Menu
Menu
Menu
Perfectly positioned on Adriatic coast at mid-distance of Split and Dubrovnik
Ploče has extremely good traffic connectivity (Split and Dubrovnik airports,
highway road A1) which makes it an excellent destination as a base of your holiday, from where you can easyily reach and enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds our region, and for excursions to famous cities in Central and South Dalmatia. And in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Natural and geo traffic position of Ploče enables a quality maritime connection to islands of Middle and South Dalmatian Archipelago.
Neretva river valley is also known as the Green Pearl of the Adriatic.
Once you stop to admire the panorama of green fields intersected with Neretva backwaters you will lose your breath and it will become clear where the name came from.
One of the last remaining swamp areas of Europe!
Geographically different from the rest of the Croatian coastline and the karst landscape, the fertile land around the river Neretva, the largest in the eastern part of the Adriatic, is perfect for agriculture, different flora and fauna and is full of evidence of a rich history and interesting pirate stories.
Here are some highlights what to check out
Take a photo safari, travelling by traditional boat called a „lađa“ through the narrow canals and enjoy the beautiful untouched nature.The vessel is a traditional ship used on the Neretva for hundreds of years: for the transport and as a part of the traditional wedding ceremony. Today they are used for touristic purposes, such as for the safari. While tasting the traditionally prepared drinks and food, the horizon will offer a unique sight of rare animals and birds around the channels of Neretva decorated with water lilies.
The Predolac cave is a place to meet the single Dinaric cave shellfish “Congeria”, a living fossil, a tertiary relic and an endemic of Dinarides. This is also a home to other different animal species living exclusively underground.
The Neretva valley is a region rich in its diversity of the flora and fauna. Favorable soil created by swamp reclamation is the ideal place for growing different plants. Over the generations families have worked the land, cut their own channels from the Neretva River to feed their crops. These fields and plantations have supplied the region and beyond with high quality fruit and vegetables. There are 1.4 million mandarin seedlings in the valley, producing over 60 tonnes of mandarins every year. And it isn’t only the locals that pluck the fruit from the trees, tourists are also invited to help!
Just driving through the Valley you can be sure you won’t miss noticing the extent of the colorful fruit; mandarins,apples, melons, chrries, strawberries,juicy lemons, home made autochthonous products, honey and much, much more. Roadside stands sell all kind of local produce, from the tree to your mouth.
Wetlands and swamps, like the Neretva Delta are known as the cradles of life because of almost ideal combination of various biological and natural factors.
Habitat in the areas of brackish water is home to of a number of species of seaweed, shellfish and fish, there are over 25 species of bats in the region you can see otters and other mammals.
There are 310 species of bird on the Neretva River, 115 of which are nesting.
Metković, a town in the Neretva Valley, is home to the second biggest ornithological collection in Europe.
Neretva is the most famous eel habitat in Croatia. Eel from the Neretva River and other species spawn in the Sargasso Sea where the Gulf Stream returns them to Europe. The journey sometimes takes up to three years. Numerous restaurants across the Neretva valley offer specialities of eels and frogs.
The Lađa Marathon is a traditional, internationally known and recognized event taking place every year at the Neretva river. Thirty teams from the valley and from abroad participate in this 22 meters long race, starting in Metković, and the finish line is in Ploče, where is organized a big party!
The first marathon was held in 1998,and before it, the ships were removed from the sludge in memory of grandparents who were trying to preserve them this way. Today marathon has grown into a real spectacle
Built on the ruins of an old Roman temple!
Museum Narona is named after the great city of Narona, one of the most important Roman cities on the Croatian Adriatic. During excavations in the nineties, archaeologists discover 17 temple statues of which the most impressive was the Emperor Augustus together with his family. All the statues were found headless, having most probably been removed by Christians. However, parts of the heads were found in other parts of the world such as England (head Empress Livia and the god Mercury) and returned. Beside Roman statues museum Narona keeps around 900 findings, from the 3rd century BC until the 15th century; extensive coin collection, ancient glass products, mosaics, erotic designs, a Roman doctor’s bag in perfect condition etc.
Gastronomically speaking, the product which made this region world renowned is its autochthonous fish stew (brodetto). The main ingredients of this dish are eels and frogs, but also other fish are used. Brackish water in the Neretva channel is habitat for many crabs, shellfish and fish. Every place in the valley, every household and every restaurant has its own special ingredient and preparing method of „brodet“ .Consequently, it is not enough to try just one! If you find yourself in this corner of Croatia then be sure to try some of these dishes which you won’t find anywhere else in the Adriatic, while also offering a number of Dalmatian specialites such as dishes under the bell, fish, beef stew called Pašticada etc.
