Ston

Food | Wine | Architecture

Ston Travel Guide: Things to Know Before You Go

On our transfer from Split, Croatia to Kotor, Montenegro, we stopped in Ston, Croatia for a couple of days to eat oysters – and we were not disappointed. Raw oysters, grilled oysters, and fried oysters. Even oyster soup. The entire town’s food scene revolves around oysters. It’s easy to see why people travel from around the world to indulge in these local delicacies paired perfectly with the finest wines from the region.

In addition to oysters, Ston is home to the ‘The Great Wall of Croatia.” The Walls of Ston are the longest defensive stone walls in Europe (and the second longest in the world behind the Great Wall of China). These walls, along with the related towers and forts, are an architectural wonder worth exploring.

Below is a guide to our favorite food, wine, and architecture in Ston, plus some additional travel tips and resources we picked up along the way. We hope this information will inspire you to plan your next trip!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ston Food

Ston Wine

Ston Architecture

Where Is Ston Located?

Where Is the Best Place to Stay in Ston?

Hotels in Ston

What Is the Best Time to Visit Ston?

Weather
Shoulder Season
Best Value

FAQs About Ston

Other Things to Know About Ston

Ston Blog Posts

Ston Food

Discover the delectable flavors of Ston, Croatia. From traditional dishes to mouthwatering seafood, this charming little town offers an exceptional culinary experience. Indulge in locally grown oysters and mussels paired perfectly with a glass of fine Croatian wine. Whether you’re craving oysters or some other authentic Croatian cuisine, there is a restaurant that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Ston and embark on a gastronomic journey you won’t soon forget.

Ston Wine

Ston is located on the Pelješac peninsula in the Dalmatia wine region. The Dalmatia Wine page includes information we’ve gathered about the excellent wines produced in the area.

Discover the captivating wines of Ston, a hidden gem nestled in Croatia’s Pelješac peninsula. Immerse yourself in the rich viticultural heritage of this enchanting region, where impeccable craftsmanship produces some of Croatia’s finest wines.

Ston Architecture

Ston is a treasure trove of architectural wonders. From the impressive walls to the ancient forts and small churches, there is much to see in the small town.

Immerse yourself in history as you explore the well-preserved walls and admire the strategic design that once protected the town. Ston’s architecture is a testament to the town’s rich heritage and a delight for history enthusiasts.

Where Is Ston Located?

Ston is located in the Dalmatia region of Croatia. The small town is on the narrow strip of land connecting the southern part of the Pelješac peninsula to the mainland.

Where Is the Best Place To Stay In Ston?

Hotels in Ston

If you are planning a trip to Ston, there are plenty of excellent places to stay. However, for the best experience, we strongly recommend staying in the Old Town. The castle marker on the map below is the heart of the Old Town. We suggest staying as close to it as possible, depending on your budget and preferences.

The below interactive map provides hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

What Is The Best Time To Visit Ston?

The best month to visit Ston depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best weather, fewer crowds, or the best value? Following are our suggestions for each.

Weather

The best weather is a personal preference. We find the best weather for exploring a city is around 55° F and sunny. The weather in Ston during the summer is pretty warm.

Below is a chart showing each month’s average high and low temperatures so you can decide what is best for you.

Shoulder Season

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often called the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Ston is May through June and September through October. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

Ston is a popular day trip destination from Dubrovnik that can get busy during the summer months. July and August can get exceptionally crowded.

We visited Ston in late November. The weather was cool but very comfortable for exploring the walls and walking to Mali Ston.

Best Value

November through March are good months to visit Ston for the best value and no crowds. However, some restaurants are closed during the off-season, so there won’t be as many options.

Other Things to Know About Ston

Airport

The Dubrovnik Airport (code: DBV) is the closest major airport to Ston. It is 72 km away and takes approximately 1h 15m by car. The drive brings you past the beautiful city of Dubrovnik.

There are direct flights from Newark to DBV during the summer travel season. There are several year-round connecting airport options in Europe.

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET; UTC+01:00).

Currency

The euro is the currency of Croatia.

Language

Croatian is the official language of Croatia.

Visa

Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to visit Croatia if they stay 90 days or less. For more information on visa-free travel in Croatia, check out our article on traveling visa-free.

Electricity

Croatia’s electrical outlets are Type C, F, and L. They have a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Travelers from the United States will need an adapter.

If you have many items to plug in, we recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.

SIM Card

Travelers will want a SIM card for Croatia. You can get either a local SIM card or an eSIM card.

To get a local SIM card, you must find a local cellular service provider, often stand in line for assistance, show your passport, and complete some paperwork. The SIM cards work great, but purchasing them is somewhat inconvenient. This option is best if you need more than 5GB of data.

We use eSIMs exclusively because they can be purchased before arrival in a new country and activated when you hit a cell tower in the country. We use Airalo eSIMs. They work great, and I recommend them if you plan to use less than 5 GB of data during your stay or if you need internet immediately on arrival.

Car Rental

Croatia has a limited train system, and rental cars or private transfers are often required when visiting the country.

Most large American rental car brands, as well as Sixt and Europcar are available at the Dubrovnik airport. For a comparison of rental car offers from large, international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

FAQs About Ston

Is Ston in Croatia worth visiting?

Yes! Ston, Croatia has the longest fortified wall in Europe and some of the best oysters in the world. The region is also home to the finest wine in Croatia. So, if you like food, wine, and architecture, Ston is worth visiting!

If you want more information, we explored this question in depth in our article “Is Ston Worth Visiting?”

How long to walk the wall at Ston?

You should allocate 2 to 3 hours to enjoy walking the walls of Ston. However, it can be done in less time, if necessary.

Why was the Wall of Ston built?

The walls of Ston were constructed in the year 1333 when Ston became a part of the Republic of Dubrovnik. The primary objective behind building these walls was to safeguard the Republic and the peninsula. Later on, the walls were restored and maintained to protect the valuable salt pans that played a crucial role in contributing to the prosperity of Dubrovnik.

How do I get to Mali Ston?

It takes about an hour to get from Dubrovnik to Ston, which makes it an easy day trip. This scenic drive traces the Adriatic coast until you reach the Pelješki Peninsula.

If you plan to travel by public transport, several bus companies operate on this route. During the peak summer months, there are multiple daily departures from Dubrovnik’s bus station. However, the services may be significantly reduced during the winter.

To reach Mali Ston from Ston, it is a relatively short 45-minute walk along the walls over the hill that separates the two towns. It is a steep climb, but the views of Mali Ston Bay make it worthwhile. Alternatively, there is a sidewalk along the main road that is not as scenic but can be done in half the time.