Cavtat, Croatia Guide: A Quiet Alternative to Dubrovnik

Cavtat, Croatia, might be the biggest surprise of your trip! This peaceful seaside town in the far south of Croatia is so close to Dubrovnik, and yet a world away.

If you want to visit Dubrovnik but would rather stay somewhere with a quiet, more relaxing atmosphere — oh, and cheaper, too! — Cavtat (pronounced SAHV-taht) might be the place for you!

Cavtat is a popular destination for Europeans — particularly travelers from Central Europe and the Balkan countries. But it’s not popular with North Americans at all. I didn’t hear a single American voice the entire time I was there.

As a result, Cavtat is crafted to the European travel style. Cavtat isn’t about checking off things to do and taking lots of day trips. Instead, Cavtat is about relaxing, soaking in the atmosphere, and enjoying yourself.

The nice thing about staying in Cavtat rather than Dubrovnik is that it’s much cheaper and much less crowded — but it’s an easy boat ride away! Talk about the best of both worlds.

Cavtat was founded by the Greeks as Epidaurus and later renamed Epidaurum under the Romans. One of several theories behind the Croatian name is that it may come from the verb captiti – “to flourish.” Perhaps Cavtat will be the place where YOU flourish!

This post was published in September 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper.

Explore Old Town Cavtat

The Old Town of Cavtat is a small, walkable area where you’ll find all the main sights in Cavtat – you’ll see more on each of those below. There are nice restaurants and cafes lining the waterfront. It’s lovely to sit out here people-watching, preferably with a Schweppes Tangerine in a bottle (my Croatian favorite!).

Besides roaming the streets, you could put your name down for a photography tour in this beautiful small town. Unlike Dubrovnik and Hvar, you won’t be elbow-to-elbow with tourists the whole time.

This private photography tour experience in Cavtat is managed by a local photographer. The activity combines opportunities for you to take your own artsy photos as well as having photoshoots with a professional.

Photo tours last for around two hours and you’ll receive a digital file of around 30 images.

Stroll the Cavtat Walking Trail

The Cavtat Walking Trail is my favorite place in Cavtat! This seaside promenade is a flat, pedestrian-only walking path that circles the perimeter of the Rat Peninsula, making a quiet escape from the town.

Almost the entire trail is generously shaded from the pine trees, making it a spot for a cool, pleasant walk when the sun is at its fiercest. Benches are dotted along the path. Feel free to stop to read a book, make a pit stop at a beach bar, or go for a swim!

If you’re staying in Cavtat a few days, I highly recommend walking this trail part of your daily itinerary.

Visit St. Nicholas Church

You’re never far from a beautiful church in Croatia, and in Cavtat, you can’t miss St. Nicholas Church, right by the harbor. The foundations date back to the 15th century and it was constructed using local white stone. It’s fairly typical of a Croatian church with a cross-vaulted apse and Baroque elements.

St. Nicholas Church went through a remodeling in the 18th century and the bell tower was added the following century. 

Step inside to see the beautiful wooden altars and the altarpiece crafted by the Silcilian-born Carmelo Reggi. There are additional paintings to ogle, some of which came from the hands of local artist, Vlaho Bukovac. More on him to come!

The Church of St. Nicholas is free to visit, though be sure to avoid it during services.

See the Rector’s Palace

Not to be confused with Dubrovnik’s more famous Rector’s Palace! Cavtat’s former Rector’s Palace is a much more modest building containing the private art collection and library of Baltazar Bogišić. 

Bogišić was born in Cavtat in 1834 and went on to become a jurist and sociologist. You’ll spy a statue of him outside the property. The villa is often referred to as the Bogišić Museum. 

The villa peeps out from the green forest and has photogenic colonnades and a courtyard pool. Works by the Croatian artist Vlaho Bukovac – another Cavtat celebrity – adorn the walls as does one of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”. 

The museum is open Monday through Friday, 09:00 AM-1:00 PM. Tickets cost 4 EUR (just over $4 USD) and are sold on the door. You’ll be in and out within the hour.

Swing by the Franciscan Monastery

Dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, the Franciscan Monastery and Church is one of Cavtat’s most beautiful landmarks. It’s another harborside building set in a cloistered garden with the church placed in the eastern wing.

