The Three Elaphiti Islands You Should Absolutely Visit From Dubrovnik

While in Dubrovnik this past Summer, one of the top day trips I kept reading about was visiting the Elaphiti (Elafiti) Islands. These are comprised of 13 small islands on the coast of Dubrovnik in the Adriatic Sea, with a total population of only 850 people. The local feel of these islands can be a wonderful escape from the more tourist-filled Old Town and gives you a closer look at Croatian culture. You can easily do this as a day trip, with many organized tours from sites like GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor having many group tours that go out each day.

We opted for this organized tour which had great reviews and took us to the three main islands. I absolutely recommend adding this to your itinerary as these islands boast pristine blue waters, cave tours, wine tasting, and so much more.

There are three main islands which are actually inhabited and have ferry lines that connect to Dubrovnik. These are: Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. I’ll dive into each below, but if you want a more in-depth guide to all there is to do in Dubrovnik, check out my Dubrovnik travel guide.

Island #1 – Lopud

Lopud was my favorite of the three islands, and I would even recommend considering doing a day trip to just this island for the day. This island is car-free and has some of the best beaches I’ve seen in the world. Upon docking, you’ll first see beautiful clear blue water and a walking trail along the water lined with shopping.

City Center in Lopud

There are numerous local restaurants and shops along this main path. We stopped at a local gelateria stand which was just €2 and was 10/10. The shops here have local produce, handmade clothes, and various knick knacks to look through. Most of the business owners here speak English as this is one of the most visited Elaphiti Islands.

From the dock, you can walk down the path towards the Saint Mary Franciscan monastery and church which was first built in 1483 and is currently open to the public. You can enter the church and visit the small garden beside it which was a rather quick but lovely stop. The views of the water from here are some of the best on the island which is worth the walk in itself. Just be careful walking here as it was very slippery from algae that made its way onto the cobblestone.

Šunj Bay Beach Club

I highly recommend then going over to the Outer side of the island to Šunj Bay.

Once arriving at Šunj Beach, you can either relax on the beach or grab food/a drink at the Beach Bar here. This is one of the nicest beaches I have ever been, with such calm vibes from visitors and the water being extremely still and shallow. You can walk meters in the water while still being at just waist-level. You can explore many of the caves around here or relax on a boat deck here if you’ve taken a private boat tour.

Getting to Šunj Beach

There are two ways to get over here – you can either walk the 30-45 minutes along the car-free roads or pay ~€20 cash for one of the golf carts to take you over. The walk can be mostly uphill and with little shade, so on a hot day it may be worth it to just pay for the golf cart to take you over. We personally opted to walk there and then take the golf cart back.

Island #2 – Šipan

Šipan is much smaller and very local, with a population below 500 residents. The island itself is famous for its vineyards and groves – with locals growing some of the best grapes, citrus, and olives in the world. Many come to see the history which dates back to the 11th century with landmarks like the Parish Church and Rector’s Palace, and others to try some of the homemade wine and olive oil.

Car-Free Roads

The roads here are also car-free, making the island extremely walkable. Many opt to do a wine or olive tasting here at either a local’s house or one of the larger vineyards. Note that this island is much smaller than the other two, with very few local stores and restaurants to dine.

Wine and Olive Oil Tastings

The highlight of visiting Šipan is trying some of the homemade wine and olive oil at some of the tasting spots offered both in local’s home and larger vineyards. We opted for an afternoon wine tasting in the backyard of a resident’s house, which included a wine flight, bruschetta, and dessert pairing for just €5.

This island is much smaller and can be explored within just a couple of hours. I recommend coming here if you are doing this a day trip to many islands versus coming to stay at just one for a couple nights.

Island #3 – Koločep

Koločep is the smallest of the three big Elaphiti Islands, with a population of just 300 people. As with the other two, this is also a car-free island and is a relaxing break away from the crowds in Dubrovnik. The views from Koločep are absolutely stunning, with the mountains in the background and red-roofed houses covering the hilltops.

The main hotel, Kalamota Beach House, is 4 stars and is a highlight in visiting this island. If you are staying here, they have a rooftop pool, paint and sip activities, and cabanas right on the beach. If you are just visiting for a day, I recommend grabbing a meal at the hotel for great food and views.