Konavle

Konavle is a municipality and small historical region at the very south of Croatia, southeast of Dubrovnik. It stretches from Cavtat to the Montenegrin border and covers roughly 209 km2. This is a part of Dalmatia where vineyards, olive groves and village festivals replace the crowds on the city walls.

Where is Konavle and how far is it from Dubrovnik?

The region lies about 30 km from Dubrovnik. Cavtat is its largest settlement and the main base for visitors, set on a bay with a historic centre and a palm-lined seafront promenade. Further south is Molunat, a fishing village with attractive beaches and one of the few coastal settlements in the area. Inland lies the Konavle valley, a patchwork of fields, vineyards and small villages.

What is there to see in Konavle?

Cavtat deserves a walk of its own. In the local cemetery stands the Račić family mausoleum, built in 1922 and designed by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The house where the painter Vlaho Bukovac was born in 1855 now holds a gallery named after him, devoted to one of Croatia's most admired portrait and landscape artists. Nearby you will also find a Franciscan monastery and the church of Our Lady of the Snows, where medieval altarpieces can be seen.

Čilipi is a village associated with folklore. On Sunday afternoons it hosts shows of traditional dance and folk music, and visitors can learn about local crafts, especially embroidery. The folk costume seen in Dubrovnik often originates from Konavle.

Molunat is a good choice for a quiet day by the water, away from the largest resorts.

What is the history of the region?

In antiquity the area was inhabited by the Illyrian tribes of the Plereians and Ardians, conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. Present-day Cavtat was then the Roman town of Epidaurum. Traces of a Roman aqueduct that carried water from the mountains near Vodovađa to Cavtat can still be seen. Konavle was briefly independent in the 9th century and later spent centuries under the rule of the Republic of Dubrovnik.

What is the region like today?

The landscape is shaped by vineyards, olive groves and fruit and vegetable growing. Agritourism has been growing in recent years: farms welcome guests and serve local wine, olive oil and regional dishes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Konavle far from Dubrovnik? About 30 km, so it makes an easy half-day trip or longer.

What is the largest settlement in Konavle? Cavtat, which is also the most convenient place to stay.

When can I see folklore? In Čilipi, shows take place on Sunday afternoons.

Who is the region for? Travellers looking for a quieter alternative to Dubrovnik, with history, wine, beaches and local food.

Practical tips

It works well to combine Cavtat, Čilipi and Molunat in one trip, leaving time for tasting local products at a farm. Beaches can be busy in summer, so visit villages and the valley earlier in the day. Bring some cash for small purchases from local producers and comfortable shoes for Cavtat, where some lanes climb steeply.