4.5The Elafiti archipelago is a group of islands located just off the coast of Dubrovnik. These islands are commonly referred to as Dubrovnik's islands. One of the islands in this archipelago is Lopud, located in Croatia. The island is just over seven nautical miles (about 14 kilometers) away from Dubrovnik, and is home to a couple hundred people who choose to make it their permanent home.
Lopud's allure is that visitors can make the most of their time there by exploring the surrounding area on foot, sailing, or swimming in the area's quaint little bays and coves. The fragrant rosemary and lavender grow in abundance, the sound of the cicadas is ever present, and the sunsets on Lopud's harborside would inspire any painter.
In a single word: chill out!
You can also take pleasure in your time by walking along the paths that wind through the island's verdant vegetation (especially on a walk to Sunj bay to spend an afternoon there). You can also rent bikes to get around the island's trails or kayaks if you want to spend your time doing something more physically demanding on the water!
Pay a visit to cathedrals in Sunj bay:
The island is home to a collection of churches dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. It is worthwhile to look at the remnants of the Rector's Palace and the ruins of a nearby fortress. A Franciscan Monastery was constructed in the 15th century and is elevated above the village of Lopud.
Explore the marine life:
Cruise through waters as smooth as aquamarine and watch as the deep green evergreens of the Mediterranean region, along with some stately stone buildings and harbors, come into closer view.
The serene beauty of idealized Renaissance landscapes is frozen in time:
Not only is this great for sustainable development, but it also indicates that you are in a place that has been preserved in its original state:
Since more than five hundred years ago, this island's views and villages have remained essentially unchanged. Due to this fact, a select group of highly skilled expat architects, restorers, and landscape designers have only restored the island's stone homes, medieval towers, and old monasteries.
Go for a staycation in a Restored Monastery:
At the northern tip of the island of Lopid, right on the waterfront, there's a restored Franciscan monastery and fortress converted into a one-of-a-kind property called Lopud 1483.
The beauty of incredible gardens:
A seaside town on the mainland that faces Lopud and is home to a Renaissance garden known as the Trsteno Arboretum can be found directly across the water. It was a garden that belonged to a noble family back in the late 15th century and is quite old.
Work up an appetite:
The food will tantalize your tastebuds. There is a lot of grilled fish, of course, but in more recent times, Northern Italian cuisine has had a significant influence on it, contributing risottos, shellfish, and other dishes. In addition, there are a lot of grilled meats and dishes with a Balkan influence that come from the neighbouring countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These dishes focus heavily on lamb, sausages, and cold cuts. Wash them down with some of the most delicious and refreshing Croatian drinks from the nearby Peljeac peninsula.
The island of Ipan is directly in front of you if you are staying at the monastery:
The water forms a shape resembling a serpent as it winds its way through the islands all around you, and there are cypress trees that tower into the sky in every direction.
The sunset is breathtaking here:
You also have the option to charter a small yacht or a Corsair motor boat and cruise around the island at your leisure, stopping to swim wherever you like.
Duration RequiredDubrovnik, Croatia
4.5
