33851CRO
Durbovnik
Facts and Free Time
The Pearl of the Adriatic, charming Dubrovnik is enclosed by 15th century fortification walls, which measure just over a mile and a quarter. The restoration of the Old Town following the war and bombardment in the early 90’s left very few reminders of the devastation that the city endured after Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia. Now, this lovely city that juts into the sea is a pleasant place to explore, stroll and relax.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Getting Around
- We usually stay in a resort area on Babinkuc Peninsula located 20 minutes from the Old Town (public bus #6 runs between the two but the coach will make the necessary transfers).
- Old Town Dubrovnik is pedestrian only.
Tourist Offices
- There is a government-run tourist office in the Old Town behind Onofrio’s Big Fountain just inside the Pile Gate.
- You can obtain maps at the Tourist Office outside the Pile Gate (on lookout terrace).
Shopping and Markets
- There is a daily fruit and veg market in Market Square. Also featured are a few stalls offering local handicrafts (lavender sachets, kitchen items, textiles).
- The Stradun has everything but at a higher cost than items found on side streets.
- The typical filigree-style jewelry of Dubrovnik (“Konavoske puce”) in silver or gold is best found along Od Puca which runs parallel to the Stradun starting roughly at the Market Square. The very high concentration of jewelers there keeps them honest.
- There are several galleries and small workshops on the tiny side streets of Old Town featuring the work of local artists and designers.
Eating
- The restaurants in town are mainly geared to tourists.
- Market Square (“Gunduliceva Poljana”) and the road leading up from the Square towards the Jesuit Church offer several choices.
- There are mainly fish restaurants in the Old Port. Great views here.
- Prijeko Street is known as “Restaurant Row” and has a high concentration of eateries.
- Scattered throughout town in narrow alleyways as well as in main squares you will find places offering everything from a smoothie to an elegant meal.
- The daily morning market provides ample opportunity for people to purchase picnic fare (supplement with puchases from Konzum grocery on Market Square). Suggested picnic locations: shaded benches overlooking the Old Port, Porporela Breakwater (just beyond the Old Port), green space below the Pile Gate.
- “Cold Drinks Buza” located down a lane beyond the Jesuit Church (St Ignatius) is the ideal spot for a drink with a view.
People watching
- Everywhere, really
- Old Port
- The Stradun
To Explore
Wandering the Old Town can occupy the group indefinitely, but should they wish to concentrate their attention, you can suggest the following. Check opening times beforehand as they change each season. Below are places of interest not covered during the guided city sightseeing tour.
City Walls “Gradske Zidine”
- !!!! NOT TO BE MISSED !!!!
- Unique perspective of the Old Town as well as of the Adriatic
- 3 entrances/exits: just inside the Pile Gate to the left (“Minceta Tower”), near the Dominican Monastery north of the Ploce Gate, by the Maritime Museum south of the Old Port. Starting at the Minceta Tower (highest point) and walking clockwise will provide the walker with a mainly downhill route. The arrows point counterclockwise, but there is no rule. Walking clockwise leads the walker along the water earlier. One needs not complete the entire 1.25 mile route. Allow a minimum of 1 hour (no photos and no excessive lingering) or longer for photographers or lingerers.
- Some staircases are steep. There are 1600 steps (not all concentrated in same place) so if pax have problems with knees they should not do this.
- In the hotter months, it is highly advisable to bring water and to walk the walls early in the morning or late in the afternoon as shade does not exist on the route.
- Opening times change with the season; in the summer they are open 8:00-19:30 (best to confirm), much shorter in winter. Audio guides available (not brilliant).
- Entrance fee – Adults €15, Students (Under 18s) €5 includes entrance to Lovrjenac (Lawrence) Fortress.
Church of St Blaise Most beloved by the locals. Free entrance. Opening hours vary and change often; best to see if the door is open when you pass.
Rector’s Palace Seat of government of the Ragusa Republic for approximately 3.5 centuries. Renaissance/Gothic architecture with baroque additions. Historic Museum of the City of Dubrovnik housed inside. Evening concerts in the courtyard. Open 9:00-18:00 (9:00-16:00 and closed Mondays in winter). +385 (0)20 426 469.
Entrance fee – Adults €15, Students €8.
Franciscan Monastery Museum Including cloisters and pharmacy (in business since 1317—has nice traditional creams, in addition to medications) Apr-Oct 9:00-18:00; Nov-Mar 9:00-14:00. Small entrance fee (no charge for working pharmacy).
Cathedral 12th century; funded primarily by Richard the Lionheart. Roman baroque in style, it features Assumption of the Virgin by Titian. Treasury houses several relics (body parts of St Blaise, pieces of the true cross, swaddling clothes of baby Jesus).
Mon-Sat 9:00-20:00; Sun 11:00-17:30. Off-season timings are shorter. Entrance fee for Treasury only.
Dominican Monastery Many of Dubrovnik’s treasures are displayed around the cloister and in the church (including a Titian, the most celebrated depiction of St Blaise, modern stained glass windows, 14thc crucifix by Veneziano, and Bukovac’s Miracle of St Domenic). May-Sept 9:00-18:00; Oct-April 9:00-17:00.
Small entrance fee.
Synagogue Museum Houses Europe’s 2nd oldest continuously functioning synagogue (2nd floor). Displays include various Torahs, written orders identifying Jewish-owned shops, armbands worn during the Nazi era. May-Oct, M-F 10:00-20:00; Nov-April, M-F 10:00-13:00. Small entrance fee.
Rupe Granary and Ethnographic Museum 16thc building once Dubrovnik’s largest granary now housing folk artifacts of the region. June-Oct 9:00-18:00; Nov-May 9:00-16:00. Closed Tuesdays. Entrance fee – Adults €8, Students €5.
Cable Car Travel for less than 5 minutes in a cable car (capacity of about 30 people). Extraordinary views of the old town as well as of the entire surrounding area. The Yugoslavian National Army bombed Dubrovnik from this spot in 1993 (War Museum located up here as well – extra fee). Nice just before/during sunset as well as during the day. Café and restaurant at top. Full-sized coaches cannot arrive to this point, but mini coaches and vans can. +385 20 325 393/ 20 414 355.
Walking up (challenging!) and/or down is also possible for groups with the time and energy! Cost: Single €15; Return €27. (Closed December- February).
Exhibitions documenting the bombings of Dubrovnik Check with the local guide as these change location and (s)he will have the most accurate information.
Swimming Outside the Ploce Gate there is an accessible beach area associated with bars/eating establishments. Below the walls as well there are pebbly spots where one can swim. There are no sandy beaches in the area. Swimming off Lokrum or at the hotel is also possible.
Lokrum Island Advisable only if the group has a lot of free time. Offers a green escape from the Old Town: small botanical garden, hiking trails, rocky beaches, little lake for swimming, monastery-turned-Hapsburg palace, old military fort, nudist beaches. Boats depart from Old Port regularly (approx. 2/hour). Roughly 15 minutes each way. Make sure to confirm timings of last boats returning to the mainland. Boats run May to October only!
Panoramic Boat Ride from Old Port 45-minute boat excursion (no stops) which circles island of Lokrum and travels along fortified walls of old town. Prices vary as there are several companies offering glass bottom boat excursions (about 12 euro). Sea life is not so extraordinary, so go for the above water views, not the underwater ones.
Game of Thrones Dubrovnik has been used as a location for the mega-hit series. You can find details of locations used on-line or at the Tourist Office. Your local guide will certainly also be familiar with these.