The town, which lies on a tiny peninsula, is located app. 20 kilometres from Dubrovnik. There are cosy Renaissance palaces and stone houses here; the natural beauty of the place is further enhanced by cypresses, pines and olive trees. What to do in Cavtat? We are going to show you the list of programmes that you must try in the Southern Dalmatian town!
What to do in Cavtat

This article gives you an overview of the following topics:

Things to do in Cavtat: Amazing beaches and sports opportunities

Besides the pebbly, stony, rocky, and concrete beaches, there are also sandy parts here, so everyone will find what they are looking for. The pebbly beach Rat, for instance, is an ideal choice for families with little kids. They have lounges, restaurants, and you can try snorkeling here as well. On the concrete beach of Sustjepan, lifeguards guarantee the safety of beach-goers.

If you prefer active recreation, you can reach the mountain of Stražišće on a well-marked pathway; there is a breathtaking view from the top. You can also see different endemic plants – species only found in a particular place – as well as rare and protected plants here. Are you looking for even more outdoor activities? The town of Popovići near Cavtat has a small manège called Kojan Koral which offers half-day and all-day riding tours. You can also go cycling, scuba-diving or rent a quad.

What to do in Cavtat: The nature calls

The tiny island of Lokrum can be found at the southern border of Dubrovnik; it has a territory of fewer than 1 square kilometres. It is the favourite hiking and swimming spot of both locals and visitors with several hiking routes to choose from. The lush, verdant island is home to several Mediterranean plants; we can admire cacti and eucalypti in its giant botanical garden. Fort Royal is an interesting historical sight from where we can have a beautiful view of the picturesque Dubrovnik and Cavtat. Mrtvo More, located in the northern part of the island, is a saltwater lake with shallow water. Kids and tourists who cannot swim may enjoy it without having to worry.

Things to do in Cavtat: Explore the sights in town!

The centre of Cavtat is the boardwalk along the beach lined with shady palm trees. Besides the beautiful buildings, there are also cosy restaurants, cafés and small shops attracting guests, and a picturesque fishing village can also be found here.
what to see in Cavtat

St Nicholas’ Church

One of the most important sights to see in town is the St Nicholas’ Church, built-in the 15th century. Its Baroque interior is decorated with the artwork of famous painters; we can admire beautiful frescoes in the gallery. The valuable pieces of art include an iconic painting depicting St Nicholas, as well as the alabaster artifact.

Church of Our Lady of the Snow

Similarly to St Nicholas’ Church, the single-nave building was also built-in the 15th century. It includes a Franciscan monastery and a late Gothic cloister; that is, a covered walk with columns forming a quadruple. In the lunchroom of the monastery, we can see the famous artwork of Mato Celestin Medović, a Franciscan painter from Pelješac. A 10-metre-long and 3-metre-wide painting by Bukovac, depicting the port in Cavtat, can also be seen in the church.

The childhood home of Vlaho Bukovac

Another sight to see along the boardwalk is the childhood home of the most famous Croatian painter, Vlaho Bukovac. We can admire a collection of the most successful paintings of the artist here. The typical stone house was built sometime between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. The building is truly unique not only because of the wall paintings but the glass doors of the staircase, also made by Bukovac.

Rector’s Palace

The 16th-century Rector’s Palace, standing near the beach, operates as a town museum today. They exhibit a collection of items that belonged to Baltazar Bogišić, a 19th-century writer and lawyer. The collection consists of 35, 000 items; the graphic and numismatic collection is particularly valuable. The library has one of the most valuable book collections in the country with quite a few rare issues.

Events in Cavtat

The Cavtat Summer festival is organised every year between the end of June and the beginning of September. It offers cultural and entertaining events like dance and music shows, street performances or classical music concerts. Admission is free to all events.

Gastronomy of Cavtat

The local cuisine is mostly characterised by fish, several types of vegetables and olives. Many restaurants offer meat and fish dishes baked in the oven and serve them with delicious local red wines. The most common red wines include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Plavac. One of the most famous restaurants in Cavtat is the Galija Taverna, offering fish dishes, shrimp, lobster, oyster, octopus, sea urchin, and clams.

In this article, we listed the best things to do in Cavtat. If you sail here, you can choose from diverse beaches, as well as breathtaking historical monuments and amazing hiking opportunities! Read more if you plan sailing in Cavtat or rent a boat in Cavtat.