28 | DUBROVNIK’S LITTLE BROTHER


www.nitravelnews.com


June 2026


Santa points to Cavtat as ‘best’ Croatian holiday


BY BRIAN McCALDEN


Southern Croatia’s famous walled city of Dubrovnik is a ‘must see’ destination, but has become a victim of its own success. Brian McCalden found a nearby alternative.


THE journey of discovery really began when I chanced upon Santa relaxing on the busy waterfront in Dubrovnik. Like me, my former workmate was once a part time Santa in Belfast’s Co-op festive grotto (during our respective student days). We had similarly graduated to a career and in his case, to also being a fan of Northern Ireland’s national soccer team.


He was relaxing in a quiet bar with fellow fans prior to a match when we hailed each other: “Ho, Ho, Ho!" obviously. Although I was enjoying the city, the daily arrivals by super plus size cruise ships and coach loads of avid tourists all anxious to tick the city off their ‘bucket list’, was becoming tiresome. My former colleague had the solution, since I had complained about the crowds. They are a given and the experience is especially daunting in the hot summer ‘peak season’ months when the guided parties of tourists seem endless.


At times the beautiful narrow streets in its distinctive Old Town that are encircled with massive stone walls, seem daunting to those seeking a more relaxed break. Sure, everyone wants to view the fantastic old harbour, busy with water taxis and wooden galley-style pleasure cruisers. They rightly want to enjoy what is perhaps the last bastion of crime-free Europe too – given its super friendly population and complete lack of beggars, ‘looky lookey vendors’


knowledge that by midnight it has all drawn to a close.


Indeed, as evening falls the flights to and from the nearby airport also end, although watching them coming in (a few hundred feet above!) is fun too.


However, it is noisy in daytime but also easily ignored once the Cavtat feeling begins to take effect, as well as the impact of a standard wine bottle being one litre sized! Staying in the likes of the hugely friendly ‘home from home’ that is Tija apartments, (highly recommended) means a stunning private balcony and a studio apartment can be had for a VERY reasonable price. Minutes to the waterfront and the closest bathing areas, and a stroll away from the local sandy beach.


(Yes, they do have them in Croatia if you care to look for them)


It is easy to just watch the ever changing vista that is the harbour below, and maybe – eventually – take the seaborne bus, or the very cheap local road bus from the depot down the street and actually visit busy Dubrovnik.


and other distractions (such as thieves) so common in lesser countries – as would be expected.


There is however a way to get the whole experience and to enjoy a little bit of laid-back, stress-free Croatia at the same time, as he explained to me. Take the local (cheap) bus service from the city or arrive direct to beautiful Cavtat, and enjoy, said ‘Santa’. It is actually just a 10 minute taxi ride from the local international


being much closer than the city. Canny visitors can enjoy the fantastic sights and sounds of Cavtat’s busy harbour. There, millionaire yachts jostle for


space alongside working 14’ fishing boats and the regular water bus service from Dubrovnik picks up and off loads their passengers late into the evening. Indeed, the sunsets over the harbour and the wooded peninsulas that surround it are something not to miss, followed by a stroll around the various inexpensive restaurants that line the waterfront. Entertainment is low-key but occasionally lively.


Those hoping for a relaxed break can retire to their balcony with a sundowner in hand to enjoy the moon and the stars casting their spell above, happy in the


But, as its myriad of lights begin to twinkle


in the evening, pre-sunset twilight in Cavtat, it’s possibly just a trip to think of doing another day… That said,


Dubrovnik’s well-preserved


buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic


Rector’s and it boasts fantastic scenery all along the Dubrovnik Riviera, as the drive to and from the airport and Cavtat is described.


The view from the nearby hillside is phenomenal too (best to go by taxi if there are more than two people) as the cable car is expensive and a short ride. Overall though, it’s just easier and more relaxing to do it all in ‘local mode’ and see it when (and if) a visitor is finally able to leave the joys of Cavtat for the few hours and revert from ‘local’ to ‘tourist’ mode across in the walled city.


Check it out yourself: two ‘retired’ Father Christmases can’t be too far wrong! September and October are the best times


to go, (so there is plenty of time yearly to stop by the North Pole) in late December and see the real Papa Noel...but that’s another story.


airport,


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