Clustered at the foot of a green slope backed by dramatic peaks, it's not hard to see how Podgora got its name, which means under the mountain.

With a long history as a fishing village and a tourist tradition dating back to the 1920s, Podgora is a sleepy place of 1,500 souls which swells more than fivefold in the summer – it’s second only to Makarska when it comes to tourist numbers. It's not hard to see why: the combination of white shingle, green pine and rocky grey mountain are a tourist's holy trinity.

This is a laid-back resort enlivened by almost nightly performances from mid-June to the end of August: classical music, heart-stirring Dalmatian klapa groups, rock and folk dance performances bring drama and culture to warm evenings.

As elsewhere, Podgora's inhabitants for centuries relied on the hinterland for protection and sustenance. The attractive old inland settlement of Gornja Podgora is worth looking round and serves as an entrance point to the Biokovo Nature Park.

Following the coast road towards Dubrovnik, the following places also fall within the Podgora district:
Drašnice – a tiny place, the 2001 census found some 300 souls here. There's a choice of pebbly coves, and with a little effort you can find some quiet spots. In one of the coves there’s a cave named Medvidina where a local fisherman reported seeing a Mediterranean Monk Seal – a critically endangered species.
Igrane – barely larger with 400 inhabitants, this pleasant little place clings to the foot of the hills and has a lovely long sand and shingle beach. One sight of interest is the Zalina kula tower built in the War of Candia between the Venetians and the Turks. There's a picturesque waterfront and the olive oil and fishing industries are alive and kicking.
Živogošće – Now we're 20 km away from Split, heading south. Živogošće is a resort made up of a string of five tiny hamlets: Strnj, Porat, Mala Duba, Blato and Murava. Newer homes and a couple of hotels lie alongside the water; the older settlements are on the upper side of the coast road.
Podgora Tourist Board, Andrije Kačića Miošića 2, tz-podgora@st.t-com.hr, www.tz-podgora.hr. Open 07:30 - 20:30, Sun 07:00 - 13:00. From October Open 07:30 - 14:00, Sun 07:00 - 13:00.