Dubrovnik Highlights: Why you should visit the city in the very south of Croatia
Dubrovnik enchanted me like no other city. The beautiful old town in the very south of Croatia exudes an incomparable charm and has a lot to offer. Since the city, where Game of Thrones was filmed, had been on my must-see list for a long time, we went there on our honeymoon. In this post I will tell you everything you should know before visiting Dubrovnik. I’ll show you the most beautiful places and tell you why it’s worth paying the sometimes really horrendous entrance fees and even have a saving tip ready. In this guide you will also find out how best to get to Dubrovnik, where to stay and which restaurants I recommend. So let’s start at the very beginning.
The way to Dubrovnik
You can reach Dubrovnik by car, bus, plane or (cruise) ship.
Arrival by plane
The airport is a good 20 km outside of Dubrovnik. The flight connections from Germany are also quite regular and good. From the airport you can get to Dubrovnik either by bus (there are regular bus connections), taxi or rental car. Since Dubrovnik is an expensive place, I recommend that if you choose a taxi, you should definitely ask about the price in advance. You don’t want to have a nasty surprise right from the start.
Arrival by car
We actually did a road trip through Croatia and traveled by car. Previously you had to drive a short distance through Bosnia and Herzegovina (note: passport control!). However, there is now a bridge (Pelješki most) that leads over a peninsula. This saves you having to go through border controls, which cost a lot of time, especially during the high season. The biggest problem when traveling by car is the precarious parking situation in Dubrovnik. Not only are there simply not enough parking spaces, but the ones that are available are usually very expensive. My tip: Be sure to look for a hotel with parking if you are traveling by car! This really makes things easier!
Arrival by ship
If you arrive by ship or ferry, you will normally dock directly in the large port of Dubrovnik (not directly in the old town). From here there are shuttle buses to the old town.
Arrival by bus
There are also bus connections (e.g. from Flixbus) to Dubrovnik. However, you have to find out more online in advance or directly at the desired departure point.
Which hotel is the right one?
Hotels in Dubrovnik are a dime a dozen. But which one is the right one? Right in the old town or would you prefer something outside? Well, that depends. As already mentioned, if you are traveling by car, you should ideally look for a hotel with a parking space or underground car park. Since the old town is completely car-free, this option is no longer applicable.
We personally chose the Hotel Lero (e.g. via Booking*). From there it was about a 20-minute walk to the old town. The path led along the beautiful coast. I didn’t find the walk bad at all and the distance was really manageable. Since we weren’t in Dubrovnik for swimming but for sightseeing, I wouldn’t have chosen a hotel that was further away.
However, if you want to go on a beach holiday, you will find a large selection of great beach hotels on the Lapad peninsula. There are also bus connections to the old town.
Hotels or apartments directly in the old town are of course something very special, but in my opinion they are particularly suitable for people who arrive by plane, taxi or bus and therefore do not have to park a car.
Dubrovnik Highlights: What’s really worth it?
Now, the exploration tour through Dubrovnik can finally begin. A real highlight is right in front of the city wall: the Dubrovnik West Harbor and for all Game of Thrones fans: the Blackwater Bay. If you want, you can rent canoes here and admire the city walls from a completely different perspective on a guided tour. Since I always get seasick, we of course skipped that and preferred to walk straight on into the old town.
This is the best place to let yourself drift and explore the beautiful alleys at your leisure. This is exactly how we spent our first day in Dubrovnik. The next day, however, we decided on a somewhat tighter program.
Tip: The Dubrovnik Pass
The Dubrovnik Pass gives you access to numerous museums and attractions and you can also use public transport. As of March 2024, the Dubrovnik Pass costs €35 per person for one day, there are also variants for several days. By the way, the pass is definitely worth it if you plan to walk around the old town on the city wall (see next point) and want to visit another attraction included. You can find all information about the pass on dubrovnikpass.com.
Around the old town – on the city walls of Dubrovnik
The city walls of Dubrovnik are very well preserved. You can completely walk around the old town and enjoy wonderful views every now and then. The entrance is right next to the western city gate. But it is definitely not a bargain. I don’t remember the exact price, but I think we paid the equivalent of around 70 euros for two people in 2022. Still, it was worth it. The view of the sea and the old town is simply incomparably beautiful. For us it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. By the way: If you choose the previously mentioned Dubrovnik Pass, the entrance fee for the city builders is already included.
Tip: It’s best to start in the morning as soon as the city wall opens. Then there’s even less going on and it’s not quite as hot. Spots in the shade are rare on the city walls. Also, don’t forget drinks! There is a kiosk every now and then, but the prices there are very expensive.
Unforgettable views: Dubrovnik Cable Car
A ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car was not originally on the plan. Towards the evening we have completed all of our Dubrovnik to-dos and still had some time. Our feet also hurt, so we were looking for a highlight that didn’t require much walking. So we decided at the spur of the moment to head towards the cable car and definitely didn’t regret the trip! With a ticket price of €27 per person (as of April 2024), the up and down journey is by no means a bargain. However, from above you can enjoy an unforgettable view over the old town of Dubrovnik and the Lapad peninsula.
