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Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is an old city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean, a seaport and the center of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Dubrovnik is nicknamed "Pearl of the Adriatic" and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city of Dubrovnik (Latin: Ragusa) was built on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages, it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Dubrovnik was one of the centers of the development of the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists, and other scholars.

Today Dubrovnik is the proudest feather in Croatia's... Read more

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Dubrovnik, Croatia

Destination:
Mediterranean, Transatlantic

Dubrovnik is an old city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean, a seaport and the center of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Dubrovnik is nicknamed "Pearl of the Adriatic" and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city of Dubrovnik (Latin: Ragusa) was built on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages, it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Dubrovnik was one of the centers of the development of the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists, and other scholars.

Today Dubrovnik is the proudest feather in Croatia's tourist cap, an elite destination and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik used to be an independent republic, surviving mostly on trade. It managed to survive many centuries, with constant threats to its territory, particularly from the mighty Ottoman Empire and Venice. As early as the19th century, it was discovered by celebrities as a place to be seen. George Bernard Shaw once said that "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it." Royalty, presidents, and diplomats have all favored the city. The late Pope John Paul II was a fan of Dubrovnik and was even made an honorary citizen.

Dubrovnik is steeped in stunning architecture and sculptural detail and boasts spectacular churches, monasteries, museums, and fountains. A multitude of typical towns and excursions include The Elaphiti Islands, the attractive town of Cavtat, the Konavle valley, Mljet Island, Korčula Island, Ston, and Peljesac Peninsula. The neighboring towns of Kotor and Perast in Montenegro or Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina also make for intriguing day trips.
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Dubrovnik, Croatia: Port Information


Many cruise ships come to this port of call, typically docking at the Port of Dubrovnik (Port Gruz) across from the main bus station, 2.5 km northwest of the walled old town. The easiest and cheapest way to get from the main bus station to the Old Town is by using the local buses number 1, 1A and 1B, which circulate almost constantly. Some cruise ships anchor offshore just east of the Old Town and tender the passengers directly into the Old Port.
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Get around Dubrovnik, Croatia


The Old Town can be comparatively difficult to navigate on first appearances, as it really is a warren of little streets. There are however signs at the entrances to many of these streets advertising what businesses, shops, restaurants, and accommodation are to be found in that direction.

That being said, some of these signs appear to be either intentionally misleading or woefully out of date. For example, there is no office of any bus company within the Old Town, despite what the signs may say.

The city is completely pedestrianized and easily small enough to get around on foot, some of the streets are a little steep though.

By bus

It's relatively simple to get to the Old Town by bus, as just about every one leads to the Old Town. However, it might be advisable to get a timetable just in case. At selected kiosks (including the international bus station) you can purchase a day pass. This pass is valid for 24 hr of unlimited travel on the city bus network, starting from the first validation. The easiest way to get from the Main Bus Station to the Old Town is by using the (mostly modern and air-con equipped) buses number 1, 1A and 1B, which circulate almost constantly. These buses can be boarded from the bus stop just outside the Main Bus Station. Apart from this, there is another bus service which comes inside the bus station and drops you directly at the Old Town. Schedules are available at the information counter of the Main Bus Station.

Car rental

  • A Marker Car Rental (Airport Shuttle Service Dubrovnik), Svetog Djurdja 6-Pile Gate-Old Town, ☎ +385 91 739 75 45, fax: +385 20 418 730, e-mail: info@carhiredubrovnik.com. Airport transfers, car, motorbike, and scooter rental. 
  • Kompas Rent a Car, Kardinala Stepinca 52, ☎ +385 20 436 541, fax: +385 20 436 571, e-mail: reservations@kompasrent.hr.
  • EasyRent, Uz glavicu 7, ☎ +385 98 1952 114, fax: +385 20 773 953, e-mail: info@dubrovnik-airport-carhire.com.
  • Airport and City Transfer
  • Cheap Dubrovnik Tours
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What to see in Dubrovnik, Croatia


Dubrovnik was heavily bombed in late 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence (part of a series of wars in the region). Almost all of the damage has been repaired; however, if you look closely around the old town, mortar damage in the cobblestone streets and bullet marks in the stone houses are visible.

