Dubrovnik South Dalmatia
5
Day Itinerary •
Croatia
Five days in Dubrovnik and South Dalmatia reveal the full extraordinary sweep of Croatia's most celebrated region, from the remarkable 2km city walls of Dubrovnik and the extraordinary Stradun to the fine Elaphiti Islands, the remarkable Peljesac oysters and Plavac Mali wine, the extraordinary Mljet National Park saltwater lakes and the UNESCO Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. This route covers the complete South Dalmatia experience. Dubrovnik's extraordinary walls and the Dominican Monastery, the remarkable Elaphiti Islands boat day with Lopud's sandy beach, the fine Peljesac Peninsula oysters and wine, the extraordinary Mljet National Park island monastery, and the remarkable Kotor UNESCO city and Perast in Montenegro.
Best Time To Visit
May to Jun and Sep to Oct. Dubrovnik walls at their least crowded.
Getting There
Fly to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV). Many direct European flights.
Getting Around
Car essential for Peljesac and Kotor. Boats for Elaphiti and Mljet.
Budget Per Day
Approx EUR 140 to EUR 320 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and boats
DAY 1
DUBROVNIK
MORNING
DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS AT DAWN
The Dubrovnik City Walls at dawn before the crowds arrive give the most extraordinary heritage experience in Croatia, the remarkable 2km circuit along the top of the medieval fortifications with the fine terracotta roofscape of the old town, the extraordinary Dominican Monastery cloister visible below and the brilliant Adriatic beyond giving the finest single heritage walk in the Mediterranean. The remarkable Minceta Tower, the extraordinary St John's Fortress and the fine cannon emplacements are outstanding. Entry approx EUR 35. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
STRADUN, RECTOR'S PALACE AND DOMINICAN MONASTERY
The Stradun's extraordinary limestone-paved boulevard and the remarkable Rector's Palace of 1441 with its extraordinary Gothic-Renaissance loggia give the finest city walk in the Adriatic. The extraordinary Dominican Monastery cloister from 1483 with its remarkable ribbed Gothic vaulting, the fine collection of Titian, Palma the Younger and other Venetian Renaissance paintings and the extraordinary pharmacy founded in 1317 give the finest cultural morning in Dubrovnik. Travel: 20 min boat
AFTERNOON
LOKRUM ISLAND AND THE DEAD SEA LAKE
Lokrum's extraordinary nature island with the remarkable botanical garden, the fine Benedictine monastery ruins and the extraordinary Dead Sea saltwater lake give the finest island afternoon accessible from any Croatian city. The remarkable Fort Royal hilltop ruins give the finest panorama over Dubrovnik from the island. The extraordinary peacock population of the island and the fine nude beach on the eastern rocks are outstanding. Boat and entry approx EUR 21.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Dubrovnik old town small squares away from the Stradun are the most extraordinary hidden spaces in the city, the remarkable Gunduliceva Poljana morning market, the fine Bunicieva Poljana and the extraordinary Od Puca street with its local shops giving the finest authentic Dubrovnik away from the main tourist flow. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on the Stradun or at Pile Gate Outstanding morning coffee before the walls walk. | Lunch: Nishta, Dubrovnik Outstanding Dubrovnik creative restaurant. Local produce and wine. | Dinner: 360 Restaurant, Dubrovnik Outstanding fine dining on top of the city walls. Adriatic views.
