South Dalmatia is the smallest area of Dalmatia, and is also the least populated. This bit of Croatian land, which consists of a narrow coastal strip south of the river Neretva, Peljesac peninsula and the islands of Korcula, Lastovo, Mljet and Elaphites Islands, has despite its size and population great tourist offer, not any worse than other parts of Croatia. South Dalmatia is popular tourist destination for many visitors, as it is easy to find good accommodation, for example private rooms, apartments, villas, camps and hotels.
The city of Dubrovnik, Peljesac peninsula with its settlements and the island and town of Korcula are the most important tourist destinations in southern Dalmatia. These parts of Dalmatia are the most important for the lives of local people, as Dubrovnik is the main center of South Dalmatia, and Korcula is an important center for local residents on the Peljesac peninsula and the islands around it.
Dubrovnik was for centuries the main administrative, commercial and educational center of southern Dalmatia. It was also the capital of Dubrovnik Republic for several centuries and controlled almost entire Southern Dalmatia, including Peljesac peninsula, where they built defensive forts and walls near the town of Ston.
The peninsula of Peljsac is also historical important, as there were large salt pans near the town of Ston, and Nakovana was known for its large plantations of olive trees. Today, the Peljesac peninsula is popular destination for all tourists who love surfing, sailing and kitesurfing, as the south coast of the peninsula is because of the mistral wind the most suitable for these water sports.
The island and city of Korcula is still a local center of South Dalmatia, where locals can control their bussines and commercial transactions. Because of that, it is well connected with the mainland, and the island is also in a good position, as the distance from the Peljesac peninsula is just 15 minutes by boat.
In the costal part of Dubrovnik, from the historic town of Ston, there are many bays and tourist resorts. Especially worth mentioning is the Trsteno Resort, with its Renaissance Park and Arboretum, monuments of park culture.
The main attraction of south Dalmatia is the historic city of Dubrovnik, which has in the 20th century developed into the largest and the most important tourist resort in Croatia and one of the most known tourist resorts in the world, and since 1979 it is listed in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list.
Southeast of Dubrovnik, in the direction of Boka Kotorska, there is area named Zupa Dubrovacka, which extends in the Zupa bay. There is a wide range of comfortable tourist towns: Kupari, Mlini, Plat and Cavtat. Croatian part of the coast ends in fertile agricultural area Konavle.