Dubrovnik in Southern Croatia is a tourist paradise. This seaside resort offers intrepid travelers numerous opportunities. While the sandy and rock beaches in the city attract the most visitors, who come to snorkel, scuba dive and relax, there are a few attractions that you should not miss during your vacation here. The best time to visit Dubrovnik is during the midseason when the weather is cooler. Also, during this season, flights tend to be cheaper and accommodation rates go low.
Here are five of the best attractions in the city that you should explore and experience during your vacation in Dubrovnik:
1. Old Town
The best time to visit the Old Town is just before sunset. The cruise ships would have departed by then and people begin escaping the heat or winding down after a hectic day, getting ready for evening activities and entertainment. Be sure to carry your camera as the natural lighting will be perfect to capture magical scenes. The Old Town is home to numerous attractions, like Franciscan Monastery, Rector’s Palace and Dubrovnik’s Cathedral. Take a stroll down the Placa, the limestone main street of the old Dubrovnik. The entire area is a traffic-free zone, so you can marvel at the grand old houses at leisure or stop at the little alleyways to discover something interesting.
2. Mt. Srd
The most popular way to visit Mt. Srd is by cable car. The cable car station is located outside the Old Town’s gate. You can also hike to the top of Mt. Srd via an old Austro-Hungarian trail. The hike might take an hour, depending on your pace. On the top of the mountains, there is a restaurant and a fort. The fort was built on the orders of Napoleon in 1806. It played a very important role then and was one of the primary lines of defense during the Croatian Homeland War between 1991 and 1995. You will have an excellent view of the surroundings from the rooftop terrace of the restaurant. The best time to visit Mt. Srd is around sunset.
3. Dubrovnik’s Pristine Beaches
The waters of Dubrovnik are amongst the top five cleanest waters in Europe. You will not be disappointed by the beaches in the city. There are a few sandy beaches, but most usually have pebbles and stones. Try to visit Lopud Island, which is home to Sunj Beach. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area and you will love the soft sandy. Also, you can visit Sveti Jakov Beach, which is about 20 minutes walk from the Old Town and is mostly visited by the locals. The other beaches in Dubrovnik that are worth visiting are Lapad Beach and Babin Kuk.
4. Lokrum Island
Lokrum has been shrouded in mystery for the past 100 years. The locals believe that the island is cursed and hence, they tend to avoid it. Lokrum Island has two restaurants, a beach, a monastery, a fortress and a botanic garden with its own peacock population. The island offers wonderful hiking opportunities. If you want to explore this island then give yourself at least 2 to 3 hours. Also, the ferry runs here every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer. The beach on the island is stunningly beautiful. Remember, you cannot spend the night on the island.
5. City Walls
The walls of Dubrovnik are a series of defensive stone walls surrounding the city. Walking the City Walls is one of the must-do things in Dubrovnik. This enables you to see the city from different angles and shows how impressive the town really is. It is about two kilometers long and encircles the entire Old Town. It offers numerous vantage points that allow you to admire this fascinating city. There are even the towers, fortifications, and fortresses. If you are a big fan of Game of Thrones then you will surely recognize many places here.
On the whole, Dubrovnik is a very beautiful place to visit and enjoy your vacation. It will not be incorrect to say that it is one of the best vacation destinations in the world. Just remember to enjoy these top five attractions while spending time in this Croatian city.
