Dubrovnik was quite unlike anywhere else I've ever been. I learned about the city when a friend visited, shared a photo and said, "I think you should come here, it feels very much like you". My friend was right! Dubrovnik captured my attention just a few minutes after landing. Stunning views greeted us, as we descended winding hills within the city's rocky terrain. Perhaps it was the fact that this was my first vacation post COVID (in 2 years), but it felt surreal and out of a movie. The peaceful cliffside scenery set before a beautiful sunset reminded me of Santorini. Somehow, I knew I was in for a treat!
There's something that excites me about sharing destinations that may not come to mind automatically when one thinks about a Euro Trip. I can't overstate that there is so much more to Europe than Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona and Greece. So. Much. More. If there's one thing I want you to take away from this blog, it's to expand "what", rather "where", you think about Europe. What excites me even more, is finding a destination that won't break the bank. Dubrovnik is one such place. Cost effectiveness ranks high on my list when planning a trip. Let's face it, travel isn't cheap and particularly when travelling across continents, it makes sense to visit as many places as possible. That's why finding spots that can help you recover from what you may spend in the more popular cities, is so helpful. With that in mind, you may want to keep Croatia on your bucket list. But here's another reason - and it's a big one. A well-travelled friend of mine argues that once you've seen one European city, you've seen them all. Whilst I don't fully agree, there is some truth to it. As he states, "they all have some central river (with cruise options), a bridge, a grand cathedral, aged buildings and likely, an arch". What I like about Dubrovnik, is that it goes against this grain. Based on its climate, location and history, the city has it's own unique feel - an eclectic one. It felt part European small town, part Miami-esque, part Mediterranean. If I've piqued your interest, get ready for an intetesting read...
As with most destinations, I like to begin with quick facts.
Location:
Continent: Europe
Region: South Dalmatia (yes, that's where the black and white doggies get their name from) by the Adriatic Sea
Country: Croatia
Language: Croatian (English is widely spoken)
Currency: Kunas, but the Euro is also used.
Travel Requirements: Schengen Visa for some nationalities.
How Long to Stay: 4-7 Days
WHY VISIT DUBROVNIK?
If you've ever thought of visiting Dubrovnik, you're likely a travel buff or a dedicated Game of Thrones fan. The city gained a lot of fame as the picturesque backdrop of "King's Landing" in the once popular series. Game of Thrones is a big part of what the Dubrovnik sells. Personally, I've never watched an episode. So if you're like me, it's helpful to know that Dubrovnik is also known for its beaches, charming Old Town and larger than life city walls and fortresses. These are all truly ravishing...again, not your typical European city. It almost feels like everywhere you walk is telling a compelling story.
HOW EXPENSIVE IS DUBROVIK?: WHERE TO STAY, TRANSPORTATION, ETC
Views from our hotel, including the indoor pool that came in very handy.
Compared to many other cities in Europe, I'm gonna say Dubrovnik's expenses were moderate. Airfare within Europe is not the cheapest, but manageable. For example, tickets between Paris-Dubrovnik can start at €139 round trip. The biggest cost was accommodation, which for what we got, was very reasonable (€105 per room, per night). We stayed at Valamar Lacroma Hotel, a four star hotel. It was quite modern, very clean, professional and comfortable. In particular, we loved the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet which was truly worth it, as it kept us fueled until lunch. We visited in the shoulder season (April), so prices were a bit lower than usual. Very similar to my experience in Turkey, (you'll want to read about that one!), this cost us experiencing the water fun of the hotel. That was a big cost in my opinion. Unfortunately, the outdoor pool (which was so inviting in the photos) was closed, and the beach was too cold to enjoy. What saved the day was the indoor pool which provided some enjoyment. To avoid my predicament, visit between May-September. What I also liked about the hotel was the walk to beach, which included walking through a green area which invites you to linger. Along to way is a promenade, shopping strip, restaurants and a lookout point. Super relaxing. The area is within a cluster of well-maintained hotels which provided a very safe feeling.
