The Pearl of the Adriatic
Dubrovnik is also known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, a popular destination on the Mediterranean, especially after filming Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik, initially called Ragusa, was founded in the 7th century by the refugees from Epidaurum, Roman city 15km south of Dubrovnik (nowadays known as Cavtat). The town is protected by the defensive walls, which are a must to waddle when there.
Want to know what can you expect when visiting Dubrovnik? Keep on reading.
Stairs, stairs, and more stairs
Why is nobody mentioning all the stairs in Dubrovnik? Not that I am complaining, but it would be nice to know that after visiting I will have sore muscles for a week. Apparently, there are over 5000 steps in the old town of Dubrovnik. In some of the alleys, you can’t even see the top.
If you are like us, living in one of the apartments for rent outside the old town, it means you have to take the stairs every day. We rented such an Airbnb and had to waddle over 350 steps every day back up to get there.
Fresh drinking water is no issue
Dubrovnik is very proud of the fact that they installed fountains with fresh drinking water early on. They were among the first cities in Europe to provide fresh drinking water for all citizens, not just the aristocrats.
You can find drinking fountains everywhere around the city and just fill up your bottle. The water also tastes great.
The best time to visit is till the end of May, then avoid June – August entirely, and the end of September is starting to get better again.
Cats are everywhere
They are not annoying or anything; they are just everywhere, and the locals treat them like their own. You will stumble upon a cat in every alley, and they do not shy away from you.
You can pet them freely; they will let you, and they don’t run away.
Try the seafood
Among the best things to eat there is seafood.
The old town is filled with restaurants, and all of them serve some kind of seafood, which is a must to try when in Dubrovnik.
When we waddled around the town in the early morning, we saw how fishermen delivered fresh seafood to the restaurants. Oysters are especially popular in the city.
Here are recommendations on where to eat, which we tried out – link.
They have their own currency
Croatia has been part of the European Union since 2013, but they still have its own currency called kuna. The word kuna means “marten” in Croatian, referring to the historical use of marten pelts as units of value in medieval trading. Make sure to have some money in the local currency, but there is no problem paying by card in most places.
The good news is they will soon have Euros from the 1st of January, 2023.
The old town may be overrun with tourists
Unfortunately, because of its beauty, Dubrovnik hosts over 50 000 tourists yearly, and it used to be more. It is also thanks to the fact the popular show Game of Thrones was filled here.
The best time to visit is till the end of May, then avoid June – August entirely, and the end of September is starting to get better again.
At one time, during the peak of popularity of Game of Throne, Dubrovnik had so many tourists they had to restrict the number of people entering the city on daily bases.
If you end up coming during the summer months, get ready for the crowds. You can still enjoy the city if you wake up early.
It can get expensive
Depending on your budget and where you are coming from, Dubrovnik can get quite expensive. The prices are generally higher from June until August/September, which is the highest tourist season. However, aside from these months, a nice dinner or lunch for two, with some wine, can cost you almost 100 €. Of course, you can also find more budget-friendly establishments to eat in.
And it is not only the food, but also accommodation that will take its toll on your wallet.
Dubrovnik is just a majestic place to visit, and we are looking forward to going back there.
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