Old Town

  • Roland's Column (in front of the Bell Tower). A slender stone flagstaff of the legendary knight. Also known as Orlando's Column. Ever since its foundation in 1950, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is officially opened by raising a flag carrying the city's motto Libertus on Orlando's staff.
  • Bell Tower (after the Ploče entrance to the city). On top of the tower are the famous 'Zelenci' (The Green Ones), bronze statues which strike the gigantic bell every hour. They have been recently replaced with copies and the originals are in the atrium of the Sponza Palace.

  • Sponza Palace

    (West of the Bell Tower). Gothic Renaissance palace, one of the few buildings that have maintained its form from before the catastrophic 1667 earthquake. Hosts historic archives. Memorial room of defenders. Open 10:00-22:00. 

  • Rector's Palace

    , Pred dvorom 1, ☎ +385 20 321 437. Formerly the palace of the Major Council, now houses a museum dedicated to the city's history.
  • War Photo Limited, Antuninska 6. Open 09:00-21:00. An exhibition center of war and conflict photography. Exhibits change during the season. Stunning images by world-renowned photojournalists.

  • Pile Gate

    , at the western end of the Placa Thoroughfare (Stradun) (Old town). A convenient starting place for your stroll through the Old Town is the Pile Gate. Before entering the Old Town, Fort Lovrjenac, the first among many sites worth seeing in Dubrovnik, provides a good view of the Old Town and its wall.
  • Placa Stradun (Old town). The Stradun (Placa) is the central street of the city of Dubrovnik and is the place where the old city comes to life. During the day, explore the shades of the perpendicular streets and alleys on its sides, and during the night, take walks up and down the Stradun with an ice-cream in hand. The uniform Baroque architecture of the houses in Placa, with shops on the street level and their 'knee-like' entrances, got its present-day form in the restoration of the City taking place after the disastrous earthquake in 1667 when a large number of luxurious Gothic and Renaissance palaces had been destroyed. The architectural design of Placa reveals effective solutions and the business sense of the Dubrovnik Republic in those difficult times. Today, Placa is still the shopping center and venue of major events.
  • Big Onofrio's Fountain. In the western (Pile) entrance of the old town, The fountain stairs are nowadays a favorite meeting place for local youth and where both the tourists and pigeons take rest and refresh themselves with cool water.
  • Old Port. The eastern part of the Old Town of Dubrovnik; some cruise ship passengers are tendered to the Old Port.
  • Fort Lovrijenac. The monumental fort rises above 37 m high rock. It changed roles in the course of history. The main purpose of its construction was defense, and the main idea was to protect the freedom of Dubrovnik.
  • Aquarium. 08:00-21:00.
  • Visia Dubrovnik 5D Theatrum, Poljana Paska Miličevića 4 (in the Convent of St. Clare, on the right side at the beginning of Stradun through Pile gate), ☎ +385 20 324-714, fax: +385 20 324-714, e-mail: info@visiadubrovnik.com. 09:00-20:00. Virtual reality technology guides visitors to Dubrovnik through the history and cultural features of the city and wider Croatia.

City walls

Walk on the walls around the old town, great views. It is highly recommended to visit the walls during the early morning hours or the late afternoon hours during mid-summer months as it can become hot.

Dubrovnik is surrounded by City Walls which are 2 km long and for which it is famous all around the world. Through the history City Walls were protection from the enemy, today Dubrovnik City Walls brings the visitors from the whole world who want to see this city- museum. There are 3 entrances to the City Walls: on Stradun by the Pile gate, by fort Saint John’s and at the Custom’s House gate.

Within the City Walls, you will see Fort Minceta and Fort St. John’s on the south-eastern side. Also, within the City Walls are Fort Lawrence at Pile and Fort Revelin at Ploce. The main entrance to the City Walls is by the Inner Pile Gates.

Minceta Fort is one of the most beautiful cultural attractions in Dubrovnik. It is situated on the northwest side of the city inside the City Walls. It was built according to the design of Renaissance builder Juraj Dalmatinac. St. Luke’s Tower you can see walking along the landward side of City Walls up to Ploce Gate. St. Luke’s Tower has protected the entrance to the Dubrovnik harbor throughout the history of the city.

St John’s Fort was constructed in the 16th century and it is really worth of visiting- on its ground floor you can visit the Aquarium, and on the first and second floor, you can visit Maritime Museum.

Bokar Fort is situated on the seaward of City Walls. It was designed by Florentine architect Michelozzi in the 15th century.