The cost of public transportation in Dubrovnik was very affordable. We relied on the bus for the most part, except travel to and from the airport. A single bus ticket costs €1.73 at hotel reception or from newsstands; it's €1.99 if bought on the bus (cash required). A better option is to get a day pass which allows unlimited trips for 24 hours, for €5.31 (children under 6 travel for free). See what I mean by affordable? In Paris, the equivalent ticket is €13.20, in Berlin it's €9.50. I will say though, that the quality of transportation is very different. I personally didn't the mind the compromise. Dubrovnik only offers buses and taxis service. The bus system is not very digital, this means bus schedules are posted as flyers and perhaps, like we experienced, there may be no indication of which stopped you've arrived at. With some help from Google Maps, we had to guess based on what we saw, when we had arrived at the Old City. But I didn't find it unbearable. The airport was far from the centre and not serviced by the city bus. A taxi from our hotel in Lacroma cost about €45 for a 30 minute ride. A cheaper option though is the shuttle bus which gets to the Old City for €9. For the most part food and entertainment (even typical tourist experiences) were also reasonably priced.
WHAT TO DO IN DUBROVNIK
I felt like there was quite a bit to do in Dubrovnik, much of it being quite unusual and a welcomed difference from the typical "What to Do List" in European cities. I've listed these activities in order of preference.
Scenes from Dubrovnik's Old City
1. Visit the Old City (Stradun, Pile Gate, The City Harbour, and climb the City Walls): This is the quintessential Dubrovnik experience, so if you only do one thing, let it be this. It's super fascinating, beautiful and feels like you're in a medieval movie. The Old City will provide various experiences: quaint buildings uniformly topped with bright orange roofs, the city harbour, an enormous gate (Pile Gate), charming alleys, history-filled buildings. For added adventure, do a tour that takes you for a climb and walk around the towering city walls. As a bonus, much of the sites can be seen for free.
2. Cable Car Ride- This is definitely the second must-do activity. For us, the starting point of the ride was hard to find and it was quite a walk, but just know it's close to the city walls. You'll enjoy ascending in a moderately paced cable car which takes you to Srd Hill within 4 minutes. This lookout point in Dubrovnik provides the most beautiful views and photo opps. The cable car is suitable for babies & children - there's even enough space to carry a stroller. Beware of persons trying to sell unofficial tickets and alternate tours at the entrance to the ride. When you arrive at Srd Hill, visit Panorama Restaurant (book beforehand as it gets busy). It is quite pricey, but even just a drink will be worth it as the view from the restaurant and photo opp is unmatched. There are also a few shopping opportunities at the location. The cable car ride costs €27 round trip per adult, and €7 round trip for children 4-12 years old.
Stunning sights on the relaxing Lokrum Island, off the coast of Dubrovnik
3. Boat Ride to Nearby Islands (Lokrum, Elaphites): This was a great investment on our trip. We visited Lokrum Island and it was amazing! I'd recommend dedicating a whole day to this excursion as it's the perfect opportunity to slow down and relax. A dream for nature and history lovers. For about €27 per adult and €7 for children 5 and up, we took a 10 minute boat ride to this beautiful getaway that felt like another world. The best part for me was the peacocks that inhabit the island. Lokrum feels like an isle of hidden mystery, as there are various sites to be discovered at your own pace. Some of these include: Skalica Cove, Gardens of Maximilian, The Path of Paradise, Fort Royal and The Dead Sea. There is also a exercise complex, botanical garden, playground, ruins and ample lawn space to enjoy a picnic. Note: Ferry boats only operate from April-November. Another short boat ride away from Dubrovnik, is The Elaphites. This is a group of islands where one can enjoy a peaceful getaway involving wine tasting, cave exploration, beautiful beaches and fresh seafood. Are you in? *If you're a regular See Jo Go reader, you know I value budget experiences. I don't often recommend experiences that cost over €15 Euros. When I do it's because it's value for money or a standout experience. This was the case with both #2-3 on this list.
