What the Walls of Ston Are
The Walls of Ston are a system of medieval fortifications at the neck of the Pelješac peninsula, about an hour's drive northwest of Dubrovnik. The Republic of Dubrovnik bought Pelješac, along with Ston, in 1333, and began building the walls in 1358. Construction continued into the 15th century. Originally the system ran for more than 7 km, with 40 towers and 5 fortresses; today about 5.5 km survives, linking the town of Ston with the harbour village of Mali Ston on the other side of the isthmus, along with 20 of the towers. The walls are often described as the longest defensive wall system in Europe.
They were built to protect two things: the peninsula itself and the salt pans of Ston, which were one of the Republic's most important sources of income. The salt pans are still worked today, and you can see their shallow rectangular basins from the walls.
The Walk Between Ston and Mali Ston
The walkable section climbs from Ston up over the hill and down to Mali Ston, following the line of the wall. It is not a long route in distance, but it is steep in places, with many steps, and the top of the hill is the high point of the walk. The views are the reward: the salt pans and the red roofs of Ston below, the Mali Ston bay with its oyster and mussel farms on the other side, and the Adriatic beyond.
There are entrances at both ends, so you can walk one way and return through the villages at ground level, or walk there and back along the wall. Allow at least an hour for a one-way walk with stops for photos, and more in heat. Tickets are sold at the entrances; check current prices and seasonal opening hours locally before you go.
When to Go
The walls have no shade. In July and August, the stone heats up quickly and the climb becomes hard work by late morning, so aim to start as early as the walls open or go in the late afternoon. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking. Avoid the walk in strong wind or rain, when the stone steps become slippery.
What to Bring
- Water, more than you think you need, as there is nowhere to buy it on the wall itself.
- A hat and sunscreen.
- Shoes with a good grip. The steps are uneven and polished in places, and sandals are a poor choice.
- A light layer if walking early or late in the shoulder seasons.
The climb is manageable for most reasonably fit visitors, including older children, but it is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility or a strong fear of heights, as some sections have low parapets.
History Behind the Stones
The walls were maintained by the Republic of Dubrovnik until its fall in the early 19th century. Under Austrian rule, parts were dismantled and the stone reused for buildings in the area, and the section around Mali Ston was partly demolished. Damage from an earthquake in 1979, the war of the 1990s and the Ston–Slano earthquake of 1996 left the walls and town in poor shape, and much of what you walk on today has been restored since.
The town of Ston itself is small, with about 500 residents in the town proper according to the 2021 census. Its streets were laid out in a planned grid in the medieval period, an unusual feature for a town of this age.
Oysters and the Salt Pans
Mali Ston bay is one of Croatia's best-known areas for oyster farming, and Mali Ston has restaurants serving local oysters and mussels by the water. A plate of oysters after the walk is the traditional way to finish the visit. The salt pans in Ston can also be visited, and in summer you may see the salt harvest under way.
Getting There
From Dubrovnik, Ston is about an hour by car: follow the main coastal road northwest, then turn onto the Pelješac peninsula. Since the Pelješac Bridge opened in 2022, traffic from the north no longer has to cross the short Bosnia and Herzegovina coastal strip at Neum, which makes Ston easier to reach from Split and Makarska. Buses run to Ston from Dubrovnik and along Pelješac, though less frequently outside summer. Parking is available near the town. Croatia uses the euro; cards are generally accepted in town, but carry some cash.
