Holiday in Cavtat

About Cavtat

Cavtat is the elegant little sister of Dubrovnik – a coastal town with Mediterranean flair, located just 20 kilometers south of the famous fortified city, offering everything Dubrovnik has, but without the crowds. The horseshoe-shaped bay with its palm-lined promenades, red roofs, and the wooded islands offshore resembles an impressionist painting, making Cavtat one of the most beautiful harbor towns in Southern Dalmatia. The ancient Epidaurum, as Cavtat was known during Roman times, was the predecessor city of Dubrovnik. When Slavs and Avars destroyed the city in the 7th century, the survivors fled to the rocks of Laus and founded Ragusa – present-day Dubrovnik. This history continues to live on in Cavtat: the ruins of the Roman city still lie beneath the waters of the bay, and snorkeling over the sunken walls is a unique experience. On land, the Račić Mausoleum, a white marble masterpiece by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović located in the cemetery above the town, offers a breathtaking panoramic view. The waterfront promenade in Cavtat is one of the most beautiful walks along the Dalmatian coast. Under palm and pine trees, restaurants, cafés, and galleries line up, while fishing boats and elegant yachts sway in the harbor. The beaches are pebble-covered and shaded by pine groves – significantly quieter than the crowded city beach sections of Dubrovnik. Regular boats depart from the harbor in Cavtat to Dubrovnik (30 minutes), making Cavtat the perfect base for a Dubrovnik holiday: take a boat to the old town in the morning, and return to the tranquility of your own bay in the afternoon. Dubrovnik Airport is only five kilometers away.