DAY 2
ELAPHITI ISLANDS
MORNING
ELAPHITI ISLANDS BOAT DAY
ELAPHITI ISLANDS BOAT DAY Full day The Elaphiti Islands northwest of Dubrovnik are the most extraordinary day trip from the city, the remarkable trio of inhabited islands Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan in the extraordinary blue waters of the southern Adriatic giving the finest island day accessible from Dubrovnik. The remarkable Lopud with its extraordinary sandy Sunj beach, the finest sand beach in the Dubrovnik area, the fine Kolocep with its extraordinary crystal coves and the remarkable Sipan with its winery give the finest island combination in South Dalmatia. Travel: Boat from Dubrovnik harbour
MIDDAY
LOPUD SUNJ BEACH AND LUNCH
Sunj beach on Lopud is the most extraordinary sandy beach near Dubrovnik, the remarkable 15-minute walk across the island from the harbour giving access to the extraordinary sheltered bay with fine sand and crystal clear water. The remarkable beach restaurant and the fine local seafood give the finest island lunch in the Elaphiti Islands. The extraordinary old town of Lopud with its remarkable Franciscan monastery and the fine rector's palace are outstanding. Travel: Boat back to Dubrovnik
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO DUBROVNIK AND EVENING WALK
The return boat from the Elaphiti Islands gives the extraordinary approach to Dubrovnik from the sea, the remarkable walled city appearing from the water in the most extraordinary way. The fine evening walk on the Stradun and the remarkable aperitivo at the harbour bars give the finest evening in Dubrovnik.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Sipan island winery and the remarkable Sipan stately homes of the Dubrovnik nobility give the most extraordinary undiscovered afternoon on any Elaphiti island, the remarkable Renaissance summer palaces and the extraordinary local wine tasting giving the finest hidden culture in the islands. Ask for Sipan when booking the Elaphiti boat trip.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before boat Early departure for the Elaphiti Islands. | Lunch: Beach restaurant on Lopud Outstanding island lunch. Local Adriatic fish on Sunj beach. | Dinner: Proto, Dubrovnik Outstanding Dubrovnik fine dining. Local seafood and Dalmatian wine.
DAY 3
PELJESAC
MORNING
DRIVE TO PELJESAC PENINSULA AND STON
The Peljesac Peninsula north of Dubrovnik is the most extraordinary wine and oyster country in Croatia, the remarkable Mali Ston with its extraordinary defensive walls, the finest oyster beds in the Adriatic and the remarkable Ston salt flats that have produced salt since medieval times giving the finest single food and heritage morning near Dubrovnik. The remarkable Ston Walls, the longest fortification system in Europe after the Great Wall of China, are outstanding. Walls entry approx EUR 15. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
MALI STON OYSTERS AND PELJESAC WINE
Mali Ston's extraordinary oyster beds produce the finest oysters in Croatia, the remarkable farming of European flat oysters and mussels in the extraordinary Bay of Mali Ston giving the finest single shellfish experience in Dalmatia. The remarkable Dingac and Postup vineyards on the Peljesac Peninsula produce the finest Plavac Mali red wine in Croatia. The extraordinary wine estates along the Peljesac road give the finest wine tasting near Dubrovnik. Travel: 1 hour drive back
AFTERNOON
CAVTAT TOWN AND THE RACIC MAUSOLEUM
Cavtat south of Dubrovnik is the most extraordinary small harbour town near the city, the remarkable Venetian old town on its small peninsula, the fine promenade and the extraordinary Racic Mausoleum by Ivan Meštrovi n on the hilltop above the town giving the finest afternoon excursion from Dubrovnik. The remarkable view back to Dubrovnik from the Cavtat headland and the extraordinary local seafood restaurants are outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Dingac vineyards on the steep southern slopes of Peljesac above the Adriatic are the most extraordinary wine landscape in Croatia, the remarkable terraced vineyards at nearly vertical angles producing the finest Plavac Mali in Croatia accessible only via a remarkable tunnel through the hill. Some wineries offer tastings with advance booking. The finest hidden wine country near Dubrovnik.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Dubrovnik Before the Peljesac drive. | Lunch: Vila Koruna, Mali Ston Outstanding Mali Ston restaurant. Fresh Ston oysters and local mussels. | Dinner: Restaurant in Dubrovnik Outstanding South Dalmatian dinner. Peljesac Plavac Mali wine.
