Dubrovnik

An incredibly green island that offers beautiful lagoons and divine tranquility! In the western part of the island there is Mljet National Park and two salt lakes where you can swim. We recommend swimming under the full moon, when the lake glows with moonlight. There is also the lake island of St. Marija with its beautiful Benedictine monastery and the Church of Our Lady. The islet is set in a beautiful park. Entrance to the national park costs 100 kuna per person (children under six are free).

The island of Mljet inspired Homer to write the story of Odysseus and the beautiful nymph Kalypso, who kept him on the island for seven years. Odysseus' cave is located on the south side of the island and is considered a unique natural phenomenon. The sun's rays penetrate into the cave and create blue light effects(similar to those of the Bisevo Cave). The most beautiful play of lights takes place between 12-14 pm. The cave has two entrances - one from the coast and the other from the sea. From the sea, there is a 20-meter long tunnel, which can only be passed through in good weather. The exact GPS location of the cave is 42.43.7 N, 017.32.7 E.

The southern part of the island is rocky and looks inaccessible. There are many nice beaches on the island - some are only accessible by boat, so you will most likely have them to yourself. The southeast coast has the most sandy beaches. Pomena beach is suitable for the smallest children as the entrance to the sea is very gradual. Mljet is a hilly island (the highest hill is 514 m) and offers plenty of space for quiet relaxation and sports activities. There is a 43-kilometre long eco-trail through the island, and lovers of cycling (beautiful nature around the lake) or kayaking will also enjoy it. The island is 74% covered with greenery - mostly pine and oak forests, vineyards and olive groves.

If you are looking for an oasis of peace for your tired soul, Mljet is the right choice! The coastline of the island is rugged and there are a large number of islets, coves and reefs. The sunset over the island of Lastovo is very romantic.

Where to anchor on Mljet

Polače harbour - a fairly well-protected harbour, offering mooring with water and electricity connections, showers and toilets, ATM, bike and scooter rental. You can also anchor in the bay or at one of the local restaurants (some have set up muring berths with electricity connections for their guests). When the borax and NW winds are strong, swirling gusts of wind fall into the bay, the yugo causes unpleasant waves. There are also the ruins of an old palace, two supermarkets and a bakery. There are several good restaurants on the waterfront.

Tips for good restaurants

• Stermasi (lovely place, friendly service and excellent home-cooked food at an affordable price - definitely worth a visit)
• Restaurant - Konoba Maran (Okulje)
• Stella Maris (Polače) - fresh fish, excellent calamari, friendly service, good value for money
• Calypso or konoba Antiku or Ankora, restaurant Dalmatinac (quiet place in the bay of Tatinica, about 1 NM from the port of Polače, very nicefine restaurant with sea view, recommended grilled seafood, very clean restaurant, nice service and price).

A rocky, beautifully green island that is scented with orange and lemon trees. There are forests, vineyards and olive groves. According to experts, the olive oil here is one of the finest on the coast! The island is associated with seafaring. Many famous sailors in the Spanish service came from Lopud.

The history of Lopud is closely linked to the history of Dubrovnik. However, most of the precious buildings were destroyed in the earthquake of 1667. Only the ruins of a few churches and monasteries can be seen on the island. The island is characterized by stone houses surrounded by flowering gardens - an ideal place for romantic walks.

The island is very quiet, with only one village by the harbour and two hotels. The biggest attractions of the island are the nice beaches, greenery and good restaurants. The most famous sandy beach Šunj is located in the south of the island. It is suitable for the smallest childrenbecause of its fine sand and gradual entry into the water .

Where to anchor on Lopud

There is only a small town harbour on the island, mostly occupied by fishing or cruise boats. You can anchor in the bay northwest of the harbour (depth 6-8 metres, dangerous winds can beNW, W and SE, there is a nice pebble beach nearby) or in the bay of Šunj in the south of the island (dangerous wind and swell from the SE; there are several rocks, there are shoals and a long underwater reef around Veli Skupio - we recommend studying the electronic Navionics charts or the Adriatic Yachting Guide 888).

Restaurants on the island of Lopud

• Konoba Dubrovnik (beautiful sea and sunset views, fresh fish, traditional Croatian dishes, reasonable price).

Smaller, quiet green island with several nice beaches and restaurants. Dubrovnik's nobility and famous poets used to come here to relax. This picturesque Renaissance island is a bit like a garden in bloom. Olives, vines and southern fruits are grown here. The olive oil in this area is one of the finest on the coast, along with Lopud's. Sport fishing enthusiasts will also find it to their liking. Šipan is a renowned place for fishing and crawfishing. You can also go on excursions on the island and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.

