Modern & artDalmatia

Pelješac Bridge: the cable-stayed bridge that skips Neum

The Pelješac Bridge (Pelješki most) is a cable-stayed bridge in Dubrovnik-Neretva County that spans the sea channel between Komarna on the mainland and the Pelješac peninsula. It gives southern Dalmatia a fixed road link to the rest of Croatia that bypasses the short coastal strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum. Modern engineering, a long political story and big sea views make it an unusual stop for curious travellers.

For years, driving from Dubrovnik to the rest of Croatia meant leaving the country twice within about nine kilometres. The Pelješac Bridge, opened in 2022, lets traffic cross the sea instead.

WhereBetween Komarna on the mainland and the Pelješac peninsula, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, southern Dalmatia

TypeCable-stayed road bridge, 2,404 m long, opened in 2022

Best forEngineering fans, road-trippers and coastal viewpoints in southern Dalmatia

Getting thereOn the road between mainland Croatia and the Pelješac peninsula; Komarna lies close to the D8 road. The Walls of Ston are about 17 km away

The history of the Pelješac Bridge

The story starts with geography. A short strip of coast around the town of Neum belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina and is its only outlet to the Adriatic, so the southernmost part of Dalmatia, including Dubrovnik, was joined to the rest of Croatia by road only through foreign territory. In 1996 the two countries signed the Neum Agreement, which was never ratified. Travellers had to pass two border checks within about 9 km, and the arrival of Croatia in the Schengen Area in 2023 was expected to make the checks more demanding still.

The idea of a bridge was first made public in 1997. It was added to the county's spatial plan in 2000, and ceremonial starts to work were held in 2005 and 2007. The original design had a main span of 568 m. Bosnia and Herzegovina objected, fearing that the bridge could hinder large ships heading for Neum, so the design was changed and the structure raised to give a clearance of 55 m. In 2009 the government slowed the project under the economic crisis, and little was built for years.

After Croatia joined the European Union, funding became possible. In 2015 about 85% of the cost was approved from EU funds, and the contract was signed on 23 April 2018 with the China Road and Bridge Corporation. Construction began on 30 July 2018. The last deck segment was set in July 2021, and the bridge opened to traffic on 26 July 2022, together with its access roads. The Ston bypass followed on 19 April 2023, allowing buses and heavy trucks to use the bridge.

The result is a multi-span cable-stayed bridge 2,404 m long, designed by the Slovenian engineer Marjan Pipenbaher. It crosses the Mali Ston bay entirely within Croatian territory, with no border control, and it has become a lasting symbol of the link between southern Dalmatia and the rest of the country.

Curiosities about the Pelješac Bridge

The bridge has thirteen spans, of which seven are cable-stayed, including five central spans of 285 m each.
The two pylons around the navigation channel rise 98 m above sea level and 222 m above the seabed.
Because the seabed is thick clay and silt, the whole bridge rests on steel tubes about 100 m long and 2 m wide driven into the seabed.
The site lies in a windy area with significant seismic activity, next to the Mali Ston bay, which has been a marine nature reserve since 1983 and is protected by Natura 2000.
The access roads on Pelješac include two tunnels, of 2,467 m and 499 m, and two smaller bridges.
The bridge is for motor vehicles only: it has no pavement for pedestrians and no cycle lanes.

Tours near Pelješac Bridge

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

Pelješac Wine Tour from Dubrovnik: Taste the Best

★ 5 (8 reviews) · 7 h

See details ›

Pelješac - Wine, Oysters and Food Experience from Dubrovnik

★ 5 (7 reviews) · 6 h

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Oysters and mussels tasting with wine in Ston and Pelješac

★ 4.1 (9 reviews) · 5 h

See details ›

Dubrovnik Wine Tour: Pelješac Winery and Ston Experience

★ 4.8 (6 reviews) · 4 h

See details ›

Visiting the Pelješac Bridge

The bridge is mainly something to cross: it carries motor traffic only, so there is no walkway or cycle lane for visitors on foot.
It links Komarna on the mainland with the Pelješac peninsula, near Brijesta, and is the road route towards Ston, Korčula and the rest of the peninsula.
The sources used here do not describe a dedicated viewing platform, so check locally before planning a photo stop.
The bridge is a good fit for a day that also includes the Walls of Ston, about 17 km away, and the ancient site of Narona, about 18 km away.
Dubrovnik and its sights, such as Lovrijenac, are around 57 km from the bridge.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Pelješac Bridge is

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors

Photos of Pelješac Bridge

Questions

Where is the Pelješac Bridge and what does it connect?

It crosses the sea channel between Komarna on the Croatian mainland and the Pelješac peninsula in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. It links southern Dalmatia with the rest of Croatia.

Why was the Pelješac Bridge built?

A short strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum cuts the Dubrovnik area off from the rest of Croatia by land. The bridge removes the need to cross that strip and its border checks.

When did the Pelješac Bridge open?

It opened to traffic on 26 July 2022. Construction had begun on 30 July 2018, and the Ston bypass opened on 19 April 2023.

How long is the Pelješac Bridge?

It is 2,404 m long and has thirteen spans, of which seven are cable-stayed.

Can you walk or cycle across the Pelješac Bridge?

No. The bridge is for motor vehicles only and has neither a pedestrian pavement nor cycle lanes.

Who designed the Pelješac Bridge?

The bridge was designed by the Slovenian engineer Marjan Pipenbaher, and the main contractor was the China Road and Bridge Corporation.