Hours: 08:00-19:00.

Churches

  • Franciscan Monastery, Placa 2, ☎ +385 20 321 410. 09:00-18:00. This beautiful monastery with Baroque Church houses a Romanesque cloister and the third oldest pharmacy in the world.
  • Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Kneza Damjana Jude 1, ☎ +385 20 323 459. M-Sa 08:00-20:00, Su 11:00-17:30. This impressive building is in the Poljana Marin Držić. Supposedly, the original church was built with money donated by Richard the Lionhearted who survived a shipwreck on his way home from the Third Crusade. The current Roman Baroque cathedral dates from the 18th Century.
  • Church of St. Ignatius and the Jesuit College (On an elevated square close to the southern edge of the Old Town). Mass held in English daily at 11:00 in the summer. Ornate Jesuit church approached via a romantic baroque staircase modeled on the Spanish Steps in Rome (1738). Built between 1667 and 1725 by architect Ignazzio Pozzo, and like most Jesuit churches of the period was modeled on the Gesù in Rome, the mother church of the Jesuits.
  • Dominican Monastery. Open 09:00-18:00. This is an exceptionally valuable historic complex, which, besides its religious purpose, also represents the important artistic treasury of ancient Dubrovnik.
  • Church of St. Sebastian (by the Ploče gate). 15th-century church built by the Ploče gate since St. Sebastian is the saint protector against plague.
  • Serbian Orthodox Church and Museum of Icons Pravoslavna crkva i Muzej ikona. Built from 1865-1877, stands behind impressive wrought iron gates. Houses a number of icons, mainly Byzantine and Cretan. Museum next to church has extensive icon collection.

Museums

Some museums offer a discount ticket if you visit more than one museum.

  • Bukovac House (Kuća Bukovac), Bukovčeva 5, Cavtat, ☎ +385 20 478 646. 09:00 - 13:00, 16:00-20:00, Sun 16:00-20:00. Closed Mon. Includes works by Vlaho Bukovac (1855-1922), one of the most famous modern Croatian painters. Part of the house is devoted to exhibitions of works by young artists.
  • Dubrovnik Natural History Museum (Prirodoslovni muzej), Androvićeva 1, ☎ +385 20 324 888. 09:00-16:00, closed Sa-Su. The collection of 100-year-old taxidermy specimens dates back to 1872 and may not appeal to everyone.
  • Franciscan Monastery Museum, Placa 2. 09:00-18:00. Houses artifacts from one of the world's oldest pharmacies. 
  • Sigurata Convent Museum, Od Sigurate 13, ☎ +385 20 321 467. 
  • Synagogue and Jewish Museum, Zudioska 5, ☎ +385 20 321 028. 10:00-15:00. This originally Sephardic Synagogue is supposed to be the second-oldest still in use synagogue in Europe today. A permanent Jewish community here was founded at the end of the 15th century following the expulsions from Portugal and Spain. The Jewish Ghetto was established in 1546 on Jewish Street in the old town of Dubrovnik. The community flourished and included respected doctors, merchants, and state representatives. Jews in Dubrovnik enjoyed relative freedom, but there were some restrictions on their activities at certain points in history. The synagogue is tiny and delightful, with heavy velvet drapes and a richly painted, midnight blue ceiling. The museum contains valuable menorahs and Torah scrolls, alongside information on the history of the Jewish community in Dubrovnik.
  • Dominican Monastery Museum, Sv. Domina 4, ☎ +385 20 321 423. 09:00-18:00. Paintings and artifacts from Dubrovnik's past. 
  • The Rector`s Palace Museum, Pred dvorom 1, ☎ +385 20 321 437. 09:00-18:00. Artifacts, paintings, and furniture dating back from the time of the Dubrovnik Republic.
  • The Treasury of Cathedral, Kneza Damjana Jude 1, ☎ +385 20 323 459. 09:00-18:00. The Treasury has 138 reliquaries which are carried around the city during the Feast of St Blaise. 
  • Maritime Museum, In St. John Fortress, ☎ +385 20 323 904. 09:00-18:00. Considering how vital sailing and shipbuilding were to the growth of the Dubrovnik Republic, this is one of the city’s most important museums. 
  • Home of Marin Držić, Široka 7, ☎ +385 20 420 490. M-Sa 09:00-13:00 and by appointment. Memorial house of Marin Držić, a famous 16th-century Croatian playwright from Dubrovnik.
  • The Ethnographic Museum (Rupe Granary), Od Rupa 3, ☎ +385 20 323 013. 09:00-18:00. Built in 1590, this is a fascinating building in itself, and the exhibits showcase the economic, cultural and spiritual development of Dubrovnik. The folk costumes and textiles give the best flavor of the region where folk culture is still celebrated. 

Beaches

  • Lapad Beach. A car-free, sandy beach area on the Lapad Peninsula, approximately 3.5 km from the old town, where you can relax in the shade of the numerous trees. At the end of a long pedestrianized street full of cafe bars and restaurants, you will see many popular pebble beaches known as Lapad beaches. These beaches are really beautiful and well used. Lapad is definitely one of the most beautiful parts of Dubrovnik and you really must visit it. If you take the headland path to the right-hand side of Lapad beach, as you look at the Adriatic, you can walk along a charming little coast path with small concrete 'beaches' and ladders into the sea. These were put in during the Tito era and are ideal for one or two sunbathers. Walking further along is an excellent local fish restaurant - ideal for ending the day. The walk back is not particularly well lit, but perfectly safe.
  • Banje Beach (near the Old Town). A well-located pebble beach. There's a concessioned part with an entrance fee, but also a public part which is always livelier and more relaxed. Great way to beat the heat in the middle of the town. Amazing view to city walls, Old Town Dubrovnik and the island of Lokrum. Beach volleyball, mini football or water polo. You can also enjoy lying on a deck chair and having a drink.

Other

  • Stradun. Take a walk and enjoy a drink at a cafe on the main thoroughfare of the old town.
  • Mount Srđ, For a great view of the town. There is a fortress on top which contains a small museum describing its history. There are several ways up:
    • Walk up the winding footpath to the fortress and large cross on the hilltop 400 m above Dubrovnik. Walking up from the old town takes about 90 min. The path is quite rocky so use suitable footwear.
    • Take the newly renovated cable car and you will get from Down station to Mountain Srđ in less than 4 min. 
    • Go by car via Bosanka village. Follow Jadranska cesta (D8) towards Mlini and drive past Dubrovnik. Turn left to Bosanka village and follow the road up the hill. There is also the bus number 17 from Pile to Bosanka. 
  • Visit the Fortress Lovrijenac. It was an essential fortification for a defense of the city from both ground and sea attacks. In order to prevent a mutiny by the commander of the fortress, the walls facing the city are only 60 cm thick compared to those exposed to an enemy fire which was 12 m thick. Above the entrance to the fortress is an inscription that says "Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro" which translates to "Freedom is not sold for all the gold in the world."
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What to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia


  • Cliff Jumping @ Cafe Buža. See listing for Cafe Buža in the Drinks section.
  • Lazareti, Frana Supila 8 (Ploce, just outside of the east entrance to the Old town), ☎ +385 20 324 633, e-mail: arl@du.htnet.hr. Old quarantine hospital serves as a cultural center for concerts, exhibitions, workshops, theater, film, nightclubs, and literature. The concert hall/bar is a very cozy place with a decent sound system. Gallery Galeriya Tutunplok is open daily 12:00-21:00. A nightclub is open here from 10:00-16:00. Gathers a mostly alternative crowd.
  •   imad hotel, Za Karmenom 1. for free. Swim in the Adriatic Sea below the old wall. In the harbor of the old town, go all around (right) along the wall, beyond the aquarium and there are a pier and some rocks where you can cool down on a hot summer day. Avoid stepping on sea urchins, which are commonly found on rocks in the sea water around Dubrovnik, especially if you are wearing no shoes. These are mostly found in clear water and are easy to spot.

Sailing and boat trips

Dubrovnik is an excellent starting point for exploring southern Adriatic coast primarily Elaphite islands, Korčula, Pelješac, and Mljet. There are many charter agencies where you can charter a sailing or motor yacht which are based in Dubrovnik. Majority of them operate from ACI marina Dubrovnik which is based in Komolac about two nautical miles away from the entrance to the port Gruz and only 6 kilometers away from the old town. It is open throughout the whole year.

  • AYachtCharterDubrovnik.com operates from Komolac and offers a unique selection of yachts and other types of sailboats great for a family vacation.

