“Would you like to escape Dubrovnik and enjoy lunch in Cavtat and enjoy a drive around the Konavle region” said Bozidar Jukic from Insider Holidays of Dubrovnik. After our incredible Wine Tour with his wife Ana, how could we resist! Another day to enjoy day trips from Dubrovnik.
Croatia has so many beautiful destinations, it is so hard to choose where to travel, we can recommend spending at least 10 days travelling Croatia ideally more if you have the time.
(Editor Update 2020)
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We loved Dubrovnik so much we even wrote a guide book on our experiences. You can purchase it here through Amazon.
A Day Tour From Dubrovnik
18km from Dubrovnik is the pretty town of Cavtat, which was founded by the Illyrians and Greek traders around 228BC. It was originally called Epidaurum and later became a Roman colony. Cavtat has many palaces, summer houses and apartments and has a population of around 2,000.
Explore the Old Town part of Cavtat, as accompanied by a local guide. You will hear insiders knowledge about the history and importance of this small town, with your guide on hand to answer any questions which may arise throughout your tour. Book your tour here
Where To Stay in CavtatFor a range of different types of accommodation available in Cavtat Croatia click our link here
Airbnb Cavtat
Airbnb Cavtat – a range of properties to suit all travellers and budgets.
Where To Eat in Cavtat
There is a 7 km promenade around the enchanting harbour of Cavtat which is lined with restaurants and cafes. Today we were lunching at “Bugenvila” a favourite restaurant of Bozidar and Ana.
When we entered the restaurant we felt that we were in the South of France or in Naples or Sorrento in Italy. A calming atmosphere coupled with the view over the harbour and the promise of lunch at one of the region’s leading restaurants was just what we needed.
The lunch menu had a unique lunch theme or you could have the a la carte alternative:
- Blue Menu – Fish
- Red Menu – Meat
- Green Menu – Vegetarian
The food was excellent with a combination of tastes that we had not experienced before. We just have to share what we had with you.
Duncan had the Red Menu:
Bacon, Prosciutto, Melba Toast
Ice Cold Gazpacho, Stracciatella, Cucumber
Ox Cheeks, Mashed Potatoes, Summer Greens
I had the Green Menu:
Bruschetta, Olive Tapenade, Organic Goat Cheese
Ice Cold Green Lettuce Gazpacho, Almonds
Hokkaido Risotto, Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Oil
I am not a big lover of olives, finding them to be quite bitter, but as they were part of my first course I really needed to try them. To my surprise, they were not bitter, really tasty and my faith in olives now has been restored. Even Duncan was amazed that I had finished the dish, he was looking forward to eating them for me. The flavour of the Lettuce Gazpacho was nothing like I have ever tasted before plus the added additions of the locally grown almonds gave a nutty taste to an already flavoursome fresh-tasting soup. The Risotto – well I have run out of adjectives now, tantalising!
We didn’t hear much from Duncan which meant that he thoroughly enjoyed his 3 courses as well.
As an accompaniment to my coffee, I enjoyed a locally made Sour Cherry Brandy.
The meal was one of the very best that I have ever had. Service was impeccable, there was nothing we could fault the restaurant on and we will certainly return when we are next in the region (which we hope won’t be too long).
Time to walk off our lunch, Bozidar gave us an option – the historical sites of Cavtat or a walk around the harbour foreshores, we chose the latter.
A walk that led us past many cypress trees with their fresh evergreen aromas, palm trees and the many shimmering blues of the ocean. All too soon we were back at the car and ready for our next adventure into the Konavle region.
The Konavle region is the most southern part of Croatia leading down to the border with Montenegro. It is a region full of lovely old stone houses, and wineries that produce white wines and well-known Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Up in the hills, it is very lush and green. A wide variety of fruit and vegetables are also grown in this region.
Country Estates run local cooking classes, you can go horse-riding, hiking and even enjoy a tour a cycling tour or ATV Safaris.
It was hard to imagine that the whole area was occupied during the 1991-1995 war, many people were forced to leave their homes and those who escaped returned to find their homes burnt to the ground.
Konavle is where you can come and escape to, just 35 minutes from Dubrovnik, the drive is pleasant and peaceful as you wander through the many small villages. In the main village of Gruda the silkworm industry is still thriving. Women were and still are the breeders of the silkworms and they used to look after them by having pouches hanging around their necks with the silkworms inside to keep them safe. The threads of silk produced by the silkworms were used to weave their traditional dresses. Today the material is used for purses, wedding gowns and placemats and can be found throughout shops in Cavtat and Dubrovnik.
