When autumn paints the Neretva Valley in warm shades of orange and gold, the mandarin plantations become the stars of the landscape. The Neretva area is the largest producer of mandarins in Croatia, and the harvest season from October to December turns the entire valley into a fragrant paradise. Visiting the mandarin plantations is an essential part of any autumn stay in this region.
Local families have been growing mandarins for generations, and many of them welcome visitors warmly. You can pick fruit directly from the trees yourself, taste homemade mandarin liqueurs, jams, and cakes. Organised tours include visits to multiple plantations, tastings, and stories about the cultivation tradition that stretches back decades. Workshops for making homemade juice and liqueur are particularly popular.
Mandarins from the Neretva Valley are renowned for their exceptional flavour, which they owe to the unique microclimate — a combination of mild Mediterranean weather, fertile soil, and the Neretva River that regulates temperature. This small orange fruit has become a symbol of the region, and mandarin festivals attract thousands of visitors every autumn.