Visit Cavtat

Cavtat is a small town on the Adriatic sea, known for the beaches and historical buildings. Its charm is often recognized by those who visit Dubrovnik, only about 20 km away. Therefore, it is no wonder many decide to visit Cavtat as a day trip from Dubrovnik since they share the atmosphere, but not the city hustle. Picturesque Cavtat associates visitors to many idyllic places all over the world such as Tuscany or French Riviera. However, if planning to visit Dubrovnik or have already fallen in love with it, it is time to discover the nearby hidden gem of Croatia.

How to get to Cavtat

Getting to Cavtat is easy by both car and bus. The town has a good connection to Dubrovnik, therefore to other Croatian cities as well. If travelling to Cavtat, here are all the options explained.

By car

Getting to Cavtat by car is the easiest way of travelling from multiple directions. If you don’t possess a car, but would love to travel with one, you can always decide on a car hire in the city you’re staying in. Moreover, avoid the hassle and rent a car online.

You can visit Cavtat from several directions such as Dubrovnik or Split in Croatia and Herceg Novi or Kotor in Montenegro.

If driving from Split, you can take the highway E65 where tolls apply combined with D8 which is the fastest route. The ride takes about 3 hours.

NOTE: Remember that Neum Corridor is on this route, a 9 km long stretch of Bosnia and Herzegovina territory that separates Central and North Dalmatia. To continue to Cavtat, you need to have valid documents for border passing. The current project of building the Peljesac bridge is planned to be done in 2022 and it will finally connect these two regions without border crossing.

If visiting Cavtat as a day trip from Dubrovnik, then take a D8 route that will take you there in about 30 minutes. If flying into Dubrovnik Airport, you can take a taxi to Cavtat as it is only 5 km away.

If arriving from Montenegro, getting to Cavtat is easy by taking an E65/E80 and D8 route. The ride takes about 1.5 hours. The same road connects all major cities in Montenegro such as Herceg Novi, Kotor and Tivat.

By bus

Getting to Cavtat by bus is possible from Dubrovnik. You can check out the route below, as well as click on the link to see details about departures and tickets.

Dubrovnik to Cavtat

Cavtat to Dubrovnik

By boat

Another way to travel from Dubrovnik to Cavtat is by boat. Boats usually run hourly and take approximately 45 minutes which is just a little bit longer than a bus. However, this service is usually seasonal and operates only during the summer months.

What to see and do in Cavtat

Cavtat might be a small town, but its historical and cultural background is rich and important. It can be seen through many Cavtat attractions and events that will keep visitors busy and entertained. Check out the biggest sights and activities for amazing holidays in Cavtat.

Bukovac House

The House of Vlaho Bukovac is the birth house of one of the most famous Croatian painters born in 1855. Bukovac was a significant artist of the 19th century and a forefather of the Croatian modern painting. Visitors can see his legacy and the studio where he worked, as well as personal items.

Racic Family Mausoleum

The mausoleum of the Racic family, a well-known ship-owning family,  was built in 1921 on the Saint Rocks Cemetery. The mausoleum is built from the stone of Brac and has elements such as bell and angels that represent a lot of symbolic motifs. Moreover, the mausoleum is the artwork of the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

St Nicola’s Church

The church of Saint Nicola from the 15th century is significant for hosting a valuable collection of paintings, sculptures and liturgical pottery. There is also an icon of St Nicholas dating back to the 15th century as well as works of Vlaho Bukovac and other prominent artists.

Our Lady of the Snow Monastery

This monastery is located in the harbour of Cavtat and dates back to the 15th and 16th century. It hosts notable early Rennaissance paintings, including Bukovac’ works. Besides the gallery, the building is also used for concerts and events.

Baltazar Rogisic Collection

The collection of Baltazar Rogisic, the 19th-century lawyer, contains significant books, documents, notes, coins, even some Roman inscriptions. Also, there is a collection of Vlaho Bukovac’ contemporary works. The whole collection is displayed in the Rector’s Palace.

Konavle County Museum

This museum in Cilipi displays the tradition and folklore of the Konavle area. Visitors can discover traditional costumes, embroidery, jewellery, paintings and more from people of Cavtat and Konavle.

Sokol Grad

Fort Sokol is an important site from the period of the Dubrovnik Republic. It is located about 20 minutes from Cavtat, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Visit this significant fortification to discover the great history of the Dubrovnik area.

Cavtat beaches

Cavtat is a great summer destination where you can take a break from sightseeing and enjoy the day swimming and sunbathing. Cavtat beaches offer are picturesque, more or less quiet, pebble, rocky and concrete. Among the most popular beaches are a concrete Sustjepan beach, pebble beach Zal and stunning beach Pasjaca, about 10 km away from Cavtat.

Activities

To remain active, Cavtat offers plenty of things to do to its visitors. Simple hiking and cycling can be a great way to explore the town. Adrenaline seekers can find water sports centres by the beaches where they can try all sorts of activities such as sailing, parasailing, paragliding, kayaking and more. Activities in which you can enjoy all year round include ATV safari, horse-back riding, parachuting etc.

Where to eat in Cavtat

Cavtat and Konavle region is known for the Mediterranean and Dalmatian cuisine with some of the distinct local specialities. Moreover, Cavtat gastro and eno offer is the inevitable part of the overall experience offered to visitors. Cavtat culinary traditions are similar to those of Dubrovnik, they include a lot of fish, olive oil, vegetables, cheese, pasta etc. If looking for the best place to try local specialities, check out these:

Restaurant Bugenvila – a Michelin starred restaurant that combines fine dining with a splendid waterfront location.

La Boheme – Another fine dining restaurant on the waterfront with exquisite Mediterranean dishes.

Wine Bar Ankora – Bith a bar and a restaurant serving local specialities, wines and homemade ice cream.

Ciparis – A restaurant with a long tradition serving the best seafood and offering a beautiful view.

Accommodation

If looking for a place to stay in Cavtat overnight, there are plenty of options in the area. Visitors often choose reliable services such as those in Hotel Croatia Cavtat, Hotel Albatros, Hotel Epidaurus or Hotel Seventh. Check out the table below for more accommodation options.

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