Visit Dubrovnik

National park Mljet

Mljet National Park is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean. It was declared a national park in 1960, with the marine area added in 1997. The park covers the northwestern third of Mljet Island and spans 5,375 hectares of land and sea. It is known for its exceptional landscape beauty, biological diversity and cultural-historical significance.

The park’s most remarkable feature is the system of saltwater lakes – Veliko jezero (Great Lake) and Malo jezero (Small Lake) – which represent a rare geological and oceanographic phenomenon in a karst landscape. The Great Lake covers 145 hectares and reaches a depth of 46 meters, while the Small Lake covers 24 hectares and is up to 29 meters deep. Connected to the open sea by the narrow Soline channel, these lakes are in fact flooded bays but are experienced as true lakes due to their appearance and local tradition. In the middle of the Great Lake lies the islet of St Mary with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, considered a symbol of the park and one of the most iconic spiritual and cultural landmarks of the island.

The park is covered by rich and well-preserved Mediterranean vegetation. More than 90% of the land is forested, primarily with Aleppo pine, holm oak, strawberry tree, carob, wild olive and other native species. Some areas preserve remnants of original holm oak forest, and the Velika dolina area still shows traces of ancient Mediterranean woodland. On the steep southern cliffs, endemic Dalmatian plant species thrive, including the protected Dubrovnik knapweed (Centaurea ragusina).

Beyond its forests, the park includes other ecologically valuable habitats such as coastal dunes, rocky cliffs, scrubland, and karst sinkholes. Mljet is also home to rare brackish lakes known locally as “blatine”, where fresh and saltwater occasionally mix, forming a unique ecological feature.

A network of walking and cycling trails runs throughout the park, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the natural surroundings in peace and quiet. Scenic viewpoints such as Montokuc provide stunning views of the lakes, open sea and surrounding islands. On the island’s southern coast lies the famous Odysseus’ Cave – a collapsed karst cavity connected to the sea by a natural tunnel, associated with the legend of Odysseus and the nymph Calypso.

Known in antiquity as the “green island”, Mljet owes its reputation to its dense forest cover, exceptional biodiversity and timeless harmony between nature and culture – qualities that continue to define it as one of the most beautiful and authentic destinations on the Adriatic.

More information is available at: www.np-mljet.hr

Nature Park Lastovo Archipelago

The Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park was designated in 2006 as the youngest nature park in Croatia. It covers an area of 195 square kilometres, of which 143 km² is sea and 52 km² is land. The park includes 46 islands, islets and reefs, among them the islands of Lastovo and Sušac.

Due to its distance from major urban centres, the archipelago has preserved a high level of natural integrity. The sea surrounding Lastovo is among the cleanest in the Adriatic, rich in fish species, corals, dolphins and other marine organisms. The seabed hides caves, steep underwater cliffs and sites with remains of sunken ships.

The land is covered with Aleppo pine, holm oak and other typical Mediterranean vegetation. The island of Lastovo and the surrounding islets are home to a number of protected and rare plant and animal species, including bats and birds of prey.

With no light pollution, the Lastovo Archipelago is one of the best places in Europe for stargazing. Numerous trails, quiet coves and a pristine natural environment make it ideal for hiking, diving, birdwatching and enjoying nature.

Arboretum

Arboretum Trsteno is the sole arboretum at the Croatian Adriatic coast which unites cultural and natural heritage in a unique abundance of values. It is known for its historical gardens and a collection of Mediterranean and exotic plant species. The collection of cultivated species of plants, which is mostly located within the Renaissance garden, today amounts to about 465 taxa, which are classified into 111 families. According to the plant-geographic origin of the species, the largest number belongs to Mediterranean and European plants (31%), followed by Asian (22%), and a significant number of American plants (17%).

The Arboretum was established at the former land estate of the Dubrovnik patrician family Gučetić-Gozze in 1948 and has been protected by law as a monument of garden architecture. On its 25.61 hectare area (64 acres), the Arboretum integrates several different units: the historical Renaissance garden and villa, the historical neo-romantic garden from the beginning of the 20th century, the historical olive grove, as well as the natural vegetation of the downy oak, the Aleppo pine and the Mediterranean cypress woods, mscchia and coastal rock vegetation.

