Dubrovnik revisited

Sally Murray on 08 June 2019
For any of you who follow me on my social media, you know how much I love talking about not just future destinations I’m hoping to visit but also places I’ve been to.

In this part of my Travel Diaries, we are going to the “Pearl in the Adriatic” - Dubrovnik. I’ve been to Dubrovnik a couple of times, and this blog is about my second visit but I must admit, I cannot wait to go back! My first experience of this gorgeous city was when we stopped here on a family cruise holiday, taking in parts of the stunning eastern Mediterranean. For our cruise, we departed from Venice and discovered the delights of Santorini, Athens, Dubrovnik and Split, followed by an extended stay in Venice. Dubrovnik and Split were absolutely beautiful. Having never visited Croatia before, they stood out to us and put Croatia high up as somewhere we would love to spend more time exploring. One of the great advantages of a cruise is that you get to sample more than one place and a brilliant way to plan future travels. Well, we did revisit Croatia, choosing Dubrovnik for an adult-only weekend away with friends, in the summer month of June.

Where to stay

This really does depend on the kind of experience you would like to have, whether you are looking for somewhere in the heart of the old town, or outside of the old walls, where you can relax without the crowds. Travelling as two couples, the focus was on being somewhere where we could easily access the old town of Dubrovnik by a short taxi ride or walk, be located somewhere more peaceful with the option to relax (and really enjoy having no children around!), whether by the pool or with a drink over an evening meal. We chose to stay on the Lapad peninsula, just a 10-15 minute taxi ride away and wow what a stunning location it was! The beautiful 5* luxury boutique Hotel More was perfect, with its own pool, a buffet and an a la carte restaurant, and not to be missed - the unique natural cave bar it is well known for. If you were looking to stay here, I would opt for the Seaview rooms here. The view first thing in the morning was simply stunning and so relaxing.

Where to go and what to do in Dubrovnik

The Old Town of Dubrovnik: For Game of Thrones’ fans, this is a sight to behold. But it is not essential to be one! You will see lots of references to it, as clearly it is one of the reasons for an increase in popularity. But the beauty lies in its paved streets, discovering the side streets, taking a look at the harbour, discovering hidden churches and walking in and out of shops. You absolutely must take in the view from the old city walls, looking over the Terracotta roofs. Stop off for a drink or bite to eat in many of the small restaurants in the main central streets, or find somewhere a little more unique. I will share a unique, no frills spot worth visiting further on in the blog... We had a fantastic time visiting Old Town, properly this time and at our own pace, without unwilling children or the lack of time during our cruise. So, this time we took the opportunity and walked the walls. A prime opportunity and might seem a little daunting in the heat but trust me, it is well worth it!

Sea kayaking: Now to really appreciate this walled city, my best tip would be to try and view it from as many angles as you can. We arranged a sea kayaking trip that took us literally from the walls of the old fortress and off out to sea and around the island of Lokrum. With regular stops, and one longer stop for a spot of swimming or snorkelling in the Adriatic Sea, looking back at the fortress walls is a must for anyone that likes to be a little more active.

Cable Car & Buggy Safari - A view from above: Whilst it is possible to hike up Mount Srd, this was not an option we chose, the plan was to take the cable car, much faster and you get to look out the windows at the amazing view the whole time. Our experience was slightly different, in that when we got to the top and a bit of adrenaline awaited in the form of an off road buggy safari! This was great fun, a chance to race around the hills above the old town, and the views were simply stunning. Although we did have a moment dicing with some local wildlife that was determined to outrun us on the buggy!! For any history lovers and to better understand the history of Dubrovnik, pay a visit to the Museum of Croatian War of Independence, housed in the Napoleonic Imperial Fort on top of the mountain. Before leaving the top, we enjoyed lunch in the Panorama restaurant, again a beautiful spot and one I would highly recommend as the 360 degree view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands are a view to really soak up and enjoy.

Not to be missed, beautiful Cavtat: On our last day in Dubrovnik we took a boat trip to Cavtat, a pretty nearby town which can also be reached by road. Full of restaurants and narrow little streets to explore, with a gorgeous harbour and headland you can walk around. Probably one of our slower paced days, and a great resort to stay in should you want to base yourself with no hustle and bustle.

What to eat

Being surrounded by the sea you can expect fresh seafood on most menus. The Dubrovnik speciality is crni rižot or black rice, which is cuttlefish risotto with black squid ink, a very rich dish with a slight mushroom flavour. Hubby sampled this and really enjoyed it! If you’re more of a meat person, then there are lots of other options, and with lots of side streets in the old town there are the smaller more authentic settings, along with the larger more central options with al fresco dining options, a great atmosphere within the buzz of the city walls. Dubrovnik is also littered with Gelaterias, which we took full advantage of on multiple occasions! And the stop I mentioned earlier for a drink with a view, try Buza Bar. Sat on the cliffs outside the town walls, a no-frills location, no facilities other than the small bar and not great if you have a fear of heights, however perfect for a sit down with a gorgeous view out to sea.

Dubrovnik is an ideal getaway for solo travellers, couples and families alike. Either as a port of call on a cruise itinerary, a city break, as part of a Croatian island hopping or multi centre experience, with many sailing opportunities in this area too. If I’ve inspired you to plan a visit, do get in touch. I’ve planned so many different itineraries and am always happy to discuss and create a tailored experience that works for you.