Ploče (pronounced as Ploche), during SFR Yugoslavia named Kardeljevo, is a modern town on the Adriatic coast just north-west of the Neretva River delta in the most south county of Croatia the Dubrovnik-Neretva County in the region of Dalmatia. Ploče has a population of approximately 6,500 inhabitants. It is a notable regional cargo seaport. Near the town are Baćina Lakes, along the branches of the mountain of Biokovo.

Saefront panorama of Ploče and Biokovo mountain range

Ploče view, small harbour and center with unfinished church

Get in

Town is situated in approximately half of distance between Split and Dubrovnik. The most important feature of town is its position that is naturally connecting through the valley of the Neretva River to the central Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Adriatic Sea (railway and road) and traffic along the Adriatic coast (roads and seaways), as well as being the entrance point to the main modern A1 highway to Zagreb and inland.

By train

After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Ploče ended up in the unfortunate situation of being completely separated from the rest of the Croatian rail network, as the only connection is with Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the weekends there are seasonal summer trains from Sarajevo. There are year-round trains from Sarajevo to Čapljina, last town in Herzegovina to the border.

• 1 Ploče railway station. (updated Jul 2022)

Seasonal summer trains from Sarajevo train station to Ploče (price around €13):

• 07:15 from Sarajevo arriving in Ploče at 10:36
• 18:26 from Ploče arriving in Sarajevo at 21:51

By bus

Buses from Dubrovnik to Ploče run regularly from Dubrovnik and Split (1½-2 hr). Almost every hour, until evening, so you should have no big problems finding one. Some local bus info is available in Croatian language here, otherwise check Split bus info here.

Depending on border crossing it takes similarly long (1½-2 hr) to Mostar, and around 4 hr to Sarajevo by bus, which runs approx 2-4 times a day depending on a season.

By boat

There are at least four daily ferries, more during the summer season, from Trpanj on the Pelješac peninsula. The ferries are operated by Jadronlinija with a journey time of one hour. 2 Ploče port is located at King Tomislav square 26 (Trg kralja Tomislava 26).

See

Baćina Lakes and Delta of Neretva river are the most attractive natural sights of Ploče area. Town has few monuments and buildings from the time of SFR Yugoslavia worth seeing, as well as few summer festivities worth checking out if you stay in proximity.

Do

• This commercial port is a great jumping-off point for tours to the old city of Mostar in Bosnia.

Sleep

Hotels are limited but there exists a number of smaller bed and breakfasts scattered in the town and in nearby villages.

• 1 Hotel Tolero, Petra Krešimira IV 1, ☏ +385 95 349 41 03, hoteltolero@foteinos.hr. The only proper hotel in Ploče. Pleasantly located next to the harbour. (updated Nov 2023)