Top 6 Caves in Dubrovnik-Neretva

Although it has served tourist purposes for many years, the Šipun cave is currently closed to the public due to its very rare and fragile flora and fauna, which is disturbed by the constant use of the cave. The large number of visits and the use of electricity alter and damage the cave's microclimate, thereby reducing the number of endangered, endemic cave species that have their micro-world solely in the Šipun cave.

Špilja Šipun, a protected geomorphological monument of nature since 1963, is located in the northeastern part of the Rat peninsula in Cavtat. It is 90 meters long, 20 meters deep, and easily accessible, which is one of the reasons why it has often been visited and mentioned throughout history. Besides typical cave geomorphological features such as stalagmites and stalactites, the cave also contains a rarer phenomenon, the so-called anhialine lake. Namely, there is a fissure in the cave formed about 10,000 years ago which allowed seawater to flow in, and fresh rainwater accumulates from the surface through the Earth's crust, thus creating a lake in which salinity oscillates from almost fresh water on the surface to salty/seawater at the bottom. The average water temperature in the lake is 14.7 °C, and the average temperature in the cave is 14.8 °C. Source: https://blog.migk.hr/2025/12/29/spilja-sipun/

The old JNA tunnel is accessible for the brave. Everyone should bring a special event light, otherwise you won't be able to see your hand in front of your face.

Great view of surrounding islands, Lastovo, Vis, Hvar, etc.

The cave is nice, although closed for public. The trail leading to it is not long or steep, but the terrain is rough and good shoes are needed.

An old military bunker was allegedly built by the Jugoslav National Army JNA in 1969 as part of the Total National Defence Force to guard sea lanes along the Adriatic after the Soviet invasion of the Czech capital ending the Prague Spring. The bunker is super dark (even during the day) and a bit creepy, so having a flashlight is a must. There are several corridors and rooms inside and halls leading to the other side. If you go to the end of the hall and then turn left and go to the end of that hall you will find a way out that leads to the old (and still "functional"!) cannon. Try controlling it, everything still works and is pretty easy to move. It's really cool!

There is a small kind of improvised bar near the Odysseus Cave where you can chill (they have hammocks) and grab a beer. It's usually open during summer, and they serve only beer in cans.

Legend has it that a man named Odysseus, after surviving a shipwreck, found shelter in a cave on the shore of an island. There he was amazed by the beauty of the island and the nymph Calypso who kidnapped him and kept him in that cave. He stayed on the island for seven years. The path to the cave begins in Babin polje, on the opposite side of the road from the Tommy store (also the best store in Mljet). Near the road is a sign pointing to Odysseus' Cave - if it seems like the only way to the trail is down the hillside on a path that maybe three people have come down in the last 10 years, you're on the right track. After that, the road climbs until you get to the view of the cave from above (which is not that grand) and the rocks from which you can swim in into the cave. The best time to catch a blue glow is from 10 am to 1 pm. Also, nearby on the rocks is the small improvised bar where you can chill (they have hammocks) and buy beer during the summer months.