After being built in the 15th century, the complex was rocked by an earthquake and sacked during unrest. It went on to serve as a storage unit and a post office before being returned to its original purpose.

Vlaho Bukovac gifted his canvas of the Madonna to the church in August 1910.

Masses occur daily, usually at 08:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 PM on weekends. Parts of the compound are open to the public outside of these times. 

Visit the House of Vlaho Bukovac

Now known as the Bukovac House Museum, this is where the Croatian artist was born in 1855 and spent his youth. Even when his work took him around the globe, it remained his home.  

This 18th-century stone townhouse is divided into two wings. Bukovac decorated the eastern wing with murals as a gift to his father. After his death, his daughters transformed part of the house into an exhibition space. 

It contains 200 sketches, paintings, and personal effects that trace how his art progressed and reveal how he lived. I knew nothing about Bukovac when I visited, but I really loved it!

The Bukovac House Museum is open daily between April 1 and December 31. Its hours are 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Monday to Saturday and 10:00 AM-2:00 PM on Sunday. During the winter, it’s open Tuesday to Saturday 09:00 AM-5:00 PM and Sunday 09:00 AM-12:00 PM. Admission is 5 EUR ($5.50 USD). 

Visit the Shell Museum (Glossus Humanus)

Whether you’re a science fan, fascinated by all kinds of creatures, or the kind of person who looks for the perfect shells to take home, this museum is for you. Glossus Humanus is a family-run museum containing 3,500 types of shells from all seven oceans. 

The exhibition also contains paintings, sculptures, and gastropods.

Admission is 7 EUR ($7.50 USD) for a self-guided/audio tour. Groups of five see this drop to ($5.50 USD). Honestly, I think this place is a bit overpriced for how small it is, but I’m glad I visited.

If you’d prefer to book a tour with a “human” guide, these cost 40 EUR ($43 USD) for up to 12 guests. You’ll have to pre-book these tours. 

The Shell Museum also runs a daily guided tour for free at 11:00 AM if you grab a ticket before 10:50 AM.

It’s open Monday to Saturday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM in summer and by appointment only in winter. 

Walk the Sustjepan Peninsula Trail 

Sustjepan is the smaller (and wilder) of the two peninsulas, located south of Cavtat. There are no houses or stores on Sustjepan and it’s cloaked in an aromatic pine forest that almost smells like a sauna. It’s one of the absolute highlights of Cavtat for outdoorsy explorers. 

There are paths winding through the greenery and along the shoreline supplying epic bay views toward Cavtat’s three islands. The paths are narrow and rocky so you’ll need sneakers. 

It takes around an hour to complete the Sustjepan loop. Take water, snacks, and a towel and allow extra time to enjoy the peaceful nature. 

Note that if you complete the loop counterclockwise, you’ll end up in the grounds of Hotel Croatia Cavtat. It’s a bit confusing but far easier to cut through the hotel. 

Visit the Račić Family Mausoleum 

Also known as Our Lady of the Angels, this family mausoleum is part of the Saint Rocco Cemetery. It is found at the highest point of the Rat Peninsula on the site of a former church, and it’s instantly recognizable in photos of the town.

Captain Ivo Račić was a sailor and shipping entrepreneur who died tragically at the same time as his two children after contracting Spanish flu. His widow, Marija, commissioned a relatively unknown Croatian sculptor, Ivan Meštrović, to design the mausoleum. 

After completing the family memorial in 1922, Ivan Meštrović went on to become a distinguished architect. There’s a museum dedicated to him in Split.

The mausoleum is an octagonal design with a coffered cupola and two chapels on the north and south sides. Regardless of whether you go inside, the eye-popping views alone justify a trip to the cemetery. 

It’s free to visit the cemetery and 4 EUR (just over $4 USD) to enter the mausoleum. 

Veg out at a beach club

As there isn’t a ton to see and do in Cavtat, that’s all the more reason to get comfy in a beach bar drinking up the Adriatic coast atmosphere. Beach clubs open from May until around the end of October.

Beach Bar Little Star has a perfect location on the Cavtat Walking Trail with a great view of the Cavtat islands and killer sunsets. The bar serves cocktails and beer — food is very limited here, so don’t come hungry. Bring euros – it’s cash only.

