Cavtat

The Basics

Most visitors choose to explore Cavtat on a day tour from Dubrovnik, and there are various options for boat tours along the coast. Day trips typically include a walking tour of the Old Town, often combined with nearby sights such as the Konavle Valley or Kotor in neighboring Montenegro. For a more adventurous visit, join a sea kayaking excursion from Dubrovnik and admire views of Cavtat from the water.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Cavtat is easy to get around on foot; wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Parasols and sun loungers are available to rent at Cavtat’s beaches.

• The narrow streets and cobbled lanes of the Old Town can be challenging for wheelchair users.

How to Get There

Cavtat is accessible by bus and ferry from both Dubrovnik, 12 miles (19 kilometers) north, and Mlini, 6 miles (10 kilometers) north. The closest international airport is Dubrovnik Airport, about a 15-minute bus or taxi ride.

When to Get There

Cavtat is a summer town, so be sure to book your accommodation ahead if you’re visiting in July or August. During winter, you’ll avoid the crowds and have the sights to yourself, but ferries run and tours take place less frequently, and some hotels and restaurants may be closed.

Historical Cavtat

Cavtat’s history dates to ancient Greek and Roman times. When the city was destroyed in the 7th century by Slavic invaders, its inhabitants fled and founded what eventually became Dubrovnik. By the 15th century, a new settlement had arisen at Cavtat, and much of the town’s architecture dates to this period. Remnants of Cavtat’s past include the scattered ruins of an amphitheater and several Roman tombs, plus the 16th-century Rector’s Palace (now a museum), baroque St. Nicholas Church, and the gleaming white Račić Mausoleum, the work of Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović.