Walk & Discover: Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast

Nestled between the majestic Biokovo Mountains and the Adriatic Sea is the quaint village of Tučepi and almost two miles of white-pebbled beach which gleam in the sunlight - our starting point for today's walks.  

We'll follow the beachside promenade. On one side, you'll spot sunbathers and swimmers lounging on the now shady beaches while the fragrant pine forests indigenous to the Osejava Peninsula line the other. As our trail continues, we'll find ourselves walking near the cliff’s edge - keep your eyes towards the sea to spot some pretty bays and inlets as we wander to the beautiful Nugal Beach. Surrounded by pine trees, this small, secluded, stone beach slopes off into crystal clear waters - and has been (quite accurately) described as a piece of paradise on earth.

From Nugal Beach, we'll make our way to Makarska along the forest path punctuated by colourful benches and plenty of shady spots, ending in the bustling harbour town.  

If you choose to join our Blue Walk, we'll continue from Makarska, circling the Peninsula of St Peter. Our walk will take us to the statue of St Peter and the 15th-century church and lighthouse beyond. Here, we'll stop to admire views to the island of Brač and, in the other direction, the Biokovo Mountains.

As we walk back to Makarska, look out for Roman and Venetian ruins - you may even spot some from prehistoric times. We'll make it back to the harbour town around lunchtime. Here, you can enjoy the opportunity to make your own discoveries with some time at leisure for lunch.

Our day will begin with a scenic drive along the Dalmatian coastline to Split. On arrival we'll take a guided walking tour, including the structure Split is most famous for: the Emperor Diocletian’s huge palace. This was one of the greatest structures of the Roman Empire. No expense was spared in its construction – the best Italian marble, with columns and sphinxes from Egypt. But what makes this palace so astonishing is that, during medieval times, it was fully integrated into the town’s fabric with a jumble of buildings grafted onto and inside it. This means, for example, the Temple of Jupiter became a baptistry. You will find surprises at every turn - tall medieval buildings lining the streets, buttressed by unmistakably Roman columns. While we wouldn't blame you for expecting to see a museum here, you'd be wrong. The palace is all the more fascinating as, today, 3,000 people still live here.

This afternoon, we'll visit the medieval citadel of Trogir one of the most beguiling ports in Dalmatia. Behind its classic waterfront, an intriguing maze of winding medieval streets is revealed, tightly clasped by the imposing 15th-century city walls. At the heart of the old town, you’ll find the majestic Cathedral of Saint Lawerence, a Venetian masterpiece with its richly decorated chapel. Here, you can wander at leisure or enjoy a coffee in a pavement cafe - the choice is yours.

Today you have the choice of two wonderful walks exploring the peaceful Baćina Lakes. The series of seven lakes, six of which are interconnected, are filled by water from the Matica River, which flows through the beautiful Polje Jezero karst. Once a lake itself, the Polje Jezero field dried out to create fertile agricultural land, that is now known as one of Croatia’s largest wine-growing regions – the perfect place for our first walk. 

Our Green Walk begins by Baćina Lakes. From here, we'll follow a path around the biggest lake, Oćuša, and on to Podgora Lake. The area is a nature-lovers paradise, with an abundance of freshwater fish, diving birds, waders, eels and ducks to spot in the unspoilt natural beauty of the landscape.

Our walk ends at Peračko Plaža where we’ll enjoy a boat ride across the lake to appreciate the environment from a different perspective, arriving back at our starting point.  

For those who wish to take a more advanced route, we'll follow the Green Walk to Peračko Plaža continuing around the lakes in a circular walk. As we walk, we’ll pass the meadows and secluded beaches that line Baćina Lakes before returning back to the starting point.

Later we'll continue to Dubrovnik, where we'll stay for four nights.

Dubrovnik, an independent city-state for much of its history, has evolved differently to the rest of Croatia. This morning, we'll take a tour with an expert local guide explaining the city’s landmarks and intriguing history.

The city threw off its Venetian masters in medieval times and founded a commercial empire, trading with the eastern Mediterranean, France, Spain and, later, the Ottoman Empire. The resulting economic boom made Dubrovnik the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and you can still see evidence of its great wealth in the likes of the Rector’s Palace - now a museum - and Sponza Palace, currently housing centuries of historical city documents. The main avenue, lined by enticing shops and cafés, is completely paved with marble, which strikingly reflects the midday sun. Add in a wonderful array of monasteries and monumental ramparts and you’ll find this is a wonderful city, nestling in a location of outstanding natural beauty.

After our guided tour you'll be free to explore before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Our day begins with a journey from the Port of Dubrovnik to the traffic-free island of Koločep, part of the archipelago of Elaphiti Islands just a stone's throw from the coast. From here, you'll have the choice of two walks, starting from Donje Čelo - one of only two settlements on the island.

We’ll follow one of the many trails that criss-cross Koločep, passing through ancient olive groves and heavily scented pine forests. Our path takes us passed hidden coves and sandy bays. At the end of our journey, enjoy time at leisure in Koločep’s second settlement, Gornje Čelo, to relax at one of the beachfront restaurants before taking our boat back to Dubrovnik.

Our Blue Walk takes a slightly hillier journey through the ancient olive groves and pine forests surrounding Koločep. Our lofty path offers fantastic views of the coastline - including rocky coves lapped by the turquoise blue waters of the Adriatic - as well as breathtaking views of the neighbouring islands, Dubrovnik and the mountains beyond. Our walk also ends in Gornje Čelo, where we have time to relax before heading back to Dubrovnik by boat.

Today is yours to spend as you please in the Pearl of the Adriatic - so what will it be? After a few days of walking, this could be the perfect time to stretch out on a towel and soak up the sun at a local beach or watch the world go by from the comfort of a cafe on the main square. Perhaps you'll test your sea legs with a cruise around the harbour for unbeatable views of the rugged coastline or take a leisurely stroll around the city walls and explore even more of the city's history. Speaking of views, you could take a cable car up to the top of Mount Srđ - why not stay as the afternoon draws to a close and watch the colours of the sky change as the sun sets into the sea? The options are many and the choice is all yours.