The lovely medieval city of Dubrovnik, Croatia is often referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic for its amazing architecture and historic Old Town. There is undoubtedly much to see and do in the bustling city, but the surrounding towns, villages and islands in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro also boast an astonishing wealth of history, culture and tourist attractions. Fortunately, most of these are easily accessible by road or boat in less than 2 hours and can be explored on a day trip. You can rent a car and drive yourself, depend on the local busses and ferries or opt to join a guided tour.
Blagaj, Bosnia
Blagaj is a beautiful historic village located across the border in Bosnia, about 132 north of Dubrovnik. You can drive there yourself or join a guided tour from Dubrovnik At the top of the list of attractions is the Dervish Monastery and the source of the beautiful River Buna – ladies will need to wear a head-scarf if they wish to enter the monastery. Next up are the ruins of the Blagaj Castle – the stately ruins also offer excellent views out over the countryside. Last but not least is the chance to tour the stately Velagic House, an impressive Ottoman Villa. You will be shown around by the owner who will share a wealth of local history and legend.
Blagaj, 88201, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Budva, Montenegro
Budva is located about 2.5 hours south of Dubrovnik in Montenegro. Before being discovered by tourists, the town was little more than a sleepy coastal village. Today you can explore the beautiful Old Town, parts of which were established over 2,500 years ago. Here you can explore narrow cobbled alleyways lined with ancient buildings. Highlights include the Citadel Fortress, the Church of St. John (Sveti Ivan) and the Praskvica Monastery. The town is surrounded by pebbled beaches, azure waters and small off-shore islands where you can soak up some sun. At night the town re-invents itself as the party capital of Montenegro, with loud music pouring from every bar and restaurant.
Budva, 85310 Montenegro
Cavtat
Located at the southern-most tip of the Croatian coastline, 20km south of Dubrovnik, Cavtat is a pretty sea-side town which can be reached by road or by boat. Here, seemingly miles removed from the tourist bustle of Dubrovnik, you can soak up some genuine Croatian atmosphere. This is a great place to take a walk along the harbor stopping here and there to sip a drink or enjoy a meal. The main sights include the House of Vlaho Bukovac, a prominent Croatian artist from the late 19th century. His house/museum is filled with his work and frescoes he painted as a teenager. Other places to visit include the Racic Mausoleum, the Rector’s Palace and the harbor-side Our Lady of Snow Monastery.
Cavtat 20210, Croatia
Elafiti Islands
The Elafiti Islands are a collection of small islands located northwest of the city of Dubrovnik. These quiet wooded islands are a world removed from the tourist throngs of Dubrovnik and offer a quiet and easily accessible day excursion. You can reach them via a daily ferry service or request a water taxi. Once there you can explore on foot (no cars are allowed) and enjoy walking/hiking to numerous sandy bays and coves lapped by azure waters. You can also rent a bike or kayak. The islands are home to a handful of historic buildings including a few churches, the ruins of a fortress and a Franciscan Monastery which is now used as a luxury vacation residence.
Elafiti Islands, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Konavle Valley
Located in the extreme south of Croatia between Cavtat and the Montenegro border, the Konavle Valley is locally referred to as the golden valley. The valley is bounded on the west by a rocky coastline while to the east of the fertile valley there are mountains and waterfalls to discover. You can reach the area in about 20 minutes by road or sea from Dubrovnik. Activities include learning about local Croatian culture at the Cilipi Village, enjoying outdoor recreational activities like horse-back riding and cycling or going on a wine-tasting tour. The valley is home to many restaurants and is rumored to be an excellent destination for foodies.
Konavle Valley, 20000 Croatia
Korcula
Korcula is the 6th largest island in Croatia and is widely considered to be a wonderful destination for visitors to explore. The 20-mile long island is largely covered by forests, but it does have a few very interesting towns. The largest of these is Korcula Town, often called “Little Dubrovnik” due to its Old Town which is home to many medieval squares, ancient buildings and palaces. The town walls date back to the 13th century and are a joy to explore. Other highlights include the 15th-century St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Abbey Treasury and the Town Museum. Adventurous visitors can take a cycle tour of the island to visit the other 2 villages of Vela Luca and Lumbarda.