Where to anchor on Sipan

Šipanska Luka is a popular bay among yachtsmen. There is a small harbour with a pier and several muringas. The harbour is surrounded by nature. You can also anchor in the bay or at the Kod Marka tavern (the best restaurant on the island). They have a small pier and several mooring buoys. In northwest winds over 3 Bf there is an unpleasant swell in the harbor. In the south there are strong gusts of wind. Sudurad Bay on the south side of the island is nice, but quite crowded with visitors from Dubrovnik in the summer (cruise ships and ferry come here).

Tips for good restaurants

• Konoba Kod Marka (nice sea view, good food at a reasonable price, fresh fish, well prepared octopus, reservations required), Tauris restaurant and Luka cafe.

The Black Island, the name of Croatia's sixth largest island Korcula. It was nicknamed after the black pine tree that once covered the entire island. But Korcula is far from black. It offers a unique blend of colour, beautiful nature, history, good food and fun. It is the place where the world-famous traveller Marco Polo was born. Korcula is beautifully green, but unlike Lastovo, it is heavily visited by tourists. It has a fairly rugged coastline with many coves, attractive beaches and cliffs. The adjacent deserted islands, of which there are countless, also offer nice swimming.

Korčula is also famous for its very good white wines. The most famous wines are Pošip, Rukatac, Grk and Plavac.

The interior of the island is mountainous and very fertile. The most beautiful and most visited inland villages are Smokovica, Blato and Čara. High quality dry white wine is produced here. You can also taste local oranges or delicious olives. The northern coast is low and easily accessible with several sandy beaches (suitable for the youngest children). The natural harbours of Korcula, Vrbovica and Prigradica are quite busy.

Thesouthern coast is more rugged, rocky and very steep in places (cliffs up to 30 metres high). However, the landscape is very hospitable. In contrast to the north, there is a divine calm and beautifully clean sea. There is the bay of Prizba and the town of the same name, surrounded by fertile vineyards. The locals are very friendly and will be happy to offer you a glass of homemade wine. There are many marked cycle paths in the area. You can also cycle along the coast.

Korcula is a renowned kiting and windsurfing location. There are also excellent conditions for fishing and diving (diving base and an interesting site in Grščica Bay). The towns of Babina and Brna are also worth a visit. The towns are very quiet, so we do not recommend them for lovers of wild nightlife. Right next door is the bay and anchorage of Istriga, famous for its healing mud. The mud helps with musculoskeletal or skin problems.

Tips for nice beaches on the south coast:

• Pupnatska Luka (considered the most beautiful beach on the island).
• Popular resorts include the port towns of Lumbarda (with a beautiful sandy beach, the only one on the island) and Vela Luka (a spa town where a healing spring flows).

Thecapital of the island is Korcula. The old town has immense charm and is rightly called "Little Dubrovnik". The city is protected by massive walls and several watchtowers, inside there are winding streets, corners and passages with numerous staircases. Among the most beautiful sights are St. Mark's Cathedral, St. Peter's Church and the Franciscan Monastery. The birthplace of the famous sailor Marco Polo and the city museum are also worth a visit.

A local curiosity are the streets built in the shape of a fishbone. This is a very ingenious system that allows air to flow freely while protecting against strong(the main street running north-eastwards breaks slightly three times to form a windbreak).

This incredibly charming island is located far out in the open sea and only experienced yachtsmen venture here for its divine tranquillity and unspoilt nature. Lastovo Island, its surrounding islands and islets were declared a nature park in 2006 and are also on the World Wildlife Fund's list.

The island is a paradise for yachtsmen, surfers, divers and sport fishermen. There are quiet coves and fabulous beaches often only accessible by boat. The sea is extremely clean and teeming with fish. According to many experts, the richest fishing grounds in this area are for blue fish (plava riba), crawfish, moray eels and some other prized species. Fishing requires a permit, which costs 60 kn per day or 150 kn for three days (permits can be purchased online here).

The ubiquitous greenery, crystal clear water full of life and intact medieval stone houses like a movie set speak volumes about the incredible charm of this place. There is no doubt that the island is one of the most beautiful on the Adriatic.

The island has retained its personality thanks to its remoteness and the presence of the navy, which was based here until 1992 (until 1988, foreigners were forbidden to enter the island). There was no tourism and the population was declining. Today, there are only 700 permanent residents on the island, scattered in seven villages. There is only one hotel, a few small guesthouses and private accommodation. Most of the population lives in the village of Lastovo (the main centre of the island), which is situated high above the sea, on a slope above the valley. The biggest peculiarity of this village are the medieval stone houses (the inhabitants had no need to build new ones). and maintained what their ancestors had built) and endless stone staircases replacing the streets. The most reliable means of transport here is the donkey. Renaissance villas with spacious terraces, famous minaret-shaped chimneys (fumari) and beautiful folk costumes and traditions have also been preserved.

