Dubrovnik

Unique walled city on the sea

Dubrovnik is the most famous place in Croatia ad best known for its cultural heritage. Wherever you are in the world, people have heard about it and last year about a million tourists visited Dubrovnik, with the British leading the way. Brits have long had a love affair with the city and we are proud to feature Dubrovnik which itself is a UNESCO listed site. Dubrovnik is smaller than most people think, with a population of around 50,000, and visitors tend to stay either close to the old city, or a short bus ride away on the Lapad and Babin Kuk peninsulas and we have hotels in all sectors of the city. Due to huge demand we have introduced more hotels for 2012 in the three to five star category. Both the Hotel Bellevue (five star) and the Lero (four star) are located mid way between the old town and the Lapad peninsula and both are within a pleasant 15 minute walk into the centre. We’ve also introduced some lovely smaller three and four star boutique hotels close to the beach and the pedestrianised area of Lapad. There is an excellent bus service from all hotels to the old city with a journey time of around ten minutes.

So what of Dubrovnik old city? Is it really as beautiful as they say? Yes it is. One of the true, perfectly preserved, medieval walled cities in Europe, memorably described by George Bernard Shaw as ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’ it was placed on the UNESCO heritage list in 1979. The huge ramparts built between the 11th and 17th centuries encase the city and have saved it a number of times from earthquake and attack. The entire walk of the walls takes around an hour and from up there, you can see it all. In July 2010, the city celebrated the reopening of the cable car which travels from downtown to the hilltop at Mount Srdj in a matter of minutes. Well worth doing for the views and there’s a bar and restaurant at the top.

Dubrovnik has been ruled by many, but for four and a half centuries (1358-1808), when it was known as Ragusa, it was an independent republic, rivalling Venice itself in both commerce and sea trade. Palaces, mansions, churches, cathedrals, squares, alleyways, courtyards, windows – in styles from Baroque to Renaissance – are at its cultural heart, along with one of the oldest synagogues in Europe and an Orthodox church, but the city is much more than a museum of faded glories. Dubrovnik’s Summer Festival is up there with some of the best in Europe, there are beautiful gardens and, surprisingly, also has one of the best sea kayaking facilities in the region.

From Dubrovnik, there are a number of excursions including to neighbouring Montenegro, the island of Korcula, the Elafiti islands and north to the fabulous city of Split. Be sure though not to overlook what is right on Dubrovnik’s doorstep: take a picnic over to uninhabited Lokrum island, just ten minutes away by regular shuttle boat from the old city port for some great swimming. Visit Trsteno Arboretum with its gorgeous Renaissance layout, just 30 minutes north of Dubrovnik by regular bus or excursion where there are over 400 species of trees and plants. The lush Konavle Valley inland and beyond from Dubrovnik airport where local traditions, food (river trout is a speciality here) and costume still thrive amid tangerine trees and fertile valleys. 

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