Cavtat - What's It Like? | The Mediterranean Traveller

Thinking of booking a trip to Cavtat in Croatia? Here’s what to expect from this beautiful coastal town.

Where is it?

Cavtat is 20km south of Dubrovnik and just 6km from Dubrovnik Airport.

What’s the vibe like?

I’m not going to claim Cavtat is a hidden gem, but maybe a half-hidden gem. Most first-time visitors pass straight by on their way to Dubrovnik, but it’s actually an ideal base for exploring the area.

Cavtat (pronounced something like Savtat or Tsavtat) is perfect if you want to visit the Dubrovnik area but aren’t keen on staying in the city amongst the cruise ship hordes.

It’s a bit more laid-back, a bit cheaper, and lot less crowded. From Cavtat there are frequent buses and water taxis into Dubrovnik. The buses (which take 40 minutes) run until late at night so getting back after an evening in the city is not a problem.

Cavtat itself has a small old town on a peninsula that juts into the water, in that typical handsome Croatian coastal town style. If Cavtat were anywhere else, on a smaller island for example, it would easily be a destination in its own right. The scenery is also stunning – it reminds me of Paleokastritsa on Corfu. Squint and you could be on an island, yet you’re less than 10 minutes from the airport.

It’s no wonder people are starting to cotton on, especially as the prices in Dubrovnik continue to escalate.

Vibe-wise, it’s a bit of a mix. Cavtat does have a package tourism presence but it also attracts visiting yachts and super yachts. The main bay with its elegant promenade is well-manicured and very pretty with cafe-bars, seafood restaurants, and konobas (for traditional Croatian food) along the waterfront. You can find expensive seafood platters here if that’s what you’re looking for, but overall Cavtat is a straightforward and unpretentious place that suits a mix of budgets.

I will say that it lacks some of the atmosphere of its more upmarket neighbours. In fact, my main gripe with Cavtat is that so many of the establishments seem intent on playing awful music (why???).

There is a small beach but it’s not the focus of the town and is a 15-minute walk from the Old Town. The end of the beach towards the Epidaurus Hotel feels a bit tatty. Beach lovers should check out nearby Srebreno instead. But there are lots of rocky platforms around the Old Town for getting into the sea.

It’s also worth noting that Cavtat is right underneath the flight path as planes land at the airport (not for takeoffs though). It’s not constant and sometimes there are long gaps between flights, but there are occasional late-night and early-morning planes. I adjusted after a day and enjoyed watching them, but it’s not for everyone.

Big changes are coming to Cavtat though – there are plans afoot to build a mammoth glitzy marina complex beyond the Epidaurus which may well change the balance of the town in the coming year.

What’s the beach like?

Cavtat’s main beach (Žal) is a narrow strip of white shingle and sand. The shingle can be quite sharp so sea shoes are a good idea. Plastic sun loungers are available to hire but there is no lifeguard.

But more popular than the beach is the rocky platforms with easy access to the sea. There are lots of points where you can find a ladder into the water. If you want to spend the whole day by the water then there are sun loungers to rent at Sustjepan, at the far end of the old town strip, at Rat, and by Beach Bar Little Star.

One thing to note is that the geography of the area means that sometimes the beaches/swimming areas are in shade. When I visited in late September Sustjepan and Rat had sun in the morning but not afternoon, and this was reversed on the old town. Little Star had sun until later.

Additionally there are two small unorganised beaches (Obod and Cista Luka 2) beyond Epidaurus.

If you’re looking for aesthetic beach bar vibes take the bus or water taxi to Mlini or Srebreno and head to Val Di Breno.

Activities and amenities

Most visitors to Cavtat will want to visit Dubrovnik so here’s what you need to know.

Buses into the city leave frequently, they take 40 minutes and a ticket is €4 return. You’ll need to get off at Dubrovnik’s Cable Car stop (most will disembark here but ask the driver if you’re unsure, as the final destination is the main bus terminal at the New Port). From here it’s a short downhill walk to the Old Town.

The most popular things to do in Dubrovnik are:

City Walls or Tuk Tuk Tour
Cable Car and Panorama Restaurant (book the restaurant in advance)
Game of Thrones Tour
Boat to Lokrum Island
Kayaking outside the Old Town

In Cavtat itself, the most common activity is to take a daily stroll around Cavtat’s scenic peninsulas which have pedestrian walkways with plenty of benches for a rest. If you fancy a longer walk there are walking trails to the southeast of town.

Cavtat has a few cultural attractions including Banac and Bukovac House Museums, the Rector’s Palace, and a Seashell Museum. Bukovac was home to a noted local artist and contains wonderful frescos.

There’s also a beautiful mausoleum up on the hill behind the Franciscan Monastery. The monastery hosts classical concerts a few days per week – tickets are available outside from 1 hour beforehand. There’s a wooden board outside the monastery with the weekly schedule and details on the next concert.

