The villa is located in Croatia's southernmost town, Cavtat, built on a pine-scented peninsula. The medieval town occupies one half the peninsula, the forest covers the other. The villa is on the edge of either. Over 400 year old, the villa has all modern conveniences, such as a state-of-the-art kitchen, while its old charm has been retained. The wine-cellar is stocked with good local wines, available to guests (who pay the caretaker afterwards). Cavtat features among the most beautiful towns in Croatia. Its boulevard overlooks a splendid bay, and is lined with restaurants, cafés, and super yachts. It boasts better beaches than Dubrovnik, which is within easy reach by boat or bus. Cavtat is an upmarket town in an upmarket region. Discos are banned in the old town, and the only buzz comes from the restaurant- and café-terraces on the palm-lined boulevard. Yet, even this buzz cannot be heard from the villa, which is built on the top of a small hill (40-odd steps).
Villa on the edge of a medieval town near Dubrovnik, 5-minute walk to the beach
- Villa1614 sq. ft.
- Sleeps: 9
- Bedrooms: 4
- Min Stay: 4 - 5 nights
Villa in Cavtat, near Dubrovnik, Croatia - On The Edge Of The Medieval Town, Yet Quiet And Within A 5 Minute Walk From The Beach.
Bedrooms
Property Manager
Kitty van Zweeden
- Languages:
- english, french, german, dutch
About Kitty van Zweeden
I am a Dutch teacher living in land-locked Luxembourg but spending some of my free time on the Med. One day in 2003 my husband called me from Cavtat, and said: 'I've found the perfect place. They don't need Brigitte Bardot here to turn this into another Saint-Tropez.' He was right. Cavtat is superb, a fact that is not lost on the owners of the super-yachts that nowadays line the boulevard. It is also much nicer than Saint-Tropez, as it has retained its charm. After we had left the Netherlands in 1990, we lived in many countries. Although I never grew tired of that lifestyle, I did want to drop an anchor somewhere - a home to return to from wherever we happened to live. Cavtat is the place were we invite family - I have three children - and friends to. No-one ever declines.
Kitty van Zweeden purchased this Villa in 2003
Why Kitty van Zweeden chose Cavtat
When we first moved in, in 2003, doors and windows were still missing. We felt a little awkward having to leave our valuables in the villa when going out. Looking back, we still laugh about such naivety - the crime rate in Cavtat is zero. Cavtat is very safe, impossibly beautiful, and hedonistically pleasant. It can be a little busy, but it is never crowded, especially not around our house (which on a hill-top at the edge of the old town). We like many places in the region, but this we never skip: dining in the village of Mali Ston, swimming in the lake on Lokrum Island, wine tasting in Peljesac. My husband also believes there is no better place for running than the Konavle hills, and no better place for a haircut than the hairdresser on the Cavtat boulevard (sea-view in the mirror).
What makes this Villa unique
We have invested substantial amounts of money in the villa, which is a 400-year old stone house, and I think this shows. I have tried to recreate an old world charm without overdoing it. Much of the furniture is imported from Transylvania, as we could not find what we wanted in Croatia. I feel very much at ease in the house, but in summer we only live outside. The terrace is five times the size of the living room, which in itself is not small. It is dominated by a huge bougainvillea, and has orange and lemon trees. Some people find the 40-odd steps to the house an inconvenience, but like many locals I have come to appreciate this built-in daily exercise. Think of it like this: Cavtat has - in relative terms - ten times more centenarians than my native Holland.
Amenities
Featured
- Air Conditioning
- TV
- Satellite or Cable
- Parking
- Heater
- Children Welcome
- Internet
- Washer & Dryer
Bathrooms
- 0 Bathrooms
- Shower room 1shower
- Shower room 2shower
- Shower room 3shower
- En-suite bathroom to bedroom 1, containing shower, sink and toilet. Bathroom on first floor landing, containing shower, sink and toilet. Bathroom on second floor landing, containing shower, sink and toilet.
Location Type
- Beach
- Mountain
- Near The Ocean
- Town
- Oceanfront
General
- Air ConditioningAll bedrooms as well as the kitchen and the top-floor landing have air-conditioning.
- HeatingThe air-conditioners double as heaters; the living room has electric radiators.
- Linens Provided
- Washing Machine
- Tumble Dryer
- ParkingThe parking is down by the sea. It is paid, but a parking card can be provided for 15 euros. It covers clients' entire stay.
- Internet
- Towels Provided
- Wireless Internet
- Iron & Board
- Hair Dryer
- Living RoomThe living space (37 m2) breaks down in a dining dining area and a lounge. The dining areas contains a large dining table that easily seats 8 persons. The lounge has a 4-seater sofa and two chairs, as well as a large flat-screen television.
Kitchen
- Dishwasher
- RefrigeratorLarge fridge (>30m3).
- StoveElectric
- OvenElectric
- Microwave
- Grill
- Coffee Maker
- Dishes & Utensils
- KitchenLarge (17 m2) kitchen, containing a cooker, oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, microwave, blender and pizza-oven. Further, all imaginable utensils, cutlery, crockery, and pans.
