Leave the crowds behind fast. This small-group tour takes you to Vardia farm in Malaštica Hill, just 15 minutes from Dubrovnik Old Town, where olives and fruit grow on centuries-old terraces.

Two things I really like are the hands-on tastings (olive oil in three ways with bread, plus white wine and fruit or herb liqueurs) and the personal feel of the visit with Ivica Vlašić and his family’s farm story. You also get a calm, scenic walk that actually fits the time.

The main drawback to plan around is the moderate walking/hiking. You’ll do an easy hike down and back up through olive grooves, with about 30 minutes of walking, so comfy shoes matter.

Key Highlights

• Family-run farm near Dubrovnik with views toward the Adriatic and stories passed through generations
• Small group size (max 8) for a more conversational tour pace
• Olive oil tastings in three ways with homemade bread and classic pairings like salt and vinegar
• Wine plus homemade fruit or herb liqueurs, including options like walnut and lemon wine in the mix
• Seasonal sampling along the walk, with fruit and herbs you may taste directly on the property
• Easy, scenic uphill/downhill walking through olive trees, an organic farm area, and old oak forest

Malaštica Hill: Getting Away From Dubrovnik Crowds

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is gorgeous, but it can feel like constant motion. This tour is a clean break from that. You’ll leave the city early (start time is 8:30am) and head to Malaštica Hill, about 200 metres above the Adriatic Sea, near the Bosnia and Herzegovina border.

The drive is short and scenic, but the bigger win is what you do after you arrive. Instead of standing in one spot for photos, you’ll walk through olive groves and farm areas, with a guide who explains what you’re seeing in plain, practical terms.

If you’re the type of traveler who loves food, plants, and how people actually make what you eat, you’ll get more out of this than a standard “see vineyards from a bus” outing.

The Walk Through Olive Groves and Old Oak Forest

The experience starts with pickup from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in the Dubrovnik area. Once you’re at Vardia farm, the day becomes a mix of walking, stopping, and learning—without rushing.

You’ll take an easy hike down and up through olive grooves and farm land. Expect about 30 minutes of walking, and keep in mind that it’s not steep technical hiking, but it is uphill and downhill. Even if you call it easy, your legs will notice it by the time you return to the car.

This is also where the tour feels authentic. You pass organic farm areas and an old oak forest, and the guide points out plants you might otherwise walk past without realizing they matter. In the reviews, I kept seeing the same kind of detail: rosemary, bay trees, wild flowers, olives growing where you can see them clearly, and fruit trees that reflect the season.

One practical tip that comes up again and again: wear sensible shoes. The terrain is farm ground, and good traction keeps the whole experience relaxing instead of fussy.

Tasting Olive Oil Like a Local (Not Just a Sip)

The tastings are the heart of this tour, and they’re built around one simple idea: you should understand olive oil by tasting it multiple ways. The menu includes olive & bread, and you’ll taste olive oil in three different ways with bread, salt, and vinegar.

That setup does something smart. It turns olive oil from a generic souvenir into something you can actually compare. You’re not just “having samples.” You’re learning what changes when oil is paired differently, and why local people eat it the way they do.

You’ll also get homemade bread, and reviews mention extras like shortbread and jam (including apricot). The best part is how the food fits the setting. It’s not a cramped tasting room. It’s served in a comfortable farm spot with the view and the quiet that makes the flavors feel even better.

And yes, there’s wine—white wine—but it’s not treated as a wild party. It’s part of the same farm table feel: produce, oil, bread, then wine, then liqueurs.

Herb Brandy, Fruit Liqueurs, and the Real Taste of the Orchard

Beyond olive oil and wine, you’ll taste drinks made from what the farm grows. The tour includes a tasting of home-made herb brandy or a liqueur made with fruits from the orchard.

In the reviews, the drinks sound like a highlight for many people. You may run into walnut liquor, grapa in the description, and a lemon option that gets special mention. The guide also points out where the ingredients come from, which makes the tasting feel connected instead of random.

If you like tasting menus, this works. It’s still a guided experience, but you’re sampling different products with context: what the fruit is, how it becomes something drinkable, and how it fits into the family’s production.

This is also where kids can be considered. One review mentioned kid-friendly substitutes, so the tasting style is not only built for adults.

Meeting Ivica: How the Farm Story Explains the Food

Tours are often heavy on facts and light on connection. This one aims for the opposite. The guide—Ivica Vlašić—shares knowledge he built through education and by working in the fields with his father and grandfather.

You’re basically getting a short, personal lesson about cultivation and production while you’re walking through the place where it actually happens. The tour description calls it the biggest classroom in the Dubrovnik countryside, and the feel matches that.

