Gem of the Croatian south. Croatian California. Heaven on Earth. There are many names for the same landscape – Neretva Valley. Embark with us in the exploration of this place of sun, sand, river, and sea. And don’t forget to stop by and explore a bit, you might find some sunken treasure – literally.
Neretva Valley is a unique landscape in Croatia with many places ready to be explored. Some of them are already pretty famous, like the Neretva river mouth which is one of the most popular places for kiteboarding in Croatia. Some others, like Kuti lake, are secluded and harder to reach, thus not so visited. But who knows, maybe in these hidden places of the valley you’ll find ‘your dream place’.
This landscape is made by the Neretva river which has a source in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Only 20 kilometers of this mighty river flows through Croatia and finally reaches the Adriatic Sea near the city of Ploče. In this last part of its journey, the Neretva River is a slow and peaceful river, somewhat resembling a human being in his last years of life. But it seems that this river made its most special landscape right here at its end.
Let’s explore some of the best places in Neretva Valley together!
Our top pick of the tours you must try in the Neretva area
Where Is the Neretva Valley Located? The Neretva Valley stretches along the lower course of the Neretva River in southern Dalmatia, Croatia, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The three most famous cities in the Neretva Valley are Ploce, Opuzen, and Metkovic. We won’t discuss these cities much because the real beauty of Neretva Valley is not hidden in them, in fact, it is not hidden at all, it’s everywhere around you.
Also, if you are traveling between 2 famous cities in Croatia – Split and Dubrovnik , you are passing right through the Neretva valley. So it would be a wise idea to stop and explore some of the places we are writing about in this article.
1. Neretva River Mouth (Neretva Delta) Neretva River mouth is the most popular place in the whole valley. It’s right where Neretva kisses the Adriatic Sea. Somehow it seems that this is the central part of the valley and everything is happening right here. If you are to visit the Neretva river mouth in the summer months you would find many kitesurfers enjoying their lifestyle. They do this, especially in the afternoon hours when the God of Wind awakens. Many swimmers would be around too, swimming or enjoying one of the sandy beaches.
The landscape ofthe Neretva river mouth is full of sandy beaches, sandbars, and shallow sea. We even think it’s the place with the most sandy beaches in the whole of Croatia. The good thing is that it’s close to the main regional road (Magistrala) and, even if you are just passing by, you’ll need only 10 minutes diversion to reach this place and 10 more to return to your original route. Worth taking a chance, what do you say? Who knows, you might even stay here for your whole vacation.
Aerial view of sunset at Neretva river mouth and one of the best places for kiteboarding in Croatia. Situated near the city of Ploče in Dalmatia, Croatia.
Highlights:
A heaven for birdwatchers with over 300 bird species.
Vast sandbars and shallow waters are perfect for kiteboarding and windsurfing.
Traditional boat safaris that showcase the region’s unique landscapes.
Why Visit: The delta is one of Europe’s most preserved wetland areas and a paradise for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
2. Kuti Lake Now we get to so well-known place of Neretva Valley, but equally beautiful as others. Kuti Lake is a bit secluded, hidden behind the labyrinth of canals, and not so visited. Few traditional boat tours are going there, but it’s nowhere near as crowded asthe Neretva river mouth.
We went to explore Kuti Lake a few times in our kayaks and almost got lost in the labyrinth of canals. You need some serious skills navigating these. Or GPS. There is a cool legend about Kuti Lake. You know about the ancient city of Troy and how nobody knows where it was. Well, you guessed right, there are some claims that this famous city is right in the Kuti lake. Some locals swear they saw walls in the sand of this shallow lake.
It would be great for local tourism if Troy was here, but even if it’s not, Kuti Lake is equally beautiful and worth exploring. There are even a few restaurants offering local delicacies you can try only in Neretva Valley.
Highlights:
Perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Traditional boat tours are also a must-try
Home to diverse fish species, making it a popular spot for fishing.
Many local restaurants and agritourism near the lake
Why Visit: Kuti Lake offers a peaceful retreat into nature and is ideal for a relaxing day out.
3. Norin River Norin is a tributary of the Neretva River and another beautiful place in Neretva valley. Norin river has a source near the city of Vid, in ancient times known as Narona. We’ll discover you a bit later why it was so famous. Narona River is not long nor large and it pours into the Neretva River at Kula Norinska village.
It’s one of the wildest landscapes of Neretva Valley and a place we gladly visit. As soon as we kayaked down this river for the first time we decided we wanted to organize a tour there and so our former Norin River kayaking tour was born. Norin River has a jungle-like landscape, its water is crystal clear and very cold.
A good thing is that, if you plan to visit this river, you might also plan a visit to a place described in the next section. Regarding tours of the Norin River, the only adventure tour we know of was our kayaking tour, but there are numerous tours done by traditional boats and we recommend you book one of these.
Highlights:
Dense vegetation and calm waters are perfect for kayaking.
Traditional boat tours through this “green tunnel.”
Opportunities for birdwatching and spotting local wildlife.
Why Visit: The Norin River provides an off-the-beaten-path experience in the heart of the Neretva Valley.
4. Narona Archaeological Museum in Vid In the times of Antique, Vid was called Narona and it was the second-largest Roman city on this side of the Adriatic. The City of Split was the largest one. Today, Narona is called Vid and there is a large museum about a Roman culture built there and it’s the only museum of that kind built on the archeological site.
