Southern Croatia – what a beautiful place on Earth. It happens to be our home and we’re more than happy to live here. It’s also one of the most popular regions in Croatia. Part of that popularity comes from the Adriatic sea, beautiful beaches, a blend of the sea and the mountains, and Dubrovnik. You already know about Dubrovnik, probably the most single famous part of Croatia.
But while both the Adriatic Sea and Dubrovnik are worth experiencing, there is much more to visit in southern Croatia. Since we are native to this part of Croatia, we’ll take you through this part of Croatia and tell you about places you don’t want to miss when traveling through southern Croatia.
Aerial view of group of kayakers swimming at secluded beach near Drvenik in Dalmatia, Croatia. Let us say one more thing before we start. For the sake of this post, southern Croatia will be everything south of Split with Split not included. This city will have its separate article. We were thinking a lot when considering what places to put on this list, and surely, there are many more places on this list worth visiting in southern Croatia and we’ll probably write a lot about these in future articles. We had in mind that most of the people traveling through southern Croatia drive on the main coastal highway so to make things easier we tried to stay as close as possible to it.
We don’t expect you to visit all of these places in your single visit to the south of Croatia. That’s why we are going to write a bit about every place and you can decide what you would like to give it a try and what places would you like to leave for your next visit to Croatia.
Buckle your seat belts and let’s start a journey through the south of Croatia! We’re starting our journey from the city of Split.
Our Curated List Of The Best Tours To Experience The Southern Croatia
1. Omiš and Cetina River Starting with the northernmost part of southern Croatia, the city of Omiš is the first one you’ll encounter while traveling further south. Or if you are traveling in the opposite direction (from Dubrovnik ), it will be the last point. What to say about Omiš? It’s one of the best places for adventure tourism (often called as adventure capital of Croatia) in southern Croatia. One of the main attractions of Omiš is the Cetina River and its canyon.
When it comes to adventure activities in the Omiš area these include rafting on the Cetina river, one of the best zip lines in Croatia, or the Via Ferrata trail to the old fort (Fortica) on the top of the hill. Omiš is also one of the most popular places for rock climbing in southern Croatia. As soon as you see the photos of it, you’ll know why.
Apart from the adventures and beautiful nature, Omiš is also an old city with a rich history. Walk through its streets and you’ll be teleported into the history of sailormen, fishermen, and pirates.
Highlights:
Cetina River Adventures: Rafting, kayaking, and zip-lining through the spectacular canyon.Fortresses: Explore Fortica and Mirabela fortresses for panoramic views of the coastline and town.Pirate History: Discover the town’s past as a pirate stronghold through museums and guided tours.
Why Visit: Omiš is a perfect blend of adrenaline-filled activities and rich cultural heritage.
2. Makarska Riviera and Biokovo Nature Park Little further to the south lies Makarska Riviera and Makarska is its central city. As you are driving through southern Croatia you’ll inevitably pass through Makarska Riviera and Biokovo mountain will dominate your left side (in case you are driving south) while the Adriatic Sea will be on your right. Makarska Riviera is a landscape to enjoy both while driving or visiting one of its attractions. It’s full of beaches, and, to be honest, it’s probably a part of the best beaches in the whole of Croatia. We recommend you take a swim at one of the secluded beaches of Makarska Riviera before you head further into southern Croatia.
Biokovo Nature Park, on the other hand, is a mountainous region above the city of Makarska. It’s a beautiful landscape with great views and nice hikes. If you’re into hiking, we recommend you pay a visit to this park and explore Biokovo mountain. It would take you around 4 hours to drive through it and visit at least one of the surrounding peaks. There is a road going through the park but beware that it’s a narrow road and Biokovo is very popular so expect some queues. Especially now that the new attraction, Biokovo Skywalk, was made a few years ago.
Highlights:
Makarska Promenade: A lively waterfront lined with palm trees, cafes, and restaurants.Beaches: Crystal-clear waters and pebbly shores are perfect for sunbathing and swimming.Biokovo Nature Park: Hike or drive to the Biokovo Skywalk, a glass walkway offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.
Why Visit: The combination of pristine beaches and mountainous adventures makes this a must-visit destination.
3. Baćina Lakes Bacina lakes are a group of 7 lakes with 6 of them being connected by passages through vegetation. We like to call them the Oasis of Serenity because of the peaceful vibe they emit. Even in the high season, you can enjoy peace and quietness here. Bacina Lakes are perfect for adventure tours too. But let’s call it zen adventure tours with kayaking and stand-up paddling being the most popular tours you can try. We used to organize one of our most popular tours there – the Bacina Lakes kayaking tour and everyone loved it. People simply loved being in the serene environment of Baćina lakes.
Highlights:
Water Activities: Kayaking, paddleboarding, and traditional boat safaris.Cycling Trails: Scenic paths around the lakes with stunning views.Cold Springs: We dare you to jump into one of these.
Why Visit: Baćina Lakes offers peace and natural beauty away from the crowds.
4. Neretva River Delta Drive for 10 minutes further south and you’ll reach the Neretva river delta. It’s often regarded as ‘Croatian California’ because of all the fertile plantations. It’s the largest valley in southern Croatia. Today it’s very famous and regarded as one of the most popular spots for kitesurfing in Croatia.
It’s one of the most unique landscapes in Croatia and a place of rich natural biodiversity. If you like sandy beaches, this is a place you must visit because it’s full of sandbars and shallow sea.
Highlights:
Birdwatching: Spot rare and migratory birds in this ecological paradise.Kiteboarding: Take advantage of the shallow waters and steady winds that blow each summer afternoon.Traditional Cuisine: Try eel and frog specialties in local restaurants.
