If you are thinking of traveling to Dubrovnik, Croatia, you are in the right place. Dubrovnik city, formerly known as Ragusa, is connected to Croatia and is located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Millions of visitors flock to this city, which houses many historical artifacts from the Middle Ages, every year. It is quite possible to see the effects of the past in this city, which is famous for its historical monuments.
Although the historical artifacts in the city were damaged due to internal conflicts when Croatia left the Yugoslavian state in 1991, it regained its former appearance to a great extent after the restoration works carried out with UNESCO in 2005. UNESCO named and protected the historical areas of the city as World Heritage in 1979. From the outside, the city looks like a historical building surrounded by walls. It also includes Lokrum Island, which is famous for its beach and botanical gardens.
In the period of Napoleon Bonaparte, after the wars, this city was connected to France in 1808. Ragusa, which was under the rule of France for a short time, passed under the rule of Austria after the Congress of Vienna, and the 443-year Ottoman rule in this city came to an end.
Where Is Dubrovnik?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Dubrovnik. It is located on the Adriatic Coast in the south of Croatia.
When To Go To Dubrovnik?
In this city, where the Mediterranean climate is observed, it can be preferred to visit in the winter months, as the weather is not very cold in winter, but if you want to have a beach holiday, enjoy the sun and the sea, the summer months will be quite suitable for this.
If you want to visit the city, see its walls, cathedrals, and examine its historical structure, the autumn months will be more suitable. The fact that the winter and spring months receive a lot of precipitation and the summer months are quite hot and dry will prevent the walks. Therefore, if you do not go for a summer vacation, the best times will be autumn, but if you do not mind the rains, Lokrum Island can be visited in the spring.
The flowers blooming in the botanical gardens of the city create an almost heavenly appearance. However, if it rains heavily, you may miss this opportunity and not be able to use Dubrovnik’s famous cable car, as boat tours on Lokrum Island will be canceled.
If you go in May or June, you can both tour the city from beginning to end without being too bothered by the heat and enjoy the sea without being too crowded. So these two months are probably the most logical months to visit Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik Summer Festival, one of Dubrovnik’s most famous festivals, is a music and drama festival and is celebrated every year in July. If you want to feel the spirit of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, you can attend this festival in July. Those who will visit this city in June can attend the Libertas Film Festival and have the opportunity to watch independent short films featuring many cultures in the open air.
Trip To Dubrovnik
The pearl of the Adriatic, the pupil of Croatia, Dubrovnik is famous for its holiday atmosphere, beaches, old buildings from its historical past and narrow streets. There are very beautiful historical buildings that you can visit and see in the Old Town area, which is called the heart of the city. Dubrovnik, which is not limited to these structures, is also famous for its beaches, which are highly preferred for summer holidays.
In addition to its natural and historical beauties, you can find detailed information about the places to visit and see in the city of Dubrovnik, which is very suitable for summer holidays. First of all, the Old Town with Renaissance and Baroque architectures, Stradun Street, which has become the commercial and festival center of the city, Sponza (Rector) Palace, which exhibits the gold of the Republic Period and hosts the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, the largest festival, Franciscan Palace, which houses the world’s first pharmacy.
Monastery and Museum, Lovrijenac Castle, which is considered the symbol of freedom and eternity, Dubrovnik Walls that surround the city from one end to the other, Dubrovnik Cable Car where you can see the whole view of the city, Lokrum Island, a paradise where you can be completely intertwined with nature and the Onofrio Fountain, which was built to protect from diseases, should definitely be seen. is one of the essential places.
Old Town
Old Town, the historical center of Dubravnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, called the apple of the eye and the heart, is an area in the city that can be used for both accommodation, sightseeing and exploration, creating excellent opportunities for shopping. In this area where you can see the Renaissance and Baroque architecture in detail, you can find many bars, cafes and restaurants besides historical churches, palaces, fountains and monasteries.13.
In this region where you can find the breezes of the 19th century, you can see structures of historical importance such as the Bell Tower and the Orlanda Column, which are the subject of many festivals. Since the Old Town is also located in the center of the city, it will be very easy to reach everywhere from here. You will witness the traces of past history at every step you take in this region, where you will pass through the narrow streets with stairs.