Off the peninsula, you’ll find a cluster of clubs near Beach Žal. The ultra laid-back Beach Bar Paradisum mixes wallet-friendly cocktails that hit the spot on a hot afternoon. They sometimes have live music. 

Lounge Bar Eve is your one-stop shop for morning coffee and cocktails with a view. It has a great vibe popular with couples and families alike. They have a stellar selection of non-alcoholic beverages as well. 

A fairly similar option, Beach Bar Cool is Žal’s northernmost watering hole. As it’s further from the town center, it’s a patch quieter. 10/10 for the views, drinks, and prices. 

Relax at the beach

Cavtat’s beaches are scattered across the peninsulas and the mainland. These tend to be small coves with gentle waves and, being Croatia, you should expect rock slabs and pebbles rather than sandy beaches.

But don’t let the lack of sand put you off: Croatia is home to some of the clearest, most inviting waters in Europe. Just bring your water shoes for comfort.

Besides, you can rent deckchairs for just few euros, which is UNHEARD OF in Dubrovnik!

Other beaches have big stone slabs that are quite comfy with a towel and they give you the feeling of a hot stone massage once heated by the sun.

Keep an eye out for signs that say swimming is not permitted — you sometimes see these due to rocks and currents. 

Hike the Prevlaka Peninsula Trail

Hiking beyond the town center is one of the best things to do in Cavtat when staying longer than a day or two. There are clifftop trails connecting Cavtat with the coastal towns of Močići, Čilipi, and Radovčići. The tourist office in the Old Town can advise you on the latest routes and conditions. 

If you have a car rental, you can go all the way down to the Prevlaka Peninsula. Croatia’s southernmost peninsula is a 35-minute drive (21 miles) from Cavtat and is strewn with abandoned bunkers and the remains of a fort. You’ll get a great view of Montenegro and the Bay of Kotor. 

These roads could do with a bit of TLC, but they’re absolutely drivable in a regular sedan. 

Incidentally, Cape Oštro in Prevlaka marks the end of Croatia’s Via Adriatica Trail. This long-distance trek originates at Cape Kamenjak in Istria so you might encounter weary yet jubilant adventurers. 

Take the boat to Dubrovnik for the day

If you’re making Cavtat your base in southern Dalmatia, you can easily plan a day trip to Dubrovnik. 

Boats connect Cavtat and Dubrovnik’s old town during summer (April 1 through November 1), and take around an hour each way. The boat costs in the neighborhood of 20 EUR ($22 USD) round-trip.

Taking the boat is far more fun than the bus and it spares you from having to park a rental car in busy Dubrovnik (please don’t do that; driving in Dubrovnik is hellish and you should avoid it). 

I recommend getting the first boat of the day to maximize time and stroll around Dubrovnik’s walls and plazas before it gets crowded. Walking the walls of Dubrovnik is a must, and I recommend doing that either early or late, as there isn’t a lot of shade and the midday sun can be pretty oppressive.

Visit the Cavtat Islands

Three islands bob just off the shore of the Rat and Sustjepan Peninsulas: Mrkan, Bobara, and Supetar. Back when Cavtat was Epidaurus, Greeks would have surveyed and controlled movement in and out of the port from these isles. 

There’s not much to see on the islands nowadays, bar a couple of ruined monasteries and watch towers. However, they’re a lot of fun to sail around by boat. 

Over on the eastern side of the Rat Peninsula, Gabriel Watersports is your first port of call for plotting a day at sea. You can either charter a private boat with a skipper or rent a VEZ boat to visit the Cavtat archipelago.

Rentals cost 100 EUR ($109 USD) for a half day or 150 EUR ($163 USD) which isn’t bad at all when split between a couple or small group. 

There are several other agencies near Beach Žal running three island and cave boat cruises in the high season. 

You only need one day to see the sights of Cavtat — two if you wanted to explore at a languid pace, or if you wanted to do one of the bigger hikes. Although, if you’re looking for a mellow place to lay low for a few days in Croatia, consider spending longer here.

Everything is walkable and you can enjoy leisurely mornings walking the peninsula trails and swimming in the sea. Your euros will go much further here compared to other Adriatic coastal towns — even towns in Montenegro like Kotor, Perast, and Budva.

