Dubrovnik Diaries
Well-known as the filming location for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, the city’s unique beauty is seen in its pebbled beaches, limestone streets, and famous baroque architecture within ancient fortress walls.
For the Adventurist
Walk the Walls of Dubrovnik right when it opens in the morning, for sweeping city views. Then spend a day at Sveti Jakov Beach, located right outside the old city gates, with unforgettable vistas of the island of Lokrum. When you’ve had your fill of Old Town and its amazing historical sites, adventure awaits just beyond the ancient city walls, including many hikes traversing the surrounding Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Tackle the summit of Mount Srđ (part of Dinaric Alps), enjoy the mountaintop museum, and then take a cable car back down. If you’d rather traverse Croatia’s natural landscape via bike, Pelješac Peninsula is a four-mile cycling trail that passes several vineyards and heads from Camp Vrilo to Veliko Propratno. Families with teens may love taking a 4x4 jeep safari to the quaint village of Čilipi.
For the Foodie
While Dubrovnik is arguably most famous for black risotto and truffle-infused meals, oyster tasting an hour north of the city is well worth a gorgeous day trip. The quiet town of Ston is home to one of the longest fortress systems in Europe, an old salt-making mill, and a delicious oyster farm in Mali Ston Bay, where you can shuck fresh oysters directly from the sea at Mali Ston Oyster. Back in the city, lunch at Konoba Sveti Jakov includes delicious grilled shrimp and black risotto, while the laid-back Beach Bar Dodo is a local’s favorite, serving authentic regional dishes and located between the fortresses of Bokar and Lovrijenac. If Croatian wines sound tempting, experience D’vino, a tucked-away wine bar in Old Town. Gin lovers should sample the goods at Habitat Distillery, which features citrus-and-sage infused gins by local Vlaho Carević. And if you ask most anyone for the best gelato in the city, they will likely point you toward Peppino’s Gelato Factory, where the mantra is “a day without gelato is a day wasted.”
For the History Buff
Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Dubrovnik is home to countless cultural attractions and monumental architectural feats. The fortress of Revlin is surrounded by the sea on one side and three moats — an original sentinel over the Dubrovnik port. The Bokar Fortress was initially built to defend the main city entrance and today is the performance venue of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. The Church of the Holy Savior was constructed between the Franciscan monastery and the Pile Gates in in 1520. After remaining surprisingly intact after two earthquakes, it’s been preserved to its original splendor. The starting point to any visit to Dubrovnik is the famous Ploce Gate (the oldest gate in Croatia), built in 1537. Lastly, the incredible Sponza Palaze is a Renaissance portico resting on six Corinthian columns — an architectural wonder.
For the Fashionista
Boutique hopping? Don’t miss Life According to Kawa, which sells locally made art, beer, wine, and furniture in a converted garage outside Ploce Gate. House of Nature is a wellness warrior’s score, featuring organic Croatian cosmetics. Yes, it’s touristy, but the charming cobble-stoned Stradun Street is tops for high-end Dubrovnik shopping, with fine jewelry, silk scarves, souvenirs, and Croatian wines. You may spy celebrities and social media influencers at Maria Store, which lines its boutique walls with high-end women’s wear.
Where You'll Stay
