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This coastal paradise by the Adriatic Sea is a living monument to its medieval past. The city is a treasure trove of historical landmarks, natural beauty and outdoor escapes which can be enjoyed year-round. Discover all Dubrovnik has to offer…
By Mary Novakovich
A walk around Dubrovnik’s medieval and Renaissance city walls opens the door into history. Enter the Old Town via the 15th-century Pile Gate, and as you walk past a sea of terracotta rooftops below, you’ll come to several old forts, including St John’s Fort and Bokar Fort, before reaching the highest point, Minčeta Fort, which Game of Thrones fans will recognise. Your ticket includes entrance to the hulking medieval Fort Lovrijenac near the Pile Gate.
Back in the car-free Old Town, stroll along the gleaming marble Stradun thoroughfare past Venetian stone townhouses with their distinctive green shutters. At the end is the magnificent 15th-century Rector’s Palace, home to the Cultural History Museum. Then leave via the Ploče Gate to see the Lazareti, the 17th-century quarantine hospital that’s now a major arts centre. For more recent history, visit the evocative Museum of the Croatian War of Independence on Mount Srd.
(Image credit: Julien Duval)
Hop on the boat at Dubrovnik’s Old Port to the island of Lokrum, a delightful place of botanical gardens, olive groves, a Benedictine monastery, a tranquil saltwater lake, rocky beaches and a resident population of peacocks. Slow down the pace when you visit the sleepy Elaphiti Islands of Koločep, Šipan and Lopud. For an unforgettable experience, join a boat excursion to Koločep’s Blue and Green Caves. Lush Mljet, Croatia’s greenest island, has about a third of it taken up by Mljet National Park, which is easy to reach from Dubrovnik. Follow pine-shaded hiking and cycling trails around two saltwater lakes and take the boat to the tiny island monastery of St Mary. Marvel at the beauty of the impressive coastal 15th-century gardens of Trsteno Arboretum just north of Dubrovnik – familiar sight to Game of Thrones fans. Wherever you go, you’ll find beaches where you can plunge into some of the cleanest waters in the world.
(Image credit: Sime Fabris)
Now in its 76th year, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival remains one of Croatia’s biggest events in its cultural calendar. For seven weeks throughout July and August, the city echoes to the sounds of classical, operatic, theatrical and dance performances in atmospheric venues. Most are in the Atrium of the Rector’s Palace, while the opening ceremony is in front of St Blaise’s Church and other venues include the Lazareti complex and Franciscan Monastery. One of the most captivating events is the Shakesparean production in Fort Lovrijenac.
One of winter’s brightest spots in Dubrovnik is the annual Festival of St Blaise, which takes place 2-3 February to celebrate the city’s patron saint. Processions, parades, music and plenty of feasting bring colour to the depths of winter. Come a few days before the festival, specifically 28 January, when the city’s museums and arts venues throw open their doors for free all night long.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Blessed with the bounty of the Adriatic Sea and the fertile farms, orchards, vineyards and olive groves all throughout the region, Dubrovnik guarantees superb food and wine. Sample the oysters that come from nearby Mali Ston, or cuttlefish-ink risotto. Perfectly grilled fish and mussels in a buzara sauce (white wine, garlic, olive oil and herbs) taste even better under blue skies on the terrace of a traditional tavern known as a konoba. The Neretva Valley north of Dubrovnik is Dalmatia’s fruit basket, with orchards of mandarins, cherries, melons and lemons.
See the seasons in action at the food markets in Gruž and Gundulić Square – wild asparagus in spring, tomatoes and figs in summer, pumpkins and tangerines in autumn and the greens that go into winter’s hearty cabbage stews. Discover Dalmatian wines at the new Wine Museum Dubrovnik and learn about red plavac mali and dry white pošip and grk.
(Image credit: Katija Zivkovic)
Those blue and turquoise waters of the Adriatic are impossible to resist. Tucked into Dubrovnik’s craggy coastline are some fabulous beaches, including the ones around the Lapad and Babin Kuk peninsulas north of the Old Town and Banje Beach near the Ploče Gate. Most are pebbly, but fans of sandy beaches can head over to the island of Lopud and relax on the sands of Šunj Bay.
Hire a kayak or paddleboard to reach otherwise inaccessible beaches and caves, including Bettina Cave Beach south of the Old Town. Join a kayak tour of the Elaphiti Islands or Lokrum, with swimming stops in intimate coves. Dubrovnik’s dive centres will take you on a thrilling adventure as you explore underwater caves and shipwrecks. Hikers can follow the steep zigzagging path to the top of Mount Srd for panoramic coastal views, and the trails in neighbouring Konavle Valley are heaven for cyclists.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
June, July and August are the busiest months, but May and September are just as appealing and the weather is pleasantly warm. Easter usually heralds the start of the season, and May’s temperatures are usually well into the 20s. The sea retains its summer heat well into October, and even in November you’ll have days of about 18C. December is the time for the Dubrovnik Winter Festival and Christmas festivities.
British Airways, Jet2, easyJet and Ryanair fly to Dubrovnik from London, although not all run throughout the year. Buses from the airport to the Old Town coincide with flight arrivals, and drop you off outside the Pile Gate. Return buses leave from near the Mount Srd cable car. No cars are allowed in the Old Town, but buses run from the Pile Gate to Lapad, Babin Kuk, Gruž and beyond, including Trsteno.
Dubrovnik is home to an array of locally-owned, characterful and well-situated hotels. There is something to suite all tastes and budgets. You can find a great selection on the Dubrovnik website.
Feeling inspired?
For more travel inspiration and information, head over to the official Dubrovnik website.
(Image credit: Yuya Matsuo)
