delicate taste.
Another benefit is that you can also enjoy snacks and beverages on your sunbed, which we found quite convenient. And, no self-respecting beach club can exist without a decent cocktail menu. At Galija, they understand this well, and as a result, there are only a handful but expertly crafted variants to choose from, including ‘Gently Paloma‘ with grapefruit juice and tequila and their take on the iconic ‘Moscow Mule‘.
Hotels near the Beach
The closest accommodations require driving the winding road up towards Sveti Stefan, where you can find a good range of listings for boutique hotels, holiday homes, and self-catering apartment rentals. It is also possible to stay at the modest Crvena Glavica campsite, which offers an immersive nature experience under the shade of pines and olive trees.
Nearby Crvena Glavica Beach
The immediate area around the beach is a true refuge, where the closest sights are other beaches to explore. Sveti Stefan is a refined, upscale resort town that is great for sundowners and romantic dinners by the beach, overlooking the picturesque resort island. If you fancy a hike or bike ride, the 7-Bay-Trail starts here as well, taking you via some of Montenegro’s most spectacular coastal landscapes straight to Budva’s Old Town.
Both Budva to the north and Petrovac to the south are full of restaurants, boutiques, and waterfront cafes, and are within a 15-minute driving distance of Crvena Glavica Beach, traffic permitting. Nearby Rezevici has managed to retain its old rural charm and there are a couple of good quality roadside restaurants along the way, making it a great place to enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner, or visit one of its centuries-old monasteries.
Getting There
Arrive at Galija Beach via a steep, winding road that branches off the Adriatic highway coming from Budva, and park for free in the parking lot located just a few steps away from the beach. From above, you can already overlook this picturesque stretch of Montenegrin coastline and hear the relaxing deep house tunes from the beach club.
For a busier (but not too busy), resort-style atmosphere, neighboring Sveti Stefan is well worth a visit. Here you will find all sorts of rentable watersports such as kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards, a small seaside walkway dotted with a children’s playground, a few bars and restaurants, and a helpful tourist office where you can collect information about available activities, including paragliding and boat excursions.
