Cavtat or Dubrovnik: Where to stay
Cavtat, Croatia
If you are debating where to stay during your trip to Croatia, you have found the right place. Both Cavtat and Dubrovnik are stunning places in Croatia, each with its own charm. When I visited, it was midsummer, and it was really WARM. My friends and I really wanted to visit Dubrovnik but were also looking to relax by the beach. Where you decide to stay really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for!
My experience:
Cavtat
We chose to stay in Cavtat instead of Dubrovnik even though we mainly wanted to visit Dubrovnik. We decided on this because it’s less touristy and beach access is easier. It was also cheaper to stay in Cavtat and only a bus or Uber drive away from Dubrovnik. Although I’m sure I would also have loved staying in Dubrovnik , we did not regret our choice at all!
We arrived late at night; the quick drive (5 minutes) from the airport to the Airbnb was much appreciated. We were able to book a place with a pool and close to the beach for cheap and absolutely adored our stay. We loved that we could easily walk to the beach and stay a whole day here. Also close to the beach, there are a few restaurants to choose from if you want a midday snack or meal.
From our Airbnb, we could easily walk to the town center. From the beach, you could walk to the town in around 15-20 minutes. You walk along the water, and the views are great, which makes it a very pleasant walk.
We took Ubers to Dubrovnik, which took about 25 minutes one way, but it was definitely convenient and time-efficient. You could always take the bus or the ferry if you want to spend less and have more time.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a do-not-miss location when planning your trip to Croatia. There’s so much history to learn about and things to see. We visited twice while we were there.
We went to a nightclub called Revelin, which I highly recommend if you’re looking for a night out. The music was loud and captivating, and the building itself was very impressive to see.
The second time we went midday and walked the streets. Although it was beautiful, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re visiting in the summer. It was hard to enjoy because of the weather and the crowds. Instead, I recommend exploring early morning or later in the day. The cobblestone streets are fun to walk in, and you’ll find something new to see in every corner. We stopped at an Irish bar called The Gaffe and absolutely loved the vibes and the beer. There are many souvenir stores to check out.
Pros and Cons
Dubrovnik
Pros :
More things to do (walk the city walls, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, visit Fort Lovrijenac)
More restaurants and bars/clubs
Visit the famous filming location for Game of Thrones.
Many stores for shopping
Cons:
It can get crowded, especially during peak season (summer months).
It’s more expensive for hotels or Airbnb.
Less walkable than Cavtat.
Cavtat
Pros:
Quiet seaside town
Less touristy feel
Way less crowds
Very walkable
Nice beach with cheap chair/umbrella rentals
Cheaper for hotels and Airbnb
Close to the airport
Cons:
Less restaurants and shops
Not as much nightlife
Need to travel by bus/Uber to get to Dubrovnik
Most activities to do are in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Croatia
