Koločep Day Trip: A Peaceful Island Escape from Dubrovnik
If you want to experience Croatian islands near Dubrovnik, a Koločep day trip is just what you need.
When we visited Croatia for a week in the summer, we made Dubrovnik our home base for our entire trip. But we couldn’t imagine visiting Croatia – especially in the summer – without visiting at least one island. Our Koločep day trip was the perfect way to get a taste of island life.
Though it’s just a 30-minute ferry ride from the bustling city, Koločep feels like a world away. The moment you step off the boat, the noise fades, the pace slows, and you’re surrounded by a peaceful blend of pine forest, rocky coastline, and quiet walking paths.
If you’re looking for a place to hike a bit, swim a lot, and soak up island vibes with minimal effort, a Koločep day trip delivers. Keep reading to learn more about the island and our visit.
About Koločep Island & When to Visit
Koločep (pronounced KOH-loh-chep) is one of the Elaphiti Islands, located just northwest of Dubrovnik. It’s the closest of the three inhabited islands in the group and the easiest to reach by public ferry. The island is tiny – just 2.4 square kilometers (about one square mile) – and car-free, which gives it a peaceful, unplugged feel.
There is one (very small) village near where the ferry docks, and the entire island’s population is about 200. The island is connected by walking paths through pine forests and olive groves.
Summer is high season in Dubrovnik (and all of Croatia), and that’s when we visited Koločep. While it was definitely hot (more on that later), the island never felt crowded. Since most visitors are day-trippers like us, the island keeps a mellow rhythm.
Late spring or early fall would be lovely if you want milder temperatures but still want to swim. Ferries run year-round.
Why Koločep Is a Perfect Soft Adventure
If you’re the kind of traveler who loves mixing movement with a touch of discovery, without going full survival mode, Koločep is your kind of island.
It’s quiet, car-free, and incredibly walkable, making it ideal for a low-stress but rewarding adventure. From serene trails to swimming in secluded coves, a Koločep day trip lets you explore at your own pace.
You don’t need technical gear or a guide – just curiosity, comfortable shoes, and a towel.
It’s the kind of place where you can hike across the island, cool off in clear turquoise water, and still be back in Dubrovnik by late afternoon for a little rest before wandering Old Town in the evening.
It’s an ideal spot for soft adventure activities like hiking and swimming.
What to Pack for a Koločep Day Trip
Packing for a Koločep day trip – especially if you’re visiting in summer – is essentially like packing for a hike and beach outing – because that’s probably what you’ll do there!
In addition to a swimsuit and comfortable walking shoes, we recommend the following:
- Water shoes: We can’t stress enough how essential these are in Croatia. Most swimming spots are rocky. We also saw a lot of sea urchins everywhere we swam (including on Koločep). They’re fun to look at, but to step on – no thank you! We love these water shoes – they’re substantial yet don’t feel like you’re wearing an actual shoe in the water, and they also have great traction.
- Towel: We love quick-dry towels for day trips like this because they don’t take up much space in your bag. Koločep is one of those spots where you might be hopping from one swimming spot to another. These towels are more than enough coverage to dry off, and they dry quickly between swims.
- Sun protection: Croatia is beautiful, especially when it’s sunny, but that can be ruined quickly with overheating or a sunburn. Pack a hat, sunscreen, and UPF clothing for your Koločep day trip, especially if you burn easily. Liz loves this Carve Designs rash guard that can be worn in the water or as a quick cover up – swimming is so much more fun when you don’t need to worry about sunburn!
- Snacks & water: There are a couple restaurants and a small store near the ferry port in Koločep, but bringing a couple snacks is a good idea, especially if you’re headed to the ferry early in the morning. We grabbed coffee and a pastry near the ferry port, but you could easily bring your own breakfast onto the ferry.
What to Do on a Koločep Day Trip
We won’t lie, there isn’t a whole lot to do on Koločep, but that’s what makes a visit there so special – you’re more or less forced to relax and enjoy a slower pace of life, even if just for the day.
A typical visit to Koločep might include the following, all of which can be accomplished in a day trip:
- Walk across the island from one side to the other (about 30 minutes each way)
- Swim in serene coves and pebbly beaches on the eastern coast of the island (we recommend Don Đivan).
- Grab lunch by the water at a local restaurant
- Find some shade and relax under the pine trees found all over the island
Again, this isn’t a place with a checklist of attractions – a Koločep day trip is about slowing down, walking, swimming, and taking in the views.
Getting to Koločep from Dubrovnik
Getting to Koločep from Dubrovnik is pretty easy, and you don’t need a car. In fact, cars aren’t allowed on the island!