Dubrovnik is characterized by the Mediterranean climate and generally light NW winds, making a yacht charter holiday very popular with couples with younger children and less experienced skippers and crews. A strong north wind known as the Bora is more usual during autumn and winter.

When you charter a yacht through a charter agency and arrive at the designated marina there are a few things that need to be done. The most important thing is the yacht check in (usually Saturday around 16:00). Take your time doing yacht check in. Familiarise yourself with the chartered yacht and with the yacht equipment.

The rule of thumb is the more time you take for the yacht check in, the less time you will need for the yacht check out. After that, you have to do the shopping for the charter vacation.

Don't neglect the grocery shopping because the sea is unpredictable and you don't want to get stuck on the boat without anything to eat or drink. You can do the shopping in a marina however the prices are usually much higher there, or you can order from yacht provisioning services who usually deliver the products to the marina at no extra fee.

  • Marina in Dubrovnik, 7. The only marina in Dubrovnik (formally in Komolac city) designed for sailing yachts and touristic catamarans, which start cruises in Dubrovnik. It is about 5 km from the city center of Dubrovnik, in Rijeka Dubrovacka.
  • In Jam Yacht Supply, 8. Online provisioning catalog where you can order from a large selection of groceries and other products months in advance and everything you order awaits for you in the marina. This is convenient because it takes the load of you and the things you must do when you arrive at the marina for your sailing holiday.
  • Lokrum, Take a ferry to the Island of Lokrum which houses a monastery, a fort with great views of Dubrovnik, botanical gardens and a naturist beach. Preserved as a nature park this small island is reachable in 10 min in boat-time from the old city port. It offers unparalleled serenity, beauty, and peace.

Festivals

  • Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Music and theatre festival held since 1949 from 10 July to 25 August. Famous nationwide for its exquisite selection of drama, plays, and concert of chamber music with more than 2,000 artists from 30 countries during 47 days of the festival. Be sure to book in advance and don't miss a chance to see some of the open-air performances.
  • Libertas Film Festival. Film festival held from August 25–30.

Cable car

  • Dubrovnik Cable Car, Petra Krešimira 4. bb, 20000 Dubrovnik (The easiest way to come to the cable car is from the Old Town of Dubrovnik. On the northern side of the town, there is Buža Street which leads you towards the exit from the city walls. From there you need to keep climbing towards the fireman station. Once you are at the fireman station, you need to cross the street on your right-hand side and keep going straight. After a few moments, you will see a cable car station on your right-hand side.). 9:00-24:00. The original cable car was bombed during the conflicts and closed in 1991. It reopened to the public for the first time on 10 July 2010. The view of the Old City will rival that found on any postcard. There is a small shop at the top and Restaurant Panorama with new outside terraces, restaurant with the best view. Directions to the Cable Car are difficult to find in the Old City.
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What to eat and drink in Dubrovnik, Croatia


Eat

There is a wide range of restaurants in the Old Town, mostly offering a very similar menu of local seafood and some meat dishes. The cuisine may not be very imaginative, but it is usually of good quality and very fresh.

Restaurants can be crudely separated into (slightly) cheaper tourist-trap places, and more expensive but first class gastronomic restaurants. There are a few pizzerias, mostly wood-fired and quite acceptable. The Kraš chocolate sold at stores is delicious. Remember that Dubrovnik, more so than the rest of Croatia, is well aware of its status as a tourist hot-spot. Rents for restaurant premises are high and consequently, the prices on the menus reflect this.

Note that in the off-peak season of November–March nearly all the top-end restaurants close, leaving only a handful of desperate tourist trap enterprises operating and still charging high prices. You can however still eat well and discounts can be negotiated.

Dubrovnik cuisine is characteristically not very spicy and is famous for traditionalism. Many popular meals are characteristic of Dubrovnik such as zelena menestra (it is the name for many sorts of cabbages and other vegetables with meat), the meat dish pašticada and the famous caramel-based dessert dubrovačka rozata.

Since Dubrovnik restaurants are quite popular, many mid-range and high-end establishments provide the option of online reservation. English-language menus are found everywhere.

