If you’re in search of a holiday destination that offers the perfect mixture of culture, history and total escapism this year, look no further than the Croatian port of Dubrovnik, ‘the jewel of the Adriatic’.
From the moment you first gaze down upon the terracotta and white rooftops and façades of the town’s ancient core as your coach or cab brings you along a high, hillside road from Dubrovnik airport, you find yourself falling in love with this unique and beautiful city.
So what is there to do here? First thing’s first, you’ll want to hit the beach! Dubrovnik and the surrounding area offer a plethora of options, from little coves tucked away amidst towering cliffs to long, family-friendly strips of beach. They say the Adriatic Sea is the clearest in the world, and its waters truly do look almost uniquely inviting, all but begging you to swim out with the shoals of little fish that abound here under the hot sun.
Depending on which point along the coast you opt for, you’ll find cafés, sea caves, locals playing handball out at sea and the occasional FKK – or nudist beach, if that’s your thing. For a great day trip, take the ferry to the nearby island of Lokrum, which amongst other attractions, boasts some beautiful Mediterranean woodland, rugged sea swimming, a smoothie bar and an orchestra of a million crickets providing background music.
If you’re the sort that prefers life on dry land, rest assured there’s plenty here beyond the seafront. The Old City (or Stari Grad) is a beguiling cultural destination, with bountiful attractions including the 16th Century Sponza Palace, a movie theatre and a maze of narrow streets offering a range of fare from thrifty pizza to souvenirs. By night the Old City becomes truly wonderful, with classically trained street performers transforming public spaces into wonderfully romantic spots where sweet song mixes dreamily with the crashing of waves in the warm night air.
If you can ever drag yourself away from the beach and the Old City, grab a cable car ride up to the top of the mountain which overlooks the city, Srđ. Besides offering a staggering view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding coastline, the summit boasts the added attraction of a museum chronicling the city’s time as a key battleground in the conflict between Croatia and the Yugoslav People’s Army during the early 1990s.
Sold? Well you’re gonna need somewhere to stay. If you’re looking for luxury, look to the Lapad peninsula’s Dubrovnik Palace Hotel as your best bet, whilst those who prefer self-catering options will find there’s ample choice of accommodation and a good range of local supermarkets including Konzum and Tommy to provide for their needs.
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