11 Best Sights in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

There are idyllic swimming spots all around Mljet, but the village of Babino Polje in the center of the island is home to the most magical of all. Greek legend has it that when the hero Odysseus was shipwrecked off the island known as Ogygia, he swam into a cave where he was met by a nymph called Calypso; he was so bewitched that he stayed with her for the next seven years. The cave is tricky to reach so there are never any crowds, which adds to its mystique.

You can get there directly by boat or, if you're traveling by road, park at the Tommy market in Babino Polje and follow the signs through the olive groves on foot. The walk takes around an hour and includes a steep downhill section and uneven rocks, so make sure to wear decent shoes and bring water. Once you arrive, you can jump off the rocks and swim through a short tunnel into the cave; aim to arrive around noon, when the sun is high and the water is aquamarine. There is a makeshift café perched on the rocks above the cave; there may or may not be someone working there, but it makes a great place to stop for a break.

One of Croatia's best sandy beaches, this swath of white sand backed by pine forests, with a couple of unobtrusive bars and restaurants, is worth the 2½ km (1½ mile) trek across Lopud. The path is quite hilly in both directions, so you might want to hail a golf cart to get there or back—you'll see them driving around the island's main promenade in the morning and parked along the road just above the beach later in the day, waiting to bring people back to town.

All walks down the Stradun lead to one point: the Bell Tower. The centerpiece of Luža Square, this bright white structure from 1444 is one of the main symbols of the city, reaching 31 meters (102 feet) high and featuring a moon dial and the original bell from 1506. Look a little closer to see Dubrovnik's two favorite mascots tolling the hours on either side of the bell; known as Maro and Baro, the current figures are made of bronze, while the original wooden men are now found in the Rector's Palace.

This 18th-century Baroque church on Luža Square was built on the foundation of an earlier church that had been destroyed in a fire. Of particular note is the silver statue on the high altar of St. Blaise holding a model of Dubrovnik, which was the only thing that survived the fire. It is paraded around town each year on February 3, the Day of St. Blaise.

Perched 492 feet up the hill above Orebić is this modest 15th-century Franciscan monastery. During the heyday of the Dubrovnik Republic, the Pelješac Peninsula was under Dubrovnik's control, while just across the channel Korčula was ruled by their archrival, Venice. From their privileged vantage point on the hill, the Franciscan monks could spy upon their island neighbors, under strict orders to send a message to Dubrovnik if trouble looked likely. The monastery is also home to the Our Lady of the Angels icon that was said to protect captains on their voyages; when they passed under the monastery on their way home they would sound their sirens in greeting and the monks would ring the church bells in return. Today it's a welcoming retreat, with a lovely cloister and a small museum displaying scale models of the ships that local sea captains sailed across the oceans. You can also walk around the cemetery, where gray marble tombstones shaded by cypress trees mark the final resting places of many a local seafarer. It's worth the strenuous 40-minute hike from the center of Orebić (or the easier 5-minute drive) for the spectacular views across the channel to Korčula.

Find this monumental Baroque staircase, Dubrovnik's very own version of the Spanish Steps, at the south side of Gundulićeva Poljana. At the top is the lovely Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, built between 1699 and 1725. This staircase will be particularly familiar to Game of Thrones fans as the steps from Cersei's walk of shame scene.

Legend says that when Richard the Lionheart was shipwrecked on Lokrum Island, he vowed to show his thanks to God for saving his life by building a cathedral on the spot; locals convinced him to move his plans to Dubrovnik instead. The present structure was completed in 1713 in Baroque style after the original was destroyed in the 1667 earthquake. The interior contains a number of notable paintings, including a large polyptych above the main altar depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, attributed to Titian. The treasury displays 138 gold and silver reliquaries, including the skull of St. Blaise in the form of a bejeweled Byzantine crown and an arm and leg of the saint, likewise encased in decorated gold plating.

A series of interconnected medieval buildings located just outside the Ploče Gate, these were the original quarantine stations where traders had to spend 40 days (quaranta giorni in Italian, hence the word "quarantine") before they could enter Dubrovnik to ensure they didn't bring any diseases with them. Because the Republic was involved in so much trade with other countries, they were always at risk of catching serious diseases, such as the plague or cholera, which were killing thousands of people across Europe and Asia at the time. In 1377, the first quarantine stations were built on remote Dalmatian islands (first fully outdoors, then in small wooden stations so they could be burned easily if disease was detected). In 1647, construction was completed on the lazarettos, which were strategically located on the road that led to Dubrovnik from the south and right next to the main port. The quarantine requirement was finally abolished in 1872. Lazareti is now a sleepy area that's home to a couple of restaurants, art galleries, and shops.

Dating back to 1418, Orlando's Column, located at the end of the Stradun and serving as a popular meeting point, is dedicated to legendary 8th-century knight Roland, who is said to have saved Dubrovnik from a Saracen attack near Lokrum. The white-stone column has become a symbol of freedom for the city, and the white Libertas flag is traditionally flown from the top during important events, such as the opening ceremony of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

The original location where all trade goods coming into Dubrovnik went to be taxed, this 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace has served as the city's mint, an arsenal, and eventually a place for the Republic's most educated citizens to discuss cultural matters called the Academy of the Learned. It now contains the city's archives, as well as the occasional art exhibit; the shady arcaded interior is a lovely spot to escape the heat and crowds.

Turn left as you enter to find the Memorial Room for the Defenders of Dubrovnik, a heart-wrenching little gallery with photographs of those who died defending the city, along with remnants of the flag that once flew atop Mount Srđ.

Another interesting project by Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza's organization, albeit a slightly less imposing one than the monastery, is this modern art light installation on Lopud, inaugurated at the 2005 Venice Biennale. A play on light and perspective, you'll find it hidden away in the middle of the island. It's free to enter and only takes a few minutes to check out.