Elaphite islands on the Southern Adriatic Croatia – what to visit in Dubrovnik

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Elaphite islands on the Southern Adriatic Croatia – what to visit in Dubrovnik

While vacationing in Dubrovnik, a beautiful old town with rich history, amazing nightclubs, great restaurants with traditional meals, and breathtaking beaches are not the only things you'll encounter.

Only 5km away from land in the beautiful Adriatic sea, Elaphiti islands in Dubrovnik found their home. The Elaphiti Islands are a small archipelago consisting of several smaller islands. The Elaphiti Islands in Dubrovnik are the top tourist location for various reasons: picturesque scenery, turquoise clear sea, and divine beaches.

The Elaphiti Islands in Croatia got their name from a roman author named Pliny the Elder, who named the archipelago Elaphiti Islands because of the deers (elaphos – deer, Ancient Greek) who used to inhabit the islands in large numbers.

This blog will be your Elaphite islands travel guide – relax and enjoy!

Elaphiti Islands – Šipan

The Island of Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. On the mainland, you will find two main villages: Suđurađ and Šipanska Luka. The island is very peaceful, even though there are cars and roads, unlike the islands of Lopud and Koločep, which do not have car access.

You can get to the island by boat, and a bus can take you across the island.

When you visit Šipan, make sure to visit the island's beautiful old churches, such as the 11th-century Saint Peter's Church, and the 16th-century Church of The Holy Spirit. Also, the Dubrovnik aristocracy used to build their summer houses on Šipan and you can still find some of them there! When you're done with sightseeing, relax in the Sun and swim in the beautiful sea, surrounded by amazing nature.

Bowa Beach Club is a must-see when you're in Šipan! This special place is the perfect choice for a day trip, a lunch and a beach day combined in one.

Visit Šipan of the Elaphiti Islands and enjoy it to the fullest!


Elaphiti Islands – Koločep

The island of Koločep (Bošković, as islanders call it) is the smallest inhabited island of the Elaphiti Islands and the closest to Dubrovnik. It is composed of limestone and dolomite, with no sources or water streams. On this island, there are two villages with sandy and pebble beaches that provide great conditions to enjoy the clear blue sea: Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo. The island has many churches and villas. You can see a few pre-Romanesque churches: the church of St. Nicholas (ancient) and the floor plan of the church of St. Michael.

A beautiful pebble beach on the upper part of the island of Koločep leaves no one indifferent. It is a very desirable tourist destination because of its natural beauty and because of its proximity to the city of Dubrovnik (only 20 minutes by boat).

Koločep Island, a quiet oasis near Dubrovnik, is known as the island of fishermen as well as coral since ancient times, and today there is a marked fishing area especially rich with lobsters.

Elaphiti Islands – Lopud

The island of Lopud is known as the 'middle' island. Lopud is known as the most developed island of the main three, even though its population is only 200 people.

The name comes from the Greek name for the island, Delaphodia, and Romans called the island Lafota. The island belonged to the Republic of Ragusa from the 11th century.

Lopud is your perfect serene location. This car-free island will remind you of simpler times! Spend your time walking around the island, or swimming in the crystal clear sea. A walk to Sunj bay is especially beautiful, walking through beautiful Mediterranean vegetation to the amazing bay and sea. You can also rent bikes and kayaks – connect with nature and yourself!

As for sights, you can visit a few 15th and 16th-century churches, the remains of the Rector's Palace, the ruins of the Fortress, and a 15th-century French Monastery that overlooks a village of Lopud.

Lopud of the Elpahiti Islands will give you a beautiful, calm vacation in the heart of the Adriatic!


Visit Elaphite Islands Koločepi, Šipan, and Lopud, and see the true beauty of the Dalmatian coast!