This calm coastal town south of Dubrovnik has Renaissance palaces, Roman ruins, and a palm-lined waterfront promenade dating to the 15th century.
Cavtat, a coastal town of 2,100 residents in southern Croatia, sits on two pine-covered peninsulas 20 kilometers from Dubrovnik. Along its waterfront, palm trees shade cafes and restaurants where you can watch boats come and go. In the old quarter, you'll find the 16th-century Rector's Palace with its stone archways, and the white-domed St. Nicholas Church rising above terracotta roofs. On a hilltop, the white marble Račić Family Mausoleum catches the morning sun.
Getting to Cavtat
The town lies 6 kilometers from Dubrovnik Airport, making it convenient for arriving or departing travelers. Bus number 10 connects Dubrovnik to Cavtat every hour (30 minutes, 25 kuna). Water taxis depart from Dubrovnik's Old Port (45 minutes, 150 kuna return), sailing past villages like Mlini and Plat with their stone houses and church towers.
Swimming and Beaches
Beach Žal's pebbled shore extends along the northern peninsula, with water that reaches 24°C in summer. Around both peninsulas, concrete platforms and rocky coves create natural swimming spots. At Beach Bar Little Star, carved into the cliffside, you can order cold drinks while looking across to Dubrovnik's walls. Bring water shoes - sea urchins often gather near the rocks.
Walking Around Cavtat
Two coastal paths circle the peninsulas: Šetnica oko Rata (north) and Sustjepan (south). Pine trees shade both routes as they wind past swimming spots and rocky outcrops. Each walk takes about an hour at a relaxed pace, with benches placed at intervals for resting.
Old Town Streets
Stone steps lead up from the waterfront through narrow lanes where cats sleep in doorways. The Rector's Palace houses Baltazar Bogišić's collection of 22,000 rare books and 1,500 ancient coins. Visit painter Vlaho Bukovac's former home to see his original studio with paint-splattered walls and his artwork displayed throughout the rooms.
Food and Restaurants
At Restaurant Bugenvila, chefs prepare Mediterranean dishes like sea bass with local olive oil and herbs. Posejdon and Restaurant Ivan specialize in grilled fish caught by local boats - look for the day's catch displayed on ice. Tables line the promenade, where you can eat while watching sunset over the bay.
Day Trips to Dubrovnik
Water taxis run to Dubrovnik from 9 AM until 7 PM in summer (150 kuna return). The journey ends at the Old Port, a five-minute walk from Dubrovnik's city walls. Check the return schedule - the last boat leaves earlier outside peak season.
