So this post is our light-hearted view of Dubrovnik.

It has some of the interesting stuff, a few trivial facts, and our thoughts on this ancient Adriatic city.

Dubrovnik’s history dates from the 7th-century, and at which time the city was named Ragusa. As recent as 2007 evidence of a Byzantine 8th-century Basilica has been uncovered.
 
The most devastating natural disaster that hit Dubrovnik was on the morning of 6th April 1667, when an earthquake occurred. This horrendous tragedy flattened almost all of the ancient city and killed around 5,000 people.
 
Croatia has been ruled by various empires over the centuries from Venetian, Ottoman, French, Austria (Habsburg), Austro-Hungarian. From 1918 Croatia was overseen by the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
 
All throughout these centuries Ragusa/Dubrovnik played a vital role in maritime history.
 
With the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 came the horrific and ghastly Balkans conflict. Which on 1st October saw the ‘Siege of Dubrovnik’, which continued until the summer of 1992.
 
With the resilience of the locals and the assistance of UNESCO Dubrovnik’s ‘Old City’ kept its UNESCO status which was granted in 1979.

Dubrovnik is an ideal location for a mini-break, as it has history, culture, sun, sea and sand. We stayed in Dubrovnik for three nights as part of our two-week road trip.
 
If you’re going to drive be aware of the neighbouring country borders. You may need to briefly pass through Bosnia-Herzegovina if you are not island hopping.

Croatian (English is widely spoken)

+385-20

Croatian Kuna (HRK)

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

+1 Hour

• It was Lord Byron that named Dubrovnik ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’.
• Ragusa was the Latin name for Dubrovnik. It officially changed its name in 1918, following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• Agatha Christie spent her second honeymoon in Dubrovnik.
• Dubrovnik is home to one of Europe’s oldest and still operating pharmacies, which opened in 1317.
• The Republic of Ragusa was one of the first places to abolish slavery in 1418.
• From 2019 only two cruise ships can dock a day, with the limit of 5,000 visitors between them. Check out their schedule, you may find some cruise-free days.
• October is one of the busiest months.
• Dubrovnik is not the capital of Croatia, it is Zagreb

Of course this is a given along the shores of the Adriatic Sea. We had some delicious seafood dishes in Dubrovnik, just a simply cooked whole fish takes some beating.

This a walnut liqueur, which I believe you can get throughout Croatia. Nevertheless, we sampled one at the Konoba Pjatanca, which was made at home by the waitress’s brother.

The main street through the Old Town is Stradun, it stretches 300 metres and has some amazing architecture along the way. In Luža Square discover Sponza Palace, St Blaise Church, Orlando’s Column, the small Onofrio’s Fountain and the Bell Tower

 I loved it here, climb the Baroque Jesuit Stairs, reminiscent of the Spanish Steps in Rome, to St Ignatius Church high above.

Take a stroll around the ramparts, they can only be accessed from three locations around the city. The walls are navigated in one direction (anti-clockwise), which is very handy, as they are quite narrow in places. The views are spectacular.

The two main gates around the city walls are Pile and Ploče. Both of these gates are rather impressive. You feel like you are entering an unknown world beyond when you cross the old wooden drawbridge.

If you’re on a road trip, why not head across the border and visit the ancient city of Mostar and stroll its magnificent bridge. You’ll need to plan ahead as specific insurance, and a Green Card is required. However, it is worth it.
 

I loved it in Dubrovnik; however, I feel that during our 3 nights we uncovered quite a bit of the city. Therefore, I’d like to discover more of the Balkans.

I thought that the food was quite reasonably priced even in the Old Town, although drinks were a little expensive. If you head away from the tourist hotspots the prices were more acceptable.

What's it like discovering the city?
 
Is it walkable? do you need to use public transport? did we leave with weary feet?

(0% - It's mountainous and public transport's a joke 100% - I'm in paradise.)

In the heart of the old city, the pedestrian centre is reasonably walkable, although you do have to climb to reach the ramparts. Outside the city walls, and things can get rather hilly, our apartment had incredible views, but our calves paid the price.

I really enjoyed visiting Dubrovnik, the architecture and the views across the Adriatic Sea are beautiful. When the sunsets and the crowds have dispersed, it’s a wonderful place to stroll around.

Other than the fact that Dubrovnik is touristy I’m struggling to see a negative.

It's a fantastic place, with so much history, charm and character. The people we met were lovely, really friendly, and it was magical to explore the old town. The city is picture-postcard perfect and gave me memories to last a lifetime.

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Grab your overnight bag and let’s start planning.

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