This small Neretva River town has narrow stone streets and traditional stone houses. Local farmers transport fruit on traditional boats called lađa.
Opuzen, a town along Croatia’s Neretva River in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, lies 12 kilometers inland from the river’s mouth at the Adriatic Sea. Tangerine groves surround the town, and remnants of a Venetian fortress rise near its center. Every August, wooden boats race 22 kilometers downriver during the Opuzen Boat Marathon. In the old town, you’ll find the Roman Forum, a rectangular stone plaza once used for trade, and colorful murals painted during the Zen Opuzen art festival. The 19th-century Parish Church of St. Stephen stands nearby, its bell tower visible above red-roofed houses. Family-run restaurants serve dishes like frog stew and grilled eel, and the Neretva Delta’s canals draw cyclists and kitesurfers looking for calm waters.
Explore Opuzen’s Historical Sites and Buildings
The Roman Forum, a stone-paved square in Opuzen’s center, dates back to ancient times when merchants traded goods here. Next to it, the Parish Church of St. Stephen was completed in 1897, with a bell tower added in 1929. Sections of Fort Opus, built by Venetian forces in 1684, still form part of the town’s walls. Look for the Recycle area, where original stones from the 15th-century Koš tower have been reused in newer structures. Opuzen was once called Posrednica, a name reflecting its role as a trading hub for the Republic of Ragusa before a fire destroyed its salt warehouses in the late 1400s.
Attend Festivals and Seasonal Events
In August, teams row traditional lađa boats from Metković to Ploče during the Opuzen Boat Marathon, a race first held in 1998. The Opuzen Summer Festival includes evening concerts at the open-air Melodies of the Croatian South stage. At the Neretvanska Brudetijada, cooks prepare brudet stew in large pots over open fires, using eels and frogs caught in local waterways. Since 2015, the Zen Opuzen festival has added murals to buildings across town, including works by French artist Willann Wln and Croatian painter Mane Mei. These events draw crowds without overwhelming the town’s relaxed atmosphere.
Bike, Boat, or Kitesurf in the Neretva Delta
Rent a bicycle to follow dirt paths through tangerine orchards and along irrigation canals in the delta. A 22-kilometer trail connects Opuzen to neighboring villages, passing herons and egrets in marshy areas. For a closer look at the waterways, join a guided photo safari on a flat-bottomed lađa boat. Near the river’s mouth, steady winds make the shallow waters ideal for kitesurfing lessons, which have been offered here since 2011. Bring a camera to capture the contrast between green farmland and the river’s silty blue-gray currents.
Try Local Dishes and Drinks
At Konoba Pod Maslinom, order black risotto cooked with cuttlefish ink or grilled eel seasoned with local herbs. Many restaurants serve wine from Pelješac Peninsula vineyards, about an hour’s drive west. During festivals, look for stalls selling GUUC, a tart-sweet juice made from Opuzen’s tangerines. From October to December, farmers sell freshly picked tangerines at roadside stands—peel one as you walk past the Roman Forum. Avoid missing brudet stew if you visit during summer events; it’s served with thick bread to soak up the tomato-and-paprika broth.
Plan Your Visit to Opuzen
Opuzen is 50 kilometers northeast of Dubrovnik, reachable via the D8 highway along the coast or from the A1 motorway exit at Ploče. Motel Delta provides rooms overlooking the river, while Kamp Rio has shaded campsites near the water. The Narona Archaeological Museum in Vid, 15 minutes away by car, displays Roman statues excavated from the ancient city of Narona. Visit between May and September to attend festivals, or come in autumn when tangerine harvests begin. Buses run daily to Metković and Ploče, but renting a car lets you explore rural roads in the delta at your own pace.
