1. Have a Game of Thrones moment

Dubrovnik is gaining fame as the setting for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. While there are plenty of appropriately themed walking tours, it’s also easy to have many Game of Thrones moment on your own, just by exploring the city.

2. Kayak around the walls

While I won’t recommend the company we used (way too many people and a terrible guide) but watching the sun set over Dubrovnik from a kayak was spectacular!

3. Have a drink at Buza (or Buza II)

As we were kayaking around the city walls (is that a sentence or what??), I spotted a few white umbrellas scattered between the wall and the sea. I had to investigate, and so we discovered the awesome Buza bar. Although apparently there is also Buza II–and I’m not sure which one we went to!!–but it’s a MUST. It’s a fairly simple bar–just a beer type of place, no fancy cocktails here–but the view, and the ability to hop right in the ocean after, is necessary.

4. Explore the back alleys

Although Dubrovnik, as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” can get crowded as a major cruise ship destination, venturing off the main streets just slightly is really rewarding, and much quieter. Back alleyways can just be the stars of the city, can’t they?

5. Take in the lively evening streets

As I mentioned above, Dubrovnik can get crowded. But, on a warm summer night, the lively streets are full of open-air cafes and live music and an almost carnival air. We grabbed an ice cream and strolled, taking in the sights and the atmosphere and the lit-up buildings, but there were many wine bars or seafood bistros that were calling my name.

6. Take a ferry to an island

The southern coast of Croatia has many islands you can visit, tons of which are a day trip away from Dubrovnik! If you only have a day, I’d recommend Lokrum–although beware the nude beach ;). If you have longer, the islands Hvar and Korčula are breathtaking.

7. Eat some seafood and try some Croatian wine–with a view–at a local home

Airbnbs in Croatia were some of the BEST we’ve ever stayed in. Not only were they beautiful, convenient and well-priced, but all of our hosts were beyond friendly and welcoming. Our host in Dubrovnik–technically in the nearby village/cove of Lapad–met us at the door with a local wine, cheese, and joined us for a chat on her picturesque, relaxing little patio.

Have you been to Dubrovnik? What would you add to this list?

Linking up with Travel Tuesday. 

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The Old Town

The Old Town is gorgeous; it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is easy to understand why with its history and stunning architecture.

The town gets super busy throughout the day as it has a major cruise ship port nearby but, in the evening things quieten down significantly and you can really soak in the atmosphere (and the heat!) along the Stradan with a nice glass of Croatian wine and people watch to your hearts content! It is a walled town and you can pay to walk along these walls although I would recommend doing this in the morning before it gets really hot!

The Atmosphere

As I mentioned above the Old Town has a wonderful atmosphere, so much so that it needs it’s an entire section of it’s own here!  During the summer months when it is the height of the tourist season, there is so much going on throughout Dubrovnik. There is the Summer Festival which runs throughout July and August and provides lots of different concerts in various venues. Even when there aren’t any festivals there are always buskers or street artists to keep you entertained.

The Neighbouring Islands

Dubrovnik is small so if you are there for more than a few days you will probably want to explore a bit further afield. Luckily there are lots of day trips you can take to nearby islands and even to other countries! The closest island is Lokrum which is a fifteen minute boat ride away and is great for escaping the crowds during the day, doing a bit of sunbathing and maybe even having a cheeky (but very expensive) mojito. There are also some nice walks to be had there as well as a botanical garden and lots of peacocks roaming the island to be admired.

Slightly further away are the Elafiti Islands of Kolocepo, äipan and Lopud which are a must see. Many companies run day trips to see all three islands but you can also jump on a boat from Port Gruz and explore them individually. Our favourite Island is Lopud, but really they are all beautiful and worth visiting to take in the scenery and enjoy the sunshine!

 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

It’s Proximity to Other Countries

If you fancy going even further afield you can take day trips from Dubrovnik to different countries! There are a few companies that run tours to both Mostar and Montenegro that are worth considering. We did these the first time we visited Dubrovnik as we were there for nearly two weeks so had plenty of time to kill. They were both excellent day trips but I think I preferred the Mostar trip as it was a little bit less rushed!

The Food

For me, when I go to a new country it really is all about the food and Dubrovnik has so many wonderful restaurants to suit every taste! My particular favourites are Azur which serves Asian fusion cuisine, Nishta which serves Vegan and Gluten free food, and Taj Mahal which serves Bosnian dishes (I recommend the Cevapi). This list could actually go on forever and if you are looking for some tips on where to eat feel free to drop me a line and I will be happy to recommend some more.

The Wine

Before visiting Dubrovnik I had no idea that Croatia has some really nice wine. I don’t think it is widely available in the UK but if you can get your hands on it, I would recommend giving it a try! The Old Town has a famous wine bar called D’vino’s which everyone goes to when visiting and I have to say it does live up to the hype! There are also some wine tours available, we went on this one run by Mario, which although a little on the pricey side was excellent and worth every penny!

It is so difficult to describe just how beautiful Dubrovnik and the surrounding area is and my words and photos don’t really do it justice. I really recommend that you take a trip there if you ever get the chance as you won’t regret it!

Have you ever been to Dubrovnik? What did you think of it?

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