Last updated on February 9th, 2026 at 08:21 pm
Cavtat in Croatia is the dream coastal destination you’ve been searching for! A stunning location just a short boat trip away from Dubrovnik’s old town harbour!
It’s no secret that Dubrovnik is one of my favourite places to travel to, it has many delightful sights from the charming UNESCO town to the beautiful coastline and vibrant restaurant scene, and I thought I’d seen everything, until a few weeks ago when I hopped on a boat to Cavtat – this place tops them all!
If there was ever a prize for best postcard-perfect day trip from Dubrovnik, Cavtat would win – discover wonderful vistas, pebbly bays, a palm tree-lined promenade, a lovely scenic shoreline walk and tasty lunch spots in this must-read photo-journal post of Cavtat, Croatia!
First impressions of pretty Cavtat Croatia!
Perhaps you’ve never even heard of Cavtat? I must confess it took me several visits to Croatia to get there, but this time round I found a boat taxi running return transfers amongst the array of ticket stands and excursions at Dubrovnik’s Old Town Harbour.
Cavtat, it turns out, is the calming alternative to all of Dubrovnik’s bustle and scheduled day trips, after spending a mere moment in the beautiful little seaside bay, I was hooked!
It took just 35 minutes to skip across the blue sea to the shores of Cavtat harbour, where I was met with lush Mediterranean scenes, palm trees, gleaming white yachts (private yacht charters always know a good spot) and a row of attractive terraces – everything I hoped to find!
I’ll admit, it didn’t take long to realise that Cavtat deserves a stopover! I highly recommend adding Cavtat to your itinerary if you are planning your own Croatia trip. I’ve since checked into the newly refurbished Hotel Supetar, a gem of a hotel!
HOW TO SPEND A PERFECT DAY IN CAVTAT CROATIA!
COFFEE ON AMOUR TERRACE
Amour is one of the terraces that greets you off the boat; it’s so inviting that I found it irresistible to walk past. Just minutes from leaving the boat, there I was sitting among the front row chairs, seizing on the opportunity to be situated in this prime spot on Cavtat’s promenade!
Amour serves a great selection of cold drinks and coffees with nice decor and a welcoming ambience, but the best thing is the view and setting! It’s fantastic for watching the yachts and people pass by, I spent a little while absorbing the surroundings before continuing along the prom!
STROLL ALONG THE PRETTY PROMENADE
Cavtat’s small harbour is super attractive, a mini Riviera similar to many coastal heritage villages on Croatia’s Islands, with boats, restaurants and strategically placed palm trees; it really is a joy to walk along and surprisingly tranquil, given the short distance from Dubrovnik Old Town!
You will fall in love with this spot as you take in the picturesque scenery of blue sea, pine-forest hill tops and terraces stacked neatly in front of a row of attractive old town buildings and those traditional Croatian shutters – all fantastic photo opportunities!
THE MAUSOLEUM AND SWEEPING VIEWPOINT
Perched on the hilltop at the end of the prom is the striking white Mausoleum set in a tiny flower-filled cemetery with unreal 360 views over the harbour, old town and second bay beyond the pine forest (more on that in a moment).
I’m slightly obsessed with viewing old towns from above, it really gives you a better understanding of your current enviable location, how in the world did I end up here! And was lucky enough to have this spot all to myself in the middle of September – just take a look at the image below.
At the top, there’s also a striking cemetery, which I must admit is an unusual thing to admire, but I suspect many people do! (I didn’t go as far as to take pictures of it though!)
WALKING ALONG THE SCENIC COASTLINE
After a quick stop at the Mausoleum, the view just got better and better. I took a walk along the coastal path that clings to the edge of the water, revealing several small pebble beaches and natural pine tree shade and shockingly good views!
