Dubrovnik, or as it is known, the “Pearl of the Adriatic” is simply breathtaking, and according to playwright George Bernard Shaw “Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik”. I agree with him. While I have had the pleasure of visiting magnificent places along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the French Riviera, and the Greek Islands, Dubrovnik was simply a place that was still on my bucket list, and I just had to check it off. After seeing so many glorious photos of this sleepy, medieval town (a UNESCO Heritage site since 1979), I just knew a visit to Croatia was a necessity. Luckily I was blessed with the opportunity of visiting Dubrovnik recently and it certainly lived up to its reputation, how could it not…beaches, cliff diving, ancient medieval town, beautiful terracotta roof tiles, great food, fantastic nightlife and add a bit of romance. And one of the things I also really enjoyed about this place was that even though we visited during the peak of the summer in August and yes, there were hundreds of tourists everywhere….I could still feel the difference, it’s not quite as spoiled as some of the other destinations like Venice or Mykonos, which was pleasantly surprising. Entering the city through Pile Gate, there’s still the feeling that not too much has changed.
Beautiful Dubrovnik.
More beautiful views…
But first I must brag a bit about our hotel, the Hilton Imperial…wow! Since I am all about the views on my trips, I had researched that certain properties in Dubrovnik offered amazing views of the old town and city walls. After looking into a few, we decided on the Hilton and splurged on a suite which guaranteed the coveted Old Town views, and it did not disappoint…here is what we saw while peeking out our windows:
View out of our suite window.
More views from our room…
Hilton Imperial Hotel
View of our hotel from the city walls (that’s how close we were).
In addition to the views, the hotel offered a delicious buffet breakfast and a number of different amenities, along with a fantastic location just a few steps away from the historic entrance at Pile Gate. There are also plenty of buses and taxis available right outside the hotel, making it easy to get round town and to the nearby beaches.
Dubrovnik’s picturesque city wall surrounds this gorgeous city perched above the Adriatic Sea. Tourists flock here to parade down the old town’s shiny streets, which again, in the height of the summer, can get quite crowded. But in my opinion, walking the city walls, cannot be missed. While walking the full perimeter atop the old city walls, (and no, you don’t have to walk the entire perimeter), you will be rewarded with the most amazing views. Perched up above all the orange rooftops and church spires, you can circle the city and gaze down on it while you take in the ocean and surrounding islands.
The steep stairs you must climb to go up to the city walls.
Onofrio Fountain, one of Dubrovnik’s most famous landmarks.
Crowds of tourists walking through the main street of the old city.
The views from the walls.
More beautiful views…
For a fantastic panoramic view of this walled city, take the funicular up Mount Srd to the Napoleonic Fort Imperial, which overlooks the entire city. Scrub surfaced Mount Srd, stands 400 meters above Dubrovnik. It can be also be reached by car (15 minutes) or on foot (90 minutes walk). If you decide to visit the mountain, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the best views over the city.
Taking the funicular up …
The views of the old town are amazing!
Our daughter enjoying the views on the way back down.
As with most popular European cities, Dubrovnik has its fair share of traditional tacky tourist shops, as my husband likes to call them, along the main drag but don’t be discouraged. You can also find some places selling beautiful embroidered tablecloths and linen, Dalmatian wines, spirits (known as rajika), and delicious preserves and dried fruit, all beautifully packaged. Oh and the old city is a pedestrian zone, so you don’t have to worry about traffic as you wander through the marble-paved streets.
Some of the beautiful linens sold in some shops, all embroidered by hand.
Beautiful linens sold at Bačan Handmade Products, located at Prijeko 6
Sugar coated lemon and orange peels are sold in certain shops, and packaged in cute souvenir bags.
My daughter loved these pretty ceramic figurines.
And of course in the 100 degree weather we were experiencing, a long day at the beach accompanied by a sunset cruise, is a must. We chose to visit Banje Beach, because of its location, with beautiful views of the walls of the old town and Lokrum Island which is nearby. I will say, as much as I enjoyed the beach with the crystal clear, cool water, I wish I would have brought some water shoes, as the beaches here are full of large stones and pebbles and by the time we left our feet were hurting quite a bit. There is a 2-hour sunset cruise along the Dubrovnik coast where you’ll need your camera to capture the most glorious sunsets while in your own private boat. See the city walls from the sea as well as various reefs, the lighthouse and Lokrum Island. In addition to this cruise, there are many other boat excursions leaving from the harbor, also offering terrific views of the coast.
Famous Banje Beach with views of the old town in the background.
Hubby and daughter enjoying the crystal clear and cool water…
Getting ready to board the submarine ride…
Here we go…
Views from the sub…
More views…
View of Banje Beach from the sub.
While there are many good restaurants in town to choose from (although for the more popular ones make sure you have reservations), fresh yummy seafood can be had almost anywhere. Take a look at this, right by the harbor:
Ready for a late lunch!
Fried sardines.
Fried calamari
And last but not least Dubrovnik is home to several locations used in filming the hit TV show Game of Thrones, which I know nothing about (gasp). Take a three-hour tour around the Dubrovnik old town to see where most of the filming took place. Upgrading your tour will include an extra one and a half hour trip to Trsteno Arboretum.
Here are a few more photos of our trip for your enjoyment.
