Dubrovnik
With walls of rugged stone, limestone floors, and sunset-hued roof tiles atop every edifice – where laundry blows on gently strung lines above steep narrow streets – where the harmony of a local klapa rises from an invisible dwelling, and ancient fountains flow endlessly with pristine water – Here, a 7th century fortress town Dubrovnik awaits visitors to reveal its magic and its splendor that is at once phantasm, and familiar.
Get acquainted with Dubrovnik……
The old city of Dubrovnik, sits on a peninsula below a steep rocky hillside, jutting out into the translucent blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is recognizable, even to first time visitors. Whether in film, or a breathtaking image, or maybe one’s own imagination – nothing quite captures the perfection of a walled medieval coastal city like the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
Nestled inside of the walls, which wrap the city in their protective embrace, is a place of both enchantment and sophistication, a town seemingly untouched by the modern world. The city can be entered in one of three ways; by sea through the old port, or by foot via one of two draw bridges, each guarded with a characteristic tower gate. This old city is an entirely pedestrian area. Along a flat and central section of the city, running from end to end lies the main street, Placa, known to locals as Stradun. Formerly a natural channel that separated the island of early Dubrovnik from the mainland, it now serves as the central promenade. All roads in the old city lead back to Stradun. The small, twisting streets, leading up or down, or around a bend beckon one to stroll without aim, to get lost, in both time and place, only to discover a new monument, moment or memory.
Dubrovnik offers many vantage points to appreciate its beauty. The distinctive walls are accessible, all 1,940 meters can be walked, providing views of glittering rooftops, private courtyards, meandering streets, or local fisherman swimming out to retrieve their nets. A leisurely walk will take about 2 hours. Along the green and grey slopes cradling the city, a cable car carries visitors to the top of Mt. Srd to an unforgettable panorama of the old city, greater Dubrovnik, and Lokrum island.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, the Old city retains its artistry, and history. The city itself is an exhibit of human craftmanship where inside the walls the Rector’s Palace, the Bell Tower clock, St. Blaise’s Church, the Jewish Synagogue, the Dominican Monastery, and the oldest pharmacy in Europe all await your discovery.
Dubrovnik is no longer a secret, hidden from the awareness of modern travelers, however its artifacts, ambiance, and elegance reveal abundance to be discovered and rediscovered anew.
Things to do in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Beaches
Dubrovnik beckons visitors from around the globe for its history, the beauty of the landscape, the enchantment of the Old Town, the perfect Mediterranean climate and atmosphere, but when you visit do not miss a chance to relax beachside!
Many hotels are built straddling the rocky hillside, some feature a private beach for their guests or direct access to the sea, however Dubrovnik offers a view wonderful public beaches, within easy access to the Old town.
Bellevue Beach – nestled at the base of a rocky bluff, this pebble beach is at the back of a cove, with crystal clear water, perfect for swimming as boats and jet skis cannot enter. It is often not as busy as other beaches because the access can be a bit hidden and it requires climbing down many stairs to reach the beach. The cove, with cliffs on both sides, mean the sun with not reach the beach area in later times of the day, so arrive early to take advantage of the sunlight hours. To access, walk down the path to the left of the Rixos Hotel where you will find stairs leading to the beach.
Banje Beach – A trendy Saint Tropez-style beachfront club within easy access of the Old City. Set at the beachfront with a spectacular view of Old City, Lokrum island, and kayakers passing by. Banje Beach invites visitors to relax on a private lounger, order your favorite beverages from the trendy bar, and relax as a DJ serenades you with pop tunes. The restaurant serves meals and snacks. Bottle service available.
Lokrum Island offers a variety of rocky areas suited for sunbathing and swimming. See below for more details on visiting the island.
Guided Tour of the Old City
The Old City of Dubrovnik requires more than a superficial visit to fully enjoy this majestic icon of European history and culture. We always recommend visitors to Dubrovnik spend time with an expert guide. Not only will they provide you with a deeper understanding of the cities past, the defensive walls, and life over the many eras past, but as a local, they will share their experience living, working and loving this place that is truly unlike any other in the world!
Take a step back in time and enjoy learning about the culture and glorious past of this ancient walled city. The Church of St Blaise, Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Franciscan Monastery, Old Pharmacy, the Jewish Synagogue and Rector’s palace are only some of the rich historical monuments you will enjoy while walking through the old town.
We recommend visiting in the morning, when temperatures are cooler.
Lokrum Island
As you approach the Old city from the south, or walk the walls surrounding it, your attention will be drawn to the small, forested island just offshore. There are no houses, hotels, stores or souvenir shops on Lokrum, just a small restaurant, and an opportunity to explore.
Lokrum Island is an easy day trip from Dubrovnik, lying only 680 meters offshore. Visitors and locals alike come here to swim in the sun and enjoy the idyllic coves tucked among the rocks. Some of the coves are naturist which you can spot when you see the sign “FKK”.
