Ulcinj Neighbourhoods: Carsija and Pinjes

Carsija is a shopping street linking the Old Town with the newer part of Ulcinj. Along part of Hafiz Ali Ulcinaku Street, shops occupy the ground floors of multi-storey buildings, with shopfronts and entrances facing the pavement. Above the shops are windows and balconies, and the roadway runs between two rows of buildings. People come to Carsija both to shop and to stroll.

In the past, craftspeople made goods in their shops and sold them to customers there. Part of the old Carsija extended from today’s roundabout at Tri Masline towards Mala Plaza beach, in the area of Hafiz Ali Ulcinaku Street. Shops and avlije, or courtyards, stood there. Today’s street also occupies part of that former trading area: walls of older buildings were uncovered beneath the roadway during work on the water supply system.

Our article Everyday Life in Ulcinj covers shops, the market, and everyday shopping.

Pinjes is a neighbourhood of houses and tourist accommodation on a hill beside central Ulcinj. On the slope above Mala Plaza, houses with sloping roofs stand among larger multi-storey buildings. The buildings stand at different levels on the slope, from the coast to higher ground, with trees between them.

In the part of Pinjes along Mirka Srzentica Street, there used to be holiday homes and farms. The growth of tourism encouraged construction between existing houses and farther up the hill. Larger buildings for residential use or holiday rentals were built alongside family houses with rectangular floor plans and sloping roofs.

The name Pinjes is linked to the pine forest. In the area behind Mala Plaza, houses and other buildings spread onto land previously covered by pines and wild vegetation. New buildings are still being constructed in Pinjes.

For a selection of recommended hotels, read our guide Where to Stay in Ulcinj.