Sightseeing and Sea: This is Why Dubrovnik is Worth a Trip

Many think a trip to Dubrovnik would be just a typical city trip filled with history and culture. However, the Croatian coastal city has so much more to offer. Here's how to make your visit an unforgettable vacation experience.

The view from above of the 'Pearl of the Adriatic', as Dubrovnik is also called, is reminiscent of the board game 'Carcassonne', where the objective is to build castles. Time seems to have stood still here somewhere between antiquity and the Middle Ages. As you walk along the 25-meter-high, two-kilometer-long city wall, you can almost feel how the gates at Pile Gate, Ploče Gate, and Sveti-Ivan Fortress were closed, making it impossible to enter across the large moat.

In addition to the city walls, which are among the best-preserved fortifications in Europe, Dubrovnik's Old City is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Strolling through its streets, it's easy to see why: stunning historic architecture, palaces, churches, and monasteries endow the city of 43,000 inhabitants with its charm. It's no surprise then that Dubrovnik served as a filming location for the world-renowned series 'Game of Thrones', where you can embark on a guided tour tracing the footsteps of fantasy characters.

Just let yourself drift without a city map and let your gaze wander along the beautiful buildings. If you spend a few days in Dubrovnik, you'll quickly start to know your way around. The Old City is divided by the main street Stradun, on which you'll find yourself again and again, into northern and southern areas.

Here you'll find restaurants, small cafes, shops, and souvenir stores. There are no large shopping centers in Dubrovnik, which adds to the city's charm. In just a six-minute walk, you can go from the western part of the city to the old port in the east and discover many of the main attractions on your stroll.

For your Dubrovnik vacation, you should definitely plan to stay a few extra days and pack your swimwear, because apart from the exciting historical heritage, you'll find wonderful relaxation on beautiful beaches. If Banje Beach directly behind the Old City is too close to the hustle and bustle for you, you can explore one of the surrounding islands.

Lokrum Island is accessible in 90 minutes by ferry from the old city port. It's also called a 'green oasis' and invites you with fine sandy beaches, a botanical garden, and a salt lake similar to the Dead Sea to relax and unwind. On the Elaphiti Islands, you'll also find relaxation: here, crystal clear turquoise sea meets a picturesque landscape full of olive groves and cypress trees. If you want a more active vacation, Dubrovnik and its surroundings offer plenty of opportunities, whether hiking, kayaking, diving, or mountain biking.

Most of us probably know at least one restaurant called 'Dubrovnik' in our own city, which already speaks volumes about Croatian cuisine. It is characterized by fresh seafood dishes and a variety of fish, fresh vegetables, olive oil, and local herbs. By exploring the 'Gunduliceva Poljana' market, you can indulge in the smells and tastes of what Dubrovnik has to offer.

The 'Dubrovnik Summer Festival' takes place from July 10 to August 25. During these weeks, 30 locations transform into open-air stages-from churches and monasteries to the Rector's Palace. Although the city is bustling during this time, a magical atmosphere prevails when live music emanates from every corner.

Yes, that's also possible: a visit to Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you have a rental car, you can reach the beautiful city of Kotor in Montenegro in about two hours. The drive along the Adriatic coast promises stunning views. Once in Kotor, you are greeted by a breathtaking setting overlooking the Bay of Kotor as well as the majestic mountainous massif and Lovćen Nature Reserve.

Kotor is the most visited city in Montenegro for a reason and invites you, just like Dubrovnik, to wander its old city streets. Another city you can reach from Dubrovnik in two and a half hours is Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is famous for its white stone bridge, which offers a beautiful view of the turquoise river below and the historic buildings.

As you now know, a trip to Dubrovnik is much more than just a city trip. In addition to the impressive Old City, a beautiful landscape and proximity to other great excursion destinations ensure the perfect balance between sightseeing and a relaxing vacation for you.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.