There are plenty of day trip options should you ever get bored of Dubrovnik. Not that that's especially likely - let's face it! - but if you're in the city of an extended period of time, you may like to consider some of the options below for a change of scene.

If you're in Dubrovnik, you're lucky to have a number of daytrip options - from trips to nearby islands as Lokrum and the Elaphite islands to those a little further afield, as well as to other towns along the coastline.

The island of Lokrum
Lokrum is one of the easiest day trips to make if you're in Dubrovnik – if you're there, you see yourself how close the island is! It's an ideal place for a day trip, especially so when the crowds in Dubrovnik become just a little too much.

Covered in pine trees, the island is an ideal place to spend a relaxing day – or few hours – sunbathing and swimming. There are also a few sights on the island if you don't want to be entirely idle. There are various paths through the island if you want to wonder through the vegetation, and there's a botanical garden in the middle of the island and the ruins of a monastery nearby as well.

To get to Lokrum, there are boats that depart every half an hour (during high season) from the port in the Old Town. The journey takes 15 minutes. Make sure you know when the last boat back is!

Cavtat
Cavtat can be easily reached from Dubrovnik using the local bus route no. 10, with buses running approximately every half an hour throughout the day. See full timetable at the Dubrovnik Bus Station website.

A wonderful small little seaside town, Cavtat again provides welcome relief from Dubrovnik's crowds and its pleasant harbour provides an excellent place to relax in one of its cafes or restaurants. There are also some impressive sights here, including the Rector's Palace (Knezev Dvor) and the Racic Mausoleum in the town's cemetary which was designed by famed Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic and built in 1921 from the white stone of the island of Brac. The Mausoleum serves as a tomb for the wealthy then-local Racic family, and Mestrovic is said to have designed it upon the request of his rumoured amour, Marija Racic. Inside hangs a bell upon which is engraved the message "Understand the mystery of love and you will understand the mystery of death and believe life is eternal."

Cavtat is in fact a holiday resort in its own right, so you may also want to consider basing yourself there as an alternative to Dubrovnik. The town has a number of small and larger hotels, including those offering all-inclusive package deals.

The Elaphite Islands
The Elaphite Islands (or Elafiti islands) are a small group of islands to the north of Dubrovnik, with the main three - the islands that are inhabited - being Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep.

Any one of the three main Elaphite islands allow for a pleasant day trip, with small villages, beaches and a few architectural sights. Each also has a cafe or restaurant or two for eating options. Sipan is the largest of the three, though all are reasonably quiet with only a small population.

The best way of reaching the Elaphite islands is with one of the several, daily Jadrolinija ferries. This ferry runs from Dubrovnik's main port to Kolocep, on to Lopud, and then on to Sudurad on Sipan. There are return ferries later on in the day as well.

The Nona Ana catamaran also runs from Dubrovnik to Sipanska Luka on Sipan, though not at times that would be suitable for a day trip.

The Island of Mljet
Mljet is a beautifully tranquil, properly unspoilt island, and well worth a day trip even if it's slightly further away than the options mentioned above. The majority of the island is covered with thick forest, and western part of the island is a National Park.

Mljet

Explore the lakes Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero ("Big Lake" and "Small Lake") within the National Park, as well as enjoying the nature and wildlife of the park and island in general.

Best tip is to hire bikes to cycle around Mljet - not only is it one of the easiest ways of getting around, but as the island is so peaceful it's great fun cycling around!

The best way of getting from Dubrvonik to Sobra on Mljet is with the Nona Ana catamaran, which runs daily. The catamaran departs Dubrovnik early in the morning and there's a return in the late afternoon, meaning a full round trip in one day is possible. Journey time is one hour. The catamaran also goes on to Polace (during the summer months) which is within the National Park; journey time to here is 1 hour 50 minutes.

Otherwise, Jadrolinija ferries also operate this route though their timings mean a day trip isn't quite possible. However, check their website for timetables.