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How to spend 24 hours in Dubrovnik

Ana Matušić from Hello Dubrovnik (Photo: Ivan Vuković Vuka)

Can you do Dubrovnik in one day? Hello Dubrovnik tells us how. 

If you carefully plan your visit you will be able to see top sights, experience some restaurants or cafes, swim at the local beach and get a glimpse of the city’s nightlife. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a fairly small, traffic-free zone to be explored on foot only.

Your day will finish late in the night in one of the local nightclubs. In the meantime, you will see all the main town’s attractions, enjoy drinks and coffees, have a brief lunch, a lazy afternoon on the beach, an early evening cocktail with a view and a lovely dinner. If you follow this guide, you will do all the best things one can experience over 24 hours in the town. Here is a map to follow your journey.

(Photo credit: Ivan Vuković Vuka)

Take your free hand fan at the airport or Pile tourist board and let’s start our adventure:

OLD TOWN MORNING CHARMS  

Dubrovnik Old Town (Photo: Sorin Cicos)

If you want Dubrovnik to yourself get up early (your photo album will love you for that) and get into the Old Town at around 7.30 am and take that “I have Stradun all for myself” photo waiting for cafes to open and to get breakfast. The recommended cafe to start your morning is Gradska kavana Arsenal on the corner with Stradun and Luza square. It will give you a full local experience, so take a seat overlooking Stradun, or the Old Harbour and see how the Town wakes up. You have gluten free, as vegetarian options also so kick off your morning with essential nutrients to keep your energy levels up throughout the day. 

EXPLORE 

Exploring the city

Now when you are slowly waking up, check out local news and views from Dubrovnik and Croatia in English with Dubrovnik Times slowly making your way towards one of the museums. Dubrovnik has a rich history, and visiting the museums in town offers you a glance into the past. My picks are Rector’s Palace, Sponza, Archaeological museum, and Museum of modern art. If you are with kids, visit the Aquarium or simply step back into the 16th century and visit a museum which you have not yet seen and become familiar with the life and works of the greatest Croatian Renaissance comedist from Dubrovnik, Marin Držić, or, outside of the city, visit the brand new Red History Museum where you can find out how the Communist party started in Croatia. If you are in Dubrovnik during Midsummer Festival, definitely pay a visit and watch some featuring international artists.

CURSED PARADISE

Ana Matušić from Hello Dubrovnik (Photo: Ivan Vuković Vuka)

Now, when you are feeling you’ve explored something of your destination, for better immersion, let’s catch that 15 minute short ferry ride from the old port and let’s soak up this garden island that is home to no permanent residents – unless you count the peacocks and rabbits and learn all about this cursed paradise of Lokrum island

IT’S 12.00 O’CLOCK 

Dubrovnik (Photo: Spencer Davis)

It would be a shame, shame, shame to miss the Game of Thrones King’s Landing tour while in Dubrovnik, the capital city of the Seven Kingdoms. Stroll the cobblestoned medieval streets and markets and meet the various characters of this bustling city, meet Ivan and get that authentic local experience from a passionate born and raised Dubrovnik guide.

Take a seat on the Iron Throne located in the Game of Thrones FAN shop (Dubrovnik City shop), which you can find in Boškovićeva street and go GoT crazy. 

LAZY AFTERNOON ON THE BEACH 

Banje beach

After all that GoT adrenaline, I am pretty sure it’s time to get your swimwear on and jump into the sea. Banje Beach is among the most popular beaches in Dubrovnik. It is situated at the spot that overlooks the Old Town. This is a must-visit beach that will bring you a feeling of inner pleasure & delight that radiates throughout the crowd. Swim, eat in their restaurant, or dance the night away in their club. You will love it. 

LET’S EAT 

Burek at Taj Mahal – Dubrovnik (Photo credit: Katija Živković)

There are a number of spots to eat at in town. Here a few great options. Bosnian cuisine is a special mixture of oriental, Mediterranean and continental European cuisine and that’s why you have to try it while in Dubrovnik. Many of the traditional dishes have been made from the same recipes for hundreds of years. Mostly based on meat, bread and dairy, it certainly can sound heavy, but its rich taste and extraordinary ingredients are definitely enjoyable for everyone’s taste buds. The moment you step in, you are transported into another world. Čevapi, Burek, Begova čorba, Klepe (Bosnian minced meat dumplings), Dolma, are just some of the dishes that will take you to the heaven of taste at Taj Mahal in Dubrovnik. For those who are meat lovers go to Gatsby restaurant

Taj Mahal – Dubrovnik (Photo credit: Katija Živković)

Gatsby is a meat mecca, a place for those keen on a great steak. When you skim through the carefully planned out and immaculate menu and price list, you just know in your heart that nothing happens by chance here. The kitchen is fitted with three types of grills in order for every dish to be perfect when it reaches on your table. Given that the owner is fond of the bottom line of the movie the Great Gatsby, he named the restaurant accordingly three years ago. The intention is pretty clear. You’ll get great food at a great price here, and they also have superb Croatian wines and some Italian and French ones.

(Photo: Gatsby)

For pizza lovers, go to Castro pizzeria. Located near Green Market at Gundulićeva poljana, beneath lovely and elegant baroque Jesuit stairs, Pizzeria Castro has found it’s a place for many years now with a beautiful view and domestic atmosphere.

(Photo: Pizzeria Casto Dubrovnik)

Many locals will tell you they make the best pizza in town. They offer a great choice of delicious pizzas and salads. Quality of the food in this small family-run pizzeria earns them a great number of satisfied guests complimenting both their food and their kind service. Whatever you choose we trust you will be happy because at this place they work and act with much love with a gluten free pizza option as well. 

LET’S DANCE 

(Photo credit: Culture Club Revelin)

As the sun sets on your 24 hours in Dubrovnik, there’s only one thing to do: dance your night away in the fortress Revelin to not miss your early flight. And hey, leave some time for super duty free last minute shopping.

Someone out there needs this guide to 24 hours in Dubrovnik, so share it wide and be someone’s hero. 

Love by Hello Dubrovnik 

(Photo credit: Miho Skvrce)

P.s. Did you know where you placed or how you carried the fan signalled a variety of different messages? Carrying your fan in your left hand, for example, meant that you wished to make the acquaintance of the person at whom you waved the fan, but handle the fan close to your lips meant “Kiss me“ 

Dubrovnik has been basking in temperatures and rising up. Take your hand fan and share love on Instagram or Facebook. As with all heatwaves, carry your hand fan. 

Dubrovnik will probably not see rain for the foreseeable future. The hand fan is practical and it helps direct you to Dubrovnik’s best places. 

(Photo credit: Ivan Vuković Vuka)

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