Budget

  • La Luna, Andrije Hebranga 60, ☎ +385 20 419 736. 09:00-24:00. Large portions. Really good pizza with fresh ingredients. Best to have a medium pizza for 1 person or large if you are really hungry - a large can be split in half for not that hungry couples. Only pizza is served before 17:00, for pasta or other dishes you will have to wait until 17:00.
  • Lokanda Peskarija, Na ponti bb, ☎ +385 20 324 750. Traditional Dalmatian appetizers and meals, you get your meal in a large black fisherman's style pot.
  • Marco Polo, Lucarica 6 (near St. Blaise church), ☎ +385 99 801 45 66. 10-24. Good traditional food served in a small outdoor courtyard. Not really budget, but really nice restaurant with different types of food.
  • Mea Culpa, Široka Street. One of the best pizzerias on what is becoming a 'pizza street'. Go for pizza or a coffee and brandy and exchange banter with the staff. 
  • Nishta, Prijeko 30 (At the top of the first set of stairs on Palmotićeva, which is the 3rd street on the left when walking from Pile gate), ☎ +385 92 218 8612. Dubrovnik's first and only vegetarian restaurant, with vegan and gluten-free options available upon request.
  • Pekara Zlatno Zrno patisserie, Petra Kresimira (outside the city walls near the fire station), ☎ +385 20 412153. Nice patisserie/bakery that stays open late. Expensive, but cheaper than those within the city walls.
  • Poklisar, Ribarnica 1 (in the old harbor), ☎ +385 20 322176. A limited but good menu, including pizza and some very enjoyable live piano music.
  • Pizzeria Scala, Mata Vodopića 3 (near Tommy's supermarket), ☎ +385 91 412-5110. 08:00-24:00. A very nice pizzeria between Lapad and Babin Kuk with good pizza and very good Mexican food/ specialties. 
  • Spaghetteria Toni, Nikole Bozidarevica 14, ☎ +385 20 323-134. A small Italian style restaurant in the old town with outdoor seating providing a wide variety of pasta.
  • Taj Mahal (within the old city). Offers a variety of Bosnian/Eastern cuisine such as Cevapcici u lepinji, baklava and tufahi. The wait can be quite long, and vegetarian options are often sold out.
  • Lady Pipi (from Pile Gate second street on left right at the top of the steps). Worth the climb for magnificent views over the old town from the restaurants' terrace and presumably taking its name from an ancient water feature just outside the restaurant (not for the prudish). Be prepared to wait for a table with a terrace view as is very popular with locals - alternatively arrive before 8 in the evening to avoid the busiest times. Beware of wasps.

Mid-range

  • Arka, Gundulićeva poljana (in the Old Town). Dalmatian cuisine in an excellent location. Has some good vegetarian options. The baked moussaka especially is worth a try.
  • Domino Steak House, Od Domina 6, ☎ +385 20 323 103. One of the best for a variety of ways of serving steak. Also serves traditional Dalmatian fare.
  • Dubravka 1836 (welcome@dubravka1836.hr), Brsalje 1 (Pile Gate, Brsalje Sq at the entrance to the Old Town.), ☎ +385 20 426 319. Variety of pizzas, meat and seafood dishes, quality domestic and foreign wines, cocktails, homemade ice cream, and desserts. 
  • Konoba Atlantic, Kardinala Stepinca 42, ☎ +385 20 435 726. Tasty Italian food and inexpensive wine. Try the lobster and prawn ravioli.
  • Proto, Široka Ulica (Old Town). Good seafood.

Splurge

  • Gils Cuisine & Pop Lounge, Sv. Dominika bb (Near the Ploce gate), ☎ +385 20 32 2222, fax: +358 20 32 2220, e-mail: info@gilsdubrovnik.com info@gilsdubrovnik.com info@gilsdubrovnik.com. A new and rather over the top venue located in the Old town of Dubrovnik with stunning views of the old harbor. The restaurant offers ultra-modern French cuisine and a wine and digestive cellar. A lounge bar has fresh cocktails and funky DJ music. 
  • Nautika, Brsalje 3 (just outside the Pile gate to the Old City, on the waterfront), ☎ +385 20 44 25 26. Great views of the sea and Old City. Pay attention to the menu prices which switch from Kuna to Euro throughout. 
  • Porat Restaurant & Terrace (Restaurant in Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik hotel), Marijana Blazica 2, ☎ +385 20 320-320. Spacious terrace, just outside the Pile gate. Offers international and Croatian cuisine.

Drink

The most popular hard alcohol in Croatia is homemade rakija. This is a very strong distilled drink made from a variety of fruits. Examples include šljivovica, made from plums, loza, made from grapes, and orahovica, made with walnuts. All are quite strong.

