Dubrovnik – Ragusa, Croatia, is widely known for the red rooftops of the Old Town and the almost 2 km (1200 miles) of medieval stones surrounding the city. For those who love appreciating architectural art, the city of Dubrovnik will surely take your breath away with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches. This beautiful city is one the most touristic places of the Mediterranean once under the violence of wars and the destruction of an earthquake.
This small and modest city has all the attributes to be on your bucket list: above all, the preserved beauty of its buildings, the scenery, and all its history.
Activity/Place Highlights
Discovering the Old Town of Dubrovnik
This is known as the oldest part of the city. Its streets and squares are made of paved stones. You should definitely walk around the towering and immense medieval walls that surround the Old Town. The remarkable Minceta Tower, located at the highest point of the walls, will offer you the best panoramic views of Dubrovnik. Also, the battlements have great views of the narrow streets and courtyards.
The Stradun
Another highlight of the city is The Stradun, the main street of the Old Town. This street splits the city into two parts, and extends over 200 meters from the Pile Gate in the west to the clock tower at the harbor entrance. In the past, it was a marsh that separated the Roman and Slavic halves of the city. Now, the Stradun is made of stones polished by years of people walking on them, with lines of shops on both sides.
The smaller street of Dubrovnik
While you walk down the narrow streets from the Stradun, you have a sense of snugly knit community. The houses are really small in the Old Town and very close to each other. You can see laundry strung between them, kids playing in the streets and even people sitting on front steps or looking through windows.
Croatia’s beaches
Apart from experiencing all the cultural heritage of the city, you can swim and sunbathe to enjoy some summer days. Croatia is also known for its beautiful beaches. We also recommend visiting restaurants and bars and trying the nightlife of this touristic town.
How to get there
The best way to arrive at Dubrovnik is by Charter flights, which are always available. However, if you are looking for the flexibility of a scheduled service, your choices decrease. You can also fly there with Alitalia, with a connection in one of three Italian cities. Another option is flying to Belgrade and then taking a domestic flight on Croatia Airlines.
Planning
Regarding accommodation, the town offers a wide range of options either inside itself or outside in near zones or villages. Keep in mind that the top-notch accommodation is outside the city walls. Also, during the summer, you should book with plenty of time in advance.
History
For a long time, Dubrovnik was an independent city-state. In the 13th century, it was under the protection of Venice, and Hungary around 150 later. Many civil constructions projects, for example the city wall, have made Dubrovnik appealing to writers and artists.
In spite of the violence and the destruction of past days, Dubrovnik is nowadays a marvelous city. It has been so successfully repaired (especially with UNESCO assistance) that people visiting the city might blindly think that war never touched this land.
If you loved this article or found it useful, don’t forget to share it with your adventurous and travel-hacking friends! If you want more posts like this, follow us on Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter!