Župa Dubrovačka Municipality: Coast, Trails and History

Župa Dubrovačka Municipality combines a distinctive coastal landscape with themed hiking trails and traces of different historical periods. When planning your trip, this gives you different ways to experience the municipality: days by the water, trails through the landscape and historical traces in its individual settlements.

Beaches, Coves and Hiking Trails

Župa dubrovačka has 22 beaches for sunbathing and swimming. This number may change if beaches are reclassified. In Mlini, gently sloping pebble beaches, sheltered coves, flower gardens and promenades shape the townscape. Duboka Ljuta Bay lies in the northeastern part of Župa Bay and also has a pebble beach. The coastline thus ranges from the coves and promenades in Mlini to a named bay on the northeastern edge of Župa Bay.

“Walking Paths of Župa dubrovačka” is a 50-kilometre network of themed hiking trails across the entire municipality. One of its routes, the Connecting Route, links Župa dubrovačka with the Croatian Long Distance Trail towards Srđ above Dubrovnik, as well as with the Heart of Konavle Trail. This means you can explore the municipality through its trails and their connections, not just its coastline. As conditions on the ground can change, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions before setting out.

Mills, Churches and Historical Traces

Mlini was historically a centre of milling; one of the former mills is still well preserved today. The churches in the settlement and its surroundings also reflect different periods of construction. The Church of Sv. Ilara in Mlini is mentioned in the Dubrovnik Statute of 1272 and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1683. Sv. Petra has stood on Trapita Hill since the 16th century; from there, the view extends over Župa Bay. Above Plat is the medieval votive chapel of Sv. Ivana, first mentioned in 1366.

In Soline, the Church of Sv. Nikole has a Gothic phase dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as an addition from the 18th century. In Plat, Spiona, the settlement’s oldest archaeological site, preserves traces of the Illyrians and Romans. These places give your exploration a historical arc: from the first mention of the Chapel of Sv. Ivana in the 14th century, through the Gothic phase in Soline, to later additions and reconstructions.

Archaeological finds are also part of the history of the coastal settlements. Goričina, between Kupari and Srebreno, was once a settlement and a harbour. Fragments of Roman amphorae, pottery and coins have been found there. Amphorae, urns and coins of Roman emperors were uncovered in Srebreno and are considered evidence of the area’s historical continuity. Kupari, meanwhile, is regarded as the oldest tourist resort in Župa; its first hotel was built there in 1920.

Culture and Guided Experiences

KUD Marko Marojica preserves the cultural heritage and Župa dances, and performs folk dances in traditional Župa costumes. This work has been ongoing since 1976. Another way to discover local and regional history is the guided “Hidden Stories of Mlini” tour to the ruins of the Bettera summer residence. It explores the cultural and regional history of Mlini and Župa dubrovačka and is listed for 2026; check again for future dates.

Buggy tours are recommended as an adventure activity in the rural part of Župa dubrovačka. You should check separately whether a provider is currently available. Alongside the trails and historic sites, there are also activity ideas whose availability you can confirm as part of your trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Soline, Mlini, Čelopeci, Buići, Plat, Srebreno, Kupari, Čibača, Brašina, Brgat, Petrača.

For the broader travel overview: Dubrovnik-Neretva County.