I didn’t really know what to expect from Dubrovnik, but the second our plane circled the beautiful Dalmatian coast it was clear why Game of Thrones had picked Dubrovnik as King’s Landing. It’s a fairytale castle setting with walls dated to the 7th century! There are so many hidden charming corners in Dubrovnik waiting to be explored. Are you a fan of seafood? An architecture lover? Or a Game of Thrones enthusiast? Then you’ve come to the right place!
What we saw (did):
City Walls: If you only have an hour in Dubrovnik this is the one activity you should do. Yes, it’s expensive but the views are worth it. It’s a great first activity to do in Dubrovnik to understand the city layout and admire the Adriatic. It’s best to enjoy the walls in the evening or in the morning because the walls are crowded and hot during the afternoon. We went in the evening as we were a little too jetlagged in the morning. Hindsight, I would go to the walls exactly when they open at 8am to beat the tourist rush.
Lokrum Island: Old Town Dubrovnik can get very crowded during the day. One great way to escape and enjoy nature is a quick hop to the island of Lokrum. It’s only a 15-minute boat ride away to a peaceful oasis. The only inhabitants of Lokrum island are peacocks, rabbits, and of course tourists. Like Dubrovnik, Game of Thrones was also filmed on the island, and if you’re a fan like me you can snap a picture on the iron throne. After taking in the GoT sights, we took a swim in an idyllic little salt filled lake linked to the open sea. It was so relaxing to lay out and enjoy the sunshine.
We had one rainy day while in Dubrovnik so we decided to take a day trip to Kotor. While a trip to Montenegro can last well over a week we got a small taste in the city of Kotor. This attractive little town is situated in Europe’s only fjord and has wonderful scenery, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage site. The little lanes are so charming although can be crowded when cruise ships are in the harbor. This city (like me) is cat crazy! Cats roam the cobbled stone streets, the shops are filled with cat souvenirs, and there’s even a cat museum! The main attraction in Kotor is to walk the defensive walls, built between the 9th and 18th centuries, to the well-preserved hill top citadel. Once at the top you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the old city, mountains, and the gorgeous bay. Surprisingly, the hike is free and took us less than an hour, and the views were more than impressive. We only had one meal in Kotor, which was at the hotel Monte Cristo, and it was the most delicious and relaxing meal of our entire vacation. We ate on a beautiful covered rooftop surrounded by plants and ivy. One thing to be aware of if you’re driving to Montenegro from Croatia (or vice versa) is the long line of cars at each country’s border. We were lucky to only wait 45 minutes on a rainy day, but waits can be up to three hours.
Explore the city: This is going to sound cheesy but just walking around the Old Town and taking in the Game of Throne vibes is really something. While walking the limestone streets, we also learned about Dubrovnik’s history. There were photos of Dubrovnik in the 90s posted on buildings when the city was destroyed during the war. These before and after photos are shocking to say the least.
Sponza Palace, Luza Square, Cathedral of Assumption: These central spots are must sees for architecture lovers, history buffs, and GoT enthusiasts. These sights are in the Old Town, and you can grab an ice cream or a coffee and see these sights in an hour. Also, make sure to venture out to the cute hidden streets where it’s much quieter and quaint.
Sveti Jakov: It’s nearly impossible to go to Dubrovnik without going to a beach. You’ll soon understand why Dubrovnik is called the pearl of the Adriatic. The Croatian definition of a beach is much different than an American’s definition. Croatians define a beach by any place near the water (note: sand not included.) Locals lay on rocks anywhere to soak up some sun. At Sveti Jakov, you can rent chairs for $10 a day so you don’t have to uncomfortably lay on rocks. Make sure to bring water proof shoes, otherwise the walk on the rocks to the water can be tough.
What we ate:
D’vino Wine bar: This is a favorite among locals and tourists because when you’re there you really feel like a regular. They have a ginormous selection of wine so if you’re looking for something specific this would be the place to find it! D’vino Wine Bar is a great stop to try some Croatian wine and snack on some charcuterie.
Bûza Beach Bar: This place literally means “hole in the wall.” You will have to duck through the tall city walls to find a stunning view of the sea. A perfect place to visit in the evening and watch the sunset while perched on a rock. If you’re brave enough, you can dive off the cliffs into the sparkling blue water.
Above5: Only open for breakfast and dinner (we made the mistake by trying to go here for lunch,) Above5 is a small rooftop restaurant in Old Town. The food is a little pricier, but the quality of the food and views were totally worth it! Make sure to have a reservation for dinner or be the first ones to show up for breakfast like us. We had the entire terrace to ourselves for about an hour to take in the morning views.
LT (layover tips):
• Restaurants can be expensive
• If you order seafood and it comes out instantly, it’s most likely not made to order
• The early bird gets the worm in Dubrovnik. This doesn’t mean you should wake up ridiculously early, but if you want to capture some photos without 50 tourists then you’ll want to be in the city by 7:30am.
• If you are a lover of bud light, Karlovačko is the beer for you. If you’re into craft beer, it may not be for you.
• The streets of Old Town are limestone, so when wet they can be very slippery