Dubrovnik - the jewel of the Adriatic Sea

Proud and imposing stone walls framed by the turquoise Adriatic and with the backdrop of green Mediterranean nature. Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as soon as you visit as see the city with your own eyes you can see why. The harmony of history and culture and the brilliance of the landscape make this walled city a true gem.

Dubrovnik today owes much to its past. The beauty of the old historic city and the wonder of the nature have drawn tourists for many years. On visiting Dubrovnik George Bernard Shaw famously commented “those seeking paradise on earth should visit Dubrovnik” and millions from all over the world have followed this advice. The walls that have protected the city for centuries stretch unbroken for almost 2 kilometres. And inside the walls the history and indeed beauty explodes from every angles, each cobbled street has a new sight and each plaza a fresh discovery.

For such a relatively small city Dubrovnik was a leader in many fields, from the arts to trade. One of the oldest pharmacies in Europe is located in the Franciscan Monastery and dates back to 1317. A few cobbled streets later and you’ll find one of the oldest synagogues in Europe, and both the pharmacy and this place of worship are still in function today. The famed Old City is simply bustling with historical jewels, but there are also sights and sounds beyond the walls.

Only a short 15-minute boat ride from the hustle and bustle of the city lies the island of Lokrum. Very much a green oasis and a firm favourite with local citizens, it’s almost like the city’s back garden. You can walk the whole circumference of the stunning island in around an hour and the Mediterranean vegetation will blow you away, there are so many shades of green and each step brings a new aroma. Dip in the Adriatic, dive into a novel in the shade of an ancient olive tree or explore the Botanical gardens, Lokrum offers it all.

So you’ve been to Lokrum on the sea side of Dubrovnik, now it’s time to get a bird’s eye perspective. The mountain of Srđ climbs behind the walled city and offers incredible panoramic views over the city, the local islands, the mountain and the glinting Adriatic Sea. You can walk up, or take a taxi, but the fastest way to reach the top is by cable car. From the base station to the peak, which is around 430 metres above sea level, takes around 4 minutes. It is an awesome spot to watch the sunset, as the golden rays spill over the city.

The food scene is dominated by seafood and dish, with the Adriatic whispering in the background it is clear why. In fact, the regions gastronomic scene tends to be led by natural ingredients created in simple manners with olive oil. However, there is also a place for those with a sweet tooth. The absolute king is the Rozata cake, similar to the French crème caramel, this sweet dessert can be found at almost all eateries and is well worth a try. Even tried a carob? Why not taste the carob cake? The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean region and the fruit are used to produce a tasty dessert, well worth a try. Then there’s the Ston cake, a cake that has both sweet and savoury elements. And some sweet snacks include dried figs, almonds in sugar and quince cheese.

Content prepared by Turistička zajednica grada Dubrovnika / Dubrovnik Tourist Board.