Exploring Dubrovnik, Croatia is one of the best parts of the gorgeous Adriatic!
Exploring the walled city of Dubrovnik
We had the pleasure of cruising from Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece. We joined a group of like-minded wine lovers for a wine and food cruise, hosted by Napa Valley’s Laird Family Estates.
One of our favorite days was spent exploring the walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The city sits inside a limestone fortress constructed in the early Middle Ages. It has been well preserved to the present day. The TV series, Game of Thrones, was filmed within the city walls, and many travelers make an effort to visit for this reason.
When you enter the walled city of Dubrovnik you discover a blend of old-world history and charm, alongside the bustle of new shops and restaurants. Dubrovnik, Croatia was heavily damaged during the Croatian War, however now it has been beautifully restored. The city is alive with activity.
We took the opportunity to cool off on a hot day with an appetizer and a crisp bottle of Croatian Rose Couvee Krauthaker during lunch. We chose a spot overlooking the old marina, called Restaurant Orsan. It’s perfect for a respite from the crowds and you can see all of the gorgeous boats in the marina.
Shopping and Culture
This enjoyable city has great shopping! There are some incredible jewelry and clothing stores within the walled city, especially on Stradun, the Old Town’s main street. The limestone-paved pedestrian street runs through the historic part of the city surrounded by the Walls of Dubrovnik. If you find yourself there on the weekend Friday is the fish market and Saturday is traditionally a market day.
We visited a beautiful church called St Saviour, which is a fine example of a Dubrovnik Renaissance building. It has been preserved in its original form until the present day. The architecture within the city is just beautiful!
Walking the historic walls
If you decide to walk the historic walls be sure to wear sturdy footwear. Be prepared for the fee to be paid in cash (Kuna only) or with a credit card.
Tickets for the Dubrovnik city walls walk are 250 Croatian Kunas/ 33.02 Euros/$36.50 USD (2023) per adult. An even easier idea is to print the tickets at home and present the paper ticket to the staff at the walls. The staff will scan the barcode and you’re ready to go!
Walking the walls in the morning is recommended, especially in the summer heat.
Dinner in Dubrovnik
We capped off the perfect day by taking a cable car up to the top of Srd Hill. At the top of this mountainside is the beautiful Panorama Restaurant and Bar. We had the chance to linger and watch the incredible sunset at a popular spot high above Dubrovnik. It’s ideal for drinks, dinner, and dessert. In our opinion, this is a don’t miss location.
You can experience the best spot to view the old city of Dubrovnik and the surrounding Adriatic Sea. This breathtaking location is ideal for lunch, dinner, or just a cocktail. We made reservations prior to the trip (recommended, as it fills up fast) for 5:30 pm. This allowed us to have dinner while watching the sunset and see the day slowly fading into the Adriatic Sea.
The food at The Panorama Restaurant offers recipes that are made with authentic cuisine from the Dubrovnik region. Not to mention the wine list is excellent. Our favorite dish by far was the King Prawns in a Tomato Caper Sauce. We paired it with a bottle of Sauvignon, Štampar.
When you plan your trip be sure to make a reservation in advance for dinner. If not, just go for the view and enjoy a cocktail overlooking the bay and an amazing sunset.
The merchants and restaurant employees in Dubrovnik could not be nicer and more helpful.
Have fun, speak to all of them, and explore it all!
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