If you’re based in Dubrovnik and looking to get out of town for a day, you’ll be spoiled for choice. One option is to visit either of the two countries that are right next door, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another is to head out to any of the nearby islands, including Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, or Lokrum. And then there’s the long, thin strip of countryside and coastline that runs between Split to the north and the Montenegrin border to the south, which you could poke around for days. Here are just two of the possible day trip options — enjoy!

Sokol Grad: A Medieval Mountain Fortress

To the southeast of Dubrovnik, just beyond the airport, the land opens up into a wide valley that backs up against craggy mountains. This is a region of fertile agriculture, old mills, and ancient castles set atop steep rock cliffs.

That’s Sokol Kula, the first stop on this particular day trip. It’s also known as Sokol Grad or just plain Sokol, and the multiple names can make it tricky to find on some maps. Equally tricky is figuring out how to get in; the signage leaves something to be desired (but here’s what you do: drive in from the road, park in the empty spots on your left, and then continue past the church—keeping the large rock cliff to your right—until you find the entrance).

Sokol Kula — which translates to “Hawk Tower” — is a medieval fortress of unknown origin. The earliest records date a castle of some sort here to 1373, and we know that it was in use until 1672. Then it pretty much crumbled away until an enterprising group of local residents decided to raise money to bring it back to life, and it has been largely reconstructed (to what degree of accuracy, I can’t say, though the many metal railings and flags are certainly a contemporary addition).

The fortress is quite small, with plenty of stairs. A few rooms have collections of interesting archaeological findings from the site, including weaponry, jewelry, and the keys to the castle.

Views From (or Clouds at) The Top

The real draw here is the view out over Konavle Valley, but though we waited for quite a while, we were not able to see beyond the fortress grounds.

Still, we really enjoyed visiting Sokol Kula — we had it all to ourselves, and though the signage was iffy in many spots (we weren’t always sure what we were looking at), exploring is always fun. That said, were I to visit the fortress again, I would wait for a sunny day!

Ljuta: Rivers, Mills, and Countryside Charm

Our next stop was the clunkily-named, wow-you-have-to-go-there Konavoski Dvori Eco Green Restaurant in Ljuta. This is a fantastic spot for three reasons. First of all, the setting on the Ljuta River is spectacular, and you can sit right next to the manmade falls.

Secondly, the food is terrific, an interesting combination of traditional local fare and high-end cuisine. These scallops were one of the best things I ate in the Dubrovnik region.

Most interesting, though, is the restaurant’s location at the site of a medieval mill, with water wheels that still turn …

… and unmarked but tidy paths that lead you out along the river to the old mills of the town of Ljuta.

This is a fascinating area, with well-cared-for walkways and signs in both Croatian and English about both the mills’ history and local fauna. But though it’s all very nicely laid out, it’s clear that this is well off the average tourist’s beaten path. It was so unexpected and charming that wandering around this area was probably the highlight of our day. Mills here date back to at least the 1300s, and channels and aqueducts were built to move water around all the way up through the 16th century. So you’re looking at a very old set of waterways.

If you take this journey, you’ll need to get a rental car. We had a seamless time renting through M.A.C.K., which was the only company we found with easy pick-ups and returns just outside of Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls. The whole excursion should take you just over half a day — unless you add in time on the way back to clamber down for a swim at Pasjaca Beach!

Koločep Island: Beaches and Footpaths

There are all sorts of islands within a day’s journey of Dubrovnik, but if you want one that’s easy to access, Koločep is one of the closest. In fact, it’s the very closest inhabited island (but don’t expect many people; the population tops out at just over 200). The best thing is that the island is criss-crossed by wide, often paved hiking trails that make it fun to explore. You can see ancient ruins and old churches …

… stop to admire flora and tiny fauna …

… and find yourself with great views back out over the mainland.

You could walk here for hours, though you’ll also want to explore the island’s eating options. We enjoyed a delightful lunch right at the pier at Konoba Stari Miri.

Koločep is car-free, and you can reach the island on a direct ferry from Dubrovnik. The other option for getting here is to take a private tour boat, which will also stop at one or more of Koločep‘s many small caves and grottos. You’ll need to be on a private boat to access the Blue Cave and the Green Caves with dozens of other snorkeling tourists (this is a very popular day trip) to check out the dazzling blue water and unusual purple rocks.

No matter how you get to Koločep, it’s a great boat ride!

Discover More Amazing Activities In and Around Dubrovnik

• 1- & 2-Day Dubrovnik Itineraries: Enjoy these must-see highlights inside the Old Town
• Magnificent Montenegro: Visit rugged coasts and medieval towns
• Beautiful Bosnia & Herzegovina: Explore dramatic waterfalls and historic bridges