UPDATE: Since the Peljesac bridge was built, Ploče to Trpanj ferry line traffic reduced by at least 95 percent. Ploče was alwas crowded during the summer months, simply because people were waiting for this ferry in order to avoid border crossing when traveling between Split and Dubrovnik.
Still, we’ll leave this article for anyone who still wants to travel this ferry line and explore the city of Ploče and beautiful places that surround it.
We often write about the city we used to live in – the city of Ploce. It’s a small city in southern Croatia, and honestly, it’s not as nowhere as visited as nearby Makarska Riviera but that’s the problem we addressed in some of our previous articles. Most tourists coming to Ploce are the ones taking Ploce to Trpanj ferry that will lead them to the beautiful Peljesac peninsula. Although a lot of this changed in the past few years and more and more people choose to stay in Ploče for their vacation in Croatia.
But what used to happen when it comes to past times is that most of the people waiting for the Ploce to Trpanj ferry would get stuck in the queue for at least a few hours. So we thought that it might be a good idea to write about things you can do during these few hours instead of just waiting in the car.
Ploce to Trpanj ferry port (not the actual ferry) So let us tell you about a few things you can do in Ploče when having a few hours to spare.
1. Walk the Ploče sea promenade
As you’ll see from the ferry port, Ploce is not a tourist city like some others you see on the Dalmatian coast . That’s because the city of Ploce is the youngest one in Croatia and it was developing together with a seaport which is the second – largest seaport in Croatia today.
Boats on the sea promenade in Ploce But still, even with it being an industrial city, it has one of the most beautiful sea promenades in Croatia. It’s used to be characterized by large palm trees (not anymore unfortunately) and surrounding parks in which shade you can relax. Walking the Ploce promenade is something a lot of locals do every day, it’s almost as a ritual and this promenade have a special place in the life of every citizen of this city.
Overall, it’s much better to take this walk near the sea than to sit in the car scrolling on your mobile phone for 2 hours. So if you are waiting your ferry ride from Ploče to Trpanj, here’s a good thing to do.
2. visit the old railway station
Not that old but it’s surely one of the most peculiar buildings in Ploce and maybe in the whole of Croatia too. At least when it comes to railway stations. It’s a building from which many important railway lines were starting from some 30 years ago.
A 360 Panorama of Ploce railway station Unfortunately, Ploce railway station is not serving its purpose today because there is no more passenger traffic going on (or it’s very rare). The building is still where it was for all this time, waiting for some better times.
Ploce railway station as seen from the outside Ploce railway station is just a few minutes of walk from the ferry port and it’s a nice architectural piece you can visit in the city of Ploče.
3. visit one of the old parts of ploce
We mentioned that Ploce is the youngest city in Croatia and as such, there are no old city parts like in other Croatian cities, such as in Dubrovnik for example. However, the city of Ploce is kind of a time machine that will take you back to the 1950s when this city started developing.
Prisnica hill with old buildings engulfed in morning mist Some older parts of Ploce are still preserved in the condition they were when they were originally built. Prisnica Hill and Rogotinska street are one of the oldest parts and that’s easily visible from the way the buildings of these parts of the city were built. We suggest visiting either of these places and if you have more time, visit both. Prisnica is closer to the ferry port and it will take you around 5 minutes to reach it.
Aerial view of Rogotinska street in Ploce The city of Ploce has very peculiar architecture, you’re going to see that at the same moment you enter the city. One of the most prominent features of this architecture is the famous Ploce skyscrapers which rise just above the sea promenade. And if you look closely, you can easily see how different decades have different styles. It’s all visible right here, in the city of Ploce.
Famous Ploce skyscrapers and sea promenade in front of them 4. visit ploce homeland collection
Now if you want to find out more about Ploče and its development, you better head toward Ploce homeland collection. We still don’t have any museums in Ploce and this is as close you can get to the museum experience. But this might change soon since there are some prehistoric archeological artifacts found near Ploce.
Ploce homeland collection is situated at Gračka 2 address. This collection presents you with a series of photographs and old items from the Ploce area and tells a story about how the Ploče city became what it is today, a small industrial city in southern Croatia .
5. chill in one of ploce parks
If you are waiting for Ploce to Trpanj ferry and don’t feel like you want to walk at all but still don’t want to stay in the car, then chilling in one of the Ploce green oasis is the best thing for you. Two of Ploce’s main parks are a minute of walking away from the ferry port while the third one is situated along the sea promenade.
One of the city parks near to Ploce to Trpanj ferry port Any of these parks will offer you a nice shade and you can even have a picnic there.
combining ploce to trpanj ferry with other activities in the area
We love to say that Ploče area is one of the best places for adventure tourism in Croatia . Many people would laugh at this claim, but we stand by it. It has lakes, rivers, the sea, valleys and mountains, all in the radius of 10 kilometers. The problem is, the adventure tourism infrastructure is still not developed and there are not many adventure agencies in the area.
We used to organize adventure tours in the Ploče area for 8 seasons, so let us just introduce you to the few places you can visit around Ploče, whether you’re waiting for the Ploče to Trpanj ferry or just passing by.
Baćina Lakes is a group consisting of 7 connected lakes and it’s the most serene place on the Dalmatian coast. You’ll spot them if you’re using the coastal scenic route from Makarska Riviera to reach Ploče. We used to organize our Baćina lakes kayaking tour right here and everybody who went kayaking with us fell in love with this place instantly.
Landscape of Bacina lakes Neretva River Delta is located just 15 minutes of driving away from the city of Ploče and it’s a completely different landscape than the one of the Baćina Lakes. It’s a rich valley which Neretva river makes at the final stages of its journey before it pours into the Adriatic sea near the city of Ploče. Both Neretva river Valley and its mouth are great places to explore and there are some nice places to visit and explore. Neretva river delta is also known as one of the best places for kiteboarding in Croatia .
Makarska Riviera is yet another landscape close to the city of Ploče. It’s the part of Croatia renowed for its blend of Biokovo mountain and Adriatic sea. Makarska Riviera beaches are also among the most beautiful beaches in all of Croatia. Biokovo mountain is a home to a Biokovo Nature Park , a place we definitely suggest you visit if you are into hiking or natural landscapes.
Before you Venture to other places of Croatia
If your destination is Peljesac peninsula or some other part of southern Croatia, and you plan to take Ploce to Trpanj ferry, then you might consider coming to Ploce or its surroundings a day earlier, spend a night here and explore around. Even if you are traveling from Split to Dubrovnik or from Dubrovnik to Split , Ploče is a great stop in a middle and worth spending a day at to explore all that this city offers.
Or you could come in the morning of the same day and take the latest Ploce to Trpanj ferry. There are many things to do around and one day would be enough to experience at least part of the beautiful places around Ploce.
Hope we manged to persuade you to stay and explore around before taking Ploce to Trpanj ferry. Have a great holiday in Croatia.