There are many excellent local wines from both the Pelješac Peninsula and Konavle and it is often less expensive than soft drinks like Coca-Cola. However, be careful when purchasing wine from unlicensed dealers. Croatian beer is also good and popular, though none is made in the Dubrovnik region.

Cafes

There are numerous cafes throughout the Old Town and the entire city with prices varying according to the location (particularly, those located on the Stradun are by far the most expensive but you are paying for the ambiance and people-watching as well). Most cafes serve a wide variety of drinks all day.

Bars

Walk towards the sea from Stradun near the Ploce gate, and you'll hit a tiny square with outdoor seating by 4 or 5 different pubs, with live music playing, and large cocktail pitchers with very low alcohol content.

  • Cafe Buža, Iza Mura (Follow a sign that says ‘cold drinks’ and enter through a hole in the wall on the south side of the Old Town. Just wander up the stairs (on the right side of Stradun coming from Pile gate), until you hit the city walls, and then walk all the way down.). The tables and chairs are set out on the side of the cliff and the beers are served in bottles and plastic cups. You can sunbathe on the rocks or do some cliff-diving but do watch for rocks below. This is lovely in the evening when the sun is setting and you gaze over an island of Lokrum. Eclectic chilled out music plays unobtrusively in the background. There isn’t much in the way of shelter apart from some palm leaves so Buža won’t open in bad weather. Higher price range.
  • Casablanca (On one of the streets to the left of Stradun walking from the Pile gate). Look for flashing red and blue lights. This is an interesting, slightly bizarre bar with seating outside on the city stairs, techno music, and may have erotic dancing.
  • D'vino Wine Bar, Palmoticeva 4a (Coming from Pile Gate they are on the third street off of Stradun on the left.), ☎ +385 20 321 223. D'Vino Wine Bar has a selection of over 100 fine domestic and imported wine available by the glass, bottle, and in tasting servings. Largest selection of wines by the glass in Dubrovnik with a very intimate, romantic atmosphere, which is a change of pace from other bars in the city.
  • Nonenina, Pred Dvorom 4, ☎ +385 91 333 0601. Chill music fills this lounge bar at night, making it a great place to unwind after a full day of sightseeing.

Clubs

  • Capitano, Pile. Various kinds of music from studio 54 to Croatian music. Low prices.
  • EastWest, Frana Supila bb (At the Banje beach at the Ploce gate), ☎ +385 20 412 220, e-mail: info@ew-dubrovnik.com. Beach club and nightclub. In the day you can have drinks in the lounge chairs. Amazing view, various kinds of music, popular DJs and beautiful atmosphere.
  • Factory, Put Republike (Gruz, 1 km from the center. Bus station is situated just 20 m from the Club.). Various kinds of music, many popular singers and DJs.
  • Klub Orlando, Branitelja Dubrovnika 41 (5 min walk along Branitelja Dubrovnika from the old town's Pile Gate. At number 41, on the left, there is a dark car park, belonging to the old hospital. Walk into it, turn right, pass a small building, then ascend a lot of steps.), ☎ +385 20 312 674. Dingy club, predominantly metal but seems to cater for anything deemed alternative. Cheap drink prices with occasional international touring acts, definitely in the minority as a tourist here.
  • Latino Club Fuego, Brsalje b.b., Pile (just outside the Pile gate). From May to October open every day from 11:00-06:00. During the rest of the year, it is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11:00-18:00. Usual 18-25 touristy bunch and the music is commercial RnB, house, dance, pop, and techno. 
  • Lazareti (on the eastern entrance of the Old Town, by the Ploce gate). House and techno music.
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Shopping in Dubrovnik, Croatia


There are many local artisans who specialize in domestic crafts. Popular purchases include handmade tablecloths, linens, and napkins. Many merchants claim that the necktie was invented in Croatia. Another local specialty is little dolls dressed in local garb.

The Pharmacy, at the Franciscan Monastery, creates hand creams and other toiletries based on ancient recipes. The pharmacy is one of the oldest in this part of Europe. It has been operating from the time of its foundation to the present day.

While wandering around the Old Town, you will come across many shops that sell Croatian goods such as wine and textiles.

If you have transport there is a Lidl (German discount supermarket) 5 km east of the Old Town near the village of Čibača - this is where the locals shop to avoid steep Dubrovnik prices.

