Cavtat is a resort town not far from Dubrovnik . The city is surrounded by greenery between two peninsulas. Mountain ranges prevent the penetration of cold air masses. Thanks to this location, the climate in Cavtat is mild with warm winters and hot summers. The peak season is from June to August, when the beaches are packed. Lovers of peace and solitude can plan a vacation in May or in September-October.
The fabulous resort of Cavtat, its historical sights
From Dubrovnik Airport to Cavtat, you can take a shuttle bus, the ticket price is about 9 to 11 euros, depending on the class of the bus. Travel time is 30 minutes. You can make an order by reserving a place in advance. You can also take a taxi, the cost is about 30 euros.
Cavtat is an ancient city rich in history. In the 7th century BC Greeks formed the colony of Epidaurus . Then the Romans ruled here. In the 4th century, as a result of an earthquake, the settlement went under water. Part of the territory that remained on the surface was captured by the Ostrogoths. The new city was built in the 15th century during the reign of Byzantium . Cavtat was in the center of trade routes and played a significant role in the state.
Now Cavtat is a popular resort with a developed tourist infrastructure. A surprisingly beautiful, peaceful town. Ancient buildings climb up into the mountains. You can go up a narrow stone street with ladders after passing through the whole city. For lovers of the Middle Ages, this route will be a real pleasure. Reach out and there they are: stone walls that are hundreds of centuries old. Below, wide embankments are surrounded by palm trees and cypresses. Light sea breeze, scorching sun, infinity of the seascape – all this before the eyes of a tourist sitting in a cafe near the beach. What else do you need to feel happy?
About a kilometer to the east of the city center stretches a chain of fine pebble beaches – this area is called “Zal”, which literally means “beach”. True, the proximity of hotels designed for large tour groups guarantees their constant overcrowding. If you are not afraid of sunbathing on the rocks, there are more peaceful places for you on the far side of the peninsula, a 10-minute walk north of the city, or on the Sustepan peninsula immediately to the west. The latter has a section for naturists – on the other side of the Croatra Hotel.
Sights of Cavtat
The old part of Cavtat, which stretches along the coast, has preserved much of its former charm. In the former Rector’s Palace on the southern edge of the palm-shaded Riva, the collection of Baltazar Bohishic is located, reminiscent of the lawyer and Croatian cultural figure B. Bohishic (1834-1908), who devoted his life to the promotion of the Croatian language and literature, while all along the coast Italian was the language of civilized society.
Showcases and cabinets are crowded with books from Bohishich’s collection, although the most outstanding exhibit is a huge canvas by Vlaho Bukovac depicting the local carnival celebrations of 1901 – it depicts all the cream of Cavtat society at that time in carnival costumes. If you want to see more works of this artist, go up the hill to the Church of St. Nicholas , where the images of the four evangelists created by him can be seen from the main altar.
Let’s walk north along Riva and turn onto Bukovcheva Street (it’s more of a narrow, steep alley than a street) – building No. 5 houses the gallery of Vlaho Bukovac . This artist (1855-1922), born in Cavtat, painted lavish ceremonial portraits in Paris, London and other cities and ended his career as a professor in Prague, at the Academy of Fine Arts. This house once belonged to the artist’s father, and the painter himself spent his youth here.
Living murals depicting animals, birds and exotic plants were painted by 16-year-old Bukovac when he was recovering from an accident at sea – they can still be seen in the corridors and on the stairwell. The large rooms housed a wide panorama of the artist’s work, starting from early realistic portraits of family members, friends and wealthy clients to later works inspired by impressionism and symbolism, and up to the sultry canvases inspired by Dante’s work depicting Paradise, Purgatory and Hell .
At the northern end of Riva, there is a rather modest monastery of the Snow Virgin . In his small church there are a couple of masterpieces of Renaissance art: in the back of the church – a triptych by Vychk Lovrin from 1509 depicting the archangel Michael , dressed in a golden outfit , striking the devil, and on the side panels – John the Baptist and Saint Nicholas . The second is ” Madonna and Child ” by Bozhidar Vlatkovich in 1494 in the main altar. This little masterpiece is somewhat overshadowed by the magnificent baroque frame.
From the monastery, the path leads to the Rachich Mausoleum , built in 1921 high above the city by Ivan Meshtrovych for a rich ship-owning family. This is one of Meshtrovych’s most successful works in the field of architectural eclecticism: a simple domed structure inspired by Byzantine architecture, guarded by stern Greek angels. Beneath the dome are dog-headed gargoyles, Teutonic-eyed eagles, and some Neo-Assyrian winged rams.
How to relax at the resort?
In the village of Chilipi, you can attend events with local dances and rituals. They take place on Sundays in the main square of the village. Tourists are invited to visit the famous Kanovolsky Dvory restaurant , located in the old mill. In the summer, numerous musical performances and festivals are held in the city. The famous musical “Epidaurus” gathers famous artists from all over the world.
