Dubrovnik Croatia :: A Must-See Gem in the Balkans

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A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and dubbed the “Pearl of the Adriatic” Dubrovnik is an absolutely stunning ancient city dating back to the 7th century. Sitting proudly on the picturesque Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik is very well known for its breathtaking views. Similar to Kotor, Montenegro (another place I love and about which I will be blogging soon) with its rich history, unbelievable architecture, hand-laid cobblestones and much, much more Dubrovnik has stolen my heart. And although it is very similar to Kotor each is truly unique in many ways as well.

One of the absolute highlights in the Balkans (which includes the following countries :: Albania, Bosnia + Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and the geographical/political region of European Turkey), this city has everything from breathtaking views, historic buildings, ancient architecture and ridiculously gorgeous natural wonders. Dubrovnik is a one-of-a-kind city that should definitely be at the top of your travel itinerary, especially because the weather there remains amazing long after summer is gone. So you can comfortably travel there after many tourists have taken their kids back home for the new school year.

Side Note ::
Dubrovnik was a stop on a 14-day cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean (and may I just add :: the BEST cruise itinerary I’ve ever taken. EVER.) departing out of Istanbul and stopping in Ephesus, Corfu, Mykonos, Athens, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Civiteveccia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Nice/Villefranche, Provence (Marseilles) and ending in Barcelona. 12 stops, with only 2 full days at sea. What an amazing cruise that was and I would take it again in a heartbeat if it was still available (unfortunately the cruise lines took Istanbul off of their itineraries for safety reasons after the bombing at the US Embassy there). My plan is to write about each and every one of those fascinating cities in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!

Back to Dubrovnik, it happened to be a super hot day at the end of August but Roydio and I were determined to walk (and climb and climb!) the Walls of Dubrovnik which took us all the way around Old Town. OMG. The heat definitely made it a challenge but it was beyond worth it! It took us longer than the estimated time of 2 hours not only because of the heat (rest and water!) but also because I stopped at every turn to capture literally EVERYTHING I could in the short time we were there! I wish we’d had much, much more time…

Fort Lovrijenac

Also known as St. Lawrence Fortress or Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar this 16th century seaside fortress is made of limestone and hosts theatrical performances outside the western wall of the city. I’m told that several seasons of Game of Thrones was filmed here.

The Croatian leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series takes place in Lovrijenac. Two drawbridges lead to the fort and above the gate there is an inscription Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro “Freedom is not to be sold for all the treasures in the world.”

Cost :: Included in the cost of Walls of Dubrovnik entrance 54.79USD Click here for tickets.
Hours :: 8am to 7:30pm
Location :: Od. Tabakarije 29, 20000, Dubrovnik

St. John Fortress

Also called Mulo Tower St. John is one of the key forts in Dubrovnik built to protect the entrance to the port but currently the large interior of the fortress houses the Dubrovnik Maritime Museum and Aquarium. From the intriguing exhibits one can gain insight to why and how Dubrovnik Republic was so successful in its trade endeavors and how Dubrovnik became a wealthy merchant Republic.

Cost :: Click here for info about and tickets for the walking tour of Dubrovnik which includes St. John Fortress
Hours :: 8am to 7:30pm
Location :: Poljana Paška Miličevića, 20000, Dubrovnik

Stradun

Stradun, the 300-meter limestone-paved pedestrian “main street” through Old Town, is surrounded by the Walls of Dubrovnik. Undoubtedly one of Europe’s most picturesque pedestrian thoroughfares, the Stradun boasts many cafés and restaurants and is a great place to rest weary feet after a day touring Dubrovnik and also do one of my fave pastimes :: people-watching.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: most of the streets in Old Town lead to Stradun

Dubrovnik Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is its formal Roman Catholic name and is the seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik. Beneath the Cathedral nearby archaeological excavations have revealed the foundations and walls of two older churches. The first was an early Christian basilica built sometime in the 7th or 8th century. Some say that this “new” church was financed by Richard the Lion-Heart on his return from the Third Crusade.

Cost :: Entrance is free and open to the public; ticket to enter the treasury is 2EU
Hours :: 9am to 5pm most days
Location :: Ul. kneza Damjana Jude 1, 20000, Dubrovnik

Tvrdava Minceta

Tvrdava Minceta is a 14th century fortress located on the north part of the walls facing toward the land at the highest point of Dubrovnik which offers a panoramic view of the city and Adriatic sea. Minceta is a large round fort with a massive base in the form with the Gothic crown sitting proudly on top.

Minceta is the very highest point in the Dubrovnik defense system, the name taken from the Mincetic family who were the owners of the ground where the tower was built the construction of which started in 1319 according to the design of architect Ranjina. You’ll be able to get some pretty fantastic views from this vantage point.

Cost :: Included in the entrance to the Wall (approx 30USD) or Click here for info and tickets on the Walking Tour
Hours :: 8am to 7:30pm daily
Location :: Ul. Ispod Minčete 9, 20000, Dubrovnik

Large Onofrio’s Fountain

Onofrio is a circular spring-water fountain built between 1438 and 1444 with carved stone masks out of which you can fill your water bottles any time of the day or night. Dubrovnik’s famous Big Fountain of Onofrio is probably the best known of the city’s many historic monuments.

