Dubrovnik
From World travel guide
Dubrovnik is a city in Croatia that dates back to the Roman period with a very large Venetian style fortress sitting directly over the sea.
Contents |
Understand
Dubrovnik is one of the Jewels of the Adriatic sea. It dates back to Roman times and been an economically prosperous port from that time up until the present.
Get in
By plane
Dubrovnik has an airport that is located about 20km to the south of the city. There are flights from Zagreb for circa 60 EUR. It is also possible to catch flights to Dubrovnik from many of the low cost central European carriers such as Sky Europe.
By train
There is no train to Dubrovnik, although you can take a train to Split during tourist season and then travel by bus to Dubrovnik.
By car
By bus
It is a fairly long journey but it is possible to take a bus directly from Zagreb. Alternatively if you are already on the dalmatian coast buses run directly from Split to Dubrovnik.
By boat
- Jadrolinija [1] run ferries down the coast from Rijeka. Calling at Zadar, Split, Star Grad, Korčula and Sobra on the way. Journey time is up to twenty hours, so getting a cabin is highly recommended. The restaurant serves up some decent food at surprisingly reasonable prices, but bear in mind that the 22% tax is not included on the menu. There is nothing in the way of entertainment, so bring some entertaining company or a good book.
Get around
See
Do
Learn
Dubrovnik was heavily bombed by the Serbian and Montenegrin Army during the war (1992 to 1995). Almost all of the damage has been covered over but if you look closely around the old town you can still see the damage from mortars in the cobblestone streets and bullet marks in the stone houses.
Work
Buy
Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
Like the rest of the former Yugoslavia, Croatians like to drink home made rakija. This is a very strong distilled drink made from grapes. You may also get offered sljivovica, a similar drink made from plums. Both are quite strong and to some people taste like medicine, to those more accustomed the drinks are quite enjoyable.
- Buža, Iza Mura. Found by following a sign that simply say ‘cold drinks’ you enter through a hole in the wall on the south side of the Old Town. The tables and chairs are set out on the side of the cliff and the beers are served in bottles and plastic cups. This is lovely in the evening, when the sun is setting and you gaze over at island of Lokrum. Plays eclectic chilled out music unobtrusively in the background. There isn’t much in the way of shelter (apart from some palm leaves) so this won’t open in bad weather.
Sleep
Budget
- Private Accommodation - Upon disembarking from your bus you will be immediately approached by a group of grannies trying to rent you an apartment. The price (in 2003) for such an apartment was about 15 EUR per night but may have gone up. Be firm with them and negotiate strongly, walk away and see who follows, etc. They'll try the hard sell tactic, don't let it work. The accommodation though once you've made it through the bargaining is quite nice.
- Dubrovnik Youth Service - This lot run a group of seven houses, booked through hostels.com. Your actual location will be a gamble, but all are within walking distance of the old city. Dorms and private rooms available. 116-155 Kunas, per person, per night. Free pick up from harbour or main bus station (with notice).
Mid-range
Splurge
Contact
Stay safe
Watch out for all of the stray cats in Dubrovnik they are ravenous and will eat you out of house and home.
Cope
Get out
- Anyone wishing to travel to Montenegro from Dubrovnik will have to take a bus that runs once a day to the Montenegrin border. The bus costs around 15 EUR and then leaves you at the border. From there you will have to walk across (with your stuff) and the pick up another bus on the Montenegrin side which will take you to Herceg Novi and further on to Kotor if you wish.
- Mostar in Bosnia makes a good two day trip by bus from Dubrovnik. The ride will take about 3 hours. Mostar rivals Dubrovnik in its beauty although the city has a much stronger Turkish feel as opposed to Dubrovnik's Venetian.
- Sarajevo is well worth visiting since you are in the area. It is very safe and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
External links
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