4. Take a Day Trip to Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina- This guys, is IT! It would have been my #1, but I can't really tell you the best thing about Dubrovik is to visit another country. And truly it isn't, but the opportunity was huge value for money and that's why it's one of my favourites. I love a good deal! Visiting 2 countries almost at the price of 1, is always a winner in my eyes. Both countries are reachable by bus at an affordable cost (about 55 roundtrip per person). Tickets can be sourced from Get Your Guide, even last minute, as was the case for us! I booked at around 11:00pm for a 6:00am departure the following day. We opted for Montenegro because it was somewhere I had wanted to see for a while. We crossed the border within 3 hours and spent the next 6 hours hopping from city to city! Definitely a memorable experience! Stay tuned for that blog!
The following experiences are listed in random order.
5. Rector's Palace- found in the Old Town, this palace and museum, which was originally built in the 13th century, offers an enrichening experience of history, artifacts and architecture.
6. Visit Blue Cave- this natural wonder, where blue light illuminates an intricately formed cave, is one of the world's most popular grottos. The spectacle is found on the island of Bisevo in the Dalmatian archipelago. Expect to budget quite a bit for this excursion, and plan well in advance.
7. Go To the Beach- Croatia has some beautiful coastlines. Within Dubrovnik, check out Banje Beach, Sveti Jakov, Copacabana Beach. If time and budget allows, it's a great idea to travel around Croatia: Spilt, Istria and Central Dalmatia all have wonderful beaches.
8. Dubrovnik Cathedral- this Baroque style relic of the past, is embellished with naves, two aisles and tasteful paintings; best of all, it's free to visit!
9. Adventure Tours: Kayaking, Snorkeling, Ziplining, ATV Tours- there's quite bit of ways to enjoy Dubrovnik off your feet. Book a tour to paddle in the Adriac Sea, dive down under with a snorkeling package or opt for ATV buggy rides at Srd Hill. Adventure awaits!
10. Game of Thrones Tour- you can't visit Dubrovnik without spotting flyers promoting these tours. It's almost impossible to miss. So if it's your kind of thing, then...lights, camera, action!
WHAT TO EAT IN DUBROVNIK
I honestly wouldn't tell you to go to Dubrovnik for the food. I tried some traditional items and I didn't fall in love. What I appreciated was that the portion sizes were large. That being said, here are some things you may want to try:
Black Risotto- a popular seafood rice dish prepared from cuttlefish, the intriguing black colour comes from squid ink.
Ice Cream- the ice cream I had here, was one of the best I've ever had anywhere! Maybe it was the creaminess, maybe it was the unique flavour (Orange Ginger) or maybe it was the fact it wasn't too sweet. But it's worth buying a cone...or two!
Pizza- interestingly our taxi driver told us this was a must try! He claimed that Croatia has better pizza than Italy! I followed his advice and he just might be right. Beware, the pizza pies are huge!
Mussels- being on the coast, Dubrovnik offers a lot in terms of seafood. Try mussels, especially if it's not something you have very often. Again, prepare for a cornucopia!
Pasticada- this is a traditional, hearty Dalmatian dish. It consists of roast beef, accompanied by a sweet and sour sauce and served with gnocchi or pasta. A great choice for a filling dinner.
WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
If possible, I'd suggest renting a car if you have an international license. Transportation around Dubrovnik is not the most efficient. This would also assist with journeying to the centre from the airport.
I only stayed for 3 nights. I would have stayed longer to enjoy more day trip experiences.
Don't travel in April, wait until the summer months to get the most out of the Dubrovnik.
Get the Dubrovnik Pass which starts at €35 for a daily ticket. This provides unlimited public transportation and free or discounted entry to various galleries and museums. I'm not sure that it's the best deal though as some of the top activities in Dubrovnik are not included. But if culture, history and architecture are your thing, it's a good investment.
MY TAKEAWAYS FROM DUBROVNIK
Aside from it's wealth of history and standout architecture, what I valued about Dubrovnik was the sense of humility and simplicity the town exuded. It felt quite down to earth and authentic. I also appreciated how service-orientated persons we came across were. Thank you, Dubrovnik!