Croatia: Koločep and Lopud

Sweet Hideaway Islands at the Adriatic Sea

Text and photos by Kreetta Järvenpää

We travel because we want to see new things, have new experiences and feelnew atmospheres.

We travel because we want to see new things, have new experiences and feel new atmospheres. We don't mind if it takes some time to get to our destination. Travelling in itself is an experience. I love to travel by train, which relaxes me from the moment we step aboard.

This time our journey took us 3000 kilometers from Finland to Croatia to see the turquoise water and feel the warmth of the Mediterranean. I still remember the night we arrived at Kolocep Island. After a few days of travelling it was a wonderful feeling. The place looked beautiful, calm, and promising from the very first moment I saw the coastline of this charming island. With the clear turquoise water in sight, I was excited.

Kolocep Island is a small, peaceful hideaway surrounded by the clear and clean water of the Adriatic Sea. That's why we went there. Kolocep, along with Lopud, Sipan, and many smaller islands make up an archipelago called the Elaphiti Islands which face an older town known as Dubrovnik.

The name »Elaphiti« comes from the ancient Greek word for »deer«, which used to inhabit the islands in large numbers. Only the three main islands are permanently inhabited by humans and accessible in 30 minutes via the Jadrolinija ferry lines. Sipan is the farthest and largest island. Lopud is second in size and is located between Sipan and Kolocep. Kolocep is the smallest island and closest to Dubrovnik. We stayed on the islands overnight, visiting Dubrovnik just for the day. With our visiting being in June, the islands weren’t overcrowded, and with the islands being car-free, it was that much more relaxing.

Kolocep is paradise - perfect for a romantic and relaxing getaway where time seems to slow down.

Kolocep is paradise - perfect for a romantic and relaxing getaway where time seems to slow down. It has a population of about 200 people, who are spread across two villages, both of which are within within walking distance. The main village of Donje Celo has everything you need: a hotel, harbour, a few restaurants and a tiny grocery shop. There are a few small churches and lovely hiking paths to be explored as well. The other village is Gornje Celo. Here you will find a seafood restaurant and a superb, yet modest sandy beach which the locals enjoy. Many beaches in Croatia are pebble beaches, and this is one of few that are mads of sand. The water is clean and clear, perfect for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Nearby is the Blue Grotto, which you can visit by boat and swim into. This extraordinary sea cave shimmers in reflected blue light from the clear water below.

There are a few restaurants on the island with leaving no problem to find something to eat. Along with the basic restaurants next to the tiny harbour, there are fancier places such as the Restaurant & Lounge Bar Villa Ruza. Another option is to buy groceries at the local market and cook a meal at home, where you can enjoy the sunset off your balcony. If the grocery shop in town doesn’t have what you’re looking for,

There are a few small churches and lovely hiking paths to be explored as well.

Dubrovnik is where you might have better luck.

For hotels, there is the lately renovated Kalamota Island Resort. Those wishing to seek cheaper accommodation remove to save a bit of money can easily rent an apartment on the island. We booked an apartment a few months before our trip at a very reasonable price. You can also rent an apartment when you arrive in Dubrovnik but availability isn’t guaranteed on an island this small. When stepping off the bus from the city of Split (where the trains let us off), there are also people who show photo books of their apartment for rent - perfect for the spontaneous traveller.

After falling in love with Croatia on our first visit, we decided to go back and visit Lopud Island with our goddaughter. Lopud is bigger than Kolocep Island and a bit touristy. It has a beautiful sandy beach called Šunj beach, where you’ll find many boats floating on a hot, sunny summer day. If you don’t feel like walking, there are golf carts available as well. In my opinion, Kolocep and Lopud are much more relaxing compared to the old town of Dubrovnik. There are less people, it's not as hot, and it’s easy to spend a full day at the beach. Dubrovnik beaches are crowded with people and can be very hot, but it's still worth a day trip.

When you’ve been in the sun all day, a good dinner is always in order. In Lopud, there are quite a few restaurants, fish being a great choice off of a Croatian menu. Just remember when ordering a salad to ask for a »mixed« salad, or you might end up with just a simple portion of tomatoes or cucumbers.

The combination of the buzzing Dubrovnik and the calm islands nearby is a great way to spend a week (or two)!

The best restaurant is outside the old town called Tovjerna Sesame, it isa small restaurant with tasty food and a charming owner. My husband had the marinated fish, which he still remembers well. I ate the best fig and parma ham salad I have ever tasted in my life.

The combination of the buzzing Dubrovnik and the calm islands nearby is a great way to spend a week (or two)! Explore the walls of the old town centre and experience its unrivalled beauty next to the turquoise sea, shimmering in the hot sun that keeps you coming back for more.