Journey Information to Dubrovnik, Croatia

With its terracotta-tiled roofs, stone partitions, picturesque views of the Adriatic Sea, and an attention-grabbing mixture of Baroque, Romanesque, and Renaissance structure, Dubrovnik is likely one of the most recognizable locations in Croatia. It’s additionally famously residence to a UNESCO World Heritage Web site — the Outdated City obtained the designation in 1979 — and has been awarded the nickname the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

For Joško Leoni, the proprietor of Sea Enjoyable Dubrovnik and admin of the Fb group Dubrovnik Croatia Journey 2025, it’s a particular place for just a few causes, together with its majestic metropolis partitions (which encompass the Outdated City), the small, cobblestoned streets, the distinctive rooftops that distinction with the blue sea, and, in fact, the individuals. Given its many distinctive options, Dubrovnik is way from a journey secret. In recent times, town has even skilled over-tourism, primarily as a result of its function as a significant filming location for HBO’s Sport of Thrones. That mentioned, vacationers ought to make it a degree to go to respectfully; plan a visit for the low season, assist native companies, and goal to discover exterior of the Outdated City.

Learn on to find extra ideas and native suggestions to your journey to Dubrovnik.

Greatest Motels

Lodge Excelsior Dubrovnik

Previous visitors at Lodge Excelsior Dubrovnik embrace ​​Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor, so it ought to come as no shock that it’s the most effective within the metropolis. By reserving one of many 158 rooms and suites, says Leoni, you’ll get to “get up and look out the window or over the balcony [and] admire the great thing about the Outdated Metropolis and the Adriatic Sea.” The lodge is a brief stroll from the Metropolis Partitions, however remember to go away time in your schedule to discover the property; there are gardens, a seashore, a spa, an indoor swimming pool, and three eating places.

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

One other property near the Outdated City comes really useful by Josip Carević, a captain for Dubrovnik Boats. Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is housed in a constructing that dates again to 1897, but it surely has all the trendy facilities vital for a snug keep. There’s an indoor pool, spa, and health heart, plus an on-site Mediterranean restaurant, Imperial Terrace, and a ​​bar with outside seating and views of Fort Lovrijenac and town partitions. Notice: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is closed till March 3, 2025 for renovations.

Lodge Bellevue Dubrovnik

A part of the Adriatic Luxurious Motels hospitality group, Lodge Bellevue is likely one of the sibling properties of Lodge Excelsior (in addition to Lodge Dubrovnik Palace and Lodge Kompas Dubrovnik). The boutique lodge leans a bit extra up to date than Excelsior, and its 91 rooms and suites are gentle and ethereal; lots of them even include non-public balconies. In the event you’re visiting within the hotter months, head right down to the pebble seashore on the base of the cliffs, accessed by way of the lodge’s non-public panoramic carry.

Issues to Do

Go to Outdated City and stroll alongside town partitions.

Based on Carević, each the Outdated City and its metropolis partitions are a “must-see.” The partitions, which had been constructed between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries, enclose Outdated City in its entirety. As you stroll them, Andrea Lovric, a concierge from Lodge Bellevue Dubrovnik, notes you’ll get wonderful  “views of the terracotta rooftops, the glowing Adriatic, and the encircling fortifications.” Leoni additionally suggests retaining an eye fixed out for Minčeta Fortress and Fort Lovrijenac, particularly — each of which appeared in Sport of Thrones. Different highlights inside Outdated City, significantly for followers of the HBO present, embrace the Jesuit Staircase (the place Cersei Lannister’s “Stroll of Disgrace” scene was filmed), the Ploče Gate, and St. Dominic Avenue. The latter connects Ploče Gate with Stradun, the principle road within the Outdated City.

Journey the cable automotive to Mount Srđ.

“For the most effective views of Dubrovnik and its environment, take the cable automotive to the highest of Mount Srđ. It’s the right spot to observe the sundown and revel in a meal at Panorama Restaurant,” says Lovrić. Tickets might be bought on the cable automotive stations. Subsequent to the cable automotive cease, you’ll discover Panorama Zipline Dubrovnik. “I’d suggest their sundown tour, the place after an unforgettable zipline expertise, they’ll take you to get pleasure from a glass of wine from probably the most lovely place within the metropolis for the sundown,” says Leoni.

Take a ferry to Lokrum Island.

“Lokrum, with its nice and distant historical past courting again greater than 1,000 years, is certainly one of many locations you will need to go to if you come to our metropolis,” says Leoni. There are common sailings from the Outdated City port, and the journey prices seven euros and lasts about quarter-hour. He describes Lokrum as a “place from a fairy story,” one the place you’ll encounter peacocks, unbelievable views (particularly from the highest of Fort Royal Fort), and pockets of pure magnificence. You’ll want to carry your swimsuit, too; the Lifeless Sea, a salt lake on the heart of the island, is a superb spot for swimming and sunbathing. Lokrum can also be one other GOT filming location; followers could acknowledge it as town of Qarth.

Plan a day journey to Ston.

“Simply an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik, Ston is legendary for its salt pans and world-class oysters,” says Lovrić. “A go to to an oyster farm in Mali Ston affords a novel alternative to style a number of the freshest oysters straight from the ocean, paired with native wine.”

Discover the Elafit Islands.

