Dubrovnik Croatia

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Oct 10

Oldtown Dubrovnik from Lovrijenac — OldTown Dubrovnik as seen from Lovrijenac

Dubrovnik is one of those golden, “all in one” destinations, where you can enjoy a rich local culture, stunning historical landmarks, and pure recreation, all within a short walk from one another. A walled medieval city, rising from a rocky promontory above the sparkling waves of the Adriatic, it’s no mystery why Dubrovnik is so frequently utilized as a filming location.

Dominikanski Samostan Cloisters in Dubrovnik

The cobbled streets within Old-Town Dubrovnik are packed with artisan jewelry, bright gelato, and plentiful restaurants offering fresh-caught seafood dishes. One of the many draws that lure throngs of tourists to the city, is its incredibly well-preserved historic architecture. When exploring the city it appears as though you’ve stepped backwards in time.

Stradun the central esplanade in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is conveniently compact, to say the least. At Dubrovnik’s quaint harbor, old-fashioned ships, luxury yachts, and fisherman’s boats are moored side by side. Local teens play soccer on the walkway, pinned between the city walls and the water, diving into the sea to retrieve the ball when necessary. Basketball courts can be found tucked away where you’d least expect, within the upper city bastions.

View of old town Dubrovnik from just outside the walls.

If you can find them, a few secret doors, barely marked, lead through the old town’s ancient walls and it is here Dubrovnik’s coolest bars cling to the cliffs. Narrow platforms jut over a precipitous drop to the glittering sea, so you can pair your rock jumping with a refreshing spritz.

Buza Bar clings to the cliffs above the sea in Dubrovnik

Restaurants spill onto every street and the tables fill up fast as night falls, when music pours into the streets. From weddings to religious cultural parades, film sets to sun drenched local markets, Dubrovnik is always alive.

Restaurants line every side street in Dubrovnik

The celebration of The Assumption is a big affair in Dubrovnik — Celebration of The Assumption in Dubrovnik

Staying in Dubrovnik, it won’t be long until you slip into an easygoing rhythm that doesn’t count the hours but rather rolls from one meal, and dip in the sea to the next.

Things to do in Dubrovnik

Kayak or ride the ferry to Lokrum Island

On Lokrum Island you can swim in the lagoon, hike the island, rock jump and swim in the sea, explore an abandoned monastery, and sit on the real Iron Throne from the Game of Thrones show. There are a few restaurant/bars on the island also so you could easily plan a full leisurely day here.

Benediktinksi samostan, Historic monastery on Lokrum Island. — Benediktinksi Samostan on Lokrum Island.

The Iron Throne from Game of Thrones — The Iron Throne from GOT

Take a sunset cruise in a historic ship around the Old-Town

This is a very Disney like expedition, however it takes place in a real medieval walled city, bringing the authenticity over the top. The Tirena sails around OldTown Dubrovnik and offers an unparalleled experience. The scene is particularly breathtaking as the sun sets over the Adriatic lighting up the city in gold.

The Tirena cruise ship in OldTown Dubrovnik.

Ride the Cable Car up the mountain

A cable car ascends steeply above Dubrovnik, quickly summiting the ridge above the city and offering unmatched views of the Old Town and Bay.

The cable car provide views from just above Dubrovnik — Take the cable car for views from just above Dubrovnik.

schedule a Game of Thrones Tour.

As you may know, Dubrovnik is the primary filming location for Kings Landing in Game of Thrones and is the scene of many of the show’s most epic moments. There are tons of GOT-themed tours available. For fans of the series, this tour will be an incredible experience but even if you’re not that into the show, it would be a perfect way to see the highlights of the city in addition to places you may not stumble upon otherwise. Be sure to book a tour that includes the real iron throne on Lokrum Island to turn this into a full-day excursion with swimming, drinks, and scenic views.

Dubrovnik West Harbor is one of the most filmed locations in the world.

Join a speedboat tour to explore nearby islands

This is a fun excursion that is ideal for the adventurous and still suitable for families. You can leave and return from Dubrovnik and head up the Croatian coastline. During the tour, you will have opportunity to swim in the azure sea, cliff jump, and explore the famous Blue Caves.

Cliff jumping and exploring the Elafitski Otoci

The blue caves and rock jumping on islands up the coast from Dubrovnik.

Dine at Dubrovnik’s amazing restaurants

The seafood is fresh and delicious and there are so many good places to eat in Dubrovnik your biggest challenge will simply be narrowing it down. The only downside might be that there isn’t a lot of variety, most of what you’ll find is strictly Croatian cuisine, but it’s similar to most Mediterranean flavor pallets and there’s something for everyone.

Trattoria Carmen in Dubrovnik — ***Trattoria Carmen***
*UI. knees Damjana Jude 10, 20000 Dubrovnik Croatia*

Dining at cafe festival in Dubrovnik. — ***Cafe Festival in Dubrovnik***

Shop Boutiques and Local Jewelry

Dubrovnik is full of jewelry shops featuring the gorgeous classic filigree designs so famous to the region. You’ll find it easy to load up on souvenirs, jewelry, and trinkets but it can be a little difficult to find quality staples or basics so definitly come with what you need.