Korcula, 20260 Croatia
Kotor, Montenegro
Located across the border in Montenegro, Kotor is a popular day-trip destination from Dubrovnik. The town is mainly famous for its wealth of medieval architecture which will enthrall all history and architecture enthusiasts. Kotor is a town of extreme contrasts where ancient old squares are lined with modern cafes and narrow cobblestone alleys lead visitors to comfortable modern hotels. The historic old town Kotor is considered to be one of the finest medieval examples in the Mediterranean and visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes – there are a great many steps to navigate. Highlights include the medieval town bulwarks, the 12th century cathedral (Sveti Tripun) and the Watch Tower. Of course, there are many restaurants and coffee shops were you can take a break.
Kotor, 85330 Montenegro
Lokrum
Lokrum is the closest of Dubrovnik’s offshore islands and is the one you can clearly see from the Old Town. The little island is easy to access by boat – regular boats leave every 30min in summer and take just 15 minutes to reach the island. A more adventurous way to getting to Lokrum is to join a guided kayak excursion. Once you reach the island you can explore the lovely Botanical Gardens which were established in the 19th century and are home to a large variety of trees. Hidden among these you will find the ruins of a medieval monastery. In summer visitors can soak up the sun, swim and snorkel around the island and enjoy spotting varied wildlife.
Lokrum, Dubrovnik 20000, Croatia
Medjugorje
Located just over the Croatian/Bosnian border, Medjugorje is a popular Catholic pilgrimage destination. Local legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to a group of children here in the 1980’s, and that some of them still claim to benefit from regular visitations. Underscoring the legend, there are stories of many miracles occurring in the town including restored vision, healed illnesses and much more. For this reason, millions of pilgrims visit the village annually and hike up the hills to the spot where the original apparition occurred, where crosses and a large statue of the Virgin Mary have been erected.
Medjugorje, 88266 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mljet National Park
Mljet National Park is a large and scenic protected area on the north west of Mljet Island. The island is easily accessible by boat from Dubrovnik and offers outdoor enthusiasts a large recreational area which can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The park surrounds two saltwater lakes which are ideal for swimming and kayaking. In the center of the larger lake there is a small island which is home to an ancient monastery building which dates back to the 12th century. You can reach this little island by boat and enjoy a snack or drink at the monastery restaurant. Visitors can rent bicycles and kayaks at Mali Most.
Mljet National Park, Road 120, Mljet Island, 20226 Croatia, Phone: +385-20-74-40-41
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mostar is a very lovely medieval city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which straddles the Neretva River. Like many other towns in the region, Mostar is a delight to explore on foot, particularly if you are interested in historic architecture. The city’s most prominent landmark is the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), an impressive arched structure which dates back to medieval times and was reconstructed after the war. You can learn about the history of the bridge and the city at the Old Bridge Museum. Other attractions include bustling shops, boutiques and markets in the Old Town. Joining a free guided walking tour is a great way to soak up the atmosphere and learn all about the city and its troubled past.
Mostar, 88000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Neretva River
The majestic Neretva River runs 225km from the Dinaric Alps in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Croatian coastline. Along the way the river offers a wide variety of boat tours and water sports. Visitors who are looking for something a little different can sign up for a guided boat trip along the coastal river delta. Your journey will take you along the swampy delta canals, which are teeming with unusual wildlife. Some tours focus on photographic opportunities while others are dedicated to foodies wanting to discover some local Croatian delicacies. At the other end of the scale, the river also welcomes adventure seekers who can enjoy white-water rafting excursions and guided canoe safaris.
Neretva River, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Croatia
Peljesac
The Peljesac Peninsula is a narrow and scenic strip of land which lies between the Croatia mainland and Korcula Island. The peninsula is relatively under-populated and is famous for its quiet beaches, quaint villages and lush mountains. You can happily spend an entire day driving from village to village and beach to beach.
Along the way you can admire some historic fortifications like the 5.5km Ston Walls and visit a salt plain. However, most visitors come to the peninsula to enjoy the beaches, visits to wineries and olive groves and to sample sensational fresh seafood. Hiking and biking are other popular activities and there is a windsurfing and kite-surfing center at Viganj.
