An archipelago with dark skies
One of Lastovo’s special features is its sky: the island has some of the darkest skies in Europe, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. Public lighting is also designed with this in mind: it is configured so that no light is directed upwards. If you are interested in nature and the night sky, it is worth taking the evening sky into account when planning your trip.
The archipelago comprises 46 islands, islets and reefs; the largest island covers 50 square kilometres. Together, the coastline of Lastovo, its islets and reefs measures 115.9 kilometres. About 70 percent of the archipelago is forested, and Lastovo is one of Croatia’s most heavily forested islands. At 417 metres, Veli Hum is one of Lastovo’s highest elevations. The island and its surrounding waters form the protected Lastovo Islands Nature Park, designated in 2006.
The wildlife also adds to the diversity of this natural environment: 810 species have been recorded in the archipelago, including endangered species as well as local endemic and subendemic species. Migratory birds use the island group as a resting and breeding area; these include Yelkouan and Scopoli’s shearwaters. The birdlife and forested landscape add two further dimensions to the archipelago’s coastal scenery.
On foot, by bike and on the water
Lastovo has more than 200 kilometres of walking trails, maintained by rangers from the nature park. One specifically named route is the old forest road from Ubli to Lastovo, which is about seven kilometres long. Quiet paved roads and numerous forest roads are suitable for cycling. The Lastovo–Skrivena Luka cycling route is 7.25 kilometres long, runs on paved roads and has a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5.
The sea can also be explored in various ways. Dive sites in the archipelago include the underwater passage at Bijelac, the underwater cave at Tajan and the gorgonian-covered walls at Cape Struga. The walls there descend to a depth of 80 metres. Independent diving is prohibited in the nature park; dives are possible with authorised guides from Ankora in Zaklopatica or Ronilački raj–Lastovo in Pasadur. Rules for protected areas and authorised operators may change, so check the current requirements before a trip.
An educational boat trip visits northern bays, stops at Saplun for swimming and diving, and returns via Skrivena Luka and Pasadur. The trip’s availability and itinerary may change; check the details before including it in your plans.
Traces of many centuries
Finds from Rača Cave point to a permanent human presence on Lastovo dating back to the Stone Age, around 8500 BC. The island’s first written code of laws, the Lastovo Statute, dates from 1310. Another defining tradition is the Poklad Carnival: it has been celebrated on Lastovo since 1483 and is recognised as an intangible cultural asset of Croatia.
Churches and chapels are another part of the cultural heritage: there are 38 on Lastovo, 21 of which are registered as protected cultural assets. Ubli is home to the excavated remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century. The Church of Sv. Marija na Grži was built in 1442 and contains a wooden altarpiece from the 16th century, created by painters from Dubrovnik. Below Dovac, the parish church of Sv. Kuzma i Damjan stands at a historic gathering place; an inscription records construction work by Radosan in 1473.
Kašćel Fortress also tells the story of Lastovo’s architecture. It stands on Glavica above Lastovo; the present structure was built in 1808 and is used as a meteorological station. These varied traces—from the prehistoric cave to the later fortress—offer several layers of the island’s history.
Island produce and traditional dishes
Local offerings also include tastings at OPG Darinka Krnčević. The producer makes, among other things, bitter orange, lemon and peach jams, figs in prošek, liqueurs, rakija, capers and sea fennel. Traditional Lastovo dishes zelje na tabak and slanutak are served at Konoba pizzeria Amfora. Products and restaurant offerings may change; if you have specific plans, check what is currently available.
Discover more destinations: Ubli, Lastovo, Pasadur, Skrivena Luka, Municipality of Slivno, Municipality of Dubrovnik, Municipality of Smokvica and Municipality of Kula Norinska.
For the main travel overview: Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