Dining
- Dining Area
- Child's Highchair
- DiningThe indoor dining area seats 9 persons. The terrace seats up to 12 persons.
- comfy seating for 8 people
Entertainment
- Television
- Satellite / Cable
- Stereo
- DVD Player
- Books
- Video Library
Outdoor Features
- Lawn / Garden
- Kayak / CanoeKayaks can be rented at the beach, a 5-minute walk from the villa.
- Deck / Patio
Suitability
- Long-term Renters Welcome
Notes
- Notes on accommodation: The entire villa, with the exception of the living and dining room, is air-conditioned. Outside: The 220 m2 walled terrace has several seating areas, laid out in such a way that both shade and sun can be found at almost any given time. The dining table, which easily seats 8, is close to the kitchen. There is also a barbecue that can be wheeled to any part of the terrace. Vegetation includes lemon, orange and tangerine trees, a bougainvillea, two oleanders and several pine trees. The terrace's perimeter is marked by palm trees. Care has been taken to install lighting that not only adds to the atmosphere, but also suffices for reading at night. The laundry can be hung out to dry on a separate part of the terrace, largely out of sight. Utility Room: The hoover is in the in-house utility room, the washing machine is located in a separate stone building that also contains the hot-water installation. Cleaning / Towels / Linen / Maid service: Towels and linen are included in the price; they are changed once a week if the property is rented for more than one week. Cleaning is also once a week. WiFi internet is also included in the price. Other: The wine-cellar is stocked with 100-odd bottles of Croatian wine, ranging from simple table wines to expensive reds from the Dingac region. They can be drunk by clients, who pay the caretaker afterwards.
House Rules
Cancellation Policy
Canceled bookings will not receive a refund
15 Reviews
Clean and cozy escape in a great location!
My mother and I stayed at this wonderful villa for 8 days. We were greeted by Kitty's lovely housekeeper, Suzana, who provided us with plenty of useful information for our stay. She was kind and welcoming, and was available for contact via Whatsapp.
It is in an exceptional location with easy access to the water, just minutes away in any direction. The house itself is spacious, yet cozy. There is plenty of sleeping space, which remained remarkably warm during our rainy stay. We were very grateful for this sweet escape from the storm. The courtyard is perfectly private and beautifully decorated by assorted flowers and trees.
There are plenty of delicious restaurants within walking distance along with access to boats that will take you to nearby islands of your choice. Be sure also, to check out the delicious little deli right next to the market in the center of town, where we treated ourselves to lovely meats and cheeses. There is also a mouth watering bakery just next door.
This home served as a perfect getaway and I hope to return with more sunshine and time to explore. I would highly recommend staying here.
What a find !
Our first holiday in Croatia and we could have gone anywhere but read the reviews of Cavtat and this superb villa. We were not disappointed, the villa is spacious has a wonderful terrace and located in an excellent position. As mentioned in the owners description there are steps up to the villa and down to the harbour but think of it as a positive as you can work off the superb food from the numerous restaurants in the town. A visit to Beach Bar Little Star is a must, in the words of our kids "Vincent is a legend" The team at Cavtat Watersports are fantastic as is Mario at Sea Kayaking Cavtat. Planning next years trip already.
Hi William,
Thanks for these heart-warming words.
Kind regards,
Kitty
I could live here!
This is a beautiful property. It's situation in the old town was a great location. We could walk everywhere and there were steps but we quite enjoyed the built in exercise. The house itself was so beautifully renovated and there was everything we needed. Each room was of a good size and the garden was lovely. A separate laundry room was a bonus. There were mosquitoes but they weren't really that annoying. A 2 minute walk took you to the old town full of restaurants and the harbour full of super yachts. The little supermarket had most things we needed and a slightly expensive market ran every day too. The fish stall was limited but very good with the days catch. There are 'beaches' on the peninsular which are concrete areas where you can hire sun beds for about £3.60 for the day or you can lie on rocks anywhere. The sea was beautiful and we swam all the time. It was never really busy even at this peak time. We enjoyed seeing the sunset at Beach bar little star where the drinks were pricey but the sunset and the atmosphere priceless. We hired paddle boards and canoes from Mario at the Beach bar, had a speed boat morning with Watersports Cavtat with the extra fun of parasailing and had a day on a sailing boat with Dubrovnik daily sailing. All were brilliant and the locals were very friendly. We didn't want to leave.
Thanks for this great review, which is so elaborate that it doubles as a useful info-sheet to future clients. Of course, we would love to see you back.
Lovely large villa
This is a great property and we soon got used to the steps which of course we knew about before booking. Caveat is a lovely spot and was just right for what we needed- four friends going away to chill - good restaurants and people watching, with Dubrovnik and other islands not far by boat.
The only difficulty we had were the mosquitos which were prevalent day and night- we soon had repellent at the ready at all times and wouldn’t stop us going again. Lovely holiday in a lovely location.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for this review. The town hall is aware of the prevalence of mosquitos in town and is working on it (spraying and making people aware not to leave water on their terraces). I think it is worse this year because of the spring-time rain.
Kind regards, and thanks for your stay,
Kitty
A wonderful place, very highly recommended!