Rooftops of Dubrovnik
Near Pile Gate entrance.
One of the many side street cafes.
The famous Clock Tower.
St. Blaise with its monumental stairway at center, and the Gothic column of Roland right in front.
The beautiful Venetian looking Sponza Palace.
Having some of the best pizza at Domenica Pizzeria…yum!
Enjoying some crepes and gelato at Dubrovka Cafe, which also offers amazing views.
Have you visited dazzling Dubrovnik? I would love to hear what you enjoyed most…
Listen2Mama 
It looks like you guys had an amazing time will you were there. I loved looking at all your photos 🙂
LikeLike
Wow what an amazingly beautiful place. I can only imagine the rich history around every turn – and the food looks incredible. So glad you got to go enjoy such an enchanting place!
LikeLike
What an excellent review, both your words and your photos. Is it always that sunny? Would people visiting in the winter avoid crowds and still have a fabulous time? (I’m all about off-season travel when I can do it)
What tops your travel list for 2016?
LikeLike
I don’t think it’s very sunny or crowded during the off season.
LikeLike
I want to visit Dubrovnik! The breathtaking views, those hand-embroidered linens, the fried sardines – I want it all. So glad you shared this on a frigid morning. I can dream . . .
LikeLike
Those pictures of the panoramic views are absolutely stunning! They are fit for wall art! And all that food looks sooo delicious! I’d love to visit!
LikeLike
What a stunning, charming place! I love all of your pictures, and it looks like you had an amazing time. And now I’m hungry 🙂
LikeLike
This looks like an amazing adventure! So beautiful and so full of history and culture. I am adding this to my list!
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of Dubrovnik, but my goodness, what an amazing place! The views, the food, the places to explore! Thanks for the introduction!
LikeLike
Wow, what a beautiful place to visit. I would love to go there some day. That seafood sound yummy.
LikeLike
Your pictures look straight out of a movie. Beautiful!
I’ve never seen fried sardines or lemon/orange peel served like that.
LikeLike
You are a very brave lady for trying out those sardines, where they good? I would love to travel I don’t get to I’m stuck in cold Michigan. I loved the photos you shared
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks but actually hubby ate the sardines, not me! But he loved them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t have had those sardines no matter how they are cooked lol they look good but I can’t get past the slimy guys lol
LikeLike
I don’t eat sardines either, but my husband loved them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an absolutely beautiful destination! Those linens are beautiful and those sardines are making me hungry! I’ve just added another location to my “one day” list…
LikeLike
Wow, Dubrovnik is amazing. I’ve never been there but I’d love to see the city and the beaches. It’s pretty amazing how it’s surrounded by all those walls with great views.
LikeLike
I have never been to Dubrovnik, but your pictures of it are absolutely beautiful! I would truly love to go there one day!
LikeLike
With your pictures, I would say I have been to Dubrovnik! 🙂 … It sure looks like a place to visit. Thank you for the details you shared
LikeLike
How gorgeous! I’ve never heard of Dubrovnik before, but it’s going on my travel bucket list now. It’s absolutely beautiful.
LikeLike
oh wow i am so jealous, I am adding this to my list. I have almost all of Europe booked for this year but skipped croatia somehow. Beautiful pictures and the views are just wow
LikeLike
What amazing pictures! I haven’t been to Dubrovnik yet, but will be sharing this with my husband with a big old hint, hint!
How were the lemon and orange peels? They look yummy!
LikeLike
They were yummy!
LikeLike
Wow, this looks amazing! The pictures are gorgeous, and I would love to spend some time there.
LikeLike
How amazing! I would love to take a trip to Dubrovnik! Everything is so blue and beautiful! Wouldn’t say no to staying in the Hilton Imperial wow!
LikeLike
Dubrovnik looks like such an amazing place to visit! Great pictures, the crepes and gelato look delicious!
LikeLike
This is one of the top places on my bucket list!! I’ve traveled quite extensively in Europe but unfortunately didn’t make it there!
LikeLike
What beautiful pictures! The old town looks like it is frozen in time and has never been touched by mans modern hand, gorgeous in every way. Those orange & lemon peels look like a tasty local treat
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the photos are beautiful. It looks like you had a wonderful time.
LikeLike
It looks like you guys had an amazing time. All the photos are incredible!!
LikeLike
Wow what stunning photo’s! You really captured some beautiful views and memories! Looks like a lovely place to visit!
LikeLike
Beautiful pics of a beautiful place. I stayed in the old town in 2013, and couldn’t believe how busy it gets in the day. My favourite part was definitely after 4pm when the day trippers return to their cruise ships (and all that seafood!)
LikeLike
I have never heard about Dubrovnik before, but by just seeing those beautiful pictures I can see this is such a wonderful place to visit & some of those pictures are mind blowing honestly. I just love those homes that look uniform all through & those orange peels as well.
LikeLike
Those pictures are gorgeous. Looking at all the pics of seafood, I want to go there right now.
LikeLike
Simply amazing! It is so beautiful there. The Gelato! Oh my gosh, that looks delicious. I need to add this to my list of places to visit around the world.
LikeLike
omggg! great post. i would sooo love to visit. i probably wouldn’t want to come back to the states. how gorgeous.
LikeLike