Journey Information to Dubrovnik, Croatia

With its terracotta-tiled roofs, stone partitions, picturesque views of the Adriatic Sea, and an fascinating mixture of Baroque, Romanesque, and Renaissance structure, Dubrovnik is among the most recognizable locations in Croatia. It’s additionally famously house to a UNESCO World Heritage Web site — the Previous City acquired 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 a couple of causes, together with its majestic metropolis partitions (which encompass the Previous City), the small, cobblestoned streets, the distinctive rooftops that distinction with the blue sea, and, after all, the folks. Given its many distinctive options, Dubrovnik is much from a journey secret. Lately, town has even skilled over-tourism, primarily as a result of its function as a serious filming location for HBO’s Recreation of Thrones. That mentioned, vacationers ought to make it some extent to go to respectfully; plan a visit for the low season, assist native companies, and goal to discover exterior of the Previous City.

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

Greatest Resorts

Resort Excelsior Dubrovnik

Previous visitors at Resort Excelsior Dubrovnik embrace ​​Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor, so it ought to come as no shock that it’s among the best 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 fantastic thing about the Previous 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 Previous 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, nevertheless it has all the trendy facilities vital for a cushty keep. There’s an indoor pool, spa, and health heart, plus an on-site Mediterranean restaurant, Imperial Terrace, and a ​​bar with out of doors seating and views of Fort Lovrijenac and town partitions. Be aware: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is closed till March 3, 2025 for renovations.

Resort Bellevue Dubrovnik

A part of the Adriatic Luxurious Resorts hospitality group, Resort Bellevue is among the sibling properties of Resort Excelsior (in addition to Resort Dubrovnik Palace and Resort Kompas Dubrovnik). The boutique lodge leans a bit extra modern than Excelsior, and its 91 rooms and suites are gentle and ethereal; a lot of them even include non-public balconies. For those who’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 elevate.

Issues to Do

Go to Previous City and stroll alongside town partitions.

In accordance with Carević, each the Previous City and its metropolis partitions are a “must-see.” The partitions, which had been constructed between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries, enclose Previous City in its entirety. As you stroll them, Andrea Lovric, a concierge from Resort Bellevue Dubrovnik, notes you’ll get superb  “views of the terracotta rooftops, the glowing Adriatic, and the encompassing fortifications.” Leoni additionally suggests preserving an eye fixed out for Minčeta Fortress and Fort Lovrijenac, specifically — each of which appeared in Recreation of Thrones. Different highlights inside Previous 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 primary road within the Previous 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 proper spot to observe the sundown and luxuriate in a meal at Panorama Restaurant,” says Lovrić. Tickets could be bought on the cable automotive stations. Subsequent to the cable automotive cease, you’ll discover Panorama Zipline Dubrovnik. “I might 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 relationship again greater than 1,000 years, is unquestionably one of many locations you have to go to while you come to our metropolis,” says Leoni. There are common sailings from the Previous 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, unimaginable views (particularly from the highest of Fort Royal Citadel), and pockets of pure magnificence. Remember to convey 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 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 known for its salt pans and world-class oysters,” says Lovrić. “A go to to an oyster farm in Mali Ston gives a singular alternative to style among 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 journey from Dubrovnik and could be reached by ferry, tour boat, or non-public boat. “It is an ideal strategy to loosen up whereas swimming, snorkeling, and island-hopping. You may 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 Seaside on Lopud, the place he says it’s going to really feel “as if you’re within the Maldives.”

Greatest Buying

Kawa

Anybody out there 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 will 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, positioned proper off of Stradun, is a real jewel field, with picket beams, an enormous chandelier, and circumstances of attractive 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 will discover native merchandise equivalent to do-it-yourself cheeses, meat that’s a lot better than in huge shops, do-it-yourself 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 singular native memento, I might single out the Talir gallery positioned within the metropolis heart,” says Leoni. “They promote handmade souvenirs, equivalent to magnets of town of Dubrovnik, small picket boats, and footage 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 definitely some of the well-known eating places in Dubrovnik,” says Leoni. The enviable location provides strategy to what he describes as “a wonderful view of the Previous Metropolis, the Adriatic Sea, and the islands.” Truthful warning: “Their restaurant is booked months prematurely and I like to recommend you contact them effectively 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 “finest quality-price ratio restaurant in Dubrovnik.” The Mediterranean menu options dishes equivalent to squid, fish stew, and octopus salad,  and when you can snag a desk on the terrace, you’ll get to get pleasure from your meal with unbeatable views of the Previous Metropolis Port.

Konoba Pjatanca

“I’m definitely an individual who sticks to custom, and I might single out Restaurant Konoba Pjatanca,” says Leoni. “It’s the oldest restaurant on the Ploče Gate and the one restaurant that provides the normal peka dish in your entire Previous Metropolis space.” Constructed from lamb, veal, or octopus and ready with greens and potatoes, peka, he explains, is positioned “below a steel lid or bell then coated with sizzling coals and fireplace and baked for 2 to 3 hours.”

Restaurant 360

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

Greatest Time to Go to

The final 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 Might, 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 potential, keep away from touring to Dubrovnik in July and August. This time of 12 months, says Leoni, “town is commonly crowded and there are huge crowds, particularly on town partitions and within the Previous Metropolis.” Be aware that some sights and eating places could shut seasonally, so verify their dates earlier than you propose.

The way to Get There

Dubrovnik isn’t the best 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 not less than one or two layovers in cities equivalent to London, Frankfurt, Munich, or Vienna. Alternatively, it’s potential to guide 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

For those who’re visiting Dubrovnik, you’ll wish to pack your strolling footwear. “It’s small — round 40,000 folks dwell right here — however vibrant and simply accessible to discover by simply strolling round,” says Carević, who provides that town can be “effectively related with native buses that run each 10 to fifteen minutes, relying on location.” And when you’re contemplating driving? It’s possible you’ll wish to rethink your plan. Public parking close to the Previous City could be exhausting to search out (the realm 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.