One Day to Fall in Love with Dubrovnik

A visit to Dubrovnik will make you feel as if you are in another epoch. The city has become incredibly popular in the past few years as Game of Thrones series main scenes were filmed there. With the shining sea on the one side and the impressive mountains on the other, the city is full of amazing restaurants and historical sights. Here we have shortlisted some of the most fascinating locations.

The fact is that Dubrovnik nowadays is one of top must-visit resorts, which is proved by the travelers and statistics. (вже перекладено вище) (вже перекладено вище) Of course, this is a big advantage but it also means crowds of tourists in the summer. It’s rather logical that city’s beautiful streets are occupied by tourists from all over the world as there is an international port where cruise liners constantly stop. However, if you decide to come here in September, your heart will be conquered by the absence of tourist crowds as well as warm and not so much hot weather. You will enjoy strolling along the narrow streets and admire ancient buildings not being in a hurry. You can spend a week in Dubrovnik or come here just for one day. It is for such one-day tourists that we made this rough schedule with timing.

Beach Rest (2.5 hours)

If it is your first time in Dubrovnik, not to miss a visit to Banje Beach. The beach is well-organized, picturesque and, which is most important, it has a beautiful view of the old city walls and the island of Lokrum. Someone just wants to stay in a chaise longue enjoying soft September sun, someone prefers jet skiing, and others go to the Eastwest Beach Club loved by celebrities all over the map. There is a kind of reception on the beach where you can learn everything about this Dubrovnik’s “Pampelonne”. Banje Beach is compared with the famous Saint Tropez beach for a reason: this is more a place for partying than for idle vacations. So if your holiday antennas are set up to capture only the whisper of waves but you don’t want to be far from the center, it is better to choose another place. Just cross the street, go downstairs – and you will find yourself on a deserted beach amid wild rocks.

Tour of City Walls (2 hours)

Tender September sun will give you a great opportunity to stroll along on the ancient walls demonstrating the history and greatness of Dubrovnik. It will take about two hours to go around the fortress perimeter and watch the Old City from the most beautiful angles, to adore its ancient roofs and steeples … Dubrovnik went through difficult war times relatively recently. Now, looking from the top, you can definitely say which roof was exploded and was restored. If you have the desire and time, you can visit the museum of war on the mountain top and get an idea of how badly the city suffered during the combat activities and how impressive was its restoration. But back to the walls. If you need a break, you can easily find secluded places to relax in the shade, where you can sit, think of rich history of Dubrovnik absorbing its medieval beauty. Guess what your first wish will be when you get down from the wall? Of course, to eat something! 

Have Lunch at the Restaurant with the Best View in Dubrovnik (1.5 hours)

Reach the Pile Gate at the western entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old City and you will find yourself at Nautika Restaurant or at its more informal neighbor Dubravka. The main feature of these two places is their spacious terraces and the chance to enjoy fantastic views not to mention very worthy cuisine. (вже перекладено вище) Condé Nast Traveller ranked Nautika the world 6th most romantic restaurant. The survey was held not only among ordinary lovers of delicious food, but also celebrities, including the Pope himself. Do not miss the chance to order one of their special cocktails. We liked the special gin-mix most of all. It is served brilliantly: a waiter brings you the cocktail covered with a real bird cage. As for the food, the restaurant’s chef, Mario Bunda, offers lobster from the Dalmatian island of Vis and delicacies from the local waters of the Adriatic. And this already means much. You may also try creamy shrimp risotto, black istrian truffle, tender lamb cutlets… The more relaxed Dubravka offers simple Croatian dishes at reasonable prices, plus an incredible variety of pizza, risotto, and pasta. We loved flambe shrimps with creamy rice. And here is one more detail: there are warm blankets at all chairs to wrap oneself up in cool autumn evenings so that you can enjoy your out-of-door meal without being disturbed by the sea breeze. If this is your first time in Dubrovnik, be sure to visit this wonderful restaurant!

Stroll around the Old Town (2 hours)

In the Middle Ages, the city was controlled by the Venetians, and this benefited the architecture. Before delving into the streets and lanes of the Old City, make a rough plan of what to visit without getting tired. We tried to make time-study and that’s what we had. What can you do for two hours? Make a picture at Onofrio Fountain with drinking water. Stroll along the main Stradun Street, watch the Sponza Palace, climb the Spanish stairs, and buy some jam at one of small local shops. Dubrovnik is famous for its jam and lemon, cherry, strawberry, fig, and orange marmalade. Only here you can buy jam made of a special bitter variety of orange. By the way, if you decide to go to Dubrovnik in October, you have a chance to visit the Festival of Jam and Marmalade in the Old Town. It will be fun and tasty.

Enjoy the Sunset (1 hour)

Sunset at Buža bar, enjoying a glass of cold Pilsner or Spritz (sparkling wine, campari and soda cocktail), is the right way to finish your day. This place is also called Hole in the Wall. The bar with a unique 180-degree panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea and the island of Lokrum is built into the rocks. To get there, you really have to go through a small hole in the stone walls of the 7th century. You may guess how the bar got its second name. There you will find a terrace where you can admire the sea and the sunset. Buža bar may not be the most glamorous bar, but it’s the one of Dubrovnik’s most unique places.