There is also a restaurant up there. However, the prices there are very high, so you should definitely keep that in mind.
Tip: Be sure to buy the tickets for the cable car directly at the cable car station! There are also shops that offer tickets, but they may add something to the price. So you’ll be on the safe side if you simply buy the tickets directly on site or online in advance (here).
Dubrovnik Highlights: On the trail of Game of Thrones
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you probably know that many scenes from “King’s Landing” were filmed in Dubrovnik. The following places are also great sightseeing tips for anyone who doesn’t like or know the series.
There is the Blackwater Bay aka the Dubrovnik West Harbor right in front of the city walls. A really nice place with a pretty jetty.
Then there is the infamous Staircase of Shame, which is actually called the Jesuit Staircase. Anyone who climbs it ends up on Bošković Square with the impressive Jesuit Church of Saint Ignatius.
Littlefinger’s brothel is located in the Rupe Ethnographic Museum. In addition, some scenes were filmed on the city walls of Dubrovnik. By the way, anyone who walks around the city wall will eventually end up at the House of the Immortals or the Minčeta Fortress.
The Lovrijenac Fortress served as the backdrop for the Red Keep.
Of course there are also Game of Thrones shops. To be honest, I don’t even remember exactly where the shop was. We definitely went to one with lots of photo opportunities, like on the Iron Throne or with a dragon. Anyone who bought something was also allowed into the area to take photos. 😉
More Dubrovnik Highlights
There are lots of cats in Dubrovnik. Johny the Boss is particularly famous and even has his own Instagram account.
The picturesque harbor of Dubrovnik is definitely worth a visit. From here you can, for example, take trips to the island of Lokrum.
Eating & drinking in Dubrovnik
Sightseeing is exciting, but also tiring and makes you hungry. So time for a refreshment!
Restaurant Tips for Dubrovnik
Let’s start with the restaurants. Good to know: The restaurants in the old town are relatively expensive. Outside the old town, however, you can also find more budget-friendly food. Here are a few personal tips:
The Taj Mahal in the old town of Dubrovnik
Anyone looking for regional and traditional dishes will find what they are looking for at the Taj Mahal. Bosnian specialties are served here in a wonderfully traditional yet modern atmosphere. The food: Simply great but not exactly cheap! In addition to grilled skewers, traditional flatbreads and burek, baklava and Bosnian coffee are also served here. Even though the evening there wasn’t cheap, we would still come back at any time. The ambience is wonderful and the food is super delicious. Tip: Don’t forget to make a reservation, especially in high season! More information about the restaurant can be found in this article.
Address: Ul. Nikole Gučetića 2, 20000, Dubrovnik
The Pizzeria Papillon on the Lapad peninsula in Dubrovnik
In order to save some money, we looked for a pizzeria about a 40-minute walk outside the old town for the second evening. The prices there are definitely much better and the pizza was super tasty, the restaurant itself also makes a well-kept impression. The only disadvantage: you are further away from the action and in not quite as nice surroundings. Nevertheless, we can really recommend the Papillon.
Address: Ul. kralja Tomislava 7, 20000, Dubrovnik
Website: papillon-pizzeria.com
Drinks & Snacks in Dubrovnik
It doesn’t always have to be a full meal, sometimes a refreshing drink or a delicious snack is enough. Of course I’ll tell you where you can get it in Dubrovnik.
The Buža Bar in Dubrovnik
A fantastic view of the Croatian Adriatic, plenty of sun, the sound of the sea and cool drinks – that’s exactly how you imagine your vacation. If you are looking for refreshment and some relaxation after exciting hours in Dubrovnik, the unique Buža Bar is the right place for you. Here you can enjoy a drink, enjoy the view of the city walls and the open sea and take a dip in the cool water every now and then.
The only disadvantage: you have to find the bar first. The entrance is well hidden directly in the city wall – the bar is not signposted. By the way, there is nothing to eat here (apart from a few snacks like Pringles), just pretty expensive drinks. In return, you will be treated to an absolutely incomparable view and a spectacular ambience. You can find out everything you need to know about this very special bar in this article.
Address: Ul. Ispod Mira 14, 20000, Dubrovnik
Holy Burek Dubrovnik
Burek is a wonderful snack for in between meals. A really good and, above all, super tasty selection of burek is available at Holy Burek in the old town of Dubrovnik. Here you will find the different filled dough rolls and you can even watch how burek is made while you wait.
Address: Ulica od Puča 22, 20000, Dubrovnik
My must-haves for a trip to Dubrovnik
Of course it depends on what time of year you visit Dubrovnik. However, I assume that most people come to the very south of Croatia in the warm months. Therefore, make sure you have enough sun protection. In addition to sunscreen with sufficient sun protection factor, I recommend sunglasses and a hat. Also important: comfortable shoes. As is usual in old towns, the paths are paved and there is usually a lot of walking, so flat shoes are best. When it comes to clothing, I use light, natural materials such as cotton or linen. Otherwise, you should definitely not forget your wallet. As mentioned several times, Dubrovnik is not a cheap place…
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