135 km and one border from Dubrovnik to the pilgrimage town of Medjugorje. How to get there, what to climb and when to book early, whether you are staying several nights or only the day.
Medjugorje is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 135 km from Dubrovnik. The road goes up the coast, through the Neretva valley and across the border. Door to door, with the crossing, we plan about 3 hours. Many pilgrims stay two or three nights; others come for the day.
Private transfer
A one-way transfer from Dubrovnik Old Town costs 255 euros for a car with up to 3 passengers and 306 euros for a van with up to 8. The price is per vehicle, which matters for parish groups and families. The driver drops you in front of St James's church, with most of the accommodation within walking distance. From Dubrovnik Airport the road is the same; the booking form shows the price for your exact pick-up.
Private day trip
With only one day, the private trip takes about 12 hours, costs 360 euros per vehicle and includes the Kravice waterfalls and Mostar. It is a long day, and you will have less time at the shrine than on a stay, but it is the easiest way to see all three.
Bus
Direct buses from Dubrovnik are few and depend on the season, and many journeys mean a change in Mostar or nearby. Check the current timetable with the operators at the Gruž station before you plan around it. Parish and pilgrimage groups usually come by organised coach.
What to see
- St James's church: the centre of parish life, with the outdoor altar behind it where the large evening services are held in summer.
- Apparition Hill (Podbrdo): a rocky path with the Blue Cross near its foot. Allow about an hour up and down.
- Cross Mountain (Križevac): a steeper climb to the large concrete cross at about 520 metres, along the Stations of the Cross. Allow two to three hours.
Both hills are bare, loose stone. Wear proper shoes, take water and avoid the middle of the day in summer, because there is little shade.
The Church's position
In September 2024 the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published a note granting a nulla osta for the spiritual experience at Medjugorje. It allows the pilgrimages and devotion, without declaring the reported apparitions to be supernatural.
When to go
- The youth festival, Mladifest, fills the town in the first days of August. Book your transfer and bed well ahead.
- May, June and September have the best weather for the hills.
- Winter is quiet and many places have reduced hours, so check your accommodation first.
The border and the money
- Bring a passport. EU citizens can use a national ID card.
- In season the crossing can add half an hour or more, and we choose the crossing on the day.
- The currency is the convertible mark (KM), but euros are accepted almost everywhere in Medjugorje.