The walled city of Dubrovnik, surrounded by pristine waters, is a real gem waiting to be discovered. With its immaculate medieval architecture, beautiful marbled streets, magnificent baroque and renaissance buildings, and elegant clock tower it is no surprise that Dubrovnik has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1979.
Once Dubrovnik was one of the smallest but most important merchant states in the Mediterranean. It had consular offices in more than 80 cities. Its fleet of almost 700 merchant ships rivalled that of Venice. Dubrovnik is a city whose story is best told by the city itself. Walk along the main street, Stradun, whose stone pavement has been polished smooth by feet that have walked it for hundreds of years.
Dubrovnik’s glorious walls offer a view of the magical Elaphite islands – Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep, scattered like pearls in the azure sea. Their name ‘Elaphite’ comes from the Greek word ‘elaphos’, a reference to the deer, which used to roam freely here, and they are easily visited on a day trip. There is so much history to explore during your holiday in Dubrovnik – don’t miss the Onofrio Fountain right opposite the Pile Gate, the city bell tower, the Gothic and Renaissance facades of the Sponza Palace and the Ducal Palace, the Baroque church of St. Blasius, the Cathedral of the Assumption of our Lady, St. Ignatius and the Jesuit College!
Of course, there is more to Dubrovnik than the old city, and in fact most of the hotels are located on the outskirts of this vibrant city, many of them set on beautiful bays overlooking the Adriatic. Public transport is good and taxis are plentiful, so it’s easy to get around by road or by sea.
We have handpicked some of the finest boutique hotels in and around Dubrovnik, which also offer great value for money. Do bear in mind that hotels in Dubrovnik tend to get booked up very quickly, as there is a shortage of accommodation in the area. Try to book as early as possible and remember that we do have other alternatives if the hotel of your choice is full.
Another option if you want to visit Dubrovnik during your holiday in Croatia, is to take one of our small ship cruises, many of which start or end in this beautiful city.
