Dubrovnik-Neretva County

The county has a varied coastline; mountains separate it from the inland area. Regular daily ferry services operate within the county. Frequent, regular bus services run between cities and towns; major Croatian cities are also connected daily.

Landscape highlights include Mljet National Park and the Lastovo Islands Nature Park. In Mljet National Park, the lakes Veliko jezero and Malo jezero lie within a karst landscape. There are opportunities for hiking and cycling there, as well as in the Lastovo Islands Nature Park, which has more than 200 kilometres of these trails in total.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a focal point for architecture and culture. Those interested in island nature can consider Mljet National Park or the Lastovo Islands Nature Park. On Korčula, above Vela Luka, lies Vela spila cave, an important archaeological site and a geomorphological natural monument. These different themes give you a factual basis for comparing destinations without reducing the entire county to a single type of holiday.

For regional orientation, you can also find the area listings Općina SmokvicaOpćina Smokvica, Općina Kula NorinskaOpćina Kula Norinska, Općina MetkovićOpćina Metković, PomenaPomena, Općina PločeOpćina Ploče, Općina OpuzenOpćina Opuzen, Općina Župa DubrovačkaOpćina Župa Dubrovačka, Općina DubrovnikOpćina Dubrovnik, Općina PojezerjeOpćina Pojezerje, Općina KonavleOpćina Konavle, Općina LastovoOpćina Lastovo, Općina Dubrovačko PrimorjeOpćina Dubrovačko Primorje and Općina SlivnoOpćina Slivno.

Mljet National Park is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean. Veliko jezero and Malo jezero form a rare geological and oceanographic phenomenon within the karst landscape. A network of hiking and cycling trails runs through the national park; the Montokuc viewpoint offers views of the lakes, the open sea and the surrounding islands. On Mljet, a marked hiking trail also leads from Babino Polje to Odysseus’ Cave.

The Lastovo Islands Nature Park also has plenty to offer nature enthusiasts: 145 bird species have so far been recorded throughout the archipelago. Up to 70 percent of Croatia’s population of Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii) nests on islets in the eastern part of the nature park. For nature enthusiasts, birdlife is a reason in its own right to explore the nature park, alongside its trails and landscapes.

On Mljet, culture and nature also go hand in hand: a Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century stands on the island of Sveti Marija in Veliko jezero. Saplunara is another protected landscape. Its sandy coves, Velika Saplunara and Mala Saplunara, are framed by dense pine forest and Mediterranean vegetation.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town preserves Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. During the summer months, the Linđo folklore group and its ensemble perform traditional music and dance at the historic Lazareti. On Lastovo, the carnival is considered living intangible cultural heritage and one of Croatia’s most treasured customs. Cave finds at Vela spila on Korčula point to continuous human presence since the Early Stone Age.

Regional dishes also tell of distinct culinary traditions. Green manestra has a centuries-old history and was one of the favourite dishes of Dubrovnik’s aristocracy. The Neretva Valley is known for brodetto made with eel and frog, usually served with polenta. If you take cuisine into account alongside nature and culture when planning your trip, you can compare these regional highlights with a clear focus.

Kayaking is offered in various places across the county, including in and around Dubrovnik, on the island of Mljet and in Cavtat. In Konavle, horseback riding excursions pass through vineyards, olive groves and extensive meadows along the Ljuta River, or follow cliffs above the sea. Another way to get to know the landscape is to take a traditional boat through the Neretva’s narrow channels and branches.

The transport connections mentioned above are also important for regional planning: ferry services operate daily, and frequent, regular bus services connect cities and towns. There are also daily connections between major Croatian cities. When choosing your accommodation, consider which places and activities are most important for your trip, and include transport options in your plans.

Where can you find hiking and cycling trails?

A network of hiking and cycling trails runs through Mljet National Park. The Lastovo Islands Nature Park has more than 200 kilometres of hiking and cycling trails in total.

Where is kayaking offered?

Kayaking is offered in and around Dubrovnik, on the island of Mljet and in Cavtat, among other places.

What bus and ferry connections are available?

Regular daily ferry services operate within the county. Frequent, regular bus services connect cities and towns; major Croatian cities are connected daily.

For the broader travel overview: Croatia.