Stradun Street
The heart of the Old Town, the heart of Dubrovnik, is Stradun Street. Established on an area of 300 meters, this street reflects both the historical importance and daily life of the city in the most detailed way, thanks to the cafes, restaurants, street stands and commercial areas. This street, which hosts festivals, is named after the Italians and has earned the title of being one of the largest streets in the Mediterranean.
It is possible to find everything you are looking for in this street where you will want to get lost in its side streets. You can find everything from local and local clothes to food, jewelry to cosmetics here, and you can do small souvenir shopping for yourself and your loved ones, especially by visiting the markets that are set up during the daytime and removed towards the evening.
Rector’s Palace
This palace, built during the Renaissance period, is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic style architecture. This palace, which is one of the most important structures of the city of Dubrovnik, attracts a lot of attention with the products it exhibits, as it visually affects it when viewed from the outside. Sponza Palace, also known as Rector’s Palace, hosts cultural and art festivals. This palace, which was used as a bank and customs in the past, was not damaged at all, even when a great earthquake took place in the city in 1667.
In this palace, which is frequented by those who want to cool off in the fountains in its garden on hot summer days, many different cultural events such as concerts, theater and poetry recitals are held throughout the year.
Franciscan Monastery And Museum
This monastery, which was completed in the 14th century, has an important place in Dubrovnik history. Reflecting its Baroque architecture, this monastery includes cloisters, churches and museums. The monks of the Franciscan Monastery, which is among the places that should definitely be visited, established one of the first pharmacies of the world in this monastery. A historical past that starts from the 11th century and extends to the 19th century is hidden inside.
It includes a large number of objects from these years and also has a large library. The monastery was severely damaged by earthquake and fire. According to a legend, the fire that broke out in Manastır after the 1667 earthquake was so great that the gold and silver that could not withstand the heat of this fire melted and formed the road to Stradun Street.
Lovrijenac Castle
Built on a very large rock in the 11th century, this castle was the protection of the city for many years. When you go up to this castle, you can see the whole historical past of the city and examine every point with a bird’s eye view. This castle, which has a world reputation for appearing in the scenes of the Game of Thrones series recently, has greatly increased its visitors.
At the entrance of the castle, which is 37 meters high, the inscription “Freedom was not sold for any gold in the world” reflects the historical struggle of the city. Another feature of the castle is the colorful and lively streets of Dubrovnik, which you will encounter while walking here. The port area, which you will come across as you continue down the castle, is one of the most peaceful places in the city. If you wish, you can rest here for a while and relieve the tiredness of the day.
Dubrovnik Walls
First of all, it should be said that since Dubrovnik is a city surrounded by walls, you will already see the walls no matter which part of the city you go to. But here, the walls have turned into a place with opening and closing hours, paid entrances, and a few romantic small bars. If you go early in the morning, you can tour the city walls in about 2 hours, protecting yourself from the heavy crowd.
If you don’t mind the crowds, it is recommended to go up to the city walls towards sunset. You can not only be exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, but also sit in a cafe on the top of the city walls and watch the sunset.
Dubrovnik Cable Car
The Cable Car Stop, located just above the Old Town, is located at the entrance of the Buza Gate. Although the road used to reach the cable car is a bit grueling, the slopes and stairs you climb are worth seeing. On this trip with the cable car, you can get a bird’s-eye view of the city of Dubrovnik from above. In the meantime, prices may change depending on the weather conditions.
Lokrum Island
Just as Dubrovnik is the pearl of the Adriatic, Lokrum Island is the pearl of the city of Dubrovnik. The most important feature of Lokrum Island, which everyone who goes to the island calls this a paradise, is that there is no settled life here. There are regular ferry services to this island, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the mainland. When you get on the ferry, you will arrive at the island in about 15 minutes.
The emergence of this castle may surprise you, but this place was used as a monastery long ago. When you land on the island, you can see plenty of peacocks and rabbits here. This island, where there is no settled life, is a natural wonder. If you are making this trip in the summer, you can come to Lokrum Island if you want to escape from the crowds of the mainland beaches and swim in a quiet place.
