Looking for the best thing to do near Dubrovnik Airport?
Maybe you’ve just gotten in and want a quick stop. Maybe you want to stay close to the airport in order to catch an early flight. Or maybe you’re on a layover. Whatever the reason, I’ve got you covered.
The best thing to do near Dubrovnik Airport is, without a doubt, exploring the small coastal town of Cavtat.
With its turquoise waters, red roofs, and cobbled roads, Cavtat is as good of a quick stop as it gets. Let’s get into it.
How Close Is Cavtat to Dubrovnik Airport?
It’s not only the convenience that makes Cavtat a gem- but it is certainly an added bonus.
Cavtat is located less than a 10 minutes’ drive from Dubrovnik Airport.
There doesn’t seem to be any bus, but two taxis under 10 minutes long are not going to cost you much. If you have the time to spare, I would just go for it.
You can either hail a taxi at the airport or call an Uber- Uber is generally pretty reliable on the Croatian coast.
What to Do in Cavtat
Walk the Cavtat Harbor Promenade
It’s a coastal town, after all.
Cavtat is located in a naturally formed cove off the sea (actually between two peninsulas), giving it a very peaceful and charming vibe. Walking along the promenade allows you to soak all that in.
You’ll pass a bunch of buzzing restaurants, some gorgeous sailboats, and a lot of crystal clear water.
The promenade itself isn’t long at all. At a normal pace it wouldn’t take more than five minutes- if that.
Walk the Rat Peninsula Trail
This one’s Cavtat’s crown and jewel. World-renowned for being the peninsula with the most rats per square meter in the world.
A joke, of course. The rat part, that is- ‘rat’ just means ‘cape’ or ‘horn’ in Croatian. But it may still be the highlight of your brief time in Cavtat.
As you reach the end of the promenade, you’ll notice that the path continues. If you have time to spare, take it.
The path will take around 30 minutes to walk in total, and brings you on a loop that grants vantage points at essentially every direction: out to sea, an aerial view of the town, down the coast, and back at the towering mountains inland- which glint golden at sunset.
And no rats. Probably.
The peninsula is also a bit of a small mountain/large hill, and if you go up to the top you’ll find a peaceful cemetery with absolutely stunning views.
Feels a little wrong to visit a cemetery ‘for the views’. But I will say, I’ve noticed a recurring theme in Croatia of cemeteries being put at the highest point of a town (eg Split). So they can’t be exactly surprised.
Explore Cavtat Old Town
Moving off the waterfront, it’s time to wander through the small, the narrow white-stone walkways of the inner town.
There’s not much to plan here. Just allot however much time you can spare to wandering through these streets for a while. Think churches, stone streets, and cafés. Vibes.
Swim at Cavtat’s Beaches
If you’ve got a little extra spare time, go for a swim.
There are a number of smaller coves that are a bit of a hike, but I’d simply recommend heading down the promenade to the left, where you’ll find several stone slabs and (likely) a few people swimming in the calm waters.
Not really following ‘Bold Passport’ protocol, I know- but there’s something about swimming right beside town that’s actually very appealing.
Can You Visit Cavtat on a Layover at Dubrovnik Airport?
It depends how long you’ve got to spare.
Due to its proximity to the airport, you can certainly visit Cavtat- even if you have only 3 hours between flights.
If you do it right, you can have an hour in Cavtat and still make it back to the airport with well over an hour to spare.
Of course, you can push this further if you want- but I’m not sure how advisable that would be. Better safe than sorry!
Two hours would definitely be feasible if you play your cards right, but you may be bringing on a good amount of unnecessary stress.
Is Cavtat Better Than Dubrovnik If You’re Short on Time?
This is primarily for those of you on a layover.
I won’t say it’s impossible if you’ve got a 3 or so hour layover. Without traffic, it should only take 30 minutes to drive. Which would give you a solid hour in town.
But is it worth the stress?
An hour in town is great. But you’ll be paying for two lengthy cabs, have a high chance of dealing with traffic, and will constantly be watching the time.
It’s just not worth it to go to Dubrovnik with such little time. A trip to Cavtat is far more convenient, and will feel more relaxing and complete.
Best Time of Day to Visit Cavtat
Now, I understand this won’t be relevant for most of you. For the majority, Cavtat is going to be a stop squeezed into a very tight window right before or after your flight.
But if you can afford to be a little more picky, I’d recommend visiting Cavtat at sunset.
The town seems to have been made for this time of day, with its west-facing orientation and red roofs. This is common on the Croatian coast, of course (one of the reasons it is so special, of course)- but something about the sunset in Cavtat is uniquely peaceful and beautiful.