Fresh spring water is available to the public from this and many other fountains around Dubrovnik. And it is certainly much needed if you’ll be there when the temperatures are as hot they were when we were there.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Pojana Paska Milicevica, 20000, Dubrovnik

Pile Gate

For centuries Dubrovnik’s famous Pile Gate is the north/main entrance to Old Town Dubrovnik. and is still the most interesting access point to this fabulous old city, formerly surrounded by a moat complete with a drawbridge built in 1537. Carved into the gate is a statue of Sveti Vlaho (St. Blaise), the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Ul. Grata od Pila, 20000, Dubrovnik

King’s Landing

King’s Landing is the main filming location for the very popular television series “Game of Thrones.” The tours will take you to some of the locations used in the filming of this award-winning series.

If you’re a fan of the show this is a MUST do. Especially since they aired its final episode just last month on May 19, 2019.

Cost :: Click here for tickets to the 22.84USD small group walking tour
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Brsalje ul. bb, 20000, Dubrovnik

Dominican Monastery

In Gothic-style architecture this religious complex / museum was founded dating back to 1225 however actual use of the building did not occur until the 14th century and the bell towers were not added until the 18th century. 

The Dominican Monastery is one of the most important architectural parts of Dubrovnik and major treasury of cultural and art heritage there as the museum of the monastery exhibits many paintings, artifacts, jewelry and other items from the rich history of Dubrovnik.

Even with the many tourists who linger here it is a very peaceful place in which it is easy to reflect what it must been like in that time in the 14th century. Surreal, really.

Cost :: Entrance to the museum is 15 Kuna
Hours :: 9am to 6pm
Location :: Ul. Svetog Dominka 4, 20000, Dubrovnik

Sponza Palace

Also called Divona, “Sponza” in Latin means “the spot where rainwater is collected.” Designed in both Gothic and Renaissance architecture this 16th century palace was built between 1516 and 1522. The palace has served a variety of public functions, including as a customs office and bonded warehouse, mint (until after the fall of the Republic), armory, treasury, bank and school. It is currently home to the city archives (in terms of volume one of the largest in the world) which hold documents dating back to the 12th century. The palace is also currently used as a performance venue. And a memorial of Croatian soldiers killed in the last war is housed in there. 

The details in the architecture are stunning.

Cost :: Free to enter inner court; Treasury costs 2EU
Hours :: 8am to 7pm
Location :: Stradun 2, 20000, Dubrovnik

Cafe Buza

If you love drinking ice cold beer, lazing in the sun and cliff jumping into the crystal clear Adriatic ocean then you’re in for a treat. Is this what the original “dive bar” was named after?

Hanging out at a Buza Bar is definitely one of those things that you have to do if you come to Dubrovnik but there are a few things you may want to be prepared for before you go :: Buza Bar is no longer the the secret it used to be so it gets very crowded. The servers aren’t the friendliest (probably because they want to get people in and out as quickly as possible) and the bar serves only drinks, no food. You’ll pay about 6.50USD for a beer. And it may not be cold as they advertise. And they will serve your wine in a plastic cup. If you’re ok with all of that, make sure you bring water shoes to climb the rocks if you plan to dive in the water!

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To find these epic spots, walk the main old town street clockwise around past all the shops and restaurants. You will eventually walk past a small doorway/hole in the wall (literally!). There is spray paint on the wall inside reading “NO TOPLESS” (HA!) that leads around to the right – you should be able to hear the music! This is Buza Bar 1 and it is the larger of the two. It has much more space for sunbathing and tables & chairs for chilling out. But be prepared for some seriously uncomfortable sunbathing! As you’ll find a lot in Europe, rocks and concrete slabs are known as their beaches. Remember, you’re coming for the experience!

Cost :: menu pricing
Hours :: 8am to 10pm
Location :: Crijevićeva ul. 9, 20000, Dubrovnik

Franjo Tudman Bridge

Originally designed to begin building in 1989 the process on the Franjo Tudman Bridge was halted due to the Croatian War of Independence. When it finally did open in 2002 this 1700-foot-long lopsided cable-stayed bridge was named after Croatia’s first president after its independence from Yugoslavia and cut the drive west from Dubrovnik by 20 minutes. If you park at the lot on the far side of the bridge you will get a wonderful view of Gruž Harbour and the Elafiti archipelago.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Suspended over the Rijeka Dubrovacka, near the Port of Gruz

There are TONS of other sites to see in Dubrovnik but it is impossible to even scratch the surface on a one-day cruise stop. What I enjoy about cruising is that you are exposed to many different destinations that one day you can go back to and spend more time. Croatia is one of those destinations to which I will return again and again I’m sure of it!

Read More ::

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What a beautiful and picturesque place Dubrovnik is! It has all the history and architecture and culture and texture that I seek to find on my travels. My heart was full this day. The gelato was so refreshing and super tasty (one of the best I’ve had outside of Italy) and Roydio really enjoyed the iced coffee here! So happy that this city was on our cruise itinerary.

Update :: We flew back to Croatia on a trip to Europe, this time to Split, where we spent a little more time and also had the opportunity to visit the surrounding areas including UNESCO World Heritage Site in Trogir. Such a beautiful and interesting place. I’ll be writing about that trip in a future post so stay tuned for more on Croatia!