Onofrio’s Fountain
There are two Onofrio fountains in the Old Town, a large fountain and a small fountain. The large fountain is the first building that draws attention as soon as you enter the Old City. This fountain, which was built in the 15th century, was built by the Italian architect Onofrio, so it took its name from its architect. In the 15th century, the lack of water in the city of Dubrovnik caused many diseases.
The plague epidemic, which is one of the biggest diseases caused by thirst, broke out in the city and caused the death of many people. Architect Onofrio built these fountains to protect against diseases and provide water to the city. These fountains, which were of great importance in those years, are still functional and meet the water needs of the city. There are two Onofrio fountains, a large fountain and a small fountain, located in the Old Town area. The large fountain is the first building that draws attention as soon as you enter the Old City.
This fountain, which was built in the 15th century, was built by the Italian architect Onofrio, so it took its name from its architect. In the 15th century, the lack of water in the city of Dubrovnik caused many diseases. The plague epidemic, which is one of the biggest diseases caused by thirst, broke out in the city and caused the death of many people.
Architect Onofrio built these fountains to protect against diseases and provide water to the city. These fountains, which were of great importance in those years, are still functional and meet the water needs of the city.
Transportation In Dubrovnik
When you travel to Dubrovnik, you should also know how to get there. The city of Dubrovnik is a small city and transportation within the city is quite convenient. In this city, where buses are quite affordable, transportation by taxi can be a bit expensive. In some places, you may have to get off and walk in one place, since vehicle entry is prohibited. If you have come to Dubrovnik by plane, there are several alternatives for your journey to the city center.
You can reach the center of the old city, known as the Old Town, with the most comfortable and easy airport shuttles. You can arrive in front of the Old City in 20 minutes, but since there is no vehicle inside, you have to get off here and walk to your destination. If you want to go to the airport from here, you can get on the cable car in the Old City again for your return.
It is also possible to reach the city center by city buses. Municipal buses departing from the stop where the taxis are located at the exit of the airport provide service at regular intervals. You can check the bus times at the stop and wait for the bus that suits you best. Buses 11 and 27 go to the city center.
If you want to reach the city center by taxi, the road will take longer.
City buses are frequently used for transportation in the city. These buses do not serve at night, but the city is quite safe at night, so you can reach wherever you want by walking.
Dubrovnik Cuisine
Your trip to Dubrovnik continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik, of course, makes a difference when it comes to seafood, as it is a coastal city on the Adriatic coast. Dubrovnik, which hosts a wide variety of seafood ranging from squid to lobster, octopus to shrimp, trains highly skilled chefs, especially in Italian style.
First of all, it should be noted that Dubrovnik is in a very expensive region in terms of food and beverage. Although it does not contain a place that we can almost describe as cheap, we can say that it contains many different varieties in terms of food taste and variety.
Dubrovnik cuisine, which has a very rich culinary culture, is mostly famous for its desserts, ice creams and home-made wines, although the traditional dishes you should try are the Croatian meatballs cevapi and zelene menestra, which resembles stew.
You can find all the traditional tastes in the restaurant sections of all hotels, as well as the more affordable food varieties in the cafes and restaurants in the Old Town area. You can experience both Croatian cuisine and international flavors on Stradun Street, which is located in the Old City area and hosts a wide variety of bars and restaurants.
Below you can find a few names of bars and restaurants for eating and drinking.
First of all, let’s talk about the cafes where you can have a cold drink, because as in other countries, both eating and drinking is not very common in Dubrovnik. In general, people go to separate places to drink and to eat.
Buza Bar is one of the most famous bars of this city. You can watch the Lokrum Island, the Adriatic Sea and the passing boats while sipping your beer in this bar located between the rocks.
D’Vino Bar, a newly established winery in the city, is a very famous and crowded place. In this place, which has more than 100 wines, you can taste their own handmade wines and ask for meat or cheese plates suitable for wine.
360 Degrees by Jeffery Vella opened in 2012 and has become Dubrovnik’s best restaurant. This place, which has 2 floors, has been opened for use as a cocktail bar on the upper floor and as a restaurant on the lower floor. You can taste rich varieties of Mediterranean cuisine in this very luxurious restaurant.
Lucin Kantun, on the other hand, is a very diverse restaurant. Although the place looks shabby when viewed from the outside, it is quite high in taste. Although the menu is mainly seafood, cheese plates covered with a special type of cheese, lamb meats blended with lavender and honey, and Dalmatian prosciutto are among the traditional foods worth trying.
