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 likely one of the most recognizable locations in Croatia. It’s additionally famously house to a UNESCO World Heritage Website — 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, in fact, the folks. Given its many distinctive options, Dubrovnik is much from a journey secret. Lately, the town has even skilled over-tourism, primarily as a consequence of its function as a serious 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, help native companies, and purpose to discover outdoors of the Previous City.

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

Greatest Resorts

Lodge Excelsior Dubrovnik

Previous company at Lodge Excelsior Dubrovnik embrace ​​Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor, so it ought to come as no shock that it’s among the finest 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 Previous Metropolis and the Adriatic Sea.” The resort is a brief stroll from the Metropolis Partitions, however you’ll want 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 beneficial 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 fashionable facilities essential 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 the town partitions. Notice: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is closed till March 3, 2025 for renovations.

Lodge Bellevue Dubrovnik

A part of the Adriatic Luxurious Resorts 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 resort leans a bit extra modern than Excelsior, and its 91 rooms and suites are mild and ethereal; a lot of them even include personal 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 through the resort’s personal panoramic elevate.

Issues to Do

Go to Previous City and stroll alongside the town partitions.

Based on Carević, each the Previous City and its metropolis partitions are a “must-see.” The partitions, which have been constructed between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries, enclose Previous 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 a watch out for Minčeta Fortress and Fort Lovrijenac, particularly — each of which appeared in Sport of Thrones. Different highlights inside Previous City, notably 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 Road. The latter connects Ploče Gate with Stradun, the primary avenue 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 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 advocate their sundown tour, the place after an unforgettable zipline expertise, they are going to take you to get pleasure from a glass of wine from essentially the most stunning 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 unquestionably one of many locations you have to go to whenever 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, unbelievable views (particularly from the highest of Fort Royal Fortress), and pockets of pure magnificence. Be sure you carry your swimsuit, too; the Lifeless Sea, a salt lake on the heart of the island, is a good spot for swimming and sunbathing. Lokrum can also be one other GOT filming location; followers might acknowledge it as the 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 affords a novel alternative to style a few of the freshest oysters straight from the ocean, paired with native wine.”

Discover the Elafit Islands.

Each Carević and Leoni advocate heading out to the Elafites, an archipelago made up of 13 islands (although Leoni notes that essentially 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 personal boat. “It is an ideal technique to chill out 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 urged by Leoni, embrace the Blue Cave on Koločep and Šunj Seaside on Lopud, the place he says it’s going to really feel “as in case you are within the Maldives.”

Greatest Buying

Kawa

Anybody out there for a regionally made memento ought to cease into Kawa, housed in a transformed storage outdoors of Ploče Gate. “It’s also 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 wood beams, an enormous chandelier, and circumstances of attractive necklaces, rings, pendants, and extra.

Mala Spenza

As any skilled traveler will inform you, the small, native grocery shops typically have the most effective finds. Take Mala Spenza, for instance. “It’s a retailer that primarily has merchandise produced within the countryside. Yow will discover native merchandise similar to do-it-yourself cheeses, meat that’s a lot better than in massive shops, do-it-yourself olive oil that’s typically 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 positioned within the metropolis heart,” says Leoni. “They promote handmade souvenirs, similar to magnets of the town of Dubrovnik, small wood boats, and footage of the 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 probably the most well-known eating places in Dubrovnik,” says Leoni. The enviable location provides technique to what he describes as “a ravishing view of the Previous Metropolis, the Adriatic Sea, and the islands.” Honest warning: “Their restaurant is booked months prematurely and I like to recommend you contact them nicely 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 similar 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 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 provides the normal peka dish in all the Previous Metropolis space.” Comprised of lamb, veal, or octopus and ready with greens and potatoes, peka, he explains, is positioned “below a steel lid or bell then lined with scorching coals and hearth and baked for 2 to a few hours.”

Restaurant 360

“This Michelin-starred restaurant affords distinctive Mediterranean delicacies with a inventive twist. Positioned alongside the Previous 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 spread of contemporary 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 scorching, the crowds are manageable, and the Adriatic Sea is ideal for swimming.” If attainable, keep away from touring to Dubrovnik in July and August. This time of yr, says Leoni, “the town is usually crowded and there are massive crowds, particularly on the town partitions and within the Previous Metropolis.” Notice that some sights and eating places might shut seasonally, so test their dates earlier than you propose.

The best way to Get There

Dubrovnik isn’t the best European metropolis to get to for vacationers flying from the U.S. There are presently no direct flights to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), and you’ll count on at the least one or two layovers in cities similar to London, Frankfurt, Munich, or Vienna. Alternatively, it’s attainable to guide a global flight to Croatia’s Zagreb Airport (ZAG), then hop on an hour-long home flight — through 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 best way to Get Round

In the event you’re visiting Dubrovnik, you’ll wish to pack your strolling footwear. “It’s small — round 40,000 folks stay right here — however vibrant and simply accessible to discover by simply strolling round,” says Carević, who provides that the town can also be “nicely 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 might be onerous to search 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.