My Best Ultimate Travel bucket List Trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia
There are many places in the world I thought I’d never see, and Dubrovnik, Croatia was one of them. But, I made it happen in 2019. After working in Austria for a month, I am an archaeologist and was lucky enough to get a gig in Austria for the summer, I traveled Europe by myself.
This was my first time traveling alone, and I do not regret a second of it. People tell you, at least people told me, that I needed to experience traveling alone in order to ‘find myself.’ For me, this wasn’t at all the case. I love being alone. So, traveling solo was ideal for me.
You see, I am SO indecisive. I hate making decisions for anyone other than myself. And traveling solo was ideal, because I HAD to make decisions. No one else was there to do it for me.
So, after working in Fuzine, Croatia (as part of the WorkAway program, not as an archaeologist), I headed south to Dubrovnik. I had an amazing time, and I hope my insights will help you to have an amazing time too.
Visiting in October is perfect. The weather is perfect. Plus there are less tourists ! Use this Dubrovnik travel guide to help you have the best trip !
The Siege of Dubrovnik
My mom was really worried of me going to Dubrovnik because of what happened in the 1990s. I was completely clueless as to what happened, I was just a baby in the 1990s. You see, in 1991, Croatia wanted independence from Yugoslavia (Yugoslavia no longer exists and is now 7 countries : Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Kosovo). And in 1991, the city of Dubrovnik was attacked in Croatia’s War for Independence. The Yugoslav People’s Army bombed the city of Dubrovnik, including the Old Town, which is a UNESO World Heritage site.
She sent me this video : Siege of Dubrovnik 1991 (youtube.com). Needless to say, this was more than 20 years ago and there was nothing to worry about today, but of course moms worry. Now, the city is calm and peaceful, but in December 1991, it was not. But it’s always nice to know a bit of history before you travel somewhere.
About Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia. I think it’s rise to fame came about when it was part of the set of King’s Landing in the series Game of Thrones.
Getting Around
I flew from Bilbao, Spain to Zagreb, Croatia, the capital. Once in the country, I took a bus or ferry to my next destination. I stopped for a couple weeks first in Fuzine and worked in a hostel. Read about it in my blog here.
I took an overnight bus from Fuzine to Dubrovnik. We did have to go back to Zagreb (the capital of Croatia) to catch the overnight bus. But this was easy to do.
I always use Omio to find buses and trains. Find your bus or train when you travel Europe here.
You can also use Omio to find ferries, a large part of Croatia is coastal, so taking a ferry is a great option. After Dubrovnik, I took a ferry to Split.
A Guide on Dubrovnik, Croatia : What to Do ?
1. City Walls in the Old Town
I visited Dubrovnik in the middle of summer when it can be hot ! Luckily, the day I visited the City Walls, it was cloudy. You get some awesome views of the Old Town from the City Walls. Make sure you wear sunscreen when you visit and bring lots of water !
But, you shouldn’t have this problem visiting the city in October. The average temperatures in Dubrovnik in October range from 62F to 72F.
Take a walking tour of the City Walls here.
2. Lovrjenac Fortress
This fort dates to the 11th century, however, it was not mentioned in writing until the 1300s. With the ticket you buy for the city walls, you also get access to visit this fortress.
In the series Game of Thrones, the was the scene of the Red Keep.
3. Old Town
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is so charming and probably where you’ll be spending most of your time when you visit the city.
Stadun is the main street you’ll find yourself walking down. There are also several churches you can visit. As you noticed in my previous posts, I love visiting churches. For one, they’re beautiful and a great experience. Two, I have Multiple Sclerosis so churches offer a cool (literally), free place for me to sit down and cool off.
Take a walking tour of the Old Town here.
Tip :
There is no driving or cycling in the Old Town of Dubrovnik, so be prepared to walk a lot ! Be sure to bring good walking shoes.
4. Island Tour
This tour was offered to me by my AirBnB host. You can find the tour on Get Your Guide here.
The tour visited three islands, listed below, and included a homecooked lunch. There are many Croatian islands, some harder to get to than others, but this tour was great. I got to visit three islands in one day !
This is the last island we went to. Our captain, our boat driver and guide lives on this island. We went to his house, as I’m writing this sounds really sketchy, but it absolutely was not. His wife made us lunch and he sang and played the accordion for us.
5. Lokrum Island
This was not included on the three island tour, because it is very close to Dubrovnik. There is a ferry that leaves from the port of Dubrovnik and just goes to this island several times a day. This island can only be visited during the day, only rabbits and peacocks inhabit the island.
There are restaurants on the island, so don’t worry about going hungry !
6. Cable Car to Mount Srd
You can catch the cable car in the Old Town and it takes you up this mountain for a beautiful view of the city.
The hike up is about 2 hours, and having Multiple Sclerosis, this is nearly impossible for me. So, the cable car is a great option with a great view of the city. And you can always buy a one-way ticket up and do the hike down if you’re feeling ambitious.
This is also a great place to see the sunset. Take a sunset tour here.
Conclusion
Make sure you add these places to your ultimate travel bucket list trip when you travel to Dubrovnik, Croatia !
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