Contact

Tel: ++385 20 751 019
E-mail: arbor@hazu.hr
Web: info.hazu.hr/arboretum-trsteno/
Address: Potok 20, Trsteno, 20 235 Zaton Veliki

Odysseus’ Cave

On the southern coast of the island of Mljet, near the village of Babino Polje, lies Odysseus’ Cave, one of the island’s most fascinating geomorphological sites. This cave was formed by the collapse of the ceiling of an underground karst chamber. It is connected to the open sea by a narrow and low sea tunnel, approximately 20 meters long. Entry from the sea is only possible in calm weather, due to the low tunnel ceiling and strong waves that often crash against the rocks.

During calm seas, the cave can be visited by swimming or with a small boat. The interior is illuminated by natural light entering through the water, creating stunning shades of blue and green, especially around midday.

The name Odysseus’ Cave comes from the legend that the Greek hero Odysseus took refuge on this very island after a shipwreck. The ancient Greeks believed Mljet to be the mythical island of Ogygia. According to Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus was held there for seven years by the nymph Calypso, who was in love with him, while he longed to return to his home and his beloved Penelope.

A marked hiking trail leads to the cave from Babino Polje, and from the top of the cliff, visitors are treated to spectacular views of the open sea and the cave below.

Special Nature Reserves

The special nature reserves of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County include natural areas of high scientific and ecological value, protected to preserve rare or endangered species, habitats and natural processes. There are currently five designated reserves in the county, three of which are forest vegetation reserves and two are wetland areas of ornithological and hydrological significance.

Lokrum

The island of Lokrum, located just across from the Old Town of Dubrovnik, was designated as a special forest vegetation reserve in 1948. It is covered by holm oak and Aleppo pine forest, with a rich layer of undergrowth. The island also features a botanical garden with exotic species, which adds to its biological and educational value.

Pod Gredom

The Pod Gredom area is located on the Pelješac peninsula, above the village of Kuna. This well-preserved forest of downy oak and flowering ash is a rare and valuable example of sub-Mediterranean vegetation. Because of its botanical and ecological importance, it has been designated a special forest vegetation reserve.

Rača Bay

The forest in Rača Bay on the island of Lastovo is protected as a special forest vegetation reserve and is part of the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park. It is a coastal woodland area with typical Mediterranean vegetation and a natural transition between land and sea habitats.

Prud

The special ornithological reserve Prud is located along the lower course of the Neretva River, near Metković. It is an important nesting site for wetland birds and a temporary habitat for many migratory species. Reeds, backwaters and wet meadows form a diverse and biologically rich wetland landscape.

Modro oko and Lake Desne

This wetland area lies on the edge of the Neretva Delta, near the village of Desne. It includes a lake and a system of channels surrounded by reed beds, and is a key habitat for migratory birds and other wetland species. Due to its hydrological and ornithological value, it has been declared a special nature reserve.

Significant Landscapes

The significant landscapes of Dubrovnik-Neretva County encompass natural areas of outstanding scenic value where geomorphological features, rich vegetation, water elements and traditional land use harmoniously coexist. These areas are protected to preserve their beauty, biodiversity and the cultural heritage woven into their surroundings.

Saplunara
Located on the eastern tip of Mljet Island, Saplunara is one of the few remaining coastal sand habitats in Croatia. This significant landscape includes two sandy coves, Velika (Big) and Mala (Small) Saplunara, framed by dense pine forest and pristine Mediterranean vegetation. The site holds exceptional value due to its geomorphological features, biodiversity and habitats of rare and endemic species. It was protected in 1965 for its landscape harmony and coastal ecosystem rarity.

Prapratno Bay
Situated on the western coast of the Pelješac Peninsula, Prapratno Bay is a shallow cove with a sandy bottom, surrounded by olive groves, dry-stone walls and pine trees. Its natural shelter from wind, traditional agricultural use and harmony with the environment led to its protection in 1975.

Vučina Bay
Near the town of Trpanj, on the northwestern part of Pelješac, Vučina Bay enchants with a pristine natural setting where rocky shores, clear sea and forested hills blend seamlessly. Its coastal belt has preserved the authentic character of the Adriatic shoreline and was designated a significant landscape in 1975.

