HOW TO SPEND ONE PERFECT DAY IN STON, CROATIA

Ston is one of the best day trips you can take if you’re visiting the south of Croatia. It’s an easy trip from Dubrovnik, and definitely one you shouldn’t miss.

As a local Croatian who spends all her summers in Dubrovnik, Ston is often one of our stops on the way to Dubrovnik, and we love it every time. If you’re doing a similar route and need a stop along the way, or you’re simply looking for a great day trip from Dubrovnik, Ston could be perfect for you.

Keep reading to find out how I’d suggest you spend a perfect day in Ston!

WHERE IS STON?

Ston is a small town located on the Peljesac peninsula in Croatia. It’s known for its ancient walls, great seafood, and amazing wine. The town of Ston is about 56 kilometers northwest of Dubrovnik, so you can easily reach Ston by car or bus from Dubrovnik or other nearby towns on the Dalmatian coast.

IS STON WORTH VISITING?

Ston is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’re a foodie. People sometimes hesitate to visit because the town is quite small and they think there won’t be much to do. But honestly, Ston is a must-visit town in Dalmatia. If you need me to give you a few reasons to stop here, these are the main ones:

Firstly, the town is famous for the Walls of Ston, which date back to the 14th century. The walls are very long and offer beautiful views of the town, the surrounding area, and the nearby salt pans. They’re also quite affordable to visit, especially compared to the Walls of Dubrovnik.

Secondly, you can visit the historic Ston Saltworks, which have been producing salt since ancient times. You can walk around the salt pools and learn how salt is made. They even have guided tours which could be the perfect way to see them!

Finally, after exploring the town, you can enjoy some amazing seafood for lunch. Ston is famous for its very fresh seafood, especially oysters. We always go for a few fresh oysters, mussels, or oyster soup, and it’s delicious!

I would highly recommend visiting the whole Peljesac Peninsula, where Ston is located. It’s one of my favourite parts of Croatia in general. It’s well known for its great wines, especially Dingac and Postup, and there are some stunning beaches on the peninsula!

HOW TO REACH STON?

Reaching Ston is relatively easy, especially if you have a car. Tourists usually visit Ston from Split or Dubrovnik, but with a car it doesn’t matter where you are staying. Here’s exactly how you can reach this gem:

SPLIT TO STON

The most convenient way to reach Ston from Split is by car. The journey takes around 3–4 hours, and Croatian highways are great, so the time will pass quickly. If you have a bit more time, I’d recommend making a few stops along the way by driving the scenic Jadranska Magistrala. Once you reach Ploce, continue your drive across the Peljesac Peninsula until you arrive in Ston.

If you don’t drive or don’t have a car, there are regular bus services from Split to Ston. However, they often require a transfer in Dubrovnik or another nearby town, which means the journey can take quite a bit longer. If that’s the case, I’d suggest booking a transfer or a guided tour for a more comfortable trip.

DUBROVNIK TO STON

Ston is very close to Dubrovnik, so if you’re driving, it only takes about 1 hour to reach the town. Driving is by far the quickest and easiest way to get there. If you prefer public transport, there are regular buses from Dubrovnik to Ston with several departures each day. The bus ride takes around 1.5–2 hours, which is still very manageable. You can also find organized tours that include Ston and the Peljesac Peninsula, which is a great option if you want a stress-free day trip without worrying about driving or bus schedules.

HOW TO SPEND A PERFECT DAY IN STON: WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Ston may be a small town, but it offers a rich history, stunning landscapes, and unique experiences that make it worth a visit. We always visit Ston as a day trip on our way to Dubrovnik, and here’s how you can have the best day in Ston!

CLIMB THE WALLS OF STON

The Walls of Ston are the town’s biggest and most important landmark. They are the second-longest walls in the world after the Great Wall of China, so they’re definitely worth checking out. The walls offer panoramic views of the town, salt pans, and the surrounding countryside, and the tickets are 10 euros per person. You can buy them online or in Ston. The walls are around 5.5 km long and it will take you 1.5-2 hours to explore them.

VISIT THE SALT PANS

Ston is famous for its salt production, which has been active for over 2,000 years. If you’re interested, you can visit the Ston Saltworks to learn about the traditional methods of salt harvesting and enjoy the beautiful views of the salt fields. Tickets cost around 7 euros per person, and it’s a simple but very interesting stop while exploring Ston.

EXPLORE THE OYSTER FARMS AT MALI STON

Ston Bay is famous for its delicious oysters. While there aren’t oyster farms directly in Ston, you’ll find several of them in Mali Ston, a small village right next to Ston. There you can visit local oyster farms and seafood restaurants to taste fresh oysters and other seafood dishes. We always stop at Vila Koruna, where we eat fresh oysters with butter and lemon, as well as oyster soup, which is excellent.

TAKE A WINE TOUR ON PELJESAC

The Peljesac Peninsula, where Ston is located, is very well known for its vineyards and high-quality wines. You can visit one of the many local wineries for a wine tasting and try Dingac and Postup, the two most famous wines from the region. Some popular wineries you can visit include Matusko Winery, Milos Winery, Korta Katarina Winery, and Saints Hills Winery.

ENJOY THE BEACHES

The Peljesac Peninsula is home to some absolutely beautiful beaches. The most popular one close to Ston is Prapratno Beach, where the colour of the sea is truly breathtaking. If you have time to explore further into the peninsula, I’d highly recommend Vucine Beach in the small village of Zuljana. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the area and definitely worth the drive.

MY PERSONAL TAKE ON A DAY TRIP TO STON

I absolutely love Ston, and it’s an excellent day trip from Dubrovnik or a great stop if you’re driving along the coast. My favourite part of visiting Ston is definitely Prapratno Beach, which is truly mind-blowing, but I also love the relaxed walks through town and tasting fresh oysters nearby. If you have the time, I’d definitely recommend stopping here and exploring a bit. It’s absolutely worth it!

CONCLUSION: A DAY IN STON

Spending one day in Ston is the perfect way to experience this small but very special town. Even though Ston isn’t very big, there’s plenty to do in a day, from walking the impressive Walls of Ston, visiting the historic Ston Saltworks to relaxing at the beautiful Prapratno Beach. It’s a relaxed destination where you can enjoy history, incredible food, and beautiful nature all in one place. If you’re visiting Dubrovnik or exploring the Pelješac Peninsula, adding Ston to your itinerary is definitely worth it.