Dubrovnik City Guide

Dubrovnik Region

Islands > Lokrum > Kolocep > Lopud > Sipan > Mljet > Korcula > Lastovo

Towns > Dubrovnik > Cavtat > Trsteno > Slano > Ston > Orebic > Korcula > Blato > Vela Luka > Metkovic

Dubrovnik Region Map & Useful Links

Konavle, Elaphite Islands, Peljesac & Neretva

Konavle - The Dubrovnik riviera begins in Konavle. This is the most southern region, full of fertile valleys surrounded by mountains which border Bosnia-Hercegovina, while towards the sea rim, high Konavlian cliffs lead down towards the bay of Prevlaka, the port of Molunat and the town of Cavtat. The variety of landscapes of Konavle have attained and preserved a harmony between natural beauty, cultivated and cultural tradition of the wealthy agricultural industry, indigenous stone architecture, statues and sacral objects, and a rich folk tradition whose lovely and harmonious attributes finds their expression in Konavles folk costume and the beautiful women who wear them. Konavle can be experienced and enjoyed in many differnt ways: rural tourism, traditional folk performances, walks and excursions to historically significant buildings, archeological sites, fortifications, and a visit to the mountains in search of the source of the river. For lovers of calm and peaceful surroundings, a visit to the Franciscan monastery is recommended (it is the process of reconstruction). For those who enjoy activity, they are welcome to delight in a swim in the crystal clear sea or to enjoy a sport of nigh-time fishing. They are welcome to enjoy the gastronomic offerings of the Dalmatian kitchen and to appreciate the aesthetic of the local embroidered handicrafts. And after all this, pleasure is to be found in the quality of the catering provided by hotels, villas and restaurants in Cavtat. This small town, with its mediaeval character, offers distinctive and rich opportunities to visit art galleries and book shops and to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. This modern leisure experience, it the crowning feature of ones stay in Konavle. t is a real treat to savour the "prsut" (smoked ham), kopsica, lamb and baked potatoes washed down with a glass of Malvasia, sitting in the shade of an old Konavli house, listening to the sound of the Ljuta stream.

Elaphite Islands - The sea-covered part of this region actually much larger than the land. The sea abounds with islands, both large and small. Archipelagos of tiny islets netle of the coast of the larger islands, such as Korcula, Mljet and Lastovo. Larger island villages have their own islets, which they use for various purposes. Some of them were used as quarries and others as pastures for sheep or for the growing of timber and firewood. Still more are dedicated to God or to patron saints and are empty save for a solitary church or monastery. In old times, the worlds smallest cathedral was located on the island of Mrkan. The three Elaphite islands - Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan - are self - contained worlds. They are large enough to provide all that is necessary for a comfortable life. Each of them is like a huge garden criss-crossed by footpaths that connect two large bays on the opposite sides of the island. On Kolocep, each of these bays harbours a small fishing village protected by a fortress; on the path between the two villages, you will pass a dozen ancient churches, about half of which are valuable architectural monuments. On Lopud island, only the western bay harbours a village: elegant summer residences rubbing shoulders with sailors homes a fortified Franciscan monastery, the Doges palace, the Dominican monastery and several churches built by seafaring men. On Sipan, the two villages, both of them boasting picturesque summer residances, are situated on opposing bays and are separated by a large field, flanked by churches, summer residences and the Doges palace. This cultivated paysage reveals the residents talent for combining the leisur of a holiday in the country with the benefits of agriculture. The compact beauty of the Elaphites creates the illusion, voiced aloud more than once, that no one can die there.

Peljesac - offers one of the most romantic of Adriatic landscapes. The coast line is dotted with wonderful coves, white beaches, centuries old cypress trees, fantastic plant-covered ridges with the fragrance of sage, cool pine forests. A magnificent view unfolds before you from the peak of St. Ilijas Mountain (961 m). From this position, one can see the entire island of Korcula as well as the island of Hvar, Vis, Mljet, Lastovo. The monastery and Church of the Holy Mother of Angels above Orebic have been erected on the most attractive site, where one can rest ones gaze upon one of the loveliest Dalmatian channels in which rugged hills melt with groups of small islands and brown ridges with oleander and forests of cypress and pine. Two picturesque towns, Little and Large Ston, are positioned in between the peninsula and dry land. With Dubrovnik, they were the most important and well-secured sites in the in the Dubrovnik Republic. Strong mediaeval walls protected the possesions and property of the wealthy citizens of the Republic on Peljesac. Between the peninsula and dry land, a small bay in Little Ston was carved out which the local townsfolk call the Little Sea. During archeological digs, petrified oyster shells have been discovered, which proves that shellfish was a part of peoples diets while coral was used as an instrument of adornment, bred in this area for over a thousand years. In spite of the rugged environment, hardworking agricultural workers succeeded for centuries in preserving the fertile earth. Aside from vegetable and fruit production, they have also succeeded in producing world renowned wine such as Dingac and Postup, a favourite souvenir and gift which will please every wine expert. Orebic and the entire Peljesac riviera, along with Kuciste and Viganj have been homes to sailors from time immemorial. The most dazzling period of this tradition was in the last century when it was, along with its 60 or so big sailing boats, the second largest maritime port on the east coast of the Adriatic. At the peak of their wealth, renowned families built in Orebic stone houses of exceptional beauty.

Neretva - The Neretva river tract, flowing downstream, widens considerably once it reaches Pocitelj and than the raging mountainous river empties into the most indented delta in Croatia. This is a wonderful landscape where the river meets the sea, of plains and karst, lakes and marshes. A pleasant Mediterranean climate is a characteristic of this region. The average yearly temperature hovers above 15 degrees Celsius and with more than 2700 hours of sunshine each year, this makes the Neretva delta the sunniest part of the Croatian seaboard. The most well-known characteristic of the lower Neretva landscape have long been the marshlands with their abundance of fish and swamp birds. Soil-conservation and land-reclamation practices in the last few decades have transformed considerably the regions agriculture, the most famous being the cultivation of citrus fruits. A wide variety of flora and fauna are protected with the establishment of three omithological and ichthyo-ornithological reserves. The lower Neretva strem is not just a local feature but a key region in the cycle of migration, hibernation and the nesting of birds as well as a hatching ground for numerous types of fish. Bacina lakes, not far from the traffic route in the Neretva River valley, is another place of beauty which must be visited. North-west of the Neretva estuary, only two kilometres from the port city of Ploce, a series of six picturesque lakes lie in a rocky valley. The bottom of Bacina lakes lies below sea-level, while the lakes surface lies above it. Trade brought the ancient Greeks to this area, and during the time of ancient Rome the area was a part of the province of Dalmatia. The city of Narona was then one of the largest economic end cultural centres on the Adriatic Coast. The migration of people here brought Croatians principalities. The Neretva principality had dominance over the sea and from the 11th Century was a part of the Croatian Kingdom. This region is most famous for its gastronomic specialities. Eels, black water hens and frogs legs, amongst others, are specialities of the Dalmatian kitchen and present an excellent reason to visit the area.

(For more photos visit Dubrovnik Region Photo Gallery)

Dubrovnik Region, Lokrum, Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, Mljet, Korčula, Lastovo, Cavtat, Trsteno, Slano, Ston, Orebić, Blato, Vela Luka, Metković, Konavle, Elaphiti Islands, Pelješac, Neretva