Peljesac and Vučina Bay near Trpanj

A specific landscape feature on Peljesac is Vučina Bay near Trpanj, in the north-west of the Pelješac Peninsula: it was designated a significant landscape in 1975. Other natural and cultural destinations in Dubrovnik-Neretva County offer different highlights—from archaeological sites and protected wetlands to hiking trails and boat trips. When planning, it is worth focusing on the places and activities that interest you most.

Archaeological sites and cultural heritage

In Vid, the Narona Archaeological Museum opened in 2007 as Croatia’s first museum built in situ. The Ereš Tower is an open-air museum of epigraphy, featuring Latin inscriptions and Roman monuments from the ancient city of Narona. The Church of St. Vid also displays finds from an early Christian church and a medieval cemetery.

Other archaeological destinations lie on the county’s islands and coast. Vela Spila, above Vela Luka on Korčula, is one of Croatia’s most important archaeological sites. Rača Cave on Lastovo is an archaeological site with traces of Illyrian and Roman presence. Near Cavtat is Šipun Cave, a protected speleological area since 1963 with an underground lake. These examples differ in character, ranging from finds and inscriptions to traces of early settlement and a protected cave.

Trails, islands and protected areas

Lastovo Islands Nature Park was designated in 2006 and covers 195 km²: 143 km² of sea and 52 km² of land. The park includes 46 islands, islets and reefs, including Lastovo and Sušac. Lastovo has more than 200 kilometres of marked hiking trails. There is also a specific route to choose from: the UBLI–LASTOVO cycling route is 9.45 kilometres long, paved and rated difficulty level 3 out of 5. This makes it possible to distinguish the extensive hiking trail network from the individual cycling route described here.

Mljet also offers a range of nature and cultural experiences. Mljet National Park is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean; the park has trails for hiking and cycling. Canoes, kayaks and bicycles can be rented at Mali Most—if these services are important to your plans, check in advance that they are available. The Benedictine monastery on the island of St. Mary in Veliko jezero is the national park’s most visited site. Near Saplunara, the two sandy bays of Velika Saplunara and Mala Saplunara form a protected significant landscape; pine forest surrounds both bays.

On the uninhabited island of Ošjak in the Korčula archipelago, a hiking trail runs around the entire island. If you would like to include a hike in your travel plans, this offers a clearly defined route. On Mljet, meanwhile, hiking, cycling and the monastery on St. Mary are all within a national park whose protected area also includes the sea.

Neretva: boat trip and wetlands

At the lower reaches of the Neretva, Prud is a special ornithological reserve and an important breeding ground for wetland birds. Modro oko and Lake Desne form another special nature reserve: a lake and canal system provide habitat for migratory birds. The two protected areas have different focuses: Prud is described as a breeding ground, while Modro oko and Desne are centred on providing habitat for migratory birds.

A traditional boat trip takes you through the narrow canals and tributaries of the Neretva. Hosts explain local fishing and citrus cultivation along the way. Another trip takes place in Lastovo Islands Nature Park: the sea tour includes a stop on Mladina Island in Saplun Bay, where swimming and diving are possible. Tour routes and reservations may change, so check the information about this trip for your travel dates.

Planning your trip

Dubrovnik-Neretva County has good boat connections, with regular services running daily; routes and timetables may change. Regular daily bus services between Croatia’s larger cities make the bus a popular travel option. If your plans depend on a boat connection, check the timetable in advance. When choosing a hotel location, it helps to first decide whether Peljesac and Vučina Bay, archaeological sites, island trails or the landscapes along the Neretva are the main focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Viganj, Duba, Trpanj, Orebić, Janjina, Općina Ston, Ugljan, Hvar.

To the main travel overview: Croatia.