Peljesac Peninsula, 20250 Croatia
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is possibly a little too far from Dubrovnik for a day trip (about 4 hours by road) but is definitely worth visiting on an overnight journey of discovery. The city is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and dates back to the 15th century. Today Sarajevo is a great example of a city which expertly combines old and new, East and West. History buffs will remember Sarajevo as the place where WWI commenced and for the 3-year siege which occurred in the 1990’s. Top attractions include the Sarajevo Tunnel and War Museum, the Bascarsija Historic Market, the landmark Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque and an iconic 18th century wooden fountain called the Sebilj.
Sarajevo, 71000 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Split
The sprawling red-roofed city of Split is Croatia’s second largest city and is home to some amazing tourist attractions. It will take you just over 3 hours to get from Dubrovnik to Split by road and an hour longer if you choose to travel by boat – it would be best to plan on staying overnight to see all the sights. Most visitors will end up spending most of their time exploring a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and ancient buildings around Diocletian's Palace, which dates back to 295AD. Other highlights of your visit include climbing up the bell tower of St. Dominus Cathedral, admiring the ancient buildings in the Old Town and feasting on delectable fresh seafood along at a pavement café along the promenade.
Ston
Ston is a pleasant little town located on the Peljesac Peninsula, which lies just off the coastline of Dubrovnik. Its claim to fame (and the reason why you should add it to your to-do list), is that the Ston Town Walls are famously the longest defensive structure in Europe. The walls stretch for 5.5 km and are sufficiently impressive to be called the “European Walls of China”. These defensive structures were built in the 14th and 15th century, to offer additional protection to the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) and to protect her precious salt pans. Just up the road you will find the famous oyster beds of Mali Ston (Little Ston) - feasting on these little treasures is another good reason to visit Ston.
Ston , 20230 Croatia
The Kravice Water Falls (Studenci)
When you feel the need to escape the touristy hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik, a trip to the very beautiful Kravice Water Falls in Bosnia and Herzegovina is an ideal choice. Here you can spend the day getting back to nature surrounded by lush forests, plummeting waterfalls and a pristine natural environment. The Kravice Water Falls are located on the Trebizat River and are made up of a dramatic semi-circle of around 20 individual falls which tumble around 25 meters over a large limestone tuff. Once you arrive (it is best to arrange a private tour) you can enjoy swimming in the natural pool and exploring a natural grotto. The falls are open to the public from May to October.
The Kravice Water Falls , Neretva Valley, Studenci 88300, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Trogir
Trogir is another must-see historical town which is located 17 miles north of Split – about 3.5 hours from Dubrovnik. The town was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997 and dates back to around the 3rd century BC. There are several interesting tourist attractions including the stately Cathedral of St. Lawrence, which was completed in 1250. Inside the cathedral is the 1468 Chapel of St. John, which is considered to be the finest Renaissance structure in Dalmatia. You can also admire the City Walls and the City Gate and the Cipiko Palaces. The town is beautifully situated on the coast, offering beautiful views in all directions from her long promenade.
Trsteno Arboretum - The Gardens of Peace
Trsteno Arboretum - The Gardens of Peace is located about 12km from Dubrovnik, where it surprises and delights visitors around every corner. The beautiful gardens are believed to be around 500 years old and boast extravagantly lush vegetation which seems to tumble from the hillside down to the coastline. The gardens cover over 6 acres and are home to upwards of 300 species of plants and trees from all corners of the globe. Ancient sailors brought back precious seeds which were planted here to form the backbone of the arboretum. To ensure that they flourished an aqueduct was built. There are also several handsome statues and fountains to admire.
Trsteno Arboretum - The Gardens of Peace, 20233 Trsteno, Croatia, Phone: +385-20-75-10-19
Vjetrenica Cave
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s largest and most interesting cave is located in the Dinaric Alps, about one hour from Dubrovnik. The best way to visit the Vjetrenica Cave is by joining a private guided tour, which will usually also include lunch and a stop at the Railroad of Ciro Museum.
Vjetrenica Cave is known to be over 6 km long and the area which can be explored on foot is around 700 m long.
The cave is thought to be the richest of its kind in the world when it comes to subterranean biodiversity. Visitors are allowed to wander through the cave at their own pace but you will learn so much more if you join a guided tour.
Vjetrenica Cave, R426, Zavala, 88370 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Phone: +387-36-89-10-34
