Attractions Nearby Dubrovnik, Day Trips and Excursions

(Dubrovnik, Southern Dalmatia, Croatia)

For the visitor needing a break from the city, there are many interesting attractions within driving distance of Dubrovnik. Along the Adriatic coastline are numerous charming villages, towns and secluded beaches, and excursions to Albania, Bosnia and Montenegro are easily done and quite possible, with bus tours generally being straightforward to arrange.

Split is a fascinating and beautiful city with connections to ancient Rome, although a little too far for day trips from Dubrovnik, while Sarajevo (in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the far north) is regarded by many as one of Europe's most lovely cities. Boat trips to the plentiful coastal attractions and the offshore Elaphiti Islands (Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan) are popular, and the islands themselves vary from forested havens to fashionable getaways.

Mljet Island / Mljet National Park

Address: Mljet Island, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 020 744 186
Mljet Island is roughly 37 km / 23 miles in length, being rather narrow and averaging a width of just 3 km / 2 miles. The western half of Mljet Island is a densely forested national park containing two famous saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero - with its 12th-century Benedictine monastery, and Malo Jezero. The other main attractions are small picturesque villages and the lush forests which make this Croatia's greenest island. Local legends tell that the Greek voyager Odysseus spent seven years of his life here.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Dubrovnik Riviera

Along the Adriatic coastline from the city are numerous fishing and agricultural villages, as well as a series of tiny bays, which together combine to give this region its name of the Dubrovnik Riviera. Pine forests line the isolated Zaton Bay, located approximately 18 km / 11 miles from the city, and its nearby village has fine restaurants, perfect for day trips. Tristeno (Trsteno) village boasts a couple of massive 500-year old sycamore trees in its park and the hill villages overlooking the city are some of the loveliest in Croatia.

Makarska

The pretty resort town of Makarska has cobbled streets and a sheltered natural harbour set between the peninsulas of St. Peter and Osejava. This area is scenically magnificent and the town itself has a long and interesting history, including occupation by the Venetians, Turks, Austrians and French. Makarska's white-pebbled azure-sea beaches are backed by pine forests. Close by are the medieval Venetian Gothic stone houses of tiny Trogir.

Diocletian's Palace

Address: Split, Croatia, HR
The Roman Emperor Diocletian, having abdicated in 305 AD, built his palace on the bay of Aspalathos. Nearly 2,000 years later, the palace lies at the heart of Split, just over four hours away, with a magnificent cathedral, shops, cafés and cobbled alleyways sharing the site with ancient Roman relics. The Romans built with white limestone found on nearby islands, and much remains of the original site. Guided tours of Diocletian's Palace start at the statue of Gregorius of Nin, taking in archaeological attractions such as the Chapel of Arnir, the Golden Gate, the Papalic Palace, the Town Museum, the Temple of Jupiter and the Cathedral of St. Jupitus.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Split

The Diocletian Palace isn't the only attraction in Split, an ancient city in its own right. Districts like Varos, with its tiny houses and streets - the oldest in the city, the ruins of the Roman city of Salona, an ancient temple to Jupiter which became a church, and two genuine Egyptian sphinxes are all good reasons for an excursion to Split. During the summer months, the alluring beach scene comes into its own, with the pebbly Bacvice Beach being the most popular and coming with a Blue Flag award for cleanliness.

Lopud Island

This pretty island lies offshore of Dubrovnik, in the Adriatic Sea, with a ferry connection to the city's port. Lopud Island has no cars, attractive lodging options, great seafood eateries, lots of goats, a 16th-century monastery and a lovely beach set in a bay. Most of its visitors arrive on day trips, and after the last ferry has left, the island is peaceful and almost deserted. There are paths around the coastline with glorious views across to the mainland, while the shore slopes gently into the crystal-clear waters, meaning that swimming is safe for all the family.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for ferry