Discovering Cavtat, Montenegro and Dubrovnik: A Tailor‑Made Adriatic Adventure

This summer we swapped the usual hotspots for somewhere a little different: a journey through Croatia’s southern coast and neighbouring Montenegro. What began as a practical plan to stay close to Dubrovnik airport turned into a multi‑centre trip full of unexpected highlights, medieval towns, dramatic mountains and some of the best sunsets I have ever seen.

If you are looking for a European escape that still feels a little under the radar, this corner of the Adriatic is a fantastic option.

Cavtat: The Perfect Soft Landing Near Dubrovnik

We started our adventure in Cavtat, which we initially chose simply because our flight into Dubrovnik landed late and Cavtat is only around 8 minutes’ drive from the airport. As it turns out, Cavtat is far more than a convenient stopover: it is a gorgeous destination in its own right.

We stayed in a two‑bedroom apartment and fell in love with the relaxed feel of the town, wandering down to the harbour in the evenings and working our way through the local restaurants. Cavtat is picture‑postcard pretty, with shimmering water, bobbing boats and a lovely promenade.

The sunsets were incredible: some of the best I have ever seen, both from our hotel and from the harbourside bars. It is the kind of place where you can slow right down, enjoy long, lazy dinners and feel yourself really arrive on holiday.

Crossing into Montenegro: Easy from Croatia to Montenegro - but not as quick the other way around!

From Cavtat we set the alarm early to cross the border into Montenegro. The border is only about 30 minutes’ drive away, but it is recommended to go early as queues can build, especially in peak season.

We left around 8.30 a.m. and were pleasantly surprised: it took just 20 minutes or so to cross, much quicker than we had anticipated. It is a straightforward hop that opens up a whole new country to explore. However, be warned, it did take four hours or so crossing back into Montenegro, but we did leave later.

Budva & Iberostar Belleview: The Reality of All Inclusive

Our first base in Montenegro was Budva, staying at Iberostar Belleview on an all‑inclusive basis. As we packed up to move on, I found myself reflecting on the pros and cons of all‑inclusive hotels, using this stay as a real‑life example.

What worked well:

The kids absolutely loved it: The freedom to eat what they wanted, as often as they liked, is always a huge hit. For families, that ease at mealtimes can be priceless. 

Pools and relaxation: The pools are beautiful and it really is a place where your biggest decision is which book to read next. If you want a “switch off and stay put” few days, it ticks that box. 

Rooms and views: Our rooms were decent and we were kindly upgraded to sea‑view garden rooms, which were lovely and well positioned. 

Warm, eager‑to‑please staff: Staff were genuinely friendly, and I was offered around five separate site inspections by different team members, which gives you a sense of how keen they are to showcase the hotel. 

Location and practicalities: The hotel is in a good spot, right next to Budva and around 20 minutes from the old town. We also enjoyed an evening excursion to beautiful Sveti Stefan, just a 10‑minute drive away. Free parking was a big bonus too.

Where it fell a little short

Buffet fatigue: The food was very samey and I am not a huge fan of having the same buffet every night. This hotel would really benefit from some à la carte restaurants or at least themed evenings to mix things up. 

Entertainment and drinks: Evening entertainment felt a bit hit and miss, and the included drinks were fairly low‑quality. If that is important to you, it is worth knowing in advance. 

Beach extras: Sun loungers on the beach were chargeable, despite the beach being attached to the hotel. It is something I have seen elsewhere too, but it does feel a little odd with an all‑inclusive concept.

Overall, Iberostar Belleview is very competitively priced, so as a base for a few nights it is certainly not the worst place to stay, especially for families. My honest advice would be to treat it as a comfortable, good‑value hub: use the pools and facilities, but do plan to eat out occasionally and explore the wider area so you get a better feel for Montenegro.

A Taste of Ultra‑Luxury: One&Only Portonovi

From Budva we travelled to Herceg Novi, routing ourselves via Portonovi so that I could visit the One&Only there, as it is one of my favourite hotel brands.

While we could not quite stretch the budget for us all to stay overnight, the hotel kindly invited us for a tour and a coffee. It is every bit as beautiful as you would imagine,: like the property we visited on the Athens Riviera, it is fitted out in a classical modern style that feels like a very classy 1970s hotel, but with every contemporary luxury. Think timeless glamour, with a real sense of occasion.

