Salty Village – Living Simply, in Harmony with Nature
On the quiet edge of Ulqin, near the historic Saline where migratory birds gather in the thousands, lies Salty Village – a small agro-tourism haven created by Adrian. What began as a family olive grove has grown into a retreat where guests can reconnect with nature, experience authentic village life, and taste the richness of local products.
“The idea came because there weren’t enough authentic offers in the city,” Adrian explains. “We wanted to valorize the family olive grove, located near the Saline – a place where many bird species can be seen and where you can live a private lifestyle in harmony with nature.”
Guests who come to Salty Village stay in cozy wooden cottages surrounded by olive trees. Here, mornings begin with fresh eggs collected from the hens, homemade honey, seasonal fruits, and of course, olives and olive oil. Visitors are invited not only to taste but to participate – whether it’s harvesting olives, tending to the land, or simply slowing down to enjoy the rhythms of the countryside.
A strong link to tradition runs through every aspect of the farm.
“Olive harvesting and other agricultural work is done the traditional way, with the involvement of family members and even our guests,” Adrian says.
This dedication has earned recognition: in 2025, Salty Village won second place for olive oil quality in Montenegro’s national competition.
Salty Village is more than just a place to stay – it’s a model of how agriculture and tourism can support each other.
“Agriculture and tourism here coexist in symbiosis – one benefits from and supports the other,” Adrian notes.
The farm runs on simple but effective sustainable practices: water is drawn from a local well, while solar panels heat it for daily use. Harmful pesticides are avoided, protecting both the olive groves and the biodiversity of the surrounding. Products that Salty Village doesn’t produce itself are sourced from neighboring farms, creating a small but meaningful chain of local cooperation.
Despite its successes, Adrian worries about the future of the land around Salty Village. “The biggest challenge is construction near our area and the conversion of agricultural land into urban zones without planning. This threatens the landscape, the Saline, and even creates light pollution,” he says.
Looking ahead, Adrian hopes to expand the sustainability of the project with additional solar panels and stronger connections to other local farmers and tourism providers. “We would like to create a wider network in Ulqin – linking tourism and agriculture to benefit everyone,” he adds.
“This is an authentic offer that Ulqin can proudly provide,” Adrian says with a smile. “It is profitable, with growing demand. My advice to anyone wanting to follow this path is simple: be dedicated to your vision, offer something unique, in harmony with nature, and always respect the privacy of your visitors.”