We have just returned from Kitty's house and absolutely loved it. It's in the most beautiful location in the old town, peaceful and traffic-free and very close to beaches as well as all facilities in the village. Everyone in our party (the over-60s as well as the under-5s) found the steps very manageable and the path to the beaches through the pine trees delightful. The house itself is beautifully renovated & maintained and equipped with everything we needed. We spent many blissful hours relaxing in the beautiful walled garden, with oleanders and bougainvillaea in bloom! An absolute treat!
Hi Vera,
Thanks for this review - much appreciated. We're happy that you enjoyed the location, which is as you imply at once away from the buzz yet very close to the beaches and the seafront boulevard.
Kind regards,
Kitty
Wonderful situation, well appointed - ideal!!!
As a group of 7 women this villa suited our needs perfectly. It is very close to everything yet secluded too. Suzanna was wonderful, so welcoming and helpful. Cavtat is a wonderful place to stay, rather than Dubrovenik old town itself. Cavtat is beautiful and relaxed. It has great restaurants and bars, lovely walks, the clearest of seas containing a myriad of sea life including dolphins and an overall ambiance which makes you slow down. Dubrovenik is easily accessible via bus number 10 or, as we did, by boat. This cost us the equivalent of £7 return and was a great way to arrive in Dubrovenik. The old town is interesting, clean and worth visiting. However, to walk the wall you have to pay (over £20 each). Game of Thrones watchers will enjoy spotting Kings Landing images and the 'walk of shame' area. Dubrovenik is much more expensive than Cavtat - double the price for a meal and drink - another reason to stay in Cavtat!
Without reservation we thank Kitty and Suzanna for all of their help prior to our visit and during. We had an amazing break and would return without hesitation. The steps to the villa would make it unsuitable for the elderly or infirm but we liked the workout!!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for you review, which is much appreciated. Of course we're most happy you enjoyed your stay.
As to the tickets for the Dubrovnik city walls, we also think they are too high. On the other hand, much of the money goes to an NGO that uses it for the restoration of other landmarks. Thus, for instance, the NGO could afford the badly needed restoration of the Ston city walls (supposedly the longest after the China's Great Wall).
Kind regards,
Kitty
Map
Coast/Beach:
Three beaches are within a 5-minute walk, a fourth is at 10 minutes, a fifth at 15 minutes. All five beaches have deck-chairs, parasols and a café. One beach, at the far end of the peninsula, overlooks a small, shallow and secluded bay that is particularly safe for young children.
The sea around Cavtat is crystal clear as the town boasts a brand-new water purification plant, built into a mountain.
Further beaches, all almost private, are in the hinterland within 15 minutes by car.
Travel:
There is no need to rent a car, as all necessities (shops, restaurants, beaches) are within easy walking distance and Cavtat is moreover served by buses and boats. The airport is only 7 km away.
Yet, to explore the surroundings in depth a car is recommended. Cavtat is at one hour's drive from Peljesac, a beautiful 80 km long peninsula which is home to some of Croatia's best wines. It is even closer to the Bay of Kotor across the border into Montenegro.
Distances:
Distances:
Airport: 9 km.
Dubrovnik (medieval town): 16 km.
Trsteno (renaissance gardens): 23 km.
Peljesac (wine route): 76 km.
Korcula (medieval town): 126 km.
Konavle (Cavtat hinterland): 5 km.
Herceg Novi, Montenegro (medieval town): 27 km.
Kotor, Montenegro (medieval town): 57 km.
Trebinje, Bosnia (medieval town): 46 km.
Island of Lokrum: 25 minutes by boat from Cavtat.
Island of Lopud: 45 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik.
Island of Mljet: 90 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik.
Further Details:
The old town of Cavtat has a supermarket, a chemist's, bakery, a post office, a tourist office and scores of cafés and restaurants. As to the latter, the best by some way seems to be Leut, which is also among the most expensive ones.
Cavtat is great for swimming, scuba diving, jogging (around the peninsula), table tennis (at beach restaurant Rokotin), beach volleyball (hotel Croatia), and tennis (at various places). The Konavle hinterland has beautiful footpaths and small roads that would render any long-distance runner happy. Cycling routes are, sadly, still lacking.
Wine tasting used to be confined to the Peljesac peninsula, but the Konavle hinterland has also (re-)started to produce very decent wines. Bosnia, only half an hour away, boasts a wine route. Wines in this part of the world are of interest because producers have retained the varieties that have grown here for many centuries. Most of those, such as 'plavac mali', cannot be found anywhere else.
Lovers of history are well-served. Within easy driving distance many medieval towns can be found. To name a few: Korcula, Ston, Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Budva and Trebinje.
The most beautiful islands are Mljet, Lokrum, Lopud and Korcula, all of which are a must. Off Cavtat lies tiny Mrkan, where some scenes of the HBO hit serial 'Game of Thrones' were filmed in 2012. For Lastovo, a still largely undiscovered paradise, an overnight stay is required.
Further afield, but within 5 hours, are the beautiful cities of Split (Croatia), Mostar (Bosnia) and Sarajevo (Bosnia), as well as Lake Skodra (Montenegro) on the Albanian border.