Casa Oliva

Zaton, Dubrovnik is a wonderful holiday location where you can enjoy the best of both worlds. You are just 8km from the city walls which you can visit by bus if you don’t want to take the car yet this lovely villa is located amongst pine forests and calm, peaceful nature. You can take many excursions during your holiday, including an Ultimate Game of Thrones Tour in Dubrovnik, cave and beach tours, sea kayaking tours, visits to the Elafiti Islands, buggy safaris, and more.

Thanks to Zaton’s sheltered location in the beautiful Zaton Bay and its beautiful sandy and rocky beaches, Zaton has been and is a favourite resort for Dubrovnik residents. It has been a holiday resort since the early times of the Republic of Ragusa in the early 15th century. Almost every noble Dubrovnik family had their summer house built in Zaton. Many Renaissance houses were destroyed, but some have been preserved and restored. When staying in Zaton, you should visit Vrelo, a local spring of drinkable water that used to power the mills. You can also take a scenic walk uphill to the village of Podbrezje or visit the Mociljska Cave with its stalactites and stalagmites. A delightful promenade links Mali Zatona in Veliki Zaton. There are no big hotels in this lovely area to spoil the landscapes and seascapes. You will discover a welcome array of shops and restaurants as well as an excellent bakery. You will be able to taste delicious local wines. The 3 km Zaton Bay is delightful. It is easy to hire a speed boat or kayaks to explore the calm waters and enjoy beautiful views. Zaton is close to the pristine Elafiti Islands, which can be reached from Zaton Mali by boat. Zaton is known for its typical Dalmatian architecture, unspoilt nature, rich cultural and historical heritage, and beautiful scenery. Remnants of life and culture in Zaton date from the beginning of the Bronze age. The town enjoys some fabulous buildings and remnants, including St Nicholas Church, built at the end of the 11th century. Venetians and Liburnian tombs and boats built the Kastelina tower at the end of the 16th century.

Zaton is a refreshing alternative to escape the city crowds and soak in the grand bay and pine-clad hills. 

Just north of Zaton, you will discover the historic village of Orasac. This beautiful village enjoys a fascinating history, pretty, ancient buildings, a pretty beach and a wonderful, authentic atmosphere. Its narrow, meandering streets are full of pretty flowers, shops, restaurants and beautiful buildings, and its hilltops are swathed in olive and orange groves and vineyards. Orasac’s 15th century Our Lady of Orasac Church is beautiful, and its Arapovo Castle hangs above the Adriatic. Surrounding the village are family farms where olive oil is still pressed traditionally. The Dubrovnik Sun Gardens are very popular for an afternoon or day with their private beach, beautiful watersports, excellent delicious cocktails, and tasty meals. Orasac is one of the prettiest spots on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, nestled at the foot of Vracevo Brdo, otherwise known as the Sorcerer’s Hill.

The Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik, is a twenty-minute bus ride or car journey from the villa. Visitors are entranced by this magical city and its thick walls. The Stradun, its main thoroughfare, is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants, and the city boasts many ancient churches, monasteries and palaces. There is a fantastic atmosphere at the charming, bustling marina and port where you can dine alfresco and take numerous boat trips. Dubrovnik is an up-market destination enjoying huge popularity and a fantastic gastronomic scene. There are three entrances to the walled city, including Pile, the main gate, Placa by the port, and Buze. With its unparalleled beauty and proud history, the Old City has always inspired artists. Authors have created timeless poetry, painters have brought the city’s landscapes to life, and sculptors have formed stone into delicate figures. These noble stone walls have also inspired many composers, including Luka Sorkocevic, one of the kings of Dubrovnik composers. The Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra frequently performs his works in one of the city's ambient venues, and his brilliant pieces are brought to life in the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. If you get a chance to listen to the melodies in the Rector’s Palace, you will enjoy an unforgettable experience. Visitors can take a ferry to Lokrum Island between May and September, brimming with fragrant pine trees, lush grassy picnic areas and hundreds of birds chirping away.

The delightful resort of Stikovica is next to Zaton, snuggled on the gorgeous Dalmatian coastline between Orasac and Dubrovnik. It is another beautiful spot with breathtaking views over the shimmering blue waters and encased in greenery.

The amazing Arboretum Trsteno is within easy reach of the villa and is worth visiting. It is the oldest renaissance garden in Dalmatia. It developed from a park surrounding the summer residence of the Gucetic-Gozze family and existed as far back as 1492. The gardens are stunning with Japanese banana trees, bougainvillaea, evergreen magnolia, many types of cactus and other exotic plants. It also includes many old stone sculptures and has been used to film Game of Thrones.