What makes this part work is that the stories aren’t just “look at the view.” They’re tied to practical farm life—how the land is used, what gets grown, and how the family turns that work into olive oil, wine, and liqueurs.

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, this helps the time feel like more than a checklist. One review even described it as spending time with a friend. Even if you prefer more structure, you’ll probably still appreciate how easy the conversation is in such a small group.

After the Car: A Calm Return to Dubrovnik

After tastings and the walk-around, the group heads back to the car and is taken back to your accommodation. The total time is about 2 hours 45 minutes, which is a sweet spot: long enough to feel like you left the city, short enough to still enjoy the rest of your day.

This is a great option if you want one “country” experience without giving up a full afternoon. It also works well if you’re planning another activity later, since you’re returning to Dubrovnik area rather than ending in an unknown spot.

Price and Value: Is $84.10 Worth It?

At $84.10 per person, this is not the cheapest tour you’ll see. But it does include more than a standard tasting stop.

Here’s what you’re paying for that matters:

• Pickup and return from your hotel or meeting point
• A small group (maximum 8), which keeps the attention on you instead of spreading it thin
• A walking farm visit rather than only a seated tasting
• Multiple food and drink components: olive oil in three ways, homemade bread, white wine, and fruit or herb liqueurs

In practice, the value comes from variety plus context. If you wanted only olive oil, this could be pricey. But you’re getting olive oil, bread, wine, liqueurs, and a guided walk through a working family farm.

Also, the reviews repeatedly highlight that it feels personal and worth it even for people who usually skip small tours. That doesn’t guarantee it will be your favorite day, but it is a strong signal that the experience matches the price.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Reconsider)

This tour is a good match if you:

• enjoy food experiences with real ingredients behind them
• like walking in nature for a short stretch
• want a break from Old Town crowds and want something slower

It’s also listed for moderate physical fitness, with easy hiking and about 30 minutes of walking. If you have mobility limits, stairs issues, or you hate uneven ground, you might find it stressful. Bringing shoes and expecting a bit of effort is the simplest way to avoid disappointment.

On the other hand, it’s not a hard sports workout. The goal is farm life, tastings, and stories, not athletic achievement.

And with English offered and a maximum of 8 travelers, it’s also friendly for people who want calm conversation and don’t want a large-group, loud-guide vibe.

What to Expect on the Tasting Menu (and What You Might Notice)

The menu calls out olive & bread and tasting olive oil in three ways with bread, salt, and vinegar. On top of that, you’ll have white wine, plus a homemade herb brandy or fruit liqueur.

Then layer in what often shows up through the farm walk:

• seasonal fruit and herbs you can taste directly from the property
• produce mentioned in reviews like figs, blackberries, tomatoes, grapes, pomegranate, and winter orange
• farm details such as bay trees and rosemary

One more thing I’d pay attention to: the tastings are not framed as a long wine-flight marathon. Several reviews describe the tasting as focused on standout products rather than overwhelming you with dozens of bottles.

If you like learning how a small farm makes and uses what it grows, this will feel satisfying instead of rushed.

Before You Go: Simple Tips That Make It Better

A few small choices can make the day much more comfortable:

• Bring sensible shoes for farm ground and uphill/downhill walking
• Plan for a morning start at 8:30am
• Expect a moderate walk even though it’s described as easy
• If you’re sensitive to weather, remember the tour depends on good conditions

If you’re the type who loves pictures, great—there are plenty of views over the Adriatic. But I’d treat this less like a photo mission and more like a food-and-farm lesson you’ll remember.

Should You Book the Olive Farm & Village Tour?

Book it if you want a Dubrovnik countryside experience that feels real: a small family farm visit, a guided walk through olives and oak trees, and tastings that actually connect to what’s growing on the land.

Skip it (or at least think twice) if you’re looking for a totally flat, low-effort stroll, or if you’d rather spend your time in town for full museums and city sights. The walk is part of the point, and you’ll feel it.

If you’re deciding between “another tour” and “something with hands-on food and a working farm,” this one leans strong toward the second option.

FAQ

Where is the tour located?

The tour takes place at Vardia farm in Malaštica Hill, about 200 metres above the Adriatic Sea, roughly 15 minutes from Dubrovnik Old Town.

How long does the tour take?

It runs for approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30am.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel or a meeting point in the Dubrovnik area.

How much walking is involved?

You’ll do an easy hike down and up through the farm area, with around 30 minutes of walking. Moderate physical fitness is recommended.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What do you taste during the visit?

You’ll taste organic olive oil in three ways with home-made bread, plus white wine and home-made herb brandy or fruit liqueur made from the orchard.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is the tour refundable if plans change?

There is free cancellation, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If canceled less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.