Every year, the island hosts a carnival (people commemorate the victory over the Catalan pirates who captured neighbouring Korcula and headed for Lastovo), men arm themselves, women and children pray to St. George, who heard them and the Catalan fleet was destroyed by storms on the way to Lastovo) and the famous music festival (jazz, rock, blues). Lastovo is the second sunniest and most forested island in Croatia (after Hvar) and in summer there is a pleasant maestral or levant wind. There are pleasant walking and cycling paths around the island (through fragrant forest and with little elevation gain).

The bay with the eponymous village of Skrivena Luka, Zaklopatica, Posadur and Lučica (a really picturesque harbour with original reconstructed fishermen's houses) are definitely worth a visit. Above the bay Skrivena Luka there is the Struga lighthouse (the oldest in Croatia, built in 1839, the lighthouse keeper took over this craft from his father and grandfather, it is possible to stay here). The Lastovo archipelago consists of 46 adjacent islands, islets and reefs. Worth seeing is definitely the island of Sušac (13 NM west of Lastovo), a nice little cove that serves as a fishing anchorage, a great wealth of fish in the waters around the island, a nice 40-meter long beach), but also the smaller islets of Kopist (overfishedKopište, fishing bays, nice swimming), Saplun (nice swimming), Mrčara (the largestPrežba, Makarac (hermits lived here), Sestrice, Vlasnik and Glavat (lighthouse) - the last three islands are a fisherman's paradise.

Where to anchor on Lastovo

• Zaklopatica - well protected bay and anchorage (dangerous wind only from NE), there are two piers and four restaurants offering muring with water and electricity connection, WIFI connection. The berth on the west side of the bay is chargeable (under Dubrovnik administration). There is a fee of 150 kn for a 10m yacht, 40 kn for electricity and 20 kn for garbage. There is a grocery store and bike rental, showers and toilets on the waterfront. Fresh fish and lobster can be bought here.
• Skrivena Luka - nice bay and anchorage, in front of the Porto Rosso restaurant there is a pier with muring, water and electricity connection and WIFI. There are nice showers, toilets and laundry with dryer on the quay. Dangerous wind and swell from N and SW. There are uncomfortable gusts when sailing.
• Lučica - picturesque bay and anchorage, on the waterfront there are beautiful (original) renovated fishermen's houses. Dangerous wind from N and NE. There are often waves or swells in the small harbour. You can also anchor in St. Mihajlo bay (next door).
• St. Mihajlo - there is a pier belonging to the village of Lastovo. The bay is protected only if it is SW or SE wind. If the wind is stronger, it is better to leave the bay.
• Ubli - ferry port, possibility to recharge water (100 liters for 30 kn), there is a gas station.

Restaurant tips:

• Santor (Zaklopatica), konoba Fumari (Lastovo), Pizzeria and bistro Amfora (Lastovo, worth a visit, good food at very good prices).

The port town, which is considered Croatia's greatest jewel, will win over even the biggest opponent of historical monuments with its distinctive character. Since 1979, the town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dubrovnik has been a centre of maritime trade for centuries. It flourished most in the 15th century, when it was one of the most important trading ports in Europe. During this period, Dubrovnik was also a great competitor to Venice. With its 300 merchant and warships and more than 4,000 sailors, it had the third largest fleet in the world. Ships with goods from all over the Mediterranean, Europe and the Far East landed here. Exports were mainly salt (salt mining was the largest source of income), wine, fish and olive oil.

A prestigious sailor's school was built next to the fortress of St. Lawrence. The seafaring trade is still popular here today and Dubrovnik women had to cope with their husbands being at sea much more than at home. Dubrovnik's oldest port, Kalarina, stood at the Lovrijenac fortress. There were also two arsenals in the town - large naval ships were repaired here. If you want to learn more about the life of Dubrovnik's sailors and their ships, visit the local seafaring museum. It is located a short walk from the old harbour (called Kaša) and there are several aquariums with marine fish.

The wealth and relative peace (the Turks paid a hefty fee for protection) created ideal conditions for the development of science, art and architecture. The city had a modern water and sewage system, quarantine service and infirmaries (they protected the city from epidemics and diseases, every traveller and sailor had to spend min. 40 days before entering the city), hospital, leprosarium, pharmacy (one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe - preserved to this day, monks made contraceptives from herbs here), several doctors and even a place for babies - the oldest babybox in history.

Fate has also dealt the city some heavy blows - a plague epidemic in the 14th century killed more than 7,000 inhabitants, the great earthquake of 1667, the civil war and the bombings of 1991-1992.

Nowadays Dubrovnik is a very popular and expensive tourist destination. It is rightly considered the most beautiful city on the Adriatic coast and will immediately win you over with its unmistakable atmosphere. The most dominant feature of the city is the roughly two-kilometre high walls with several defensive towers that protected the city from enemies.

