Elaphiti Islands

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The Elaphiti Islands are situated towards the south east of Croatia.
The Elaphiti Islands are situated towards the south east of Croatia.
A view of Ruda Island from Lopud island.
A view of Ruda Island from Lopud island.

The Elaphiti Islands (or Elafiti) are a group of islands situated northwest of Dubrovnik in the Adriatic sea. The name is of Greek origin for Deer Archipelago (gk. elafos – deer). Pliny the Elder was the first scholar to mention the islands in his work Naturalis Historia.

Altogether the Elafits cover less than 30 square kilometers and are inhabited by under a thousand people.

Three main islands:

  • Šipan – largest island and most heavily settled
  • Lopud – has large hotel
  • Koločep – main settlement is Donje Čelo

Other smaller islands:

  • Daksa – in front of Dubrovnik’s port Gruž
  • Sv. Andrija – unpopulated rocky island with lighthouse
  • Ruda - pictured
  • Mišnjak
  • Jakljan – has children’s rest and recreation center
  • Kosmeč
  • Goleč
  • Crkvine
  • Tajan
  • Olipa – western most island

Greater Dubrovnik island:

  • Lokrum – some consider it part of the Elafits