Each Carević and Leoni suggest heading out to the Elafites, an archipelago made up of 13 islands (although Leoni notes that probably the most well-known are Koločep, Lopud, And Šipan). The islands are a few 20-minute trip from Dubrovnik and might be reached by ferry, tour boat, or non-public boat. “It is an ideal approach to loosen up whereas swimming, snorkeling, and island-hopping. You possibly can discover hidden caves and secluded seashores, in addition to have lunch in one of many eating places,” says Carević. A few sights so as to add to your itinerary, as recommended by Leoni, embrace the Blue Cave on Koločep and Šunj Seashore on Lopud, the place he says it should really feel “as in case you are within the Maldives.”

Greatest Purchasing

Kawa

Anybody available in the market for a domestically made memento ought to cease into Kawa, housed in a transformed storage exterior of Ploče Gate. “It is usually a spot for all digital nomads the place they’ll come and sit for a espresso and do their work,” says Leoni.

Clara Stones

Trying to find handmade jewellery to mark your time in Dubrovnik? Lovrić recommends Clara Stones, which he says focuses on coral and pearl items. The shop, situated proper off of Stradun, is a real jewel field, with wood beams, an enormous chandelier, and instances of beautiful necklaces, rings, pendants, and extra.

Mala Spenza

As any skilled traveler will let you know, the small, native grocery shops usually have the most effective finds. Take Mala Spenza, for instance. “It’s a retailer that primarily has merchandise produced within the countryside. You’ll find native merchandise similar to selfmade cheeses, meat that’s significantly better than in large shops, selfmade olive oil that’s usually rated with gold plaques, and dried meat merchandise of Croatian autochthonous manufacturing,” says Leoni.

Artwork Gallery Talir

“For all those that wish to purchase a novel native memento, I’d single out the Talir gallery situated within the metropolis heart,” says Leoni. “They promote handmade souvenirs, similar to magnets of town of Dubrovnik, small wood boats, and photos of town of Dubrovnik made by the son of the proprietor of the gallery, Maro Cetinić.”

Greatest Eating places

Panorama Restaurant & Bar

“Panorama Restaurant on the Srđ hill is actually some of the well-known eating places in Dubrovnik,” says Leoni. The enviable location provides approach to what he describes as “a wonderful view of the Outdated Metropolis, the Adriatic Sea, and the islands.” Truthful warning: “Their restaurant is booked months prematurely and I like to recommend you contact them properly prematurely of your arrival to order your desk,” he says.

Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant

Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant is a best choice for Carević, who calls it the “greatest quality-price ratio restaurant in Dubrovnik.” The Mediterranean menu options dishes similar to squid, fish stew, and octopus salad,  and in the event you can snag a desk on the terrace, you’ll get to get pleasure from your meal with unbeatable views of the Outdated Metropolis Port.

Konoba Pjatanca

“I’m actually an individual who sticks to custom, and I’d single out Restaurant Konoba Pjatanca,” says Leoni. “It’s the oldest restaurant on the Ploče Gate and the one restaurant that gives the normal peka dish in your complete Outdated Metropolis space.” Constituted of lamb, veal, or octopus and ready with greens and potatoes, peka, he explains, is positioned “underneath a steel lid or bell then coated with sizzling coals and fireplace and baked for 2 to a few hours.”

Restaurant 360

“This Michelin-starred restaurant affords distinctive Mediterranean delicacies with a artistic twist. Positioned alongside the Outdated City partitions, on a rooftop terrace, it combines culinary artistry with a spectacular ambiance,” says Lovrić. Restaurant 360 affords tasting menus and a la carte choices, all of which function a variety of contemporary seafood and native flavors.

Greatest Time to Go to

The overall consensus from the locals we spoke with was that the most effective time to go to Dubrovnik is both late spring or early autumn. In Could, June, September, and October, says Lovrić, “the climate is heat however not overly sizzling, the crowds are manageable, and the Adriatic Sea is ideal for swimming.” If doable, keep away from touring to Dubrovnik in July and August. This time of yr, says Leoni, “town is usually crowded and there are large crowds, particularly on town partitions and within the Outdated Metropolis.” Notice that some points of interest and eating places could shut seasonally, so examine their dates earlier than you propose.

The way to Get There

Dubrovnik isn’t the simplest European metropolis to get to for vacationers flying from the U.S. There are at the moment no direct flights to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), and you may anticipate at the very least one or two layovers in cities similar to London, Frankfurt, Munich, or Vienna. Alternatively, it’s doable to e-book a global flight to Croatia’s Zagreb Airport (ZAG), then hop on an hour-long home flight — by way of Croatia Airways — to DBV. Taking the bus from Zagreb to Dubrovnik is another choice; this leg of the journey sometimes takes between 8.5 and 10.5 hours.

The way to Get Round

In the event you’re visiting Dubrovnik, you’ll wish to pack your strolling sneakers. “It’s small — round 40,000 individuals stay right here — however vibrant and simply accessible to discover by simply strolling round,” says Carević, who provides that town can also be “properly linked with native buses that run each 10 to fifteen minutes, relying on location.” And in the event you’re contemplating driving? You might wish to rethink your plan. Public parking close to the Outdated City might be onerous to seek out (the world itself is car-free), and Leoni warns it’s “overpriced.” “It’s cheaper to make use of Uber or a taxi than to pay for only one hour of parking,” he says.