Dubrovnik, Croatia – in photos
December 21, 2022
A stunning, walled city on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik, Croatia – in photos. This stunning city on the southern coast of Croatia is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. It is filled with rich history, beautiful architecture, culture, and a popular film set for the show The Game of Thrones. In Dubrovnik, you can explore the inner-city walls and all the small and wide streets, eat delicious food, go out on the water, and visit the neighboring Lokrum Island for more Adriatic Sea adventures.
“If you want to see paradise on Earth, come to Dubrovnik.”
George Bernard Shaw
About this trip
Dubrovnik has been my dream city since I was a little girl. It all started with a picture of Dubrovnik on a postcard, with its beautiful walls and bright red roofs. The postcard belonged to my mother and when I saw it, I knew I had to go there one day; the image was so captivating. Little did I know (then) that Dubrovnik was not far out of reach. It took us moving all the way to New Zealand, living here for 10+ years until I finally made the trip back to Serbia and then Dubrovnik, making my dream come true.
If you love to travel, you will know that visiting a place that you pin in your mind is a dream come true. Arriving in Dubrovnik was unlike any other city that I have ever seen before. I loved the white stone, the small, narrow streets, the clear blue water, the picturesque houses and so many cats. It was all just so perfect, and we had the best time. Dubrovnik is now a place I dream of visiting again, and again.
The main street, and the small streets
Exploring on foot is my favourite part of any trip. I find it to be the best way to become familiar with a new place and get lost in all the picturesque buildings and street ways. Stradun (or Placa) is the main street of Dubrovnik, one where most of the activity occurs. But Dubrovnik is also filled with so many different smaller streets that are filled with amazing cafes, restaurants, shops and more.
By the end of this trip, we walked down every street we could find, even the quiet spots where mostly the locals live. We discovered cute little homes, churches, hidden restaurants, bakeries, and lots of cats. Walking outside of the city walls is also an adventure. Especially along the water where so many locals and tourists hang out, and jump into the water, which is super clean and beautiful. If I knew back then that today I would be blogging, I would have snapped many more photos to share.
Atop the walls of Dubrovnik
One of our favourite experiences in Dubrovnik was walking along the walls that encircle the Old Town. The tall limestone walls once acted as a fortification system during the Middle Ages. Nowadays you can pay 20 euro to walk atop the walls and make it a special experience. It can take up to two hours to walk the walls of Dubrovnik, but this depends on how slow or how fast you go. I loved the Adriatic view. Every corner of the walls gives you a different view of the city. While a lot of the views look out onto the sea, there are spots that look inwards into the old town. Our experience was pure magic. There is also a spot to have a refreshing drink (which we did), it is a great way to sit, relax and take it all in.
Lovrijenac Fort
Located next to the fortified old town, standing tall at 40 meters above the sea is the Lovrijenac Fort. Being a protective fort at one time, it is now a popular theatre, hosting summer performances including Shakespeare’s Hamlet. We did not get to catch this play, but we had fun exploring this old fort and all its tiny windows that look out onto the water. There are many steps to get up to the fort, but the trip was worth it. You also get an amazing view of the old town. I recommend taking your time and exploring all the corners of this fort.
Kayaking outside the city walls
Seeing the fortified Dubrovnik walls from the water is an entirely unique experience. Kayaking in the open sea was so special. You can marvel at the big walls from the water and explore a hidden cave. You don’t really realize how tall the walls are until you see them rising upward from the water. While there are guided kayak tours, you can also hire a kayak and go out on your own for a specific amount of time. We went out on our own, and we really enjoyed our time on the water. The view of the beautiful town of Dubrovnik from the water is mesmerizing.
Boat rides
Heading out on the water is another fun way to experience the outside city walls of Dubrovnik. There are plenty of boat services which can take you out on the water. Ranging from a 20-minute ride to much longer. We took a few different boat trips during our stay, and they were all worth the adventure. I really loved seeing the city from a different viewpoint. The beautiful clear water and the surrounding scenery near the fortified old town is amazing to see. You can choose to go out on a small boat or with more people on slightly bigger boats.
Lokrum Island
I would say that spending a day out on Lokrum Island was one of my favourite experiences. It felt secluded and like a hidden oasis. We found out about Lokrum Island from a pamphlet and immediately decided that we had to go. From the Old Port, you can take the ferry to Lokrum island. This place is a green paradise, with cafes, restaurants, a botanical garden, old ruins and so many spots for swimming. We spent an entire day on this Island, exploring, soaking in the sun, and visiting some of the Game of Thrones filming spots. If we ever go back to Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island will be first on the list.
The Old Port
Serving once as the city’s main entry point, the Old Port is outside the Peskarija gate. Today the port is packed with small, private boats and services. This is where you can find many of the boats for hire to take you out on water. Take some photos and take in all the scenery, including the tall standing mountains behind the city.
Our recent trips:
Dubrovnik is a beautiful place! Our visit only scratched the surface. During the summer season, the city has so much to offer. We had the best time. It was a dream come true to visit a city that I had first seen on a postcard. If you ever visit Dubrovnik don’t forget to explore all the little streets, enjoy a gelato, Dubrovnik’s finest cuisine and stroll the streets in the evenings because this city barely sleeps.
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