Vacationers can find various types of entertainment. You can go by boat to nearby islands or go fishing.
Near the city is the Prevlaka amusement park , in which, in addition to the proposed active sports, you can simply walk around the ancient fort. Night clubs, discotheques, and even a casino are open in the evenings at the hotels.
Mlyny resort is located near Cavtat . There is no clear answer to the question: “Which is better, Cavtat or Mlyny?” Local residents like to rest in Mlyna, there are fewer attractions and entertainment. You can stay in Mlyny in the private sector and go to Cavtata beach.
The main advantage of the resort
The main reason why people go on vacation to Croatia is the clean Adriatic Sea. The water is so transparent that the boats tied to the pier seem to float in the air.
Beaches in Cavtat, as in most resorts in Croatia, are equipped with concrete terraces. But don’t let this scare off a potential tourist. Descent into the water is equipped with convenient ladders, and the surrounding beach is breathtakingly beautiful, covering all the negative aspects. There are no downsides to such beaches. The bottom is rocky, so you need to take care of special slippers. By the way, you can buy them on the spot.
There are also beaches covered with small pebbles, for example, near the Hotel Albatros . Therefore, when planning a vacation in Cavtat in 2018, check the information about the beaches in advance. The beach offers a wide variety of entertainment. Those who wish will be able to go diving and try to find something from the remains of the ancient city that went under water.
Restaurants, hotels
In Cavtat, there is a place for gourmets. There are many taverns, restaurants, small cafes and bars. Try local lamb, fish and seafood dishes. Prosciutto is an analogue of Spanish jamon, served as an appetizer with local wine. Everything is very tasty, abundant. A meat or fish dish costs from 7 euros. Coffee from 1 to 1.5 euros.
Restaurants of Cavtat
1). Restaurant Galija – A cozy establishment, in a lane behind the monastery, which in the summer opens onto an outdoor terrace with a view of the bay. The seafood here is excellent, including grilled calamari, as well as salmon with pasta, although the main specialties are fresh grilled fish, riba y pecnici , roasted whole in a metal pot with potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
2). Ivan Restaurant – The usual selection of seafood as well as grilled meat dishes. Tables are placed near the port, where there are many small boats. Beautiful views of Zhupa-Dubrovachko.
3). Kolona Restaurant – Inexpensive and tasty meals served on a small terrace in the garden under a palm tree, right next to the bus stop. Stuffed eggplants, fried swordfish and a lot of other delicacies at reasonable prices.
4). Leut Restaurant – Shaded outdoor terrace a few steps from the sea. A large selection of grilled fish and a few seafood surprises (exceptional prawns in a garlic sauce with broccoli and cream – not only is this a good place to start, but it can also serve as a light lunch on its own). 5). Toranj Restaurant – A typical selection of fish and shellfish dishes. A great alternative is stuffed chicken breast and pasta with lobsters. Exquisite homemade cakes. The restaurant is a little away from the Riva, but the charming terrace on the second floor more than compensates for this shortcoming.
In Cavtat, you can find accommodation for any need. Tourists with children should clarify how far the hotel or apartments are from the beach. The fact is that they can be located upstairs and with children, going up and down can become a problem. The price of an apartment is from 45 euros, a room in a villa from 50 euros. In the hotel, a room for two from 80 euros. By planning your vacation in advance, you can book a room and save money.
Cavtat hotels
1). Hotel Albatross – One of the three hotels focused on tourist groups. It is located northeast of the city, behind a long pebble beach. Four-star, with luxurious air-conditioned rooms and a large swimming pool.
2). Hotel Castelletto – a medium-sized, family-run hotel for recreation. You can get to it up the hill from the port. Cream-pastel rooms with tiled floors, pine furniture and attractive prints on the walls. Some rooms have balconies with a view of Dubrovnik, all with a TV and a bath. Beautiful garden and tapas bar. You can arrange a meeting at the airport.
3). Hotel Croatia is a large concrete 5-star hotel on the coast of the Sustepan peninsula . It’s easy to get lost in its long, seemingly endless corridors, but here are modern air-conditioned rooms with TVs. The hotel has a beach and an indoor pool.
4). Hotel Supetar – A tastefully modernized building of the 19th century, although the rooms are a bit cramped. The main advantages are the view of the harbor and the intimate atmosphere.
5). Villa Pattiera – A luxury hotel with 12 rooms in the harbor itself, located in the former house of the opera singer Tino Pattiera from the 1920s and 1930s. The walls in the rooms are painted in tones of blooming peach and plum. All rooms have parquet floors and TVs. The most expensive rooms overlook the embankment lined with palm trees. Others overlook the garden terrace behind the hotel. The price of the room depends on its area and location.