Itineraries — Southern Dalmatia

Southern Dalmatia organises around Dubrovnik and a string of islands and peninsulas stretching northwest over a hundred kilometres. It is a compact region but of extraordinary historical and scenic density: in just a few hours you move from the white stone of a medieval city to the pine forests of an island national park, from the tannic vineyards of Pelješac to the oyster farmers of Mali Ston.

For a short trip (3-4 days), focus on Dubrovnik and its immediate surroundings. One day for the old town and the walls, one day for Lokrum island and swimming in the Banje coves, and a half-day for an excursion to the Elaphiti or to Cavtat. Sleep within the walls if your budget allows: the city only reveals its magic after the day-trippers leave around 7pm, when the Stradun lights up and the konoba terraces come alive.

With a full week (7 days), add the Pelješac peninsula and the island of Korčula. Leave Dubrovnik by car, stop at Ston for oysters and the walls, then drive up Pelješac to Orebić visiting two or three Plavac Mali wineries on the way. Take the 15-minute ferry to Korčula and spend two nights in its fortified old town. On the way back, book a night in a Pelješac agrotourism and end with Mljet (one to two nights) for nature and silence.

With 10 to 14 days, extend the itinerary toward Central Dalmatia (Split, Hvar) or dive deeper into the region: Konavle south of Dubrovnik for agritourism and wines, a day trip to Kotor in Montenegro, and sea kayaking through the Elaphiti archipelago. Travellers with more time can also include the Lastovo national park, a preserved island four hours by ferry, one of the Adriatic's best-kept secrets.