Hey everyone!
So, after Daniel and I had our sailing adventure around Croatia we decided to have a mini vacation in Dubrovnik, Croatia. We were there for 2 nights but we tried to get the most in such a short time.
How to Get to Dubrovnik
You have a few options on how to get to Dubrovnik. If you are arriving from outside of Croatia then you can fly into Dubrovnik Airport which is about 20 km to Dubrovnik Old Town.
If you are already in Croatia, then there are a few options that you can take from Split. One is a ferry, which is good if you are prepared to leave very early or quite late. I like ferries since you can stretch your legs whenever you want and it is easier to read or work on the computer. There is also the added the bonus of using the bathroom whenever you like. In the summer, the ferries are at 7:30 and 16:15 every day. There are two major ferry lines that you can book: Kapetan Luka and Jadrolinija.
Daniel and I were both sick so we felt like we really needed to sleep in. So, we decided on the other option which was taking a bus! We opted for the bus 10:30 since it only took 4 hours so it was one of the shorter journies. Please be adviced that this bus route goes through Bosnia, where you will eat lunch and have a bathroom break. I would suggest bringing some snacks since the lunch stop did not have the best food. Also, think about not drinking too much water since there wasn’t a toilet on the bus. You can book tickets through Bus Croatia.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
I have a huge fan of Airbnb when travelling in Europe. You can usually find good deals if you book in advance. Daniel and I decided to stay at Dubrovnik Old Town & Sea View Apartment No.4 since it had good reviews and we loved the view in the pictures. It was really cozy staying there and we definitely got some amazing pictures since you are a ten-minute walk from Old Town. However, Daniel and I were both sick so ascending back up to our accommodation was not a highlight. Just keep that in mind if you are sick or with people who are not fast walkers. There are plenty of Airbnbs to stay at, so scour the website and find one that fits your needs! Think about getting one with AC, like we did, since that saved my life while sleeping and being sick.
Map of What We Did in Dubrovnik
Here is the interactive Google Map of what we did in Dubrovnik. This includes our Airbnb, restaurants, and sightseeing.
What do Do in Dubrovnik
Wander in Old Town
The first night we had in Dubrovnik, we just wandered around Old Town without looking at a map. I think that was really nice since I was sick and I had no lust to be looking for things. The next day, I was feeling a bit better so I did hunt down some Game of Thrones filming locations. The Historic Stairs is the most famous location in Old Town. This is the scene where Cersei is about to do her “shame walk”. So, of course, I had to go (more than once since the lighting was not good) and force Danne to take that perfect picture of me.
There are water fountains scattered throughout Old Town so take a water bottle with you and fill it up as you go. Yay to free water!
Walk Along the City Walls
This was really lovely and worth the money. It costs 150 HRK per person and it takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete. I would suggest going early in the day when it opens at 8:00 or later in the evening since it gets HOT. Daniel and I were there from around 9:00-11:00 and I can tell you, at 11:00, we were dying from the heat and doing anything to seek shade. There are not a lot of spots with shade so come prepared. Also, fill up your water bottle before you start since there are not free water fountains on the city walls. There are handicraft stores and cafés on the walls. Danne and I did end up making an ice cream stop.
We started at the entrance near Ploce Gate and worked out way counter-clockwise (you can only walk in one direction). When you approach the North Wall then you get an awesome view of “King’s Landing”.
In the north-west corner, you will reach Minčeta Tower which is the House of the Undying in Game of Thrones.
Heading directly south on the walls, you will see the Practice Yard from Game of Thrones on your left-hand side.
Continuing on to the south-west corner, you will reach Tvrđava Bokar which also has some famous scenes from Game of Thrones.
Other than those Game of Thrones highlights, we just walked around and enjoyed the spectacular views of the city.
Go Swimming to Escape the Heat
Danne and I went to Buza Bar to go swimming since we thought it had more space. We also sat up in the bar space to dry off and didn’t even have to buy a drink—perhaps since no one saw us there. We checked out Bard Mala Buža the night before and it also looked like a good place to go swimming. We went swimming after we walked along the city walls since the sun was beating down on us the whole time. There was cliff jumping at Buza Bar so it was cool to see everyone (including Danne) jump from such a big height! There are lots of people here so be careful with your belongings.
Sit on the Iron Throne
I know, I know! It is touristy! But I couldn’t resist! If you go to Dubrovnik City Shop, you can take as many pictures on the Iron Throne as you like if you just buy a souvenir. We bought the worst quality magnet in existence (for 40 HRK) but for me, it was worth it to feel like a Khaleesi.
Take Majestic Pictures
Dubrovnik Old Town is seriously so beautiful. Wander around and take pictures. There are so many cozy streets and many filming locations from Game of Thrones.
What to Eat in Dubrovnik
Candy
I loved Captain Candy! It was everywhere in Old Town Dubrovnik but it was delicious. Perfect for a midnight snack or munching on while you walk around Old Town. I will admit that it was expensive but I will pay anything for good candy.
Restaurants
Daniel and I went to Azur for dinner and had amazing Asian fusion cuisine. The food and service were really great. Think about making reservations since they are always booked. We arrived right at 18:00 when the restaurant was opening and we just made it in to eat. Moral of the story: book at least one day before or arrive when the restaurant opens. Daniel and I shared the chicken and chorizo tacos with jalapenos mayo as an appetizer. Then I had the chicken donburi with sriracha mayo as a main and Daniel had this amazing dish that reminded me of a mix of a Swedish fish soup and Thai red curry. Definitely a winner. The location is really cozy and just off the main streets.
We went to Pizzeria Castro for lunch and it was the best pizza I have had in ages. I am not usually a big fan of pizza but this was really good. We shared a pizza and then also got a side salad and bruschetta. The portions were quite big and that was enough for us both. It is located near a free water fountain, so we saved money on drinks and refilled our water bottle. It is also right near the Historic Stairs (for the Game of Thrones fans) so you can watch and run to take a picture when the crowds are clear. I found it was less crowded while Danne and I were eating lunch.
At our last dinner in Dubrovnik, we went to a restaurant that we just found on one of the side streets. I think there are a lot of decent restaurants in Old Town, so take a gamble and try one!
Extra Information
Keep in mind that Dubrovnik is quite expensive and its prices increase every year. This is not a budget location. Also, think about going in the shoulder season (June or September) when it is still warm but you don’t feel like you are going to die in the heat!
xx
Jasmine