Tucked between looming Mt Srđ and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, the historic metropolis of Dubrovnik scores extremely for its gorgeous pure setting. Protecting some 21.35 sq km (8.25 sq miles), this small metropolis is simple to navigate – the Thirteenth-century outdated city acts as its nucleus, however Dubrovnik stretches northwest alongside the coast to incorporate the resorts of Lapad and Babin Kuk on the peninsula.
Naturally, guests gravitate towards Dubrovnik’s star attraction, the historic outdated city – Stari Grad to locals – which is protected by huge fortified metropolis partitions. Most sights are concentrated inside these partitions, in a compact space of lower than half a sq. mile, so the vast majority of guests deal with Dubrovnik on foot.
To journey additional afield, public transport is out there to all corners of town, together with as much as the principle port of Gruž and throughout to in style Banje Seaside to the east. And if you wish to beat the crowds, boats supply a very traffic-free journey choice too. Listed below are the most effective methods to get round Dubrovnik.
Discover Dubrovnik’s historic outdated city on foot
The very best (and solely) solution to get round Dubrovnik’s compact outdated city is by yourself two ft. Enclosed by its age-old partitions, the outdated city is totally pedestrianized. The one motorized autos you might even see listed here are early morning supply vans servicing retailers and eating places on the Stradun, the principle thoroughfare.
Strolling the Stradun and the grid of slim lanes and alleys that stretch from it’s a delight. Nevertheless, the outdated city can lose a few of its sheen when it will get impossibly crowded within the peak summer time season, particularly when cruise ships are in port.
For a rewarding guided strolling tour of Dubrovnik’s outdated city or excursions themed round matters corresponding to Recreation of Thrones or ‘Partitions & Wars,’ e book a tour with Dubrovnik Walks.
Suggestions for avoiding the outdated city crowds in Dubrovnik: Examine the Dubrovnik Port Authority website to see what number of cruise ships are as a result of dock on any given day. In case you can’t keep away from probably the most congested days, plan to wander across the outdated city early within the morning to take every little thing in at a slower tempo, noting town’s fabulous architectural particulars. To get an concept of customer numbers earlier than you head out, take a peek on the live camera on the Stradun.
Dubrovnik buses are low-cost and environment friendly
Dubrovnik isn’t just about its outdated city. In case you’re seeking to reap the benefits of town’s many parks and seashores, and discover sights past the middle, public transport is a viable choice. You may get round Dubrovnik simply on the superb bus service operated by Libertas. Timetables are posted at most bus stops or will be consulted on the Libertas web site.
Many guests make use of the common providers linking Pile Gate on the western fringe of the outdated city to Gruž, the place the principle port and bus station are positioned, in addition to the seashore resorts of Lapad and Babin Kuk. Most bus traces begin working within the morning between 5:30am and 6am, persevering with till round midnight. Pay 15 Croatian kunas (US$2.10) in actual change to the driving force, or save just a few kunas by shopping for tickets upfront at metropolis newsstands for 12 kunas (US$1.68).
In case you plan to make use of the bus greater than twice a day, it’s value making the small funding for a 24-hour ticket (30 kunas/US$4.20). You may decide up single-journey tickets in addition to 24-hour passes on the Libertas kiosk at Pile Gate. As soon as onboard, validate your ticket by inserting it into the machine. Your ticket is then good to go for one hour, which must be greater than sufficient time to succeed in your vacation spot on this small metropolis.
Suggestions for getting the bus in Dubrovnik: The Dubrovnik Card presents free or discounted entry to vacationer sights (together with town partitions), and in addition free public transport. You get free bus rides for a set interval, which varies relying on which card you purchase. WiFi is free onboard Libertas buses – search for the ‘Libertas Mediaking’ community in your smartphone after which observe the straightforward directions to get related.
Touring to and from Dubrovnik airport by bus
Dubrovnik airport lies 22km (13.6 miles) southeast of Dubrovnik, close to Čilipi. The drive to the middle typically takes half-hour, however the journey can take longer throughout peak hours, particularly in the summertime. A non-public shuttle bus service operated by Platanus runs between the airport, Ploče Gate within the outdated city and town bus station in Gruž; examine the web site for schedules and costs.
A less expensive however much less handy choice is to take native transport to the city of Cavtat after which one of many common bus providers to Dubrovnik; the bus cease for Cavtat is positioned in entrance of the home arrivals terminal.
You’ll want some endurance to get round Dubrovnik by automotive
Be affected person should you plan to get round Dubrovnik by rental automotive. The same old worldwide rent corporations have places of work on the town and on the airport, however site visitors jams are widespread throughout the excessive season and town’s one-way site visitors system is an enormous impediment to easy site visitors movement. The areas round Pile Gate and Gruž particularly are sometimes congested with lengthy traces of autos and vacationer buses.
