Croatia is one of Europe’s most promising holiday destinations and it’s very easy to see why. From picturesque waterfalls in national parks to historic towns filled with incredible architecture, visitors are sure to be impressed during their travels.
In the south, you’ll find the city of Dubrovnik. Whilst the city’s recent fame is likely a result of its appearance in the Game of Thrones franchise, Dubrovnik offers visitors so much more. Every facet of the city’s appeal involves the outside, such as appreciating its scenic beauty and exploring all of the natural areas.
In this article, we’ll be discussing why you should visit Dubrovnik and what you should include in your itinerary.
Walk the city walls
The Old Town in Dubrovnik is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The walls that surround the town were constructed many centuries ago and are still incredibly well-maintained. Enough so that visitors are able to walk along the tops of the walls.
The 2-kilometre journey is well worth the endeavour, boasting spectacular views of the old town and Adriatic sea. No visit to Dubrovnik is complete without a walk around the walls and it is recommended that you at least manage to make it across one of them.
Go on a boat trip
When exploring a new coastal location and the surrounding areas, there’s nothing better than taking a boat trip. This way, you’ll get to see all the various islands, caves and beaches. A popular nearby archipelago in Dubrovnik is The Elaphites. Another boat trip location is the Blue Cave, which sees sunlight pouring in through the top of the caves and into the radiant blue seafloor.
Dubrovnik’s resident island, named Lokrum Island, is about a 15-minute boat ride from the Old Harbour. Here you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches, hiking trails and viewpoints. There is also a botanical garden in the centre of the island and a famous Benedictine Monastery dating back to the 11th century.
Visit one of the neighbours
Dubrovnik’s location makes it perfect for taking a day trip to another country. Both Kotor in Montenegro and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina are charming historic cities that can easily be visited within the space of a few hours. Going on an organised tour makes this undertaking much easier.
We recommend doing this towards the end of your journey, or on the last day if you are returning late. Simply leave your luggage somewhere safe and arrange an airport transfer for when you’re back in Dubrovnik.
Reach the top of Mt. Srđ
There’s no better view of the town than from the top of Mt. Srđ. More than 1.000 feet high, the best way to reach the top is by cable car – or you can hike instead if you feel up to it. Once you get to the summit, you’ll find a panoramic restaurant serving local cuisine and a range of beverages.
Also awaiting you at the top is a Napoleonic-era fort, which is now one of the best museums in the city. The Homeland War Museum is dedicated to the history of the Croatian war of independence and features a variety of military memorabilia.
Text author: Sam
Cover photo author: © Geio Tischler from Unsplash