We had lunch in the nearby marina, which is absolutely stunning, and it really reinforced just how varied Montenegro can be, from relaxed seaside towns to ultra‑luxury resorts.

Herceg Novi, Kotor & Perast: Medieval Towns and Mountain Backdrops

Our final Montenegrin base was Herceg Novi, where we stayed in an apartment for four nights. This worked brilliantly as a base for exploring. We ate in some fantastic local restaurants, soaked up the atmosphere of the old town and enjoyed being somewhere that felt genuinely untouristy.

From Herceg Novi we took a boat trip to Kotor and Perast. We had originally planned to visit Kotor by road, but traffic around the bay was so heavy and parking so tricky that travelling by boat turned out to be much easier and more enjoyable.

Both Kotor and Perast, along with old‑town Herceg Novi, are beautiful medieval‑style towns with fascinating histories. Cobbled streets, stone churches, old fortifications and dramatic mountain backdrops make them incredibly photogenic and atmospheric. They are absolutely worth visiting, although Kotor in particular does get busy, especially when cruise ships are in port.

What Montenegro Feels Like

Montenegro really surprised me in the best possible way. Prices are similar to Greece, but in many places it still feels relatively untouristy, especially if you avoid the busiest spots like Kotor at peak times. In Herceg Novi, we were the only British tourists we encountered, yet everyone we met spoke English. I was particularly flattered when a waiter complimented my “excellent English”!

There are very few big American or international chains. We did not see any Starbucks or McDonald’s, just the occasional Burger King. The country feels more Eastern European than neighbouring Croatia, with Cyrillic script often visible on signs, and I loved how different and authentic it felt.

It is a fantastic option if you want somewhere that still feels a little undiscovered, but with enough infrastructure to make travelling with a family easy and enjoyable.

Dubrovnik & Lapad: A Perfect Finish

We ended our trip back in Croatia, spending three nights in Dubrovnik. We chose to base ourselves in Lapad, a lovely suburb of the city with its own buzzing restaurant scene and a very pleasant beach.

Personally, I think Lapad is a better area to stay than right in the centre. The old town is only around 10 minutes away by taxi, yet Lapad offers more space, the option of having a pool and a more relaxed, “holiday resort” feel. It felt like a calm oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the historic centre.

Sunset Beach in Lapad is a gorgeous spot to watch the sun go down, with some excellent restaurants and bars just steps away and more options near the marina. If you are joining a cruise, we saw plenty of ships coming and going, which adds a bit of theatre to the bay.

Dubrovnik’s old town itself is fabulous and I can see exactly why it is so popular. It is a beautifully preserved medieval city packed with narrow lanes, hidden squares and viewpoints. We enjoyed several wonderful meals within the walls and one particularly memorable sunset at Buza Bar, perched on the rocks overlooking the sea. It is also a great place to watch brave locals and tourists leaping from the rocks into the clear water. My children were very keen to join in, but fortunately we managed to keep them dry as we had dinner reservations!

Why This Region Works So Well as a Multi‑Centre Trip

What made this holiday so special was how easy it was to combine different bases and experiences. Cavtat, Montenegro and Dubrovnik all offer something distinct, yet they link together seamlessly.

Easy logistics: Short transfers, a simple border crossing (especially if you travel early or outside peak summer), and compact driving distances. 

Varied experiences: From lazy beach and pool days to medieval old towns, seaside promenades and ultra‑luxury resorts to day‑trip. 

Value for money: Pricing similar to Greece, with Montenegro in particular feeling excellent value and still pleasantly untouristy in many areas. 

Great for families and couples: All‑inclusive options that keep the kids happy, apartments for more space, and sophisticated hotels and marinas that are perfect for couples.

I would highly recommend this region either for a standalone city break, a relaxed beach holiday, or as part of a larger tailor‑made itinerary that takes in both Croatia and Montenegro.

Ready to Plan Your Own Adriatic Adventure?

If this has sparked ideas for your next escape, I would love to help you design something similar, tailored around how you like to travel. Whether you want:

A few days in Dubrovnik paired with a relaxing stay in Cavtat 

A family‑friendly itinerary that combines all‑inclusive ease with authentic local experiences 

A luxury‑focused trip including stays or day visits at properties like One&Only Portonovi

I can put together a bespoke itinerary that fits your budget, pace and wish‑list.

Contact me to start planning your own Cavtat, Montenegro and Dubrovnik adventure.

 Michelle x