Ston defensive walls zigzagging steeply up a rocky green hillside with worn stone walkway in the foreground, Croatia
Land Tours

The Walls of Ston

Europe's Longest Medieval Fortification

Dubrovnik

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Oyster farming raft floating on calm turquoise Mali Ston Bay with a lone worker tending nets and oyster clusters, Croatia

Mali Ston Oysters

From the Bay to Your Plate

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About This Activity

Few places in Europe offer what the area around Ston delivers in a single afternoon: one of the great feats of medieval military architecture, an ancient salt industry still in continuous operation, and some of the finest oysters and mussels on any coast in the world. This private half-day or full-day excursion from Dubrovnik brings all three together.

The town of Ston sits at the base of the Pelješac Peninsula, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. When the Republic of Ragusa absorbed this strategically vital point in 1333, its rulers immediately understood what they possessed: the only land connection to their most valuable peninsular territories, and the largest saltworks in the eastern Adriatic. They responded with characteristic Ragusan determination.

The Walls of Ston are among the most dramatic defensive structures in Europe — five and a half kilometres of battlements connecting Ston to its harbour twin, Mali Ston, through a fortified corridor that climbs over the ridge between the two towns. At its completion, it was one of the longest fortification systems in the medieval world, exceeding any comparable European structure and rivalled only by the Great Wall of China. Towers rise at regular intervals. The walls are still largely intact. Walking their length — the stones worn smooth by seven centuries of boots — delivers views across the saltpans, the channel, and the Adriatic beyond.

The Saltworks of Ston are visible from the walls and can be visited at ground level. Established by the Republic of Ragusa in the 14th century specifically to fund the construction and maintenance of the walls, they represent one of the longest continuously operating industrial sites in Croatia. The shallow evaporation pans fill with seawater in spring and progressively reduce through summer. By August, the crystals are ready for harvest. The salt from Ston is coarser and less refined than most commercial salt — which is why it is prized.

Mali Ston lies at the end of the wall circuit: a small harbour town with a remarkable culinary identity. The bay of Mali Ston is one of the great oyster and mussel growing environments in Europe. The combination of protected water, consistent temperature, low salinity from freshwater inflow, and rich phytoplankton produces bivalves of exceptional size and flavour. Your guide arranges a tasting at a waterfront restaurant — oysters and mussels pulled that morning, typically accompanied by local white wine. Restaurants Bota Šare, Kralj, and Sorgo are among the finest options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "private excursion" mean — is it just our group?

Yes. A private excursion is run exclusively for you and your party — whether that is two people or a group of twelve. You will not be sharing your vehicle, guide, or schedule with anyone else. Departure times, pace, and stops are set entirely around you.

What is included in the price?

All private land excursions include: a dedicated English-speaking guide, a private air-conditioned vehicle, all transfers from and back to your accommodation, and any entry fees, park passes, or boat crossings required for the specific destination. Lunch, personal spending, and optional activities are not included unless specified on the excursion page.

How long is a typical day excursion?

Most of our private day excursions run around 8 hours door-to-door. Longer destinations that involve significant driving time from Dubrovnik — such as Plitvice Lakes, Krka National Park, and Sarajevo — are full-day commitments of 11–13 hours. Exact durations are indicated on each excursion page.

Can we customize the route or choose what we visit?

Yes — private means flexible. When you make your inquiry, tell us your interests, pace preferences, and any specific stops you would like to include or skip. Our guide will plan the day accordingly. We do our best to accommodate special requests: longer lunch breaks, extra time at a particular site, or combining two nearby destinations into one day.

Do you run excursions year-round, including shoulder season?

Yes. Unlike boat tours, our land excursions operate in every season. The Plitvice Lakes are spectacular in autumn and winter. Pelješac wine country is most pleasant in harvest season (September–October). Some sites — such as the Kravice Waterfalls — are best visited outside the peak summer heat. We will always advise on the best time for your chosen destination if you are undecided.

What is your cancellation and bad weather policy for land excursions?

Land excursions are not dependent on sea conditions and are operated in all weather except extreme circumstances (heavy snow on mountain roads, road closures). If we must cancel due to conditions outside our control, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule with no expiration date.

For client cancellations: full refund if cancelled more than 48 hours before departure. No refund for cancellations within 48 hours or no-shows.

Where do you pick us up, and do you offer port pickup for cruise guests?

