Dubrovnik
Sunny Dubrovnik is a popular sight for its beach life, architecture and being a hub on the way to the Dalmatian islands. It is located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, in Dalmatia region. City has appr. 40,000 residents. City is reconstructed magnificently after the war-time siege and destruction in 90’s.
The city was allegedly established in the 7th century. It became part of the Roman Empire, and then Byzantine – city was known as ”Ragusa”. Venice owned the city between 1205 and 1358. In 1358 city and its surroundings achieved independence as the republic of Ragusa, and became the rival to Venice in seafaring trade for centuries. In 1808, the republic was abolished and integrated its territory first into Napoleon’s Kingdom of Italy and later into the Illyrian provinces under French rule. The Habsburg Empire annexed these provinces after the 1815 Congress of Vienna. In 1991 Dubrovnik was in siege during the Croatian War of Independence, and the city was damaged badly by artillery fire.
Shopping
The Pharmacy at the Franciscan Monastery creates hand creams and other toiletries based on ancient recipes. Magnolika (Ulica Getaldiceva 7) sells unconventional art and jewellery design.
Recreation
Dubrovnik is famous for its decent beaches, and most populare are Lapad Beach and Banje Beach.
Lapad Beach
- Car free beach area on the Lapad Peninsula, approximately 3.5 km from the Old Town. Long pedestrian street full of cafés, bars and restaurants.
Banje Beach
- Comfy pebble beach near the Old Town. There’s a part with an entrance fee, but also a public part which is always livelier and more relaxed.
Lokrum Island is a maritime paradise at the end of a ferry route from the Old Town Port.
Something to explore
Old Town
The heart of Dubrovnik is its old town, surrounded by 2 km lenght walls. It is depicted on the reverse of the Croatian 50 kuna banknote and its restored remarkably good for damages caused in Yugoslav Wars in 90’s. This medieval and Baroque ensemble is visible good from surrounding walls, depicted as a filming site of Game of Thrones, which are guided for a reasonable free for pedestrians from the Gate of Pile. For relaxation while exploring the area’s narrow alleys is preferrable the Placa Promenade bordering many cafés, restaurants and shops.
Fort Lovrijenac
This limestone fortress is called ”Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar”, and its is located outside the western wall. The thickness of the walls facing the outside reach 12 m whereas the section of the walls facing the inside, the actual city, are only 60 cm thick. Two drawbridges lead to the construction. Ticket to the City Walls allowes also entrance to the fortress!
City Walls
This 2 kilometers long wall system is surrounding the Old Town and it is famous for being a filming scene of Game of Thrones together with the Old Town. There are 3 entrances: on Stradun by the Pile gate, by Fort Saint John’s and at the Custom’s House gate. The main entrance is by the Pile Gate, where is also an info centre for tourists. Guided tours to walls are available, and entrance fee is about HRK 100 for adults, HRK 30 for children. Students (with ID) receive 70% discount.
Natural History Museum
This museum, situated at the address Androvićeva 1, is famous for its collection of taxidermy specimens. One of the more attractive exhibits beside Thresher shark (fox shark) and Smooth hammerhead is a large tuna (head and tail) caught by the end of 19th century.
Pro tip: Museums and public transportation are free with the DubrovnikCard.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
This Roman Catholic cathedral represents Romanesque style. The remarkable main altar holds a polyptych by Titian, portraying a version of the Assumption of the Virgin.
The Cathedral treasury shows 182 reliquaries holding relics from the 11th to 18th centuries, as well as a number of church vessels from 13th to 18th century.
How to get around in Dubrovnik
City’s public transportation operates by buses. There is a day pass sold in certain kiosks for HRK 30, pass is valid for 24 hr of unlimited travel on the city bus network, starting from the first validation. Public transportation is free with the DubrovnikCard.
CarhireDubrovnik offers cars, motorbikes and scooters for hire.
How to get in Dubrovnik
International Dubrovnik Airport serves the region, being located about 20km to the south of the city. List of its airlines and destinations is here. Croatia Airlines operates buses between the airport and the main bus station in Kantafig (HRK35, 45min), which is 2.5km northwest of the Old Town. Taxis from the airport to the centre will cost HRK320.
The closest rail station is Split, a 4 hour bus ride from Dubrovnik. From there one can take one of the 2 tilting-trains (ICN) to Zagreb.
The main bus station is in Kantafig, near Port Gruz and the Tudjman bridge. A departure listing for the international bus station is available here. Direct buses run to/from Zagreb, Korcula, Mostar, Sarajevo, Split, and Zadar.
Top 5 in Dubrovnik
- Lokrum Island
- Old Town
- Fort Lovrijenac
- Having good time in Lapad Beach
- Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: With the CC licence / Amoli, Michael Caven, Mazbln, August Dominus, JoJan
