Sightseeing stop in Ston: discover beautiful places in Croatia

Ston highlight

historical ensemble is a UNESCO Tentative List Site

We at Monterrasol Transfers specialize in private car transfers. Together with the transfer itself, we propose that you visit some beautiful places along the transfer route. We call such places optional sightseeing stops (short excursions).

One of the places we selected to propose as a sightseeing stop is a beautiful Ston in Croatia. Sightseeing stops are a perfect easy opportunity to see new places during your transfer across Croatia, especially during long distance transfers. Take it as a great option to get in touch with local culture and history. It's good to combine transportation and sightseeing together!

Ston was a major fort of the Ragusan Republic whose defensive walls were regarded as a notable feat of medieval architecture. The town's inner wall measures 890 metres in length, while the Great Wall outside the town has a circumference of 5 km. The walls extend to Mali Ston (Little Ston), a smaller town on the northern side of the isthmus and the end of the Bay of Mali Ston, notable for its mariculture.

Last reviewed: 26 May 2026

Ston description

Ston is a charming historic settlement positioned at the southern base of the Pelješac peninsula in southern Dalmatia, Croatia. The town lies at the narrow isthmus connecting the peninsula to the mainland, strategically placed between three seas and protected by four surrounding hills. It sits approximately 60 kilometers northwest of the famous walled city of Dubrovnik, making it an accessible and rewarding day trip destination for travellers exploring the region.

The name ＂Ston＂ is used in Croatian, while the town is known as ＂Stagno＂ in Italian languages, and Stagnum (marshland) in Latin. The name has ancient roots, reflecting the area's long-standing association with salt production and its strategic maritime position. This linguistic heritage connects the modern settlement to centuries of Mediterranean trade and cultural exchange that have shaped the Dalmatian coast.

Due to its geopolitical and strategic position, Ston has enjoyed a rich history since ancient times. Initially an Illyrian settlement, the Romans established their own colony there in 167 BC. The town's ecclesiastical importance grew as well, with a diocese first mentioned in 877, serving as a suffragan to the Archbishopric of Split.

Throughout the medieval period, Ston changed hands between various regional powers. It was part of the principality of Zachlumia upon the arrival of South Slavs in the 7th century. In the 14th century, the Branivojević brothers held the area under the Serbian crown, though in 1326 Dubrovnik occupied Ston with the help of Bosnian Ban Stjepan II Kotromanić.

In 1333, Dubrovnik officially purchased Pelješac peninsula with Ston from both the Bosnian Ban and the King of Zahumlje, agreeing to pay the so-called ＂tribute of Ston＂. From that moment until the fall of the Republic in the 19th century, Ston became an integral part of the Republic of Ragusa and served as its second most important city. This era marked the golden age of Ston's development and fortification.

As early as 1335 Ston was divided into 15 basic parts called desens (=tenth parts), later subdivided into smaller units separated by straight street sections. The residential nucleus was surrounded by public buildings. Over the centuries the town spread southwards. The Franciscan monastery was built in 1349. The width of the streets was regulated in 1358, and the boundaries of the desens were resurveyed in 1394.

In the fifteenth century a pentagonal defensive wall was built round the town with several gates (Vrata od Zamirja, Poljska Vrata and Morska/Lucka Vrata). Within the sophisticated fortification system these walls gave the final contour to the urban nucleus of Ston.

The most spectacular attraction in Ston is its system of defensive walls, often called the ＂Great Wall of Europe＂ due to its impressive scale. Built by the Republic of Dubrovnik in the 14th century, the walls stretch over 5 kilometers and connect the town of Ston (Veliki Ston) with the smaller settlement of Mali Ston (Little Ston) on the opposite side of the peninsula. This unique fortification complex, unparalleled in Europe, was constructed to protect the valuable salt pans and the Republic's possessions on Pelješac.

Mali Ston, the fortified point at the western end of the Great Wall across the isthmus, was developed with the same attention in terms of town planning and construction as confirmed by the identical parcelling into tenth parts and the planned construction of the harbour, arsenal, shipyard and defensive complex.  The construction of both towns was the first spatial planning project implemented by the Dubrovnik Republic outside the centre of the small state, built to human measure.

For a modest fee of around €10 per person, tourists can walk along a restored section of these monumental stone walls. The path offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea, the lush green hills of the peninsula, the red rooftops of the old town, and the shimmering salt pans below. The best time for this activity is late afternoon, when the heat of the day subsides and the setting sun paints the landscape in golden hues.

Ston has been a centre of salt production for over 700 years, and its saltworks are among the oldest still operating in Europe. Seawater is channelled into shallow stone basins, where the sun and wind cause evaporation, leaving behind pure white crystals that are collected by hand. This ＂white gold＂ was once the most valuable resource of the Republic of Ragusa and remains a source of local pride today. The Ston salt pans still produce salt at the average rate of 1500 tons a year.

Visitors can take guided tours of the Stonske Solane to learn about this ancient craft. The entrance fee is approximately €5-7, and the experience includes viewing the stone pools, seeing the small wagons that transport salt on narrow rails, and visiting a small museum with archival photos and antique tools. The gift shop sells hand-mined salt, cosmetics, and local delicacies. The pools are particularly beautiful in the late afternoon when the water reflects pink and orange tones.