I have spent a LOT of time in Croatia over the last decade, visiting over most summers. And I found Cavtat to be an absolute delight. THIS is the place to relax and chill out in Croatia.

Cavtat is easily accessible via road or boat from Dubrovnik. And guess what — it’s even closer to Dubrovnik Airport than Dubrovnik itself! 

Because of this, some travelers like to end their trips in Cavtat. (Do you NEED to stay in Cavtat to be close to the airport? I don’t think so — it only saves you, like, 20 minutes of driving. Choosing Cavtat is a lifestyle choice.)

Bus number 10 from Dubrovnik’s bus station in Gruž takes 40 minutes to reach Cavtat. Departures leave every 30 minutes during summer; check for updates on the Libertas Dubrovnik website. 

Boats depart from the Old Town Port from April 1 until November 1. These are operated by Adriana Cavtat and usually stop at the island of Lokum. Sailings take between 45 minutes and one hour and cost 15 EUR (around $16 USD) each way. 

Dubrovnik Airport (officially Ruđer Bošković Airport) is just an eight-minute drive from Cavtat. Public buses and shuttle services operate between the airport, Dubrovnik, and Cavtat.

Taxis cost around 20 EUR ($21.50 USD) each way.

Cavtat, like most towns in the Balkans, is more about vacation rentals and aparthotels than hotels themselves. There are a couple of boutique hotels thrown into the mix, with new ones popping up every summer. 

The closer to Cavtat’s old town and the waterfront, the more expensive your accommodation will be. You can save money by staying a short walk away, but keep in mind it’s a somewhat steep uphill climb out of town!

• Top-Rated Luxury Hotel in Cavtat: Splash out on a stay at Hotel Cavtat which has an incredible infinity-edge pool watching over the bay. Keep costs down with a standard room, or splurge on a sea-view balcony. All rates include breakfast and the town center is a short stroll down a manageable hill. 
• Top-Rated Mid-Range Hotel in Cavtat: Apartments Villa Lukas comprises 12 sunny studios with kitchenettes and private balconies. The way back is steep, but not the worst, and you can cool off in the pool anyway. This upscale aparthotel also has a sauna, hot tub, and gym. 
• Top-Rated Budget Hotel in Cavtat: Just a 10-minute walk from the harbor and bus stop, Villa Tiha is an excellent base close to everything. It’s an older property with a retro vibe and a high standard of comfort. Each studio has basic kitchenware and you can add breakfast for a reasonable price. The owners are sweethearts and they have free bikes. 
• Check out all hotels in Cavtat here.

Like all of Croatia, Cavtat is very much a summer destination. Summer is longer in southern Dalmatia so you’ll find balmy weather from late May until the middle of October. 

The bulk of the crowds sweep in between late June and early September. Cavtat isn’t anywhere near as busy as the hotspots of Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split, but it’s popular with travelers from the Balkans and Central Europe. Prices escalate in peak season.

Late May and early June can be a great time to visit for a quieter experience in Cavtat. I’m a fan of late September or even early October as the water is warmer at this time of year.

Winters are quite cold in Dalmatia, and the boats between Dubrovnik and Cavtat come to a close. You can still get around by road and Cavtat has more going on in comparison with the islands. I would come here for a quiet workation, but don’t expect much to be going on!

Read More: Best Time to Visit Croatia

I’m so glad I got to spend this time in Cavtat! After visiting so many of the more popular parts of Croatia — most of them busy, research-oriented trips — Cavtat was where I did Croatia the way most travelers do.

I chilled. I strolled. I enjoyed the sunset with an ice cream in hand.

Isn’t that how a summer trip should be? Cavtat gave me the gift of relaxation.

Planning a Trip to Croatia:

Croatian Islands and the Dalmatian Coast:

• Why Korčula, Croatia, is the Coolest Island of All
• Vis, Croatia, is a Quietly Stunning Island
• How to Spend Three Days in Dubrovnik
• Dubrovnik Survival Guide
• The Waterfalls of Krka National Park
• A Place Like Zadar
• 30 Fabulous Things To Do in Split, Croatia
• 29 Sunny Things To Do In Hvar, Croatia

Istria and the North:

Have you been to Cavtat? Share your tips!