Why Visit: The delta is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
5. Mljet National Park Mljet National Park is the only national park in southern Croatia and it already means it’s worth visiting. Not the whole island is a national park but only a small part of it which is located in the northern part of the island. The main attractions of Mljet National Park are shallow lakes with a warm sea inside of them. The more shallow the lake, the warmer the temperature is. The water in them is salty, in fact, they are part of the sea and they have a connection to the sea but still are called lakes.
Mljet island is not so large so you don’t need much time to travel from one side to the other. It’s not so far to travel to the island too, you need a little bit more than half an hour of the ferry ride to reach it. Once in the national park, we suggest you rent a bike and ride around. Also, hike to the Montokuc peak inside the park for the best view imaginable. Some other places worth visiting on Mljet island are the Cave of the Odysseus and Limuni Bay (Saplunara Bay).
Highlights:
Saltwater Lakes: Swim or kayak in Veliko and Malo Jezero, two interconnected lakes.Benedictine Monastery: Visit the 12th-century monastery on St. Mary’s Island inside of the national parkCycling and Hiking: Explore the park’s trails through dense forests and along the coastline.
Why Visit: Mljet offers a serene escape with a perfect mix of natural and cultural attractions.
6. Any of the Islands Southern Croatia has many islands and one peninsula – Peljesac. The life on the islands is different than on the land and they differ in culture and lifestyle. We can’t recommend one island over another since all of them are beautiful in their own way. We don’t believe you’ll be able to visit all of them but consider visiting at least one. Hvar island is maybe easiest to reach while Lastovo island is the furthest. Dalmatian coast is truly a marvel of nature.
Highlights:
Hvar: famous for its lavender fields, crystal clear sea, and historic sites.Korčula: Explore the medieval architecture and enjoy wine tasting in this historic island town.Vis: A quieter island offering secluded beaches and the famous Blue Cave.Lastovo: Furtherst from the mainland, perfect if you love dark skies and less crowds
Why Visit: No matter if you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, or cultural exploration, the islands of Southern Croatia will reward you.
7. City of Ston The city of Ston is often regarded as a littlel Dubrovnik. It has old saltworks and old city walls. It’s also a place where the Peljesac peninsula begins so make sure you stop at Ston if you are traveling to Peljesac or Korcula. Visiting Ston won’t take much of your time and while there we suggest you try famous Ston Bay oysters.
Highlights:
Great Wall of Ston: Walk along this impressive fortification, one of the longest in Europe.Salt Pans: Learn about the ancient salt production process still in use today.Oysters: Taste some of the best oysters in Croatia, freshly harvested from nearby Mali Ston Bay.
Why Visit: Ston offers a unique mix of history, gastronomy, and natural beauty.
8. Trsteno Arboretum When driving toward Dubrovnik you’ll be passing through the place called Trsteno and you’ll see one of the largest trees you probably ever saw. These trees are called plane trees (Platanas) and they are one of the Trsteno trademarks. There is a big arboretum (kind of botanical garden) with various plants from all around the world and it’s the best place for botanical lovers in southern Croatia.
Highlights:
Ancient Trees: Admire the 500-year-old plane trees.Renaissance Gardens: Explore beautifully landscaped gardens with fountains and statues.Game of Thrones: Visit filming locations from the famous series.
Why Visit: Trsteno Arboretum combines natural beauty with historical intrigue.
9. Dubrovnik Dubrovnik doesn’t need a special introduction. Most people recognize Dubrovnik as one of the most popular cities in Croatia. It’s also one of the most visited although being at bottom of the southern Croatia. It’s maybe the most preserved historic city in Croatia with its walls surviving even the largest catastrophes such as earthquakes and the Croatian war for independence.
Dubrovnik is full of tourists most of the year with their number peaking in the summer months. We need to be honest and say that these rivers of tourists can make Dubrovnik hard to experience to the fullest but there are some things you can do such as start exploring the city early in the morning.
However, with all being said, Dubrovnik is something you don’t want to miss when traveling to southern Croatia. For most people, Dubrovnik is the reason for traveling south in the first place.
Highlights:
City Walls: Walk along the ancient walls for breathtaking views of the sea and Old Town.Old Town: Explore old streets, historic churches, and lively squares.Cable Car: Take a ride up Mount Srđ for panoramic vistas of Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands.
Why Visit: Dubrovnik is a must-see destination for its historical significance and beauty.
10. Konavle Konavle is at the bottom of southern Croatia, near the border with Montenegro. It was part of the old Dubrovnik Republic and it shares part of the same history with this famous city. Konavle has some nice places to visit, for example, Pasjaca beach which is recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. A large valley known as Konavle Valley dominates the region and the river Ljuta landscape is something to visit too.
Highlights:
Wine Tasting: Visit family-run vineyards and sample local wines.Cavtat: A picturesque coastal town with a relaxed atmosphere and cultural heritage.Outdoor Activities: Horseback riding and hiking through scenic countryside.
Why Visit: Konavle offers a glimpse into the authentic rural life of Southern Croatia.
Conclusion Southern Croatia offers much and it’s one of the most popular Croatian regions. As we said, most of the people visiting it often go to Dubrovnik, which is understandable considering its beauty and history. However, don’t let yourself pass through the whole of southern Croatia without visiting at least one of these places.
In case you are staying in southern Croatia for more time, we suggest you visit at least 5 of the places we mentioned here. You don’t want to spend your whole vacation in one place with so much beauty around you.
Travel and explore Croatia one place at a time. Enjoy!
