Travel to Dubrovnik to see why it is the best known city on the Dalmatian coast.
Situated at the southern tip of Croatia on the Adriatic coast, bowl-shaped Dubrovnik has been a repository of myriad cultural influences for centuries, to create one of the loveliest and liveliest cities in Europe. It has everything: a magnificent natural setting, an old town unspoiled by development, and a lively cultural life; yet, perhaps more than anything, it has an atmosphere about it that not even Venice can rival.
Situated on the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik’s charm lies in its ancient architecture, street life, and gorgeous location – its not called the Pearl of the Adriatic for nothing! One can spend days meandering through the intricate network of streets that run down the limestone cliffs of the old city, uncovering cafes, art galleries, boutiques, monasteries, churches and a host of hidden treasures.
There are many things to do and see, some of our favorites include taking a private boat to the Elaphiti archipelago with eight islands, only three of which are inhabited. The islands are dotted with pine forests, authentic villages and idyllic bays. Another must do is to walk the walls of the UNESCO protected old town and revel in the unspoiled views.
For custom luxury travel and tours to Dubrovnik, please contact one of our travel experts, or read on below for more information about where to go and when, along with our Insider's Guide.
Croatia enjoys long, warm, dry summers and generally wet winters.
The very best time to visit Dubrovnik is April – June and September and October. July and August can be very hot for touring, with temperatures in the ’80’s.
In August Dubrovnik hosts its annual Summer Festival which has a rich cultural program for locals and visitors alike.
Our team of travel experts can customize a unique program for you based on your exact preferences and interests. We suggest you allow a minimum of three nights in Dubrovnik.
If you are on an Adriatic cruise we can arrange a private shore excursion with your own Exeter hand-picked private guide in Dubrovnik. Our private shore excursions ensure that you’ll receive not only the best experience possible, but personalized service throughout, allowing you to maximize your time in port.
Enjoy the freedom of driving yourself and discovering small towns and villages? Consider a self-drive vacation. Dubrovnik features in our sample Dalmatia self-drive program. We will provide a pre-programmed GPS delivered to you before you leave home and with the services of our 24 hour local staff. We can craft the perfect self-drive itinerary to fit your taste, pace and budget. Let us introduce you to the essentials of each city and give you suggestions of what to do on your own. Just plug in your Exeter pre-programmed GPS and let your adventure begin!
A visit to the nearby Pelješac peninsula, the oldest recorded diocese in Croatia. Ston is the “oyster capital” of Croatia and you will go to Hodilje, a tiny fisherman’s village where you will learn how oysters and mussels are produced. You will then get to enjoy a home-made traditional light lunch, including mussels and oysters, prepared for you on a private little islet.
The best way to enjoy typical Croatian food is at a konoba (tavern). These traditional restaurants are generally preparing food in ways typical of the region. This means in Dalmatia you will find things prepared “peka” – food is cooked in a fire under a lid or brick. It’s a slow cooking process that preserves the flavor of the foods. You can find this with octopus, veal, fish and more.
A bottle of local wine from Niko Karaman, a local enologist who is quickly making a name for his tiny operation. He is known for dry wines and exquisite sweet Prosek (dessert wine) that he makes from rare indigenous grapes. His wines were awarded the title of World’s Best Dessert Wine in 2009.