Bozidar and Ana took us to one of the restaurants they use on their specialist food and wine tours. The restaurant, Konavoski Dvori, located just outside Gruda on the Ljuta River, offers traditional Croatian food served with waiters dressed in a traditional regional dress. The river flows through the restaurant and gives a calming effect to the diners who are enjoying many of the local dishes such as ‘petka’ a veal and lamb dish with potatoes cooked under ‘an iron bell’ in a fire pit filled with hot ashes. Octopus can also be cooked in this manner, but you must call ahead and preorder. Other specialities that they offer on their menu are homemade smoked ham, cheese in olive oil, home baked bread and grilled trout.
On checking the reviews on TripAdvisor we found that it was #1 in the Konavle region. Another reason for us to return.
As it was getting late in the day we headed back towards Dubrovnik but we could not let an opportunity pass to visit the 415 metre high Mount Srdj that towers over Dubrovnik and the Old City. Srdj Mountain can be reached by car or the Cable Car that starts from just above the town near Ploce Gate. For those who want to hike to the top, there is a pathway.
Read our article on the Panorama Restaurant on the top of Srdj Mountain.
The view is stunning over the City and the adjacent islands including Lokrum Island. There is a cafe and restaurant and a museum about the Croatian War of Independence which is located in Fort Imperial that dates back to Napoleonic times.
Our huge thanks go to Bozidar and Ana, who hosted us, for the lovely afternoon of good food, local knowledge, stunning scenery and great company.
For more information on the tours that Bozidar and Ana conduct in and around Dubrovnik click here.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you may enjoy our several other blog posts on Dubrovnik, feel free to share them with your family and friends. This is one incredible destination and we believe it should be on your bucket list.
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Visit Cavtat General Information
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Articles to inspire you to travel to Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik Tips From an Insider
Panorama Restaurant Review – Reservations Required Complimentary Review
Visit Split and its Green Market
Luxury Stay in Dubrovnik at Sun Gardens Resort
Why Croatian Wines Won Us Over
Dubrovnik is one of my favorite places. There are so many amazing things to do around there! Thanks for sharing. The food is so darn good there!
Hi Cherene
Thanks for reaching out. Still salivating about the food!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Jane and Duncan
I first heard about how amazing Dubrovnik is when I was touring the Carpathian Mountains in Romania last year. A fellow tourist there told me I really should have it on my bucket list. After reading your article, I think I should! And I guess I’ll be ordering from the blue menu 🙂
Hi Lora
Thanks for your comments.Hope you get to visit and order from the blue menu.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I remember wanting to visit Cavtat when we were in Dubrovnik 2 years ago but didn’t have the time to make it. I wish we had spent more than 2 weeks in Croatia, there was so much to do. Between visiting the historical sites or enjoying a walk around the harbour foreshores, I also would have chosen the latter but if I had the time, I would have liked to do the former too. I need to return to Croatia, I have a list of cities I couldn’t visit on the last trip that I need to go back to!
Hi Medha
Thanks for your comments. It was such a memorable day visiting Cavtat, I would definitely return.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I’ve heard so much about Dubrovnik, but I hardly hear about day trips from the beautiful city. I love Cavat. I especially love the view from Srdj Mountain. All the houses and buildings are so close together! It still is a spectacular view though. All the restaurants also look so, so delightful! I would love to go on a wine tour as well. Hoping to book a trip here ASAP!
Hi Martha
Thanks for your comments. Hope you get to enjoy the delights of Dubrovnik and its surrounds soon.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I think I would have the Red Menu too. Those ox cheeks looks really good. Of course, I would chase them down with a shot of brandy too. So yummy.
Hi Jen and Ed
Thanks for the comments. The food was amazing with either the Red or Blue Menu. Cavtat is such a pretty area and especially dining beside the water.
Cheers Jane and DUncan
Wonderful Day Trip Idea. It looks like a relaxing time with good food and amazing views. Your lunch menu started my stomach grumbling. I would definitely include Cavtat and the Konavle region the next time I’m in Dubrovnik.
Hi Adele
Thanks for your comments. We hope you can visit Cavtat next time, it is a great escape from busy Dubrovnik.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I am looking forward to visiting Croatia this summer and Dubrovnik will feature surely. It will be nice to get a days trip from there and after reading your post why not visit the beautiful Cavat which is just 18km from Dubrovnik and has so much to offer. The food alone to start with took my fancy and I would go with the red menu myself. It is the perfect place to relax away from the more bust Dubrovnik I must say. Some spectacular views I must say and a photographers dream shot awaits. Thanks for sharing
Hi Amar
Thanks for your comments. Glad to hear that you are heading to Dubrovnik. We hope you make it to Cavtat.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Green menu for me. I loved the dishes you described and showcased. Dubrovik in general, has been on my list and am hoping that this year gets me there.
Hi Ami
Thanks for your comments. The food is amazing – I wish I was back there now.
Cheers Jane and Duncan