Ferries to Koločep leave from Gruž Port. Gruž is the main ferry terminal in Dubrovnik, and it’s also where the main bus station is. As a result, no matter where you’re staying in Dubrovnik, it’s easy to reach Gruž.
And, if you’re visiting Dubrovnik by cruise ship, you’ll likely dock in this same area, making a Koločep day trip even easier!
Ferry schedules to Koločep can vary, so it’s best to check the schedule for your visit. The ferry is run by Jadrolinija, which runs many of the ferries in Croatia.
Tickets are very affordable, with a round-trip ferry ride to Koločep costing about 10 euros for adults (less for children). You can buy ferry tickets right at the port, and there is also a small booth on Koločep, if you have any questions for your return trip.
The ferry ride is quick – only about 30 minutes each way – but beautiful, as you sail the beautiful blue Adriatic with mountain and sea views surrounding you.
Our Experience: A Relaxed Koločep Day Trip
Our visit to Koločep started first thing in the morning – we left our apartment rental in Old Town around 8:00am, and walked just outside the Pile Gate to catch a local bus (thanks to our Dubrovnik Pass) to the ferry terminal at Gruž.
After purchasing our ferry tickets and grabbing a coffee and pastry from a nearby cafe, we caught a 9:30am ferry from Gruž Port and enjoyed the scenic ride.
Steve and Zoey soaked up the sun on the upper deck while I (Liz) found a shady corner and ended up chatting with a local Croatian about all kinds of things, but mostly his curiosity about American healthcare and politics. But that’s a story for another blog.
Morning Hike Across the Island
Once the ferry docked, we immediately set off on foot across the island, in search of a quiet place to swim.
The walk took about 30 minutes and was lovely (though warm), with shady stretches and occasional sea views. The sounds of cicadas filled the air – it honestly felt like a soundtrack.
Once we reached the other side of the island (near Don Đivan), we found a small, pebbly beach tucked into a quiet cove.
It was peaceful and uncrowded, and we spent a while swimming, picking out colorful rocks, and soaking up the Adriatic.
While we spent a lot of time swimming in and around Dubrovnik, this one swimming spot stands out as a moment where it really felt like we were living the dream on the Adriatic – a quiet swimming cove with just the right amount of other visitors, and views of boats, the open sea, and beautiful mountains in the backdrop.
Lunch by the Water
After about an hour of swimming, we made our way back to the northern side of the island, close to the ferry port, in search of lunch.
The trek back across the island was much hotter, as we were now walking under the midday sun. We did our best to enjoy the scenery despite the heat.
We dined at Calamotta Fast Food – despite the restaurant’s name, it wasn’t fast food in the McDonald’s sort of sense – but we were served quickly!
We enjoyed sandwiches, salad, and even fresh grilled fish, along with refreshing drinks. It was relaxed and right on the water, and we appreciated the umbrella for shade – a perfect break to our day trip.
One More Swim
After lunch, we took another walk – this time just around the bay near the ferry dock – and jumped in for a second swim.
It was mid afternoon by then, and we were keeping an eye on the ferry schedule. We swam in a spot where we could see the boat coming in, just in case we needed to make a quick dash!
Once we dried off, we stopped at a small convenience store nearby and grabbed ice cream bars to cool off.
Did I mention it was hot? Like, very hot. Water and icy treats are pretty much mandatory for us in those conditions.
Returning to Dubrovnik
Once we grabbed our frozen treats, we found a shaded bench to sit on while we waited for the ferry to arrive.
We caught a ferry back to Dubrovnik around 3:45pm, this time choosing to sit inside for a bit of a reprieve from the late afternoon heat.
The ferry docked in Gruž by 4:15pm, and made our way back to Old Town by public bus. After a quick rest and shower, we were ready to enjoy a beautiful evening in Dubrovnik.
That’s what’s so great about a day trip to Koločep – you can head out in the morning, enjoy some beautiful soft adventure on the island, and be back in time to have a nice dinner in town.
Final Thoughts: Our Koločep Day Trip
If you’re craving a peaceful escape from Dubrovnik’s crowds without giving up a full day of your itinerary, Koločep is a no-brainer. It offers that dreamy blend of soft adventure, natural beauty, and relaxed island vibes – all just a short ferry ride away.
Whether you’re walking forested trails, swimming in quiet coves, or simply sitting in the shade with an ice cream in hand, a Koločep day trip invites you to slow down and savor the Adriatic.
For us, it was a highlight of our time in Croatia, not because it was packed with things to do, but because it wasn’t. Sometimes, the best travel memories come from the places that give you space to just relax and enjoy the moment.