If you’re traveling along Croatia’s coast, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself driving from Split to Dubrovnik (or vice versa).
Split to Dubrovnik is one of the most popular road trips along the Adriatic coast. The two cities are included on most coastal Croatia itineraries, so visitors often rent a car and make the scenic 3-hour drive down the Jadranska magistrala (Adriatic highway).
But there’s no reason to rush it. If you give yourself a full day for the drive, you’ll have time to stop at some really beautiful, lesser-known spots along Croatia’s coastline.
With that said, here are some of the best places to stop between Split and Dubrovnik:
1. Omis
Omis is a beautiful town, and one of the largest along the route. Situated between the coast and the Cetina River Canyon, the backdrop is stunning. From the town center, you can easily access outdoors activities like ziplining, rafting, kayaking, and hiking.
Omis is only about 30 minutes from Split, so it’s equally reasonable to just spend a half-day here during your time in Split.
2. Brela
A few of the beaches around the village of Brela are renowned for being the best beaches between Split and Dubrovnik. Punta Rata Beach, in particular, is often ranked among the most beautiful in Croatia.
In peak season, many travelers will take advantage of these less-crowded beaches, so you probably won’t have the beach all to yourself. There are also many boutique hotels and Airbnbs in this area, so it isn’t exactly a hidden gem. Still, Brela is a far cry from the crowded beaches in and around Split and Dubrovnik, and if you go early enough, you’ll have plenty of space to yourself.
3. Peljesac Peninsula
The Peljesac Peninsula is that island-looking piece of Croatia that’s actually barely connected to the mainland. It’s located between Dubrovnik and Korcula, one of the best Croatian islands in my opinion (though Vis is my personal favorite).
The peninsula doesn’t get much recognition, but it’s best known for its wine production. There are numerous small, family-owned vineyards on Peljesac. Many of them offer walk-in wine tastings, vineyard tours, and lunches. If interested, I would recommend reaching out in advance to confirm a day and time for a tasting or lunch. We actually stumbled onto a vineyard on the island of Vis, and while the family served us lunch, they did not have any tastings open for the afternoon, so calling ahead is important.
Since I haven’t explored Peljesac’s vineyards, you’re probably better off learning about them (and where to find the best vineyards) from someone who’s actually been there.
Virtuoso also has a super in-depth article with everything you need to know about exploring Peljesac’s vineyards.
4. Ston
Ston is the most picturesque town on Peljesac. There’s a lot of history here, which is impossible to miss given the massive, centuries-old fortified wall that still stands today and once protected the town in medieval times. The wall is sometimes referred to as “The Great Wall of Europe.”
The walls date back to the 14th century, when the Republic of Dubrovnik built them to protect its valuable salt pans. At the time, salt was incredibly valuable (basically “white gold”), which made Ston an important strategic town. You can still walk parts of the wall today, and the views are worth it.
Even if you don’t care about the history, Ston is still a good stop between Split and Dubrovnik. There usually aren’t too many tourists, so you can enjoy its beautiful streets and quiet beaches without the crowds.
5. Neum, Bosnia
If you want to check off another country, you could always take the slight 30-minute detour from the main route (excluding border checkpoint wait times) and head to Bosnia’s only coastal town, Neum.
You might be familiar with that meme of Croatia hoarding the entire coastline from Bosnia. But Neum is the exception, being the only spot where Bosnians can go to enjoy the Adriatic.
Because of this, Neum gets quite crowded in the summer. However, it’s so convenient for those who’d like to say they’ve been to Bosnia that it could be worth the stop.
Just make sure that if you’re renting a car to get around Croatia, that your rental company allows you to drive in Bosnia.
6. Makarska
Makarska is one of the largest towns between Split and Dubrovnik and, as a result, it’s a common place to stop or even stay overnight since there are plenty of accommodations.
Like Omis, Makarska has a stunning mountain backdrop. The town sits right at the base of the Biokovo mountains, which makes the scenery feel a bit more dramatic than other stops along the coast.
Makarska has some wonderful restaurants and a very nice promenade if you want to break up the drive, grab a bite, and go for a stroll. It’s a little over an hour from Split and about 2.5 hours from Dubrovnik. There are also plenty of beaches within walking distance of the center, so it’s an easy place to park and spend an hour or two by the water before getting back on the road.
7. Neretva River Delta
The Neretva River Delta is a unique landscape in this part of the world. Spilling out into the Adriatic, this delta is rarely explored despite being right on the Split to Dubrovnik route.
The vast marshland and rivers are well-worth exploring, especially if you’re into birdwatching. The delta is home to tremendous biological diversity, with more than 300 different bird species.
The town of Opuzen within the delta isn’t really catered to tourists, but for some (like me), that’s not necessarily a bad thing! There are a few nice cafes and restaurants where you can watch the boats come in and out, and it really is a charming town.