We collect you directly from your hotel, villa, or apartment in Dubrovnik. For cruise ship guests, we offer pickup from the Dubrovnik port (Gruž or the Old Town pier) and will return you in time for embarkation — the latest return time can be agreed in advance. Please confirm your ship''s departure time when booking.

Do I need to book in advance? How do I confirm a reservation?

We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance, and further ahead during peak season (June–September) when vehicle and guide availability fills quickly. To reserve your excursion, send us an inquiry with your preferred date, group size, and any special requests. We will confirm within a few hours and send payment instructions. No payment is required at the time of inquiry — we confirm availability first.

Why choose Tendo luxury travel

Tendo luxury travel is a regional expert and leading specialist for holiday planning and provision of complete tourist services in southern Dalmatia, the Dubrovnik area, and wider. Our business is based on quality presentation and complete tourist offers, professional and individual service oriented to client wishes and needs. 

We are an active member of UHPA ( ACTA /Association of Croatian Travel Agencies) which guarantee of the service quality and authenticity of products and services. We’re taking special care of our clients during their stay at their destination or use of our services and we are always at your disposal ready to help and share useful and helpful information.

Throughout the past, we had countless satisfied and returning clients which present our success and pride and we hope that you will become one of them in a near future. Our goal is satisfied clients and professional service which goes beyond your expectations!

You can count on our kind and knowledgeable staff to offer you the attention, care, and service necessary to have a trip that is both memorable and trouble-free.

Where can I learn more about your agency?

Our business is based on quality presentation and complete tourist offers, professional and individual service oriented to client wishes and needs. You can read reviews about our agency on our Reviews page or on official our TripAdvisor page.

What do you have in your offer?

We offer private luxury tours and transfers across Croatia and Montenegro — all fully private, no group join-ins.

Private Boat Tours

Day trips by speedboat or yacht to the islands around Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split and more. Swim in hidden coves, visit sea caves, and enjoy the Adriatic at your own pace.

  • Private cave tours & island excursions
  • Speedboats (25–40 ft) and sailing yachts (40 ft+)
  • Snorkelling stops, lunch recommendations, fully flexible itinerary

Private Excursions & Day Tours

Tailor-made day tours by land or sea — just your group, your guide, your schedule.

  • Cultural tours: Dubrovnik, Split, Korčula, Kotor
  • National parks: Krka, Mljet
  • Game of Thrones filming location tours
  • Wine & food tours in Dalmatia and Montenegro

Yacht & Speedboat Charter

Rent a private vessel with a professional skipper for a full day on the Adriatic. We offer everything from 25 ft speedboats to 50 ft sailing yachts — for 2 to 12 guests.

Private Transfers

By sea: Direct boat transfers between Croatian and Montenegrin ports — Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, Korčula, Kotor, Budva. Skip the ferry, travel in style.

By car: Private vehicle transfers with a registered driver. Airport pickups, inter-city transfers, Croatia ↔ Montenegro ↔ Italy routes available.

Contact us to arrange a transfer

Groups & Corporate Events

We plan complete programmes for groups, incentive trips, and corporate events — from logistics to on-site guides.

Get in touch for a custom quote

How do I pay for a confirmed reservation?

We accept three payment methods: credit/debit card, PayPal, and bank transfer.

Credit / Debit Card (Online)

Pay securely online via our payment gateway. Once your booking is confirmed, our team will send you an email with a secure payment link. All transactions are protected with SSL encryption and 3D Secure (Verified by Visa / MasterCard Secure Code).

PayPal

We accept PayPal payments. Please let us know at the time of booking if you prefer this method and we will send you a PayPal payment request.

Bank Transfer

For international customers, payment by bank transfer is also available.

Bank: Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. / www.rba.hr Bank address: Petrinjska 59, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Beneficiary: Tendo d.o.o., Andrije Hebranga 106A, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia IBAN: HR2524840081107216972 SWIFT: RZBHHR2X

Notes

  • Transaction fees are covered by the customer and are included in quoted prices.
  • After payment, you may be asked to send a confirmation of payment by email.
  • Payment confirmation or receipt of a signed credit card authorisation form constitutes confirmation of your reservation.
What is the current currency of payment in Croatia?

The euro

As of 01 January 2023, the currency of Croatia is the euro.

What is your cancellation policy?

For all our services mostly you can cancel up to 48-24 hours before the tour check-in. Always In case of client illness, physical condition, accident, or injury prior to service star agency will in good manners offer a full refund.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! Contact us to find out more about discounts.

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