When I set off on this simple shaded walk, I had no idea where it would lead, but I soon came across clear water swimming bays and a small bar – Little Star – in the afternoon, this spot was also quiet as most people in the area where swimming in the sea, but thank goodness as I wouldn’t have been brave enough to ask the bar man to take photos of me otherwise!
DRINKS AT BEACH BAR LITTLE STAR
About half-way along the scenic coastal trail, I came across a small beach bar and terrace elevated over the sea, it’s slightly quirky with no frills, but the views and vibe are unbeatable!
Of course, I stopped for a drink, there’s a good selection of cocktails with good music and colourful chairs to sit on, it’s the sort of place to hang out and not feel rushed!
The beach below is popular with locals, and I even thought about going for a paddle here (I didn’t pack for the beach), but instead returned to a more secluded spot I’d passed earlier – there’s plenty of options!
FINDING A LOVELY BEACH IN CAVTAT
Even in the middle of September, Croatia is hot, so I found the perfect little shaded beach cove to relax and read my book on the water’s edge (the one useful item I drag along for these exact moments) – you can sunbathe anywhere on the shoreline – do as the locals do!
There are plenty of tranquil shallow water bays in Cavtat, but as they are mostly crafted from rock and pebble, a familiar story all over the Croatian coast and islands, it’s best in hindsight to bring a thick towel and water shoes.
LA BOHEME AND THE TASIEST LUNCH
A quick research (while sunbathing) brought me to La Boheme right along the waterfront for a delightful Mediterranean seafood lunch. For a small place, there really are some lovely restaurants to choose from, but in my opinion, lunch on the little Riviera must be one of the best things to do in Cavtat!
La Boheme has a lovely sea-facing terrace, and the service is impeccable; you can tell it’s an upscale restaurant as there were also a few well-dressed locals lunching! I ordered the tuna and avocado salad with quinoa and fresh lemon juice, all delicious!
EXPLORE CAVTAT OLD TOWN
If there’s a heritage town to wander, you can be sure that’s where I’ll be, it really is one of the best things to do in Croatia in general, you find so many interesting things and beautiful buildings among the cobbles!
And while Cavtat is only tiny, the old town is still worth a look, there’s a cute art gallery, Monastery, a church, and I spied some lovely rooftop terraces and let’s not forget some of the best things to do in Cavtat are only a few minutes’ walk from the old town.
If you decide Cavtat deserves more than a day, there are some lovely boutique hotels in Cavtat well worth staying in overnight.
SUNDOWNER ANKORA WINE BAR
What better way to end this day trip to Cavtat and wait for your taxi boat than watching the yachts sail in with a glass of local wine on the harbour front! Ankora wine bar is a lovely spot and bustling with everyone from locals to visitors and crews coming together in the late afternoon!
Is Cavtat Croatia worth visiting as a day trip?
Yes, coastal gem Cavtat is absolutely worth visiting as a day trip from Dubrovnik, it makes for a lovely relaxed day on the peninsula with scenic views, a heritage village and a wonderful harbour to spend time in! But, if you’re staying longer or overnight, there’s plenty more to enjoy – see my guide to the best things to do in Cavtat.
GETTING FROM DUBROVNIK TO CAVTAT
Dubrovnik To Cavtat By Boat
Cavtat by boat is the best way to get there, the scenery is unmatched and arriving right on the harbour is very nice!! The taxi boat is €10 from Dubrovnik’s old town harbour and runs hourly from 9-7pm approximately – you pay for a ticket at the booth in front of the boat.
Dubrovnik To Cavtat By Car
If you already have a rental car, reaching Cavtat is easy, you take D8 road and follow the Cavtat signage to the town, there are nice coastal views along the way, and you can park on the west side of Tiha Bay.
Dubrovnik To Cavtat By Bus
Bus number 10 leaves from the bottom of the cable car or main bus station, it takes around 30 minutes and you’ll get lovely scenery views as it follows a similar coastal route to the Airport in Dubrovnik.
Looking to stay in Cavtat?