Automotive parking in Dubrovnik
The lined parking zone at Ilijina Glavica is Dubrovnik’s largest, with over 700 areas, and it is open 24-hours. From right here, you possibly can stroll downhill by way of leafy Bogišićev Park to the outdated city in 10 to fifteen minutes, however the climb again up can take a bit longer, relying on how a lot power you could have left after a day of sightseeing. Pay by the hour (45 kunas/US$6.30), or get a pay as you go day by day (520 kunas/US$72.80) or weekly ticket (2600 kunas/US$364).
In case you’re touring on a price range, think about parking on the lot positioned subsequent to Gruž harbor and taking a public bus into city. Parking prices 20 kunas (US$2.80) per hour, or 200 kunas (US$28) for a day by day ticket, and 1000 kunas (US$140) per week, saving you fairly just a few kunas for coffees on the Stradun.
Taxis and rideshares are simple to seek out within the metropolis
Taxi ranks for licensed cabs will be discovered on the metropolis’s Pile and Ploče Gates; examine the big indicators posted at every to see the official charges. Pull out your smartphone and examine these with the costs for rideshares through the Uber and Bolt apps. These are usually extra pocket-friendly.
Cut price exhausting should you plan to discover Dubrovnik by boat
For a style of how folks bought round within the time of the crusaders, think about exploring Dubrovnik by boat. Personal taxi boats are a good way to keep away from the inevitable site visitors jams throughout excessive season, and you will really feel like James Bond as you zip your solution to the outdated city from the seashore resort areas of Lapad or Babin Kuk. Nevertheless, this comfort comes at a big value. Look out for personal boat operators peddling their providers from kiosks on the outdated city harbor and Gruž harbor and discount exhausting for a good value.
Use ferries to succeed in close by islands
A devoted boat service runs each half hour to the forested island of Lokrum, with the fare included within the value of admission. Purchase your ticket on the devoted kiosk positioned on the pier within the harbor in Dubrovnik’s outdated city; for timetables, examine the official Lokrum website.
One other in style service for guests is the ferry to the close by Elaphiti Islands (Lopud, Šipan and Koločep) departing from Gruž port. Head to the Jadrolinija workplace close to the departure pier to buy a ticket, or e book on-line (schedules and ticket costs are on the web site).
You can too get to the coastal metropolis of Cavtat alongside the Adriatic coast. Adriana Cavtat presents common boat transfers (in addition to personal cruises) throughout the vacationer season.
Take the cable automotive as much as Mount Srđ
Dubrovnik’s iconic cable car dates again to 1969, and when it opened it had the proud standing of being the primary cable automotive within the Adriatic. The unique cableway was destroyed in 1991 throughout the conflict of independence, however its substitute as soon as once more hyperlinks the outdated city with 2552 ft 778m (2552ft) Mt Srđ, whisking vacationers to the highest in below 4 minutes.
This can be a favourite spot to absorb the sweeping views of the outdated city, and the glowing waters of the Adriatic and its surrounding islands. The cable automotive runs from April to October and providers are absolutely accessible due to elevators and ramps. Examine the web site for opening hours and costs.
Buck the development and rent a bicycle or e-scooter
It’s uncommon to see cyclists or e-scooter riders navigating Dubrovnik’s hilly streets, and town does not have a bike-share or scooter-share system. Nevertheless, each bikes and scooters can be found for lease from personal operators; look out for fliers promoting leases on the Dubrovnik Tourist Board office subsequent to Pile Gate.
Why strolling is my favourite solution to journey in Dubrovnik
This medieval metropolis was constructed lengthy earlier than motorized autos, at a time when the ocean was the principle technique of transport, so Dubrovnik was designed for pedestrians. My favourite solution to discover the grid of limestone lanes in its compact outdated city (and the historic metropolis partitions) is on foot.
Look as much as spot intricately sculpted stone balconies, the ornate tops of Corinthian columns, or statues of town’s patron saint, St Blaise, staring down at you. From the highest of town partitions, hold a watch out for indicators of on a regular basis Dubrovnik life between the age-old fortifications – the basketball court docket close to Pile Gate, neat traces of laundry drying between the ruins, well-tended vegetable patches, and patio gardens strewn with kids’s toys.
Accessible journey in Dubrovnik
Slender metropolis sidewalks and the outdated city’s aspect streets of uneven stones and steep stairways generally is a actual problem for vacationers with mobility points. Sadly, town partitions can solely be reached through a steep set of stairs. Newer lodges have been designed with accessibility in thoughts, however many older properties don’t have elevators; examine along with your resort upfront.
Town’s public bus system is accessible for wheelchair customers and others with restricted mobility, however not all buses function ramps or a kneeling gadget. The Dubrovnik Cable Automotive will be accessed by everybody due to ramps and elevators. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be found for lease throughout Croatia from MB Scooter Croatia. For extra info, see Lonely Planet’s accessible travel resources.