Rijeka Dubrovačka (Dubrovnik River)
This karst river, which emerges as the powerful Ombla spring beneath the Golubov Kamen hill, has long served as the backdrop for summer residences of Dubrovnik’s nobility. The interplay between the river, green slopes, historic villas and lush vegetation makes this valley one of the region’s most iconic landscapes. It was protected in 1964.

Badija Island
Across from the town of Korčula, Badija Island is known for its dense pine forest, clear coves and a Franciscan monastery that blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings. It was protected in 1969 and is now a popular site for recreation and excursions.

Konavoski Dvori
Along the upper course of the Ljuta River, at the foot of the Konavle cliffs, lies Konavoski Dvori, a place where the dynamics of a karst river meet traditional architecture and cultivated land. Wooden barriers, water mills and cool shade along the river give this place a unique atmosphere. It was protected in 1975.

Predolac, Šibenica
In the hinterland of Metković, along the Neretva River, stretches the area of Predolac, Šibenica. This karst ridge, covered with maquis, holm oak and black pine forest, offers views over the Neretva Delta and the town. It was designated a significant landscape in 1968 due to its biodiversity and natural value.

Natural Monuments

The natural monuments of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County include exceptional geological and botanical sites protected for their scientific, aesthetic and cultural value. These are caves that preserve underground treasures and archaeological traces, as well as trees that have stood for centuries as living witnesses to the bond between people and nature.

Močiljska Cave
Located above the village of Pobrežje near Dubrovnik, Močiljska Cave has been protected as a geomorphological natural monument since 1963. It is a dry, horizontal cave rich in speleothems and with stable microclimatic conditions. Although not open to tourists, it holds significant value for speleological and biospeleological research.

Gromačka Cave
Situated in the hinterland of the village of Gromača on the Dubrovnik coast, this cave was designated a natural monument in 1986 due to its pronounced geomorphological features. Its spacious underground halls, winding channels and calcite formations make it an important site for the study of karst processes and cave fauna.

Vela spila
Located above the town of Vela Luka on the island of Korčula, Vela spila is not only a geological formation but also one of the most important archaeological sites in Croatia. Protected since 1966 as a geomorphological natural monument, the cave contains evidence of continuous human presence since the early Stone Age. Many of the artefacts are displayed in the Cultural Centre of Vela Luka.

Šipun Cave
Near Cavtat in the broader Konavle area lies Šipun Cave – a speleological site with a unique internal morphology, an underground lake and rare plant species. Protected since 1963, the cave is also notable for fragments of ancient pottery and its distinctive subterranean ecosystem.

Rača Cave
Located on the southern coast of the island of Lastovo, Rača Cave has been protected since 1965. In addition to its geomorphological value, the cave is also an archaeological site with traces of Illyrian and Roman presence. It lies within the boundaries of the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park and is managed by the park’s public institution.

Holm Oak in Klokolina
In the Klokolina area near the village of Žrnovo on the island of Korčula stands one of the most impressive specimens of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) in Croatia. This tree has been protected since 1952 as a botanical natural monument due to its exceptional size, age and symbolic importance to the local community.

Forest Parks

The forest parks of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County offer peaceful pine canopies, sea views and trails that lead through tranquil natural settings ideal for walking, relaxation and time outdoors. They combine recreational value with well-preserved Mediterranean vegetation, situated near settlements or on uninhabited islets—each with its own distinct character.

Velika and Mala Petka
Located near Dubrovnik, this forest park covers the Petka hill, blanketed with dense Aleppo pine, holm oak and maquis. It features walking paths and scenic viewpoints.

Aleppo pine forest in Gornje Čelo (Koločep Island)
A thick pine forest overlooking the sea, suitable for easy walks and enjoying the natural shade.

Maquis forest in Donje Čelo (Koločep Island)
A typical Mediterranean scrubland with low trees, dense shrubs and a rich bird population.

Islet of Ošjak (near Vela Luka, Korčula Island)
A small uninhabited islet in the Korčula archipelago, covered in forest and known for the walking trail that circles the entire island.

Hober City Park (Korčula)
A landscaped green space along the coast, serving as a peaceful retreat in the urban setting of Korčula.