If Cavtat feels like your kind of place, it’s absolutely worth staying for a night or two; some visitors even choose it as a base over Dubrovnik, and there are some beautiful boutique hotels here, right on the waterfront with terraces, pools and sea views! Here’s my top picks:
- Hotel Supetar Cavtat – a beautiful boutique on the waterfront with a pool and stylish Mediterranean garden – where I stayed!
- Hotel Cavtat – a 4-star tranquil beach-inspired hotel with a range of sea view rooms and a rooftop terrace with a pool and views!
- Hotel Croatia – a 5-star resort on the private peninsula with two pools and several restaurants!
Read my full guide on where to stay in Cavtat Croatia, best boutiques and sea view picks!
More Easy Boat Trips From Dubrovnik!
If you’re looking for more ways to get out on the water from Dubrovnik, there are a few organised boat excursions worth considering. These tours take you beyond the city to groups of small islands and inlets – even national park islands, which makes for an adventurous day out with lots of sightseeing!
Elaphiti Islands
A boat tour to the Elaphiti Islands is a Dubrovnik must; they are the small group of islands nearest Dubrovnik old town. I 100% recommend this full-day boat tour.
Our boat trip was an incredible experience, we loved the scenic nature, villages, secluded bays, crystal clear water for swimming, wine tasting and the gorgeous BOWA private beach!
Mljet National Park – Island
Mljet is a tranquil national park island with two huge turquoise lakes in the centre, surrounded by lush greenery and natural walking paths.
It’s perfect for scenery and nature lovers, on this boat tour you will also visit two Elaphiti islands and beautiful beaches – there is nowhere else like it in Croatia!
Check out my full guide detailing the 7 best boat trips from Dubrovnik Croatia!
CAVTAT CROATIA TRAVEL GUIDE – FAQ
Where is Cavtat Croatia?
First thing to know is Cavtat is not an island – although it bears all the hallmarks of one! It’s actually a small town along the peninsular 13miles south of Dubrovnik and only 14miles from the border of Montenegro.
When to visit Cavtat Croatia?
You can visit Cavtat all year round, but May to September is best! With warmer weather, the beach bars and terraces will be open, and you’ll be able to swim in the sea and pools!
What are the beaches in Cavtat like?
The beaches in Cavtat are made up of small white pebble bays and rocky outcrops around the peninsula. They are pretty, with clear, shallow water, so you’ll need water shoes to be the most comfortable!
How long to spend in Cavtat?
A day trip from Dubrovnik to Cavtat is all the time you need to see the highlights, but there’s something special about Cavtat – enough to make a lovely 2-3 relaxing night stay or an alternative Dubrovnik base. If you’re staying longer, there’s plenty more to enjoy, see my guide to the best things to do in Cavtat.
Still planning your Dubrovnik day trip?
Cavtat is one of the easiest and prettiest day trips from Dubrovnik, but there’s so much more to see while you’re here. These guides will help you plan where to stay, what to book and how to make the most of your time in and around the city.
- Where to Stay in Dubrovnik – the best areas & boutique hotels!
- Best Boat Tours from Dubrovnik – island hopping, Elaphiti Islands & coastal scenery
- Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik – must-see highlights for first-time visitors
- Dubrovnik Travel Guide (First-Time Visitors) – everything you need to know before you go
- Day Trips from Dubrovnik – Cavtat, Montenegro, Mostar & more
Thinking of staying longer? These are the best hotels in Cavtat, from boutique waterfront stays to beautiful sea-view resorts.
SAVE & SHARE: CAVTAT DAY TRIP FROM DUBROVNIK
Cavtat Croatia: A Scenic Day Trip From Dubrovnik! | Pin For Later
This post contains affiliate links and I earn a small commission when you make a purchase using the link. This is at no extra cost to you and it allows the site to keep running.
If you’ve used one of my free guides, you can also BUY ME A COFFEE to say, thanks!
Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!