  • Magnolika, Marina Getaldiceva 7 (3rd St. to the right in the Old Town), ☎ +385 98 195 4040. Small gallery with unconventional art and cool jewelry design.
  • Clara Stones Jewellery Store, Naljeskoviceva 8 (5th street to the left of Stradun if you go from Pile Gate), ☎ +385 20 321706. Unique handmade Adriatic coral, pearl and gems jewelry with a certificate of authenticity.
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Safety in Dubrovnik, Croatia


  • Dubrovnik is a very safe city, though the usual precautions should be taken to protect yourself from pick-pocketing.
  • The streets in the old town can be quite slippery as they've been smoothed down for centuries by people walking over them.

Stay legal

  • When entering a port, it is an international protocol to hoist a flag, meaning "Ready for inspection by Customs."
  • In Croatia, you must always have your headlights on while operating a motor vehicle including all cars, motorbikes, and scooters during winter daylight savings time. Headlights are no longer required during the day in the summer months, although many motorists still leave them turned on.
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Language spoken in Dubrovnik, Croatia


Croatian is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist places.

LOCAL TIME

5:43 am
August 6, 2021
Europe/Zagreb

CURRENT WEATHER

27.55 °C / 81.59 °F
few clouds
Sat

28.81 °C/84 °F
few clouds 		Sun

30.62 °C/87 °F
sky is clear 		Mon

30.69 °C/87 °F
sky is clear 		Tue

31.98 °C/90 °F
scattered clouds

LOCAL CURRENCY

HRK

Travelers recommend visiting the following places of interests



Walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia
Average: 9.9 (10 votes)

The Walls of Dubrovnik (Croatian: Dubrovačke gradske zidine) are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the citizens of the afterward proclaimed maritime city-state of Dubrovnik (Ragusa), situated in southern Croatia, since the city's founding prior to the 7th century as a Byzantium castrum on a rocky island named...
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Average: 9.4 (10 votes)

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Average: 9.8 (10 votes)

Stradun (pronounced strǎduːn) or Placa (Stradone or Corso) is the main street of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The limestone-paved pedestrian street runs some 300 metres through the Old Town, the historic part of the city surrounded by the Walls of Dubrovnik. The site of the present-day street used to be a marshy channel which separated Ragusa from...
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Average: 9.3 (10 votes)

The Franciscan Church and Monastery is a large complex belonging to the Order of the Friars Minor. It consists of a monastery, a church, a library and a pharmacy. It is situated at the Placa, the main street of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The earliest monastery was built in the 13th century outside the walls. A new monastery inside the walls and close...
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Average: 9.7 (10 votes)

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Average: 9.3 (11 votes)

Lokrum (pronounced lɔ̌krum, Italian: Lacroma) is an island in the Adriatic Sea 600 metres (1,969 feet) from the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. It stretches from northwest to southeast and receives regular ferry service from the city. Austrian archduke (and short-lived Emperor of Mexico) Maximilian once had a holiday home on the island. A monastery...
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Average: 9.6 (10 votes)

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Art Workshop Lazareti, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Average: 9.2 (10 votes)

Art Workshop Lazareti (Croatian: Art radionica Lazareti ARL) in Dubrovnik, Croatia, is an independent cultural center, with an integrated club, for contemporary art that brings together artists, philosophers, writers and theoreticians and promotes an active and investigative approach to contemporary art and culture, society, politics and its inter...
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Average: 9.5 (10 votes)

Srđ is a mountain just behind the walled city of Dubrovnik, in Dalmatia, Croatia. Its height is 412 metres, the top of which is adorned with "Fort Imperial", built in 1806-1816 during the Napoleonic Wars. From its top the walled city of Dubrovnik, Island of Lokrum, Adriatic Sea and various local attractions (including restaurants and the Stradun)...
Sponza Palace, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Average: 9.1 (10 votes)

The Sponza Palace (Croatian: Palača Sponza), also called Divona (from dogana, customs), is a 16th-century palace in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Its name is derived from the Latin word "spongia", the spot where rainwater was collected. The rectangular building with an inner courtyard was built in a mixed Gothic and Renaissance style between 1516 and...
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Latest travel blogs about Dubrovnik, Croatia




Visit To Picturesque City Of Dubrovnik, Croatia


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