Banac House is now home to a wine bar that is worth the visit for the view alone. Tasting flights of local wines are available (and in the morning you can also get smoothies).

Sea kayak guided tours are available through Sea Kayaking Cavtat.

The Croatian coast excels in excellent excursions. Not all local excursions are available to book online, but here’s an idea of what’s available (not all tours run every day):

Plenty of people rave about Michael’s wine tour of Konavle (best book in advance if you’re only here a few days) – Cavtat Travel
Elafiti Islands on the Adriana (note: this is a small boat that shuttles you between the islands where you get a brief stop, it’s not a guided tour and you don’t get much time on the island)
3 Keys tours of the local area (including a free storytelling tour on Friday evenings)
Day trip to Bosnia
Day trip to Montenegro

An evening spent watching the sun go down from Beach Bar Little Star is a must.

The local bus company run a sightseeing route around Konavle in the summer.

Buses to and from Dubrovnik start early so if you’re organised it is possible to get into Dubrovnik for excursions that don’t pick up in Cavtat, or to catch a ferry to an island.

Cavtat has several ATMs, two small supermarkets, a couple of bakeries, and a pharmacy. For a bigger food shop, get the bus to Srebreno which has a large supermarket.

Transport and accessibility

From the airport:

Many hotels in Cavtat will offer transfers from the airport priced similarly to taxis (around €20). It takes less than 10 minutes. There’s no direct bus from the airport to Cavtat.

Public transport:

Bus number 10 goes to Dubrovnik and stops at Mlini and Sbreno on the way. The bus stop in Cavtat is at the entrance to the Old Town. Remember to get off at the Cable Car stop for Dubrovnik Old Town as the final stop is Gruz/New Port. If you overshoot there are many buses back to the Old Town.

There are several companies operating water taxis. If you’re not good with steps the boat might be a better option, however some boats are easier than others. You can buy tickets at the stands in the harbour so just ask when buying which boats don’t require steps to get on and off. They also make different stops – some calling at the Epidaurus Hotel, Mlini, Srebreno, or Lokrum.

Accessibility:

The parts of Cavtat by the water are flat and well-paved, although there is some crazy paving on the peninsula. I saw lots of strollers and wheelchairs out exploring. There are many places you can enter the water with steps but not many you can walk in – except the beach, which is

But behind the main coastal road, Cavtat is on a fairly hill. The bus does stop at the top of the hill and taxis will also take you back up.

Prices

Prices in Cavtat are cheaper than Dubrovnik, but the general area is expensive. This is reflected in the pricetag of the high end hotels and villas. There’s plenty of budget accommodation on offer though, especially if you can avoid July/August.

It’s a similar story with the food. Most of the konobas are regular tourist prices (on a par with Italy and Greece these days) but there are a few fancier restaurants and places to get expensive seafood platters and wine. Bakeries are cheap. Most restaurants have a lighter daytime menu and some do a good value set lunch (I had one at Dolium). Atlas Buffet is the best for veggie options but it also does amazing ćevapi.

Drinks prices are high in the Old Town. The nearer you get to the beach (and away from the old town) the cheaper the drinks are, and many bars do happy hours.

Sun loungers are nearly all of the white plastic variety. When I visited (late September) most were priced around 7 euros per day, extra for an parasol.

I paid for most items by card. You might need cash for: sun loungers, beach bars, bus, water taxis, pedalos/kayaks. Tap water is fine to drink. The small shop is open most days until 10pm, and the bakery opposite too. There’s a bigger supermarket in Srebreno.

Where to stay

Luxury:

The top luxury hotel in Cavtat is the classy boutique 5-star Hotel Supetar which is located in a prime waterfront spot in the Old Town. It has jazzy vibes and is meters from the sea.

5-star Hotel Croatia is the area’s top resort hotel occupies the peninsula opposite the Old Town. It’s the best spot for views, space, and amenities. There’s a regular free shuttle buggy up and down the hill for guests – it drops you a short walk from the Old Town.

4-star Hotel Cavtat (also available through TUI) is located on the waterfront, a 5-minute walk from the Old Town. It has modern rooms, and a rooftop pool. Sea view balconies are available.

Mid-range:

Half way up the hill, Hotel Seventh is a modern 4-star with great views, a pool, and a small fitness suite.

In the Old Town, Schwarz Villas & Residence has well-equipped apartments and a communal pool. Villa Agave has recently renovated rooms and a shared small heated pool.

The best hotel near the beach is the Remisens Albatros Hotel (All Inclusive). It has family facilities, entertainment, and a large pool right by the sea. Reviews are mixed on the service though.

Budget:

If location is key (especially for a swim in the sea), it’s hard to beat the no-frills rooms at Sobe More which are located inside the Francisan Monastery. No balconies though, and the stone walls can be stuffy.

Apartments Zrno are a short walk uphill but the large balconies have a superb sea view.

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