Slano Holidays 2024/2025
Everyone needs to recharge their batteries sometimes and taking a holiday to Slano, Croatia, with its spectacular scenery and temperate climate, offers the ideal opportunity to relax and unwind. This picture-perfect town, nestled into an azure bay, surrounded by pine-covered mountains and clear-blue skies, is a great place to re-energise while enjoying a taste of authentic Croatia.
Sample some of the local dishes in the town’s tavernas and restaurants, laze on quiet beaches and coves, and explore pine forests, vineyards and olive groves via the walking and cycling trails which lace through the countryside.
Slano Holiday Deals
Get sporty on the water
The focal point of any holiday in Slano has to be hanging out on the beach. The neighbouring mountains shelter the wide bay, so the calm waters of the sand and pebble beaches are ideal for little feet to paddle in. Grab your snorkel and mask, and explore the underwater world of the Adriatic Sea. Or, get the adrenaline flowing with some water-skiing. If travelling on top of the water is more your thing, rent a kayak or a pedalo and take a slow lap around the shoreline. To explore further afield, hire a motor or sailing boat and head for one of the islands scattered across the bay.
Nightlife you'll love
If you want to get your dancing shoes on during your Slano holiday, the local hotels put on entertainment during the summer months. Watch folk dancers performing traditional regional dances and listen to live music while enjoying a rakija or grappa (brandy), or a bottle of Ožujsko, the most popular beer in Croatia.
For a night out clubbing, head to Dubrovnik, around 30 kilometres down the coast. The aptly-named Bourbon Street in the Old Town is packed full of bars and clubs, playing host to tourists and locals alike. A carnival atmosphere emanates from the revellers enjoying an evening partying alfresco. Alternatively, head for one of the coastal bars like the Banje Beach Nightclub, where you can party all night long on a private beach.
A taste of the Adriatic
You’ll find a small number of restaurants in Slano, serving a mixture of traditional food and staple Italian dishes, such as pizza and pasta. Seafood is prevalent on every menu and a must-try is the Black Risotto, a divine combination of cuttlefish, rice, garlic, onion, olive oil and red wine. The addition of cuttlefish ink gives the dish its distinctive colour. Or why not try a salata od hobotnica – boiled octopus tossed in olive oil, vinegar, chopped onion and parsley – which makes a perfect lunch on a hot summer day? Another Croatian favourite is janjetina, which is heavily salted spit-roasted lamb. The salt gives the lamb a lovely, crunchy skin in contrast to the succulent, mouth-watering meat.
After your meal, indulge in a digestif of Croatian rakija. Made from grapes, plums or other orchard fruits grown in the countryside nearby, rakija is often proffered by locals as a cure for all ills, as well as a warming tipple.
Remnants from another era
To get a flavour of the history of the area on your holiday in Slano, head for the Franciscan Monastery and the Church of St. Jerome, just south of the town. Its distinctive steeple overlooks the church, which was built in the 14th century by Bosnian Franciscans.
The Monastery stands on a hill overlooking the bay and is a terrific spot to take panoramic photos of the picturesque town and nearby hills. Then, go and see the recently restored Rector’s Palace, which burnt down in 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence. As you wander around the town, you may see stone monuments beside the paths. These are Stecci or stone markers for ancient graves and often decorated with carvings commemorating the deceased.
On the move
Make the most of your holiday to Slano with a day trip to nearby Dubrovnik, only 45 minutes away. Visit the iconic Old Town, encompassed by the Old Town Walls and filled with historical landmarks. The stunning cathedral is home to famous artworks, such as Titan’s painting of the Virgin Mary. Walk along the Stradun, where at one end you’ll find the Orlando Column, and at the other, the beautiful Onofrio Fountain.
Looking for a good photo opportunity? Get your camera out, hop on a cable car and travel up Mount Srd for the best views of the city, its beaches and neighbouring islands.
Holidays to Croatia don’t get much better than a trip to beautiful Slano. It’s an excellent base from which to explore the Adriatic Coast and has become one of the go-to tourist destinations of the Dubrovnik Riviera, thanks to its stunning, unspoilt location, unique gastronomy and a wide range of outdoor activities that will appeal to all holidaymakers. A place to return to time and again.