Plat: Discover the Coast and History

Plat combines a distinctive coastal character with historical landmarks in the town and in Općina Župa Dubrovačka. When planning your trip, you can therefore take in both Plat’s beach landscape and the paths and cultural sites of the wider municipality.

Coastal scenery and beach types

Plat is a coastal town where Straža Hill drops steeply to a pebble beach, while rocky coastline forms a sheltered bay. The beaches in Plat and the surrounding area include sandy, pebbly and rocky beaches. This also includes a nudist beach near Hotel Orphee and Hotel Plat. Conditions of use at individual beaches may change; check them before your visit. This makes it possible to distinguish between the different beach types and coastal formations when planning.

Activities and connections

Plat’s leisure options include diving, windsurfing, excursions and boat trips to nearby islands, as well as local dining. Availability and providers may vary by season. In the wider destination of Općina Župa Dubrovačka, boat trips to the islands of Mrkan, Bobara and Supetar in Župa Bay may also be available; these trips may also be seasonal.

Plat is described as having regular bus connections to Dubrovnik and Cavtat every half hour. Check the current timetable before travelling. This is especially useful if you would like to plan your days around excursions to both cities without relying on a specific departure time.

Trails and landscapes in Općina Župa Dubrovačka

The landscape of Općina Župa Dubrovačka includes beaches and views of the bay, as well as olive groves, vineyards and traditional rural life. The municipality has a 50-kilometre network of themed hiking trails called “Walking Paths of Župa dubrovačka”. The Connecting Route links Župa dubrovačka with the Croatian Long Distance Trail towards Srđ above Dubrovnik and with the Heart of Konavle Trail. This means a municipality-wide trail network and a route connecting to other named hiking trails offer different points of reference. Trail conditions may change locally and should be taken into account when planning a hike.

Općina Župa Dubrovačka is counted as having 22 beaches for sunbathing and swimming. The number may change if beaches are reclassified. It refers to the wider destination, not Plat alone. The local choice of beach types and the regional number of designated bathing beaches therefore refer to different areas.

History in Plat and the surrounding area

A historical landmark above Plat is the medieval votive chapel of Sv. Ivana, first mentioned in 1366. Spiona is considered the oldest archaeological site in Plat and preserves traces of the Illyrians and Romans. The chapel and the site thus represent different historical themes: religious heritage and archaeological traces from Illyrian and Roman times.

History can also be seen in buildings and finds elsewhere in Općina Župa Dubrovačka. Mlini was once a centre of milling; one of the former mills is still well preserved. The Church of Sv. Ilara in Mlini is mentioned as early as the Dubrovnik Statute of 1272 and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1683. The Church of Sv. Petra, built in the 16th century, stands on Trapita Hill and offers a view over Župa Bay. Two construction phases can be distinguished at the Church of Sv. Nikole in Soline: a Gothic phase from the 14th and 15th centuries and an extension from the 18th century.

Archaeological traces add to this picture. Goričina, between Kupari and Srebreno, was once a settlement and a harbour; fragments of Roman amphorae, pottery and coins have been found there. In Srebreno, amphorae, urns and coins of Roman emperors are among the finds that point to the area’s historical continuity. Kupari, in turn, is considered the oldest tourist resort in Župa; the first hotel was built there in 1920. This describes the history of the place, not current hotel availability.

Culture and excursions

KUD Marko Marojica preserves the cultural heritage and Župa dances, and performs folk dances in traditional Župa costumes. This work has been carried out since 1976. Cultural excursions from Općina Župa Dubrovačka may also include museums in Dubrovnik, the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, the Church of St Blaise, the cathedral and monasteries. Local cultural traditions and Dubrovnik’s historic sights thus offer different themes for excursions.

Discover more destinations: Buići, Soline, Petrača, Brašina, Čibača, Mlini, Kupari, Brgat.

For the wider travel overview: Općina Župa Dubrovačka.