Lastovo Municipality: Island Nature, History and Starry Skies

The Lastovo Archipelago comprises 46 islands, islets and reefs; the largest island covers 50 square kilometres. The combined coastline of Lastovo, its islets and reefs measures 115.9 kilometres. Lastovo thus brings together an extensive island landscape with distinctive natural and cultural features.

Nature, protected area and starry skies

Lastovo and the surrounding waters make up the Lastovo Islands Nature Park, designated in 2006. Around 70 percent of the archipelago is forested; Lastovo is one of Croatia’s most wooded islands. The night sky is also a defining feature of this natural environment: Lastovo has one of the darkest night skies in Europe, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. Public lighting is designed so that no light is emitted upwards.

The archipelago is a resting and breeding area for migratory birds, including the Yelkouan shearwater and Scopoli’s shearwater. A total of 810 species have been recorded, including endangered species as well as local endemic and subendemic species. Nature enthusiasts can experience both the remarkable night sky and the diversity of bird and other species as different ways of appreciating the protected area.

One feature to bear in mind when finding your way around the island: Lastovo is the only settlement that is not directly by the sea.

Hiking, cycling and experiences on the water

More than 200 kilometres of hiking trails on Lastovo are maintained by nature park rangers. The old Ubli–Lastovo forest road is a hiking route of about seven kilometres. This makes it possible to consider the extensive trail network and one specifically named route as different scales for planning.

For cycling, there are quiet paved roads and numerous forest tracks. The Lastovo–Skrivena Luka route is 7.25 kilometres long, runs on asphalt and is rated 3 out of 5 for difficulty. Its length, surface and difficulty rating offer concrete points of reference when weighing this route against other planned activities.

Independent diving is prohibited in the waters of the nature park. Dives are available with authorised guides from Ankora in Zaklopatica or Ronilački raj–Lastovo in Pasadur. As protected-area regulations and authorised operators may change, check the current conditions before making plans.

The park also offers an educational boat excursion. It visits northern bays, stops at Saplun for swimming and diving, and returns via Skrivena Luka and Pasadur. Availability and route details may change, so check the excursion against your planned date in advance.

Archaeology and cultural heritage

Archaeological finds in Rača Cave indicate a continuous human presence on Lastovo since the Stone Age, from approximately 8500 BC. The Lastovo Statute, the island’s first written legal code, dates from 1310. These two milestones represent different chapters: early human presence and a later written legal code.

The Poklad carnival tradition has been preserved on Lastovo since 1483 and is recognised as Croatia’s intangible cultural heritage. The island’s religious heritage includes 38 churches and chapels, including ruins; 21 of them are registered as protected cultural heritage.

Several buildings have specific dates and stories. The Kašćel fortress stands on Glavica above Lastovo. Its current structure was built in 1808 and is used as a meteorological station. Sv. Marija na Grži was built in 1442 and contains a wooden altarpiece from the 16th century by painters from Dubrovnik. An inscription at the parish church of Sv. Kuzma i Damjan below Dovac commemorates construction work carried out by Radosan in 1473. Ubli is home to the excavated remains of an early Christian basilica dating from the 6th century.

Island products and cuisine

OPG Darinka Krnčević produces island products, including bitter orange, lemon and peach jams, figs in Prošek, liqueurs, rakija, capers and sea fennel. The business also offers tastings; offerings may change.

Konoba pizzeria Amfora serves the traditional Lastovo dishes zelje na tabak and slanutak. Restaurant menus may also change; check before your visit if you are interested.

Discover more destinations: Ubli, Lastovo, Pasadur, Skrivena Luka, Župa Dubrovačka Municipality, Pojezerje Municipality, Kula Norinska Municipality, Slivno Municipality.

See the broader travel overview: Dubrovnik-Neretva County.