DAY 4
MLJET ISLAND
MORNING
FERRY TO MLJET NATIONAL PARK
Mljet National Park on the western tip of the island of Mljet is the most extraordinary island national park in South Dalmatia, the remarkable twin saltwater lakes connected to the Adriatic, the extraordinary Benedictine monastery island of St Mary in the middle of the Great Lake and the fine Odysseus Cave on the southern coast giving the finest day trip from Dubrovnik on any island. Day boat from Dubrovnik harbour. Entry approx EUR 15. Travel: Boat from Dubrovnik
MIDDAY
MLJET MONASTERY ISLAND AND LAKE SWIM
The small Benedictine monastery on St Mary's Island in Mljet's Great Lake is the most extraordinary island monastery in South Dalmatia, the remarkable 12th-century Romanesque church and the fine cloister on a tiny island in the middle of the saltwater lake accessible by a remarkable small wooden bridge or rowboat giving the finest monastery encounter in the southern Adriatic. The extraordinary warm saltwater lake swimming around the monastery island is outstanding. Travel: Boat back
AFTERNOON
MLJET CYCLING AND SOUTHERN COAST
Mljet's extraordinary pine forests and the remarkable cycling paths around the national park lakes give the finest afternoon activity on any Croatian national park island. The fine bicycle hire at Polace harbour and the remarkable coastal path to the Odysseus Cave on the southern coast of the island give the finest cycling afternoon in South Dalmatia. Bike hire approx EUR 10.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Odysseus Cave on the southern coast of Mljet is the most extraordinary sea cave in South Dalmatia, a remarkable cave where the legendary hero Odysseus is said to have spent seven years with the nymph Calypso, accessible by a short walk and swim. Free with national park entry. The finest hidden cave in Mljet National Park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before boat Early departure for the Mljet ferry. | Lunch: Restaurant in Polace, Mljet Outstanding island lunch. Local Mljet seafood and wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Dubrovnik Outstanding South Dalmatian dinner. Local fish and Peljesac wine.
DAY 5
KOTOR
MORNING
DRIVE TO KOTOR, MONTENEGRO
Kotor's extraordinary UNESCO medieval city at the head of the Bay of Kotor is the finest day trip from Dubrovnik, the remarkable fortified city with its extraordinary intact Venetian walls, the fine Cathedral of St Tryphon from 1166 and the remarkable narrow lanes and squares giving the finest medieval city in the western Balkans. The extraordinary drive along the Bay of Kotor with its remarkable fjord-like scenery enclosed by limestone mountains is outstanding. Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
PERAST AND OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS
Perast on the Bay of Kotor is the most extraordinary Baroque village in Montenegro, the remarkable collection of Venetian noble palaces and the extraordinary Our Lady of the Rocks man-made island church in the middle of the bay giving the finest single scene in the Bay of Kotor. The remarkable 17th-century church built on rocks deliberately thrown by sailors over generations and the extraordinary ex-voto collection inside are outstanding. Boat from Perast approx EUR 5. Travel: 1.5 hour drive back
AFTERNOON
SAN GIOVANNI FORTRESS AND RETURN
The San Giovanni fortress above Kotor reached by the remarkable 1,350 steps gives the most extraordinary panorama over the Bay of Kotor, the fine medieval town below, the extraordinary bay enclosed by mountains and the Adriatic beyond giving the finest single viewpoint in Montenegro before the return to Dubrovnik.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Boka Bay sunset from the Kotor fortresses above the walled town gives the most extraordinary golden hour view in the western Balkans, the remarkable bay turning copper and gold as the sun drops behind the limestone mountains. Free with fortress entry approx EUR 8. The finest hidden sunset in the Bay of Kotor.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Dubrovnik before departure Before the Kotor drive. | Lunch: Restaurant in Perast Outstanding Bay of Kotor lunch. Local Montenegrin fish and black risotto. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Dubrovnik Outstanding last evening. Local Adriatic fish and Dalmatian wine.
Where To Stay
Dubrovnik, Nights 1 to 5 Villa Orsula or Hotel Excelsior. Old town or near Pile Gate. Approx EUR 150 to EUR 500. Mljet Night 4 optional Hotel Odisej, Mljet. Stay overnight in the national park. Approx EUR 100 to EUR 220. Kotor Night 5 optional Hotel Vardar, Kotor Old Town. Stay in Montenegro. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 200.
Top Tips
1. Walk Dubrovnik walls at 8am. The walls become unbearably crowded by 10am in summer.
2. Book Dubrovnik wall tickets online at walls.hr in advance. They sell out in peak summer.
3. Mali Ston oysters are finest October to April. Reserve Vila Koruna restaurant in advance.
4. Mljet National Park is best explored by bicycle. Hire at Polace harbour on arrival.
5. Kotor is best before 10am before cruise ship passengers disembark. Leave Dubrovnik at 7am.
6. The Elaphiti Islands day trip should include Lopud for Sunj Beach. Book at the harbour.
Total Budget
Approx EUR 140 to EUR 320 per person per day