Metković

Metković lies along the Neretva River in southern Croatia, its landscape shaped by waterways and farmland. Take a boat ride through marshes filled with birds, examine Roman statues at the Narona Archaeological Museum, or see prehistoric shellfish in a cave near town. Local life revolves around tangerine orchards, dishes like eel stew, and a strong handball tradition. The streets are quiet, with small guesthouses run by families, making it a straightforward spot to explore the river valley’s history and nature.

Explore the Neretva River by Boat

Begin with a river tour on a flat-bottomed boat, the traditional way to travel these waterways. Guides point out herons, cormorants, and other birds that nest in the marshes, part of an ecosystem that has existed here for thousands of years. Near the river’s mouth, Ušće Neretve draws kitesurfers from April to October due to reliable winds. You can rent gear or take lessons here. If you prefer solitude, borrow binoculars from the Museum of Natural History and visit birdwatching areas like Podgreda, where flocks rest during migrations.

See Roman Statues at the Narona Archaeological Museum

Five kilometers northwest in Vid, the Narona Archaeological Museum sits atop a Roman trading post destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century. Seventeen marble statues of emperors and gods, found during excavations, stand where a temple once did. Glass floors let you look down at ancient mosaics and storage pits, while outside, reconstructed columns and aqueduct pieces hint at the site’s original scale. This museum explains how the valley served as a key link in Rome’s Adriatic trade routes.

Discover Prehistoric Shellfish in Predolac Cave

Just outside town, Predolac Cave shelters Congeria kusceri—freshwater mollusks that have lived here since the Tertiary period. Their striped shells cling to the cave walls, surviving in isolation due to geological changes. Guided tours take you 60 meters into the cave, past stalactites and limestone smoothed by ancient water flows. Scientists study these formations to understand how the Neretva Valley’s landscape evolved.

Visit the Church of St. Elijah and Nearby Sites

The Church of St. Elijah, built in the 1800s, stands in Metković’s main square with a simple stone bell tower. Inside, frescoes illustrate stories of Elijah, the town’s patron saint honored each July 20th with music and parades. A short walk away, the Austria Hotel—one of the Adriatic’s first tourist hotels—still welcomes guests with its 19th-century facade. The Museum of Natural History nearby displays 340 local species, including otters, wildcats, and owls.

Try Local Dishes and Tangerines

The Neretva Valley produces most of Croatia’s tangerines, ripe for picking from October to December. Visit orchards to taste fresh fruit or buy homemade marmalade at the market. Restaurants serve regional dishes like neretvanski soparnik (a chard pie), grilled eel, and frog legs, often accompanied by Pošip or Plavac Mali wines. In September, the Tangerine Festival fills the town with cooking demos, live music, and boat races.

Watch the 2024 Canoe Marathon World Championships

From September 25–29, 2024, Metković hosts the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships. Athletes will race along the Neretva’s main channel, with qualifying heats near the town center. Spectators can watch for free from the riverbanks. Masters’ races occur on September 28–29, and registration closes September 1. The event includes food stalls serving local dishes and cultural performances, combining sports with a taste of the region.

Stay in Metković and Plan Day Trips

Most visitors choose private apartments or guesthouses, many of which include bikes for exploring the valley’s flat roads. The town is a 30-minute drive from Neum, Bosnia’s coastal town, and 50 minutes from Dubrovnik Airport. Buses run regularly to Split (3 hours) and Dubrovnik (1.5 hours), stopping in Opuzen and Ploče. For day trips, consider Počitelj, a Bosnian village with Ottoman architecture, or Ston’s salt pans and oyster farms.