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Opuzen is a charming town in Croatia, situated in southern Dalmatia, in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Located in the lower course of the Neretva River, near its mouth into the Adriatic Sea, it is a place with a rich history and contemporary significance for the Croatian economy. In the picturesque valley of the Neretva, intersected by numerous drainage canals, there are fertile fields, tangerine orchards, and olive groves that supply the entire Croatia.
The Neretva Valley, due to its diversity, is sometimes referred to as the Croatian California. Although it's unavoidable on the route when driving to Dubrovnik, few tourists linger here, focusing mainly on the stalls laden with fresh fruits and vegetables along the road. However, it is worth making a stop and turning towards Opuzen to discover the charms of this fascinating town.
Opuzen has a lot to offer. Everyone will find something for themselves: interesting monuments from various periods, opportunities for outdoor activities, and numerous cultural events. All of this is accompanied by the unique atmosphere of an authentic Croatian town, the hospitality of local residents, and exceptional Croatian cuisine.
The Neretva River originates in the Dinaric Mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina, passing through the famous Mostar. In Croatia, the Neretva begins its course in Metković, flowing through Opuzen before reaching the Adriatic Sea. This represents only about 10% of the entire length of the river.
In Opuzen, it's essential to take a stroll along the promenade along the Neretva. You can sit on a bench, admire the river's course, where the second bank is beautifully reflected in the calm flow. Occasionally, local residents' motorboats and even large excursion ships dock at the shore. With a bit of luck, you might also see rowing teams practicing. From the shore, you can observe the rich river life, including numerous fish shoals.
Heading upstream, you can quickly reach the city center with a charming market, the former Roman Forum. Here stands the 19th-century church of St. Stephen the First Martyr, built in neoclassical style. Right next to the church is a stone bench shaped like a raft, made entirely from a single piece of stone. On the other side of the market, marble artifacts found in the ancient city of Narona, now located several kilometers from Opuzen in Vid, are displayed.
Near the market, there is an iron bridge over the Mala Neretva. The bridge was built at the end of the 19th century during the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
In the 17th century, the then-rulers, the Venetians, erected the Fort Opus fortress on the ruins of the pentagonal Koš tower. The wall of the former tower still constitutes an element of the old part of the city, best admired from the river side. However, the city's history predates the Venetian rule, going back to the times of the Republic of Dubrovnik, which conducted salt trade on the island of Posrednica (the former name of the island and settlement). In medieval times, the Neretva had significant trade importance, serving as an export-import route.
Opuzen, located in the picturesque Neretva Valley, offers a rich array of outdoor activities. This region invites active relaxation, making it an ideal holiday destination for activity enthusiasts.
The Neretva Delta is an excellent choice for a cycling excursion. The popular bike trail covers 22 km, with a route that includes gravel and cobblestone paths. The difficulty level is rated as 1/5, making it a perfect choice for occasional cyclists, as the required fitness level is also 1/5.
The surrounding hills are an ideal location for trekking, and the view of the Neretva canals below is truly impressive. Adjacent to Opuzen is the village of Podgradina, where the ruins of the Brštanik fortress are located on a hill. The fortress was built by the Bosnian king in the 14th century and underwent multiple reconstructions over the centuries, making it impossible to recreate its original shape today. While not an attractive tourist destination, the hill offers a picturesque view of Opuzen and the farmlands.
While in Opuzen, it's worth taking a photo safari, a cruise on a traditional boat called "lađa," along the Neretva River, its branches, and numerous canals. The cruise through the fertile, green valley is a visual delight, and the singing of the many birds adds to the experience.
The mouth of the Neretva provides ideal conditions for kitesurfing. Slovenians were among the first to practice kitesurfing on shallow waters around twenty years ago. Today, the Neretva estuary is a popular destination for kitesurfers from across Europe. The sandbar formed by the river's sedimentation, combined with strong winds, creates perfect conditions for kitesurfing where the river meets the sea. Even if you're not participating, it's worth visiting to observe the colorful spectacle on the water, accompanied by a breathtaking sunset.
Opuzen is an exceptional place also due to numerous cultural events that take place throughout the summer, from June to September. The festivals bring together the local community and allow tourists to explore the cultural richness of the region.
Opuzensko Lito is a series of summer cultural events, including numerous music concerts held in the market and on nearby streets and squares. Here, you can listen to both traditional Croatian klapa music and contemporary genres such as rock or ballads. The summer festival also features film screenings and communal cooking of brudet, a traditional Croatian fish stew. Occasionally, there are original performances like dance on scarves suspended from the iron bridge over the Little Neretva.
The Street Art Opuzen festival, held annually at the end of June, officially inaugurates Opuzensko Lito. The city invites artists to adorn the facades of abandoned houses with original murals. The festival has been held cyclically since 2014, and Opuzen now boasts over 100 murals.
This is a significant cultural and culinary event, a strong bond within the local community, organized annually since 2002. During this festival, residents come together to cook brudet, a one-pot dish resembling a stew, with frogs and eels as its main ingredients. Brudet is an integral part of the culinary tradition of the Neretva Valley, and frogs and eels are local delicacies. Street cooking of brudet garners immense interest and is one of the main attractions of this charming town.
The most popular tavern in Opuzen, Konoba Pod Maslinom, offers traditional Croatian dishes such as black risotto, grilled fish, squid, shrimp, and octopus salad. The dishes are fresh, delicious, and aromatic, and the atmosphere in the tavern is warm. The restaurant is small and run by a local family. It's worth visiting to indulge in traditional Croatian cuisine.
However, the cuisine of the Neretva Valley differs slightly from other Croatian regions, mainly due to its location. Traditional Neretva delicacies include frogs and eels. Locals prepare frogs and eels in various ways, commonly serving frogs fried in breadcrumbs, grilled, or in risotto. Eel is often served grilled or in a dish with cabbage. The most popular local dish is brudet, a one-pot stew-like dish with frogs and eels, known as neretvianski brudet.
Opuzen is located near the route from the Makarska Riviera to Dubrovnik. You don't need to stay in Opuzen to enjoy its attractions. A great idea is to take a day trip from the southern Makarska Riviera or the Pelješac Peninsula.
In Opuzen, there is a hotel and motel (Hotel Neretva and Motel Delta). Campers can make use of the campground (Kamp Rio). Additionally, in the city center, on its outskirts, and in the surrounding area, there are rental apartments easily found on popular booking websites.
Opuzen is a tourist-friendly town. The locals are open and friendly. Due to the relatively small number of tourists, you can feel quite safe here. However, it's always advisable to take basic precautions such as locking your car or apartment.