The story goes that there was a man who wanted to build a house and he started to dig the foundations of the house and found one statue. Everything stopped and not so long after the whole Roman temple was found there. Bad for the guy building a house, but good for everyone else since the museum is one of the main attractions in Neretva Valley.
There are still ancient urns buried in the sand of the Neretva river. And if you are visiting this museum, which we strongly suggest, consider visiting the Norin River too since it flows through Narona…we mean Vid.
Highlights:
Built over the remains of an ancient Roman temple (Augusteum).
Displays of statues, coins, and other relics from the Roman settlement of Narona.
A unique combination of history and modern museum design.
Why Visit: The museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the region’s Roman past and is a must-see for history enthusiasts.
5. Metković Natural History Museum Neretva Valley is full of life and more than 300 bird species found their home here. Some of these animals are free and roaming nature while their less lucky relatives are stuffed in the Natural History Museum in Metkovic . Ornithological life is the foundation of this museum, any if you choose to visit it, you’ll have the option to observe many interesting bird species. Let us just say that the museum is an interactive experience with sounds accompanying the actual animals shown in it.
Highlights:
Extensive collections of bird species native to the region.
Interactive exhibits about the valley’s unique ecosystems.
Family-friendly displays and educational activities.
Why Visit: The museum is perfect for understanding the ecological importance of the Neretva Valley.
6. Local Food Restaurants The important part here is ‘local food’. There are many restaurants in the Neretva valley and not all of them offer traditional food. You are free to visit them too, some of them offer really good food. But if you are visiting Neretva Valley, then you must eat like a local. At least for a single day. Or meal.
So what is considered to be traditional food in the Neretva delta? Well, what do you find in river areas? Frogs and eels. These two are the main specialties and you have to try them when visiting the Neretva River delta. Local cooks have been working on these recipes for centuries and they have made them almost perfect.
Highlights:
Eel and Frog Specialties: Signature dishes prepared in authentic ways.Mandarins and Oranges: Fresh citrus fruits grown in the valley’s fertile soil.Traditional Taverns: Enjoy home-cooked meals in charming local settings.
Why Visit: Enjoying the local cuisine is an essential part of experiencing the Neretva Valley.
7. Marin Vijenac Mountain Peak Ready for some hiking? The best views of the Neretva Valley are from one of the local mountain peaks. Don’t expect Andas here, these are pretty low peaks but still offer a breathtaking view of the valley. Make sure you have the right equipment when embarking on a hiking adventure.
Two of these are the most popular – Babina Gomila and Marin Vijenac peaks. Both of them are beautiful and offer a somewhat similar view of the Neretva valley. Babina Gomila is a higher peak and you’ll need more time to reach it. We chose Marin Vijenac for this list because of 2 reasons. Reason number one is that you’ll need less time to reach it, some hour and a half. The second and more important reason is wild horses that found their home on this mountain. How cool is that?
Highlights:
Hiking trails that lead to breathtaking viewpoints.
Stunning vistas of the valley, river, and Adriatic Sea.
A peaceful escape into the mountains.
Why Visit: Marin Vijenac offers a unique perspective of the valley’s natural beauty although it’s not a high peak
8. Modro Oko Lake Modro Oko Lake is another gem of Neretva valley. It’s situated near the village of Desne, and it has a mesmerizing deep blue color. Freshwater has been pumped from it for a long time. The Modro oko lake is situated near the local road, there is a viewpoint made on the edge of it and its color will astound you.
Highlights:
Crystal-clear waters with a deep blue hue.
Scenic picnic spots and surrounding greenery.
Legends and folklore associated with the lake.
Why Visit: Modro Oko Lake is a serene and picturesque spot that adds to the valley’s charm.
9. Predolac Cave in Metković Another amazing place in Neretva Valley is situated in the city of Metkovic. For a long time, Predolac cave was known only to locals although it’s basically near the city centre. Predolac cave is one of the most significant caves in the whole of Dalmatia. Another fun fact is that in this cave there is a special kind of shell and it’s the only shell to be known to live underground.
Highlights:
Unique geological formations and stalactites.
A rare habitat for endemic species.
Guided tours are available for visitors.
Why Visit: The cave offers a glimpse into the underground wonders of the Neretva Valley.
10. Baćina Lakes We have written about Bacina Lakes numerous times. Although it might be considered separate from Neretva valley, it is still situated on the sole edge of it. The proximity of Bacina lakes to Neretva Valley makes this place an absolute must to visit when exploring the valley.
Bacina lakes are a specific group consisting of 7 lakes and are situated near the city of Ploce. The mouth of the Neretva River is closest to these lakes and it would take you approximately 20 minutes of driving to reach them. Once there, you just need to relax and immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of Bacina lakes.
Aerial view of flock of seagulls in flight at Baćina lakes near the city of Ploče in Dalmatia, Croatia. There are many activities to do there too, ranging from kayaking and SUP tours to cycling and boat tours. All in all, place worth visiting and a true natural antidote for all your troubles.
Highlights:
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and traditional boat tours.
Cycling and walking trails around the lakes.
Tranquil beaches and cold springs for swimming.
Why Visit: Baćina Lakes is a peaceful escape into nature and a great place for any outdoor enthusiast.
Before you Venture The Neretva Valley is a region of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. In this article, we covered some of the most famous places in the valley and we believe each of them is worth visiting. We know you probably don’t have time to visit more than 2 of them, but make your choice and find the best place for you, visit it, and take some great memories from Neretva Valley.