Shopping In Dubrovnik
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Dubrovnik trip with shopping? The pearl of the Adriatic, the pupil of Croatia, Dubrovnik offers a lot of local variety in shopping, but the most important thing to remember here is that you have to use Croatian kuna when shopping in the city. You can convert your money to Croatian kunas at exchange offices located almost everywhere in the city.
As in other cities, the first thing that comes to mind when shopping is mentioned is that there is a region where you can find everything from souvenirs to souvenir wines, liqueurs and jams in this city: the Old Town District. You can buy keychains, magnets with specific images of the city, as well as small souvenirs such as toys dressed in local clothes, various handmade candles and lavender bags, which are very important and common for the city, from the Gundulica Market, which opens every morning and gathers after noon in this region.
You can also shop for catering, such as homemade jams, wines, liqueurs and liqueur chocolates.
Another local item, which is as famous as lavender bags, is silver jewelry with coral stone coating. These jewelry, which you can see almost everywhere in Dubrovnik, are an important trade tool for small businesses. You can also speak a few words in Turkish with the sellers while buying these jewellery.
Croats, who are very sympathetic to Turkish TV series, know the Turkish names of many stones and can tell you what they are good for, as they are influenced by TV series about jewelry. For jewellery, you can prefer the stalls opened in the streets next to Dubrovnik Cathedral. These benches, which have very affordable prices, are open until the evening hours and are collected when the weather is dark.
You can buy some products made with olive oil specific to the city from these market places where dried vegetables and fruits are in the majority. You may have to be very insistent on bargaining while shopping because there is hardly any bargaining culture in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik Nightlife
In the city of Dubrovnik, you can spend time calmly and peacefully examining the historical past of the city and enjoying the natural beauties, while enjoying unique beers and wines in the evening. After dark, fun and activity dominate Dubrovnik. If your aim in this city is to drink and dance until morning, the city will open the doors of many bars and cafes that offer unlimited services. On the other hand, if you want to sit by the sea and chat with the local people with live music, you can sit at the tables set up on the beach in the evening. At these tables set by the sea, you can watch acrobatic shows and listen to street musicians while tasting fresh seafood, local beer and wine. Here are a few suggestions for those who want to continue their nightlife in bars and clubs.
Latino Club Fuego is one of Dubrovnik’s most famous and oldest bars, located in Pile, in the Old Town, to the north of the city. This bar, where mostly electro and popular music is played, offers the opportunity to have fun with its very wide dance floor.
Buza Bar, on the other hand, is one of the most interesting and must-visit bars in the city. On the way to this bar, you first have to pass through a tunnel and you can hear Soul and Funk melodies even while passing this tunnel. You can enjoy the Adriatic view while sipping your cold drinks accompanied by sea bass in Buza, which is located inside the rocks.
Trubadur Hard Jazz Cafe is one of the first places to come to mind when it comes to nightlife in Dubrovnik. This cafe, which is famous for its open-air concerts where the best performances of jazz music take place, is located in the Buniceva Poljana district of Dubrovnik.
D’Vino Wine Bar is a wine house in Dubrovnik. If you are truly a wine lover, we can guarantee that you cannot leave here. The article titled “The age of your wine, not yours, is important here” written at the entrance of the bar also clearly expresses what kind of bar it is. In this bar, you can enjoy wines from many different countries and home-made wines, while you can also enjoy the cheese plate given to your wine.
Golden Sun Casino, on the other hand, offers you a different entertainment style. Providing service at Libertas Hotel, this casino offers a different alternative to Dubrovnik nightlife. You can try your luck with different types of betting games such as American roulette, Black Jack and Punto Banco in this casino where there is a wide variety of betting games.
Caffe Bar Nonenina is a bar located in OldTown, with a wide variety of cocktails and whiskeys. If you like tobacco, you can taste the Cuban cigars served alongside various foreign drinks in this bar.