Getting to Lokrum Island is easy. Water taxis depart roughly every half-hour in summer (less often the rest of the year) from Dubrovnik’s Old Port. Enjoy a magnificent view of the walled Old Town on your way to and from the island.
Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik
Author George R.R. Martin’s literary world brought to the screen by HBO, Game of Thrones, created an impressive fantasy world, made up of numerous cities, kingdoms, and palaces across the “Seven Kingdoms of Westeros”. Fans, and casual viewers are often struck by the complex storyline, the costumes, the vast entanglements of the characters, the violence, and the exotic, and breathtaking locations. Of the real-life exotic locals, none has garnered greater attention, and intrigue than Dubrovnik. The fictional “King’s Landing”, which even casual viewers know to be the iconic, Old City of Dubrovnik, is the site of many famous scenes. Fans are intimately familiar with many of the details of the actual Dubrovnik; St. Dominic Street, The Minceta Tower, Ploce Gate, the Ethnographic museum, Fort Lovrijenac, St. Blaise’s Church and Rector’s Palace.
Guided walking tours are available for an overview of locations within the Old City. Nearby Lokrum island, and Trsteno Arboretum were also locations used for filming.
Dubrovnik Cable Car
Take the Dubrovnik Cable Car a short ride up to the top of Mt. Srd for breathtaking views of the Old City, greater Dubrovnik, the expansive blue Adriatic Sea, and nearby islands. This viewpoint provides an incredible photo opportunity. At the top, there is a restaurant where you can have a meal, drink, or snack, along with a souvenir shop. The Dubrovnik Cable Car is located a just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town and runs frequently between 9:00am and 8:00pm.
The cost per adult roundtrip is 100 kunas (about $18) and you can even buy tickets in advance online.
Address: Petra Kresimira 4, Tel: +385 20 325 393
Excursions
Hotels in Dubrovnik
Accommodations in Dubrovnik range from 5-star luxury seaside hotels, to charming heritage B&B’s, and elegant private villas. Your team at Tasteful Croatian Journeys presents recommendations based on the specific needs of our travelers, the size of the party, the dates of travel, budget, and the desired experience. We have many great options for our travelers staying in Dubrovnik and are sure to have the perfect property for each guest.
Read about the Excelsior Dubrovnik here in our blog.
Restaurants in Dubrovnik
A dynamic city with a vibrant restaurant scene, there are few better places to experience the diversity of Croatian cuisine than Dubrovnik. Here you can explore not only the fresh seafood characteristic of southern Dalmatia, but also national dishes which hail from farther north, and a number of wonderful fusion or international restaurants which draw influence from the city’s many visitors. Many of Dubrovnik’s best restaurants are conveniently located in or nearby the Old Town, however, if staying a bit longer, do not ignore the opportunity to venture further afield. There are delights to be found throughout this fascinating city.
For the ultimate in fine dining, visit Michelin starred Restaurant 360° whose prime location atop the city’s medieval walls offers elegant ambiance and spectacular views. Another fine dining favorite is sophisticated seafood restaurant Nautika, where patrons can dine on the day’s fresh catch while listening to the waves break below.
Sample creative yet unpretentious modern cuisine at Restaurant Pantarul (‘fork’ in English), a fashionable bistro located in Lapad, a short distance away from the bustle of the Old Town.
Your Tasteful Croatian Journeys team provides our curated guide with a complete list of our favorite restaurants, cafes, bars, markets, and bakeries, included with your travel documents.
Your Tasteful Croatian Journeys Concierge is at your service to arrange reservations and ensure the optimal seating and time for the best experience!
Weather in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a city to be enjoyed in all seasons.
Winters are mild, tempered by the Adriatic it will not get too cold, but you will want to bundle up and prepare for some rain. We have seen snow in the in the Old City, a truly beautiful sight. New Year celebrations are magical here – the city is quiet and calm, locals gather and rejoice in celebration together with classical concerts and performances outdoors along the Strudan.
Spring typically arrives in March, expect to see some rain showers, but overall is weather is again mild.
We love to be in Croatia for the Easter Celebrations. Late spring is a wonderful time for those who prefer temperatures that are warm but not hot.
Summers in Dubrovnik are sunny and warm and can be quite hot. Along the coast you will enjoy the cooling Adriatic breezes. Evening temperatures do cool down, you may need to bring a wrap or sweater while out in the evening, especially near the coast. The long, hot days are perfect for playing in the sea, the water temperature stays refreshing all summer.
Fall is an amazing time, still warm and often sunny, but with cooler days. The Autumn brings winds, which at times can be quite strong on the sea. These winds are famous in Croatia, Captains are very familiar with the seasonal winds, and know how to navigate the changing conditions. Fall is also a time of harvest, with may celebrations to enjoy!
