Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

The city of Dubrovnik is a landmark in itself. Lord Byron once dubbed this medieval town, located at the very south of Croatia, ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’. It is easy to see how it earned such a title with azure waters adjacent to the magnificent old town at its core.

The town has a rich history and is a registered UNESCO World Heritage site.

For centuries, Dubrovnik was a free state that managed to stave off invasions from the Ottoman and Venetian empires. In the early 1990’s it was nearly devastated by Serb shells during the Yugoslavian civil war, but its resilient residents restored it to it’s former glory after the conflict had ended. Since then, Dubrovnik has emerged as a major tourist destination that attracts hundreds of thousands of travellers every year.

Tremendous medieval walls surround the multitude of baroque buildings and marble streets, which shimmer under the warm Adriatic sun. The town bustles with an international crowd who come to explore it’s many historic cathedrals and sculptures, designer shops and exquisite cafés and restaurants.

Beach
Just outside the city walls lies the Banje Beach, which provides tourists with the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the sunny Mediterranean climate. There are plenty of amenities to choose from here with it’s own array of beach bars, restaurant and opportunities to jet ski or take a parachute ride.

Attractions
Holidaymakers can spend days strolling through the medieval streets and exploring the plethora of museums and modern galleries the town has to offer.

Those who fancy a change of scenery can take a short trip to the neighbouring country, Montenegro, which is only an hour away.

Another excursion worth considering is a trip to the historic island of Korcula, which was the favourite holiday destination of the ancient Greeks.

Sightseeing
Culture vultures will not go wanting as this medieval town is steeped in history. Some of the top attractions include the Franciscan Monastery, with it’s stunning interior courtyard surrounded by cloisters and a Monastery museum.

The spectacular Sponza and Rectors Palaces are perfect ways to spend days immersing yourself in Dubrovnik’s rich cultural history. The city walls provide a wonderful view of the old rooftops, the port and a breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea.

Eating and Drinking
To cater for the diverse international crowd that the city attracts, there are a huge variety of restaurants and cafés in the old town. Like any port town worth it’s salt, the seafood restaurants don’t disappoint and are generally quite affordable. Traditional Croatian and Dalmatian cuisine proves very popular with the tourists and locals alike.

After an afternoon soaking in the beauty, culture and sun, there is still plenty to explore at night. A wide range of bars and nightclubs can be found in the old town and live music can be found in local jazz bars during the summer months. There are also plenty of bars along the adjacent Banje beach, which are perfect for quiet cocktails while watching the sunset over the Adriatic Sea.