A region would be lucky to have just one sight as majestic as Dubrovnik. In Southern Dalmatia, the walled city is only the beginning. Head south to pine-scented hiking trails in Cavtat, or up the coast to a garden full of exotic trees in Trsteno. Tour an ancient salt factory, feast on world-class oysters and superb red wine from the Pelješac Peninsula, then head out to sea to explore Marco Polo’s birthplace on Korčula and Odysseus’s mythical cave on Mljet. Along the way you’ll find some of the best windsurfing and sailing in Europe, kayak trips to citrus and sage-covered islands, centuries-old houses, millennia-old caves, fresh seafood, and always, everywhere, that big blue sea.
The highlight of Southern Dalmatia is undoubtedly the majestic walled city of Dubrovnik, from 1358 to 1808 a rich and powerful independent republic that exerted its economic and cultural influence over almost the entire region. Jutting out to sea and backed by rugged mountains, it's an unforgettable sight and now Croatia's most upmarket and glamorous destination.
There are regular local ferry and catamaran services from Dubrovnik to outlying islands. The nearest and most accessible of these are the tiny Elafitis, ideal as a day trip for someone on a short stay who still wants a brief taste of island life.
Moving down the mainland coast you come to the bucolic Konavle region, the breadbasket of the area. Full of family farms, folk festivals, and wineries, it provides a wonderful glimpse into rural life. The gateway to Konavle is Cavtat, a town founded by the ancient Greeks as Epidaurum. It was the residents from here who founded Dubrovnik after their town was destroyed in the early 7th century. Today's Cavtat is a cheerful holiday resort with a palm-lined seaside promenade, several sights of cultural note, and a laid-back vibe.
Back up the coast, northwest of Dubrovnik, lies the village of Trsteno, with its delightful Renaissance arboretum stepping down toward the sea in a series of terraces. Proceeding northwest one arrives at Ston, known for its oysters and salt pans, and its 14th-century walls forming the gateway to Pelješac Peninsula. Pelješac is of particular note for its excellent red wines: several families open their vineyards and cellars to the public for wine tastings. The main destination here is Orebić, a low-key resort with a good beach and water-sports facilities, backed by a majestic hillside monastery. From Orebić there are regular ferry crossings to Korčula Town, on the island of Korčula, one of the most sophisticated settlements on the Croatian islands, with its fine Gothic and Renaissance stone buildings bearing witness to almost 800 years of Venetian rule. In contrast to Korčula, the sparsely populated island of Mljet offers little in the way of architectural beauty but has preserved its indigenous coniferous forests, which rim the shores of two emerald-green saltwater lakes. They are contained within the borders of Mljet National Park, a haven for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and kayaking.
