Located in the southern Adriatic, just a few hours’ sail from Dubrovnik, the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park is one of Croatia’s most breathtaking island groups. This eleventh nature park in the country encompasses 46 islands, islets, rocks and reefs, with Lastovo and Sušac as the largest. Thanks to its unspoiled nature, cultural richness, and authentic Dalmatian way of life, it has become a favourite escape for those seeking tranquillity and discovery.

Untouched Nature and Cultural Heritage

Lastovo is famed for its mystical beauty: dense greenery, fertile fields, and crystal-clear seas. With an average of 2,700 hours of sunshine a year, it is one of the sunniest islands in the Adriatic. Here you can find sheer cliffs, underwater caves, coral colonies (particularly gorgonians), seagrass meadows, and habitats teeming with bird and marine life.

One of Lastovo’s most enchanting features is its night sky – among the darkest in Europe. With almost no light pollution, the island is a candidate for International Dark Sky Park status, making stargazing here an unforgettable experience.

The cultural heritage is just as rich. The Lastovo Statute of 1310, the early Christian basilica in Ubli, defensive structures, and 46 scattered churches all testify to a long and storied past. The unique amphitheatre-shaped village of Lastovo is distinguished by its quirky fumari – ornate chimneys from the 17th and 18th centuries – while the fishermen’s houses in Lučica preserve the charm of a Baroque fishing settlement.

Among its traditions, none is more famous than the Lastovo Carnival (Poklad), one of Europe’s oldest, held for more than five centuries and protected as intangible cultural heritage.

Activities on Land and Sea

Exploring Lastovo is an adventure in itself. Boat trips reveal secluded bays and islets such as Saplun, home to the archipelago’s only sandy beach. Along the southern coast, you’ll discover Skrivena Luka and the Struga lighthouse (built in 1839), as well as abandoned military sites that add intrigue to the landscape.

Hiking and cycling trails lead to spectacular viewpoints such as Hum, Sozanj and Galičine, where the panoramas stretch across the archipelago, Korčula, Mljet and even to Italy on clear days.

Snorkellers and divers can explore underwater caves, coral gardens, shipwrecks and lobster habitats, while others may choose to visit remote lighthouses like Struga, Glavat or Sušac – some of which even offer accommodation for a truly off-grid stay.

Educational walking trails weave together nature and history. The “Through the Present into the Past” trail winds through pine and oak forests, vineyards, olive groves and the village itself, while the “Artina” trail near Zaklopatica highlights the island’s rare seabirds, including the Mediterranean endemic Yelkouan shearwater.

Special guided tours, like “Starry Sky of Lastovo”, take visitors to the Hum viewpoint for telescopic stargazing and astronomy sessions, turning the island’s dark skies into an open-air planetarium.

Flavours of Lastovo

No visit is complete without tasting Lastovo’s traditional dishes. Fresh fish and seafood dominate, with local specialities such as sardines on a skewer, eel stew, and grilled moray eel. Home-grown vegetables accompany these dishes, while desserts like layered skale cake, fried prkle dough balls, candied orange peel (arancini), and quince jelly (kotonjata) showcase centuries of island culinary tradition. Pair it all with a glass of Lastovo’s own maraština white wine or plavac mali red for a truly authentic experience.

Getting There

Though remote, Lastovo is well connected. Catamaran services link Dubrovnik via Korčula and Mljet with Ubli, the island’s main port, and private or chartered boats offer additional flexibility.

For those willing to venture further into the Adriatic, Lastovo rewards with a rare mix of pristine nature, living heritage and a night sky that feels infinite. It remains one of Croatia’s most magical island escapes – a place where time slows, traditions endure, and the sea sparkles with endless horizons.

@matea.miljan Wow ljudi! Prvi put na Lastovu i doslovno sam oduševljena? Gdje vam je naj na našem Jadranu? #lastovo #lastovoisland #croatia #croatiafulloflife #uvalalucica #lucica ♬ edamame - bbno$