48 hours in Dubrovnik – Weekend Edition
Dubrovnik In Less Than 48 Words
Dubrovnik is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Croatia – with limestone crags and azure waters sandwiching its historical sites. Lord Byron once called it the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” while George Bernard Shaw declared that “those who seek paradise on earth should seek it in Dubrovnik.”
One of the many scenic views from Dubrovnik City Walls (Photo by Iris Din)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the Croatian city via the Dubrovnik Airport, which is located just 15.5 kilometers from the city center. From there, you can catch a shuttle bus that will take you straight to the city’s main bus station, which is situated near the Old Town district. The ride will cost you around 30 Kuna. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi to the city center, a journey that usually takes 30 minutes and costs upwards of 225 Kuna.
Dubrovnik is a pretty much compact city, making it fairly easy to navigate. In addition, its historic Old Town is not open to traffic, so you may have visit the main sights there on foot. You can get invaluable tourist information at its main tourist office (Dr Ante Starcevica 7, 00 385 20 427 591, website). It is open during weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm (closed on Sundays).
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Dubrovnik’s hotels
You can of course look for a nice place of stay for the 48 hour visit in Dubrovnik at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik (Marijana Blazica 2, Dubrovnik, Croatia 20000, 385-20-320-320, website). It is a superb hotel just a few minutes away from the Old Town, with large rooms, delicious breakfast, and courteous staff.
Pools of Importanne Resort Dubrovnik (Photo by janetyou)
A nice alternative is the Nives Racic’s Apartments (N Bozidarevica 7, Dubrovnik, Croatia, +385 (0)98 243 699, website), which is also situated in the Old Town, with well-equipped apartments and helpful service. You can also try out the Importanne Resort Dubrovnik (Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik 20000, Croatia, +385 20 440 100, website). It offers spacious rooms, great views of the Adriatic, and five-star facilities to cap it all.
FRANCO TUDJMAN: Let’s take a view
From the harbor of Dubrovnik, one of the first things you’ll immediately notice is the distinctive Franco Tudjman Suspension Bridge. It is located in the Gruz suburb, a short walk west of the Old Town. You can climb up the bridge, where you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the harbor and the city center. However, the most popular thing to do at the site will be a bungee jumping session. It will cost you around 200 Kuna, and is available daily from 10 am to 6 pm (00 385 20 418516).
WALLS OF DUBROVNIK: Have a historical hike
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubrovnik is its city walls (Dubrovnik City Walls, Dubrovnik, Croatia). It is a series of defensive stone walls that extend 1,940 meters around the entire city, and is one of Europe’s most beautiful and strongest fort systems. In fact, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered one of the greatest specimens of Middle Age fortification systems to protect a city from being taken unawares by hostile people. On the walls, you can still see its more than 120 cannons that used to defend the city from attack.
Walls of Dubrovnik (Photo from Google images)
You should not miss the Minčeta Tower, which is the highest point of the wall. It was built in 1463, and is six meters thick. From its top, you can enjoy great views of the city. Another attraction there is Fort Bokar, which is considered to be one of the oldest casemented fortresses in the continent. On the southeastern side of the walls, you can find the St. John’s Fortress which had once protected the city port. Today, it houses an aquarium and an ethnographic and maritime museum.
Other sights in the complex are the Revelin Fortress, St. Lawrence Fortress, Walls of Stone, Falcon Fortress, Imperial Fortress, and Prevlaka Fortress.
LAPAD PENINSULA: Go to the beach
Don’t forget to unwind at the Lapad Peninsula Beach (Lapad Peninsula Beaches, Dubrovnik, Croatia). It is the largest public beach in the city, and is known for rocky, pebble-strewn coasts and deep blue seas. You can go swimming, sunbathing, and water sporting there. Its walking paths that wind along the sea are ideal for leisurely strolls while admiring the scenery. You can also find numerous restaurants, cafes, tennis courts, and children’s playground along the beach.
Cool off in the waters of Lapad Beach (Photo by cdf24oh8)
DINNER TIME: Discover Dubrovnik’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the Restaurant Dubrovnik (390 Assiniboine Ave. Winnipeg Manitoba, 204 944 0594, website). It offers a delicious a la carte menu at reasonable prices, and it is a treasure not usually found in guide books. A nice alternative is Lokanda Peskarija (Na ponti bb, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 385 20 324 750), which serves fresh seafood dishes and has great views of the harbor.
Vegetarians will love Nishta (Prijeko 30, Dubrovnik 20000, Croatia, 385 (0)92 218 8612, website). It has a delicious menu of vegetarian dishes, served by an attentive and friendly staff. You can also try out Konoba Pupo (Miha Pracata 8, 385 099 216 54 54), which beckons you with its well-prepared fish and steak delicacies.
Next 24 Hours
Orlando's Column (Photo by Adam Zaninovich)
Your next 24 hours in Dubrovnik can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the best among them is its monument to freedom, the Orlando’s Column. It is located in the middle of the Luza Square in the city center. It was sculpted back in 972 to commemorate the defeat of the Venetians and the city’s freedom. Around the statue, you’ll find other attractions such as the Sponza Palace, the St. Blaise’s Church, and a 15th century clock tower.
RECTOR’S PALACE: Have a cultural visit
Another noteworthy attraction in Dubrovnik is the Rector’s Palace (3 Pred Dvorom, 020/321 422, website). It is the former residence of the Dubrovnik Republic’s rector, and is known for its Gothic style of architecture and Baroque elements. Today, it houses the Cultural Historical Museum of Dubrovnik, where you can see collections of paintings, ceramics, icons, metal works, textiles, furniture, glassware, and photographic materials. Moreover, you’ll learn much about the city’s history, as well as about the Dubrovnik forebears. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm, and admission will cost you around 15 Kuna.
DUBROVNIK CATHEDRAL: Let’s go to church
You can also visit the Dubrovnik Cathedral (Kneza Damjana Jude 1, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 020 411 715). It is the seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik, and was built in 1670 upon the foundation of several older cathedrals. You can see its three high naves and Baroque dome, as well as altars featuring 16th to 18th century paintings by various Italian and Dalmatian artists. Inside, you can also find the Cathedral treasury, which contains over 200 reliquaries, most notably the relics of St. Blaise and a fragment of the “True Cross.”
Dubrovnik Cathedral (Photo by Lawrence OP)
LOKRUM: Relax on an island
Relax and unwind at the Lokrum Island, which is one of the islets lying in the Adriatic Sea just off the coasts of the city. It has an area of around 0.8 square kilometers, and is mostly filled with Mediterranean flora. There is also a nature reserve and a Special Forest Vegetation reserve. It houses a botanic garden of tropical and subtropical plants, as well as a nudist beach. You can reach it via a boat from the Dubrovnik Old Harbour. The boat runs regularly between May and mid October. There are some (less frequent) trips during November too. The journey takes only about 10 minutes.
Lokrum Island (Photo by kskaletski)
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Dubrovnik’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Dubrovnik’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the exciting nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is the Hard Jazz Café Troubadour (Bunićeva poljana 2, 385 20 32 34 76). It is a Bohemian jazz club that hosts live performances, and is a popular place for spending the night. A nice alternative is the Arsenal Wine Bar (11 St. Blaise Square Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik & The Dalmation Coast, Croatia, 385-20-324-747), which has a selection of over 35 Croatian wines served in an old boatbuilding warehouse.
You can also try out the Eastwest Beach Club (Frana Supila bb, 385-20-412-220, website). There, the crowds can dance to Europop and disco music till 3 am, and then rest on comfortable cushions after dancing.
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