Dubrovnik and island itinerary in 4 nights?

[DubrovnikNewbies]

Two adults hoping to swim and chill and look at pretty beaches and unbusy small town sights in early/mid May. Flying in and out of Dubrovnik. Public transport only, 4 nights in total over there. Love to hear any recommendations.

Have we got time to make it out to a pretty island to swim and stay a night (heard good things of Mljet?) and will the island ferries be running yet and places to eat out be open in May?

There’s a great boat trip you can go which takes in the 3 elephiti islands, we did that the first time we went to Dubrovnik and fell in love with one of the islands so then returned the following year to stay there for a week. It was excellent value as included a decent lunch drinks and plenty of time on each island, it was called Dubrovnik Island Tours. Uber is super easy to use there and really reasonable, we did also use the bus. I absolutely love Croatia and am planning a short break to Dubrovnik with my daughter in early July. So many lovely places to eat and the old town is beautiful. Enjoy!

Following! This would be a dream of mine

I'd absolutely love this too, so following for information 😀

We both love sea swimming but hate the scorching temperatures....we would ideally go in September...

You must go to Cavtat. About 30minutes away. Be warned, we’ve been to Croatia a couple of times, it’s now far from the cheap break it used to be.

Went two years ago with DS 19 last week in April. We stayed outside the old town, overlooking the bigger port. Local buses good when the walk back was not appealing. Restaurants were all open but seating outside was clearly just starting. 1st cruise ship of the year came in while we were there. Temp was 24 all 4 days. We did the 3 island boat trip and swam in the sea. Swam in unheated hotel pool every day.
We didn't find it expensive. A bowl of squid ink risotto sitting in a square in the old town was £16.
For tranquility in the old town or shade after walking the walls, the Monastery with first pharmacy has a lovely courtyard.

Thank you all very much! Really appreciate these tips; going to look them all up. Glad you have all had good trips in this area

We stayed in Kolocep for 3 nights. No cars, one restaurant close by and fantastic snorkeling. 1/2 nights would be perfect.

I'm taking DD here for 4 nights post GCSEs in July, so this is really interesting

We flew into Dubrovnik and stayed in a lovely Airbnb in Mlini which is small and pretty with some nice restaurants and, crucially, far cheaper than Dubrovnik. Everything is pebble beach, just to warn you. Buses ran regularly into Dubrovnik and on to Cavtat and there is a big island you can get to by water taxi from Dubrovnik. You can also take a water taxi back to Mlini from Dubrovnik too.

As a pp has said, Croatia isn't cheap. Our Airbnb hosts said prices rocketed the moment they entered the Euro.