In general, you can drink alcohol and dance in all the venues in the Old Town, and the streets of the city are very lively. It will be possible to dance until the morning by listening to the concerts on the beach, as well as the street artists playing until the morning in almost all the streets. When you travel to Dubrovnik, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Dubrovnik Festivals
Dubrovnik has a structure that aims to keep its own culture and historical past alive by organizing many festivals throughout the year. If you have decided to go to the city, which has a very colorful view during the festival, we recommend that you look at the festival dates and make your reservation before it’s too late, because during these periods, the city’s hotels are crowded. Below are some of the festivals we have selected for you.
Dubrovnik Shakespeare Festival: In this theater festival held in April-May, you can watch Shakespeare plays from the perspective of the Croats.
Dubrovnik Libertas Film Festival: This festival, which takes place in June and lasts for one week, screens short films from many cultures. In this festival, which has gained a lot of attention from Hollywood actors and directors, European and Balkan style films are screened.
Dubrovnik Summer Festival: Held in July, this festival aims to keep the historical richness of the city alive. Reflecting the spirit of the Renaissance and Baroque era, this festival is a festival of music and drama.
Re-Vel-Ini: Held every year towards the last days of July, this festival lasts for 4 days and is considered one of the biggest festivals in South Dalmatia. This festival, which only includes electronic music, is organized by Revelin Club.
Urban Culture Revitalization Festival: This festival, which is held every year in August, includes various theatre, concerts, exhibitions and film screenings. The aim of this festival is to combine street culture and intellectual culture.
Dubrovnik International Early Music Festival: Held between 15-20 September, this festival reflects the Croatian upper-class music style from the Middle Ages.
Good Food Festival: In this festival, which is held every year in October, you can eat all world cuisine, especially Croatian cuisine, and learn how to cook in the workshops. This festival, which lasts for 4 days, is held on Stradun Street.
Jam and Marmalade Festival: Held every year on 6-7 November, this festival aims to support local producers in the economy by providing more than 30 participants.
International Choir Festival: Performers from various parts of Europe participate in this festival, which is held on 13-15 November, and a race is held at the end of the festival.
Dubrovnik has a structure that aims to keep its own culture and historical past alive by organizing many festivals throughout the year. If you have decided to go to the city, which has a very colorful view during the festival, we recommend that you look at the festival dates and make your reservation before it’s too late, because during these periods, the city’s hotels are crowded. Below are some of the festivals we have selected for you.
Dubrovnik Shakespeare Festival: In this theater festival held in April-May, you can watch Shakespeare plays from the perspective of the Croats.
Dubrovnik Libertas Film Festival: This festival, which takes place in June and lasts for one week, screens short films from many cultures. In this festival, which has gained a lot of attention from Hollywood actors and directors, European and Balkan style films are screened.
Dubrovnik Summer Festival: Held in July, this festival aims to keep the historical richness of the city alive. Reflecting the spirit of the Renaissance and Baroque era, this festival is a festival of music and drama.
Re-Vel-Ini: Held every year towards the last days of July, this festival lasts for 4 days and is considered one of the biggest festivals in South Dalmatia. This festival, which only includes electronic music, is organized by Revelin Club.
Urban Culture Revitalization Festival: This festival, which is held every year in August, includes various theatre, concerts, exhibitions and film screenings. The aim of this festival is to combine street culture and intellectual culture.
Dubrovnik International Early Music Festival: Held between 15-20 September, this festival reflects the Croatian upper-class music style from the Middle Ages.
Good Food Festival: In this festival, which is held every year in October, you can eat all world cuisine, especially Croatian cuisine, and learn how to cook in the workshops. This festival, which lasts for 4 days, is held on Stradun Street.
Jam and Marmalade Festival: Held every year on 6-7 November, this festival aims to support local producers in the economy by providing more than 30 participants.
International Choir Festival: Performers from various parts of Europe participate in this festival, which is held on 13-15 November, and a race is held at the end of the festival.
Dubrovnik Public Holidays
- January 1: New Year
- January 6: Epiphany
- April 5-6: Easter
- May 1: Labor Day
- June 15: Corpus Christi
- 22 June: Anti-Fascism Resistance Day
- August 5: Victory Day
- October 8: Independence Day
- December 25: Christmas
- December 26: Saint Stephen’s Day
Useful Information For Dubrovnik
- Police: 192
- Ambulance: 194
- Fire Brigade: 193