Neretva wine growing region and the youngest wine growing region Komarna nearby ensure that high-quality wines accompany Neretva delicacies.
Taste Zlatarica, Chardonnay, Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon and enjoy a true moment of hedonism.
Neretva river delta is perfect place for kitesurfing. Along with Viganj on Peljesac, this location is ideal for kitesurfing due to it often having strong wind, It’s considered one of the best spots in Croatia and Europe.
Neretva valley is an undiscovered gem!
Beside the Neretva river, the 16th-century tower of Norin was built as a bulwark of the Ottoman Empire from the attacks of Venetian ships. Used for the military purposes until the 19th century when it was converted into the mill. Locals say the tower actually has seven floors, but they cannot be seen because of the sinking into marshland.
Not far from the traffic route in the Neretva River valley, is another place of beauty which must be visited. North-west of the Neretva estuary, only two kilometres from the port city of Ploce, a series of seven picturesque lakes lie in a rocky valley, that have exceptional natural value because they are home to a large number of protected plant and animal species. The bottom of Bacina lakes lies below sea-level, while the lakes surface lies above it. , which makes them a cryptodepression.
Trade brought the ancient Greeks to this area, and during the time of ancient Rome the area was a part of the province of Dalmatia. The city of Narona was then one of the largest economic end cultural centres on the Adriatic Coast.
On this locality are the remains of antique walls and mosaics belonging to the Roman habitation Praetoria. The remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century have been found here. A necropolis of stelae, mostly sarcophagi and slabs, has been found next to the ruins of the church of St. Andrew.
This region is most famous for its gastronomic specialities. Eels, black water hens and frogs legs, amongst others, are specialities of the Dalmatian kitchen and present an excellent reason to visit the area.
Bike trail, that connects five of the seven Bacina lakes, is about 15 km long. Along the entire bike trail, which is exeptionaly decorated, benches had been set, and near the trail itself there is a water source where you can refresh and relax. The trail is designed for walking and cycling, and the entire landscape around the trail is filled with olive and fig trees, pomegranates and vineyards that, in early autumn, seduces eyes with their fruits, and nose with the smell of everlasting, sage and heather. Bacina lakes are truly a little kingdom of nature.
Together with walking and cycling, there are boat safari, kayaking and stand up paddling as attractive activites that you would certainly enjoy at this place of untouched nature.
Accommodation offer you can find here in a small camping place, or at private houses; from modern apartments and villas to reconstructed rustic houses. No matter what you choose, a friendly host will welcome you!
Beautiful sandy beach on estuary of Neretva river.
Pebble beach in picturesque place Blace.
Riviera Gradac is in the southernmost part of Split-Dalmatia County. It includes four picturesque tourist destinations scattered along fifteen kilometers of indented coast line: Zaostrog, Podaca, Brist and Gradac.
Unique blend of mountain relief and turquoise blueness that hugs a dozen kilometers of pebble beaches, adorn a preserved green belt of indigenous evergreen vegetation. Many underground streams from the mountain find their way to the sea. These undersea springs of fresh water possess medicinal properties. Therapeutic water, sea, and indigenous vegetation influenced a series of toponyms.
Rich monumental heritage preserved in tourist sites on the coast is also present in little mountain villages of indigenous Dalmatian architecture, connected today with marked hiking and cycling paths. Array of these tourist paths is complemented with renewed old olive groves, vineyards and one hundred year old pine forests. Special pearl of our Riviera is five hundred years old Franciscan monastery of Saint Mary in Zaostrog.
What is not well known, even among tour operators, is the sea temperature data which claims that the sea alongside our Riviera is suitable for swimming almost six months yearly. Did you know that the number of sunny days on Riviera is the same as on Hvar?
And somebody said that the Riviera Gradac has the most beautiful sunset in whole of Adriatic.
With a desire to make your vacation even more interesting, and to give you a reason to visit before and after the main season, tourist subjects offer you dozens of diverse excursions and incentive tours from the delta of river Neretva, over Dubrovnik, Trogir, Split,Međugorje, Mostar, all the way to the nearby islands Hvar,Pelješac, Korčula….
Gastronomical offer from these parts has its origin in some, very different past times. And ecologically made groceries give their dishes a unique aroma of lost times.
Lodging can be found in hotels, camps, and in private apartments that all have kind host as a thing in common.
They are expecting you!