The historic core of Ston is a delight to explore, featuring narrow stone streets, beautiful Renaissance buildings, and charming orange gardens that fill the air with fragrance. The old town has been under UNESCO protection for many years, and walking through its alleys feels like stepping into a place where time has stood still. Unlike more crowded Croatian destinations, Ston offers a peaceful, authentic atmosphere.

The Lapidarium, housed in the Bishop's Palace, is one of the richest collections of medieval art in southern Croatia. Arranged and opened to the public in 2015, the exhibition features stone plutes, frescoes, and ornaments with intricate braided decoration illustrating the work of Ston and the surrounding area from Roman antiquity to recent historical times. The museum contains over 100 stone pieces, including Roman artifacts, medieval carvings, and early Christian church remains. Highlights include a reliquary of the cross and the crown of Christ, brought to Ston by Bishop Bonifacije, as well as a collection of gold jewellery donated by the faithful.

Perched on a hilltop, the Church of St. Michael is the only surviving early Christian church in the area, having endured for centuries while others were destroyed. The church stands on the site of an ancient castrum (Roman fort) and has fragments of Roman decorative plaster and antique ceramics incorporated into its structure. During renovations, archaeologists discovered these remnants, confirming the long history of habitation on this strategic hill.

Just a few kilometres from Ston lies Mali Ston (Little Ston), a smaller settlement situated on a beautiful bay known for its shellfish cultivation. This area is famous for producing some of the best oysters and mussels in all of Croatia. Many restaurants in both Ston and Mali Ston specialise in fresh seafood, offering visitors a chance to taste these delicacies while gazing out over the tranquil waters.

The fortification complex includes several impressive fortresses, the largest of which is Veliki Ston (Great Ston) and the fortress of Koruna. These strongholds were built on the hills surrounding the town to provide additional layers of defence. The fortress at Mali Ston, surrounded by water and connected to the walls, creates a perfect backdrop for memorable photographs.

The ＂Ston Historic Nucleus and Old Town and Walls＂ were submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 1998. While the nomination was not examined at that time, the site remains recognised for its outstanding cultural value. The entire complex of fortifications, unique in Europe, is currently undergoing restoration thanks to the efforts of the Society of Friends of the Dubrovnik Walls, allowing the monumental stone walls to regain their old dignity.

The historical-town planning ensemble of Ston regarded as integrated cultural heritage (cultural property and cultural landscape) comprises Ston and Mali Ston, the connecting walls, the nature reserve of Mali Ston Bay, Stonsko Polje and the salt pans. The area of this cultural property includes urban ensembles developed in accordance with the configuration of the ground and the preserved parts of the outstanding natural environment. Its development and structuring reflects the successive historical stages, and provides a clear overview of its historical, strategic and economic role notwithstanding modern interference in the environment.

The described sites of the Ston region with their variety and diversity, blended inseparably with the natural framework, make up a universal civilizational value and link between Nature and Man, and assert the regions and the two thousand years of its history.

Today, Ston is a peaceful municipality with approximately 2,500 residents, though the urban centre itself has about 500 inhabitants. The town has successfully embraced tourism while preserving its authentic character. In 2021, Vedran Antunica was elected mayor of the municipality. Ston is easily accessible by car from Dubrovnik (about 1 hour) or from Split (about 1.5 hours) via the scenic Adriatic Highway (D8).

Ston enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The hottest month is July, with average high temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F). January is the coldest month, with average highs of 11°C (52°F) and lows of 5°C (41°F). The sea is warmest in August, reaching approximately 25°C (77°F), perfect for swimming. November is the wettest month, with about 122mm of rainfall, while July is the driest, receiving only about 21mm. The best time to visit for outdoor activities is from May to October, with September offering ideal conditions for wall walking and sightseeing.

Tourists are drawn to Ston for its unique combination of monumental history, authentic local culture, and stunning natural scenery. Walking the ＂Great Wall of Europe＂, exploring the ancient salt pans, and tasting freshly harvested oysters from the Mali Ston bay are experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. The town offers a peaceful alternative to the crowded streets of Dubrovnik, allowing visitors to absorb centuries of history at a relaxed pace while enjoying the warm hospitality of the Dalmatian coast.

We know good things to see in Croatia. We know the roads, well-known tourist attractions like UNESCO sites, and off-the-beaten-path places.

If you would like to learn more about Croatia and explore it by visiting different attractions, come with us for a private tour. We can travel all across Croatia and we will show you all the important tourist attractions together with the hidden gems of this beautiful country. Feel free to contact us!

We have developed numerous itineraries for private car tours in Croatia as well as in neighboring countries, including tours passing through several countries as one journey. Solo private tours and tours for Seniors are available also.

Transfers to Ston

Currently we know prices for these car transfers to Ston:

Private transfers from Bosnia-Herzegovina

• private car transfer Jajce to Ston

Private transfers from Croatia

• private car transfer Dubrovnik to Ston

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