Several majestic fortresses are also part of the protection system - the Fortress of St. John's Fortress, the Lovrijenac Fortress on the cliff, Bokar and Ravelin (the last three stand separately from the fortifications themselves, but have had a major influence on the protection of the city). Above the entrance gate of Lovrijenac Fortress stands the motto, so characteristic of Dubrovnik, "Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro" - that is, "Freedom cannot be bought with all the gold in the world."The place has a ghostly atmosphere and every year theatre festivals are held here. The port of Lovrijenac is famous for the play Hamlet all over the world. The Buza Bar, located on a rock, offers a beautiful view of the sea, pleasant music and refreshments.

We recommend anchoring in the evening south of the entrance to the old harbour and entering it by boat early in the morning (you can also arrive in the harbour with a sailboat, but it is not allowed, so you will be kicked off the pier at 9 o'clock at the latest). The best time to visit is early in the morning around 6-7am when the city is waking up. There are no tourists anywhere, fruit and vegetable markets are descending, the streets are being cleaned and everywhere is wonderfully quiet. The first cafes start to open, you can have a coffee and enjoy the atmosphere of the empty city. This early the city gates are closed to tourists, so you will only meet locals. The old town is truly unique.

The town centre is intertwined with narrow, rather steep stone streets where cafes with gardens, restaurants, galleries, various shops and souvenir shops are squeezed in. We recommend the Clara Stones shop, where you can buy beautiful jewellery made from real coral and learn about coral processing. The local colour is the ubiquitous linen that hangs from cords strung on pulleys between the windows. It adds colour and life to the austere stone walls.

The main entrance to the town is the western double Pila Gate. A stone bridge over a moat and a wooden drawbridge (still functional) lead to the gate. From the outer gate there are steps down to the inner gate, which is part of the main city wall. The castle moat has been converted into a park where beautiful pink oleanders are in bloom. On the other side of the town is the eastern Ploče Gate (the Gate of Ploče).

Dubrovnik Marina

• ACI marina Miho Pracat offers 425 berths on the water, water and electricity hook-up, showers and toilets, WIFI, technical service and several shops with yachting equipment. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, children's playground, dive centre, laundry, well-stocked supermarket, taxi rank and petrol station. There are several cafes and restaurants on the waterfront (we recommend the Vimbula restaurant if you want to eat near the marina, or the excellent Bonaca konoba - about 1 km from the marina). The average price for a berth is 123 EUR (for a boat length of 44 feet). There is a regular bus service from the marina to the old town.
• Marina Gruž - a small marina offering 40 berths with water and electricity connection. There are no meringues here yet! It is necessary to stand at anchor. It is expensive for small boats (boats up to 25 meters pay 120 EUR, water and electricity are not included). There are showers and toilets on the quay, an ATM and a grocery store. If you want to eat near the marina, we recommend the Amfora restaurant (excellent food, but quite expensive, a short walk from the marina), Porat Bar & Grill (steak house, grill, specialties), Otto Tavern.
• The harbour of the old town - it is busy, tourist sailing boats are not allowed to anchor here.

In summer, the Dubrovnik area gets a steady maestral (daily breeze). Mostly from the SSE and SE direction in the morning and turning to the SW and WSW in the evening. It usually starts blowing around 10 am and reaches 3-5 Bf in the afternoon. It dies down again at sunset. The Maestral is considered a good weather wind because it maintains cloudless, blue skies and a comfortable temperature at sea. In July and August, temperatures in the area reach 29-35 °C, with sea temperatures of about 25 °C.

These winds blow mostly in the winter and spring months, when they usually hit full force (50-60 kts).

Check out the coastal map with icons for detailed information about ports, marinas, bays and other attractions on the island of Korcula. For detailed information you need to click on the relevant icon. You can enlarge or shrink the map as you wish (if you click on the square on the top right of the map frame, it will enlarge the map to full screen).

By car

The drive from Prague to Dubrovnik is about 1 467 km long and takes 15-17 hours. The motorway section is 1 172 km long (the motorway goes almost to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina). This route goes via Brno - Vienna - Graz - Maribor (Slovenia) - Zagreb - Zadar - Split - Dubrovnik. Croatian motorways are good quality, but quite expensive. The trip to Dubrovnik will cost about 10 000 CZK by a regular car, including motorway tolls (10 EUR Austrian stamp for 10 days, 30 EUR Slovenian stamp for 2 months and about 65 EUR Croatian motorway tolls).

By plane

Approximately 25 km from the ACI marina Miho Pracat is the Dubrovnik International Airport. The price of a one-way ticket to Dubrovnik comes out to 4 500 CZK - 6 500 CZK. Transfer from the airport takes about 25 minutes. The price of a taxi ranges from 310 kuna (passenger car) or 510 kuna (multivan). It is also possible to book a shuttle bus (+385 20 442 222).