Tucked between looming Mt Srđ and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, the historic metropolis of Dubrovnik scores extremely for its beautiful pure setting. Masking some 21.35 sq km (8.25 sq miles), this small metropolis is straightforward to navigate – the Thirteenth-century outdated city acts as its nucleus, however Dubrovnik stretches northwest alongside the coast to incorporate the resorts of Lapad and Babin Kuk on the peninsula.
Naturally, guests gravitate towards Dubrovnik’s star attraction, the historic outdated city – Stari Grad to locals – which is protected by large fortified city walls. 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 on the market to all corners of town, together with as much as the primary port of Gruž and throughout to widespread Banje Beach to the east. And if you wish to beat the crowds, boats provide a totally traffic-free journey possibility too. Listed here are one of the best methods to get round Dubrovnik.
Discover Dubrovnik’s historic outdated city on foot
The perfect (and solely) option to get round Dubrovnik’s compact outdated city is by yourself two toes. Enclosed by its age-old partitions, the outdated city is totally pedestrianized. The one motorized autos you might even see listed below are early morning supply vans servicing retailers and eating places on the Stradun, the primary thoroughfare.
Strolling the Stradun and the grid of slender lanes and alleys that stretch from it’s a delight. Nonetheless, the outdated city can lose a few of its sheen when it will get impossibly crowded within the peak summer time season, particularly when cruise ships are in port.
For a rewarding guided strolling tour of Dubrovnik’s outdated city or excursions themed round subjects equivalent to Recreation of Thrones or ‘Partitions & Wars,’ guide a tour with Dubrovnik Walks.
Suggestions for avoiding the outdated city crowds in Dubrovnik: Test the Dubrovnik Port Authority website to see what number of cruise ships are as a result of dock on any given day. For those who can’t keep away from probably the most congested days, plan to wander across the outdated city early within the morning to take every thing in at a slower tempo, noting town’s fabulous architectural particulars. To get an thought 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. For those who’re trying to make the most of town’s many parks and seashores, and discover sights past the middle, public transport is a viable possibility. You may get round Dubrovnik simply on the wonderful bus service operated by Libertas. Timetables are posted at most bus stops or might be consulted on the Libertas web site.
Many guests make use of the common companies linking Pile Gate on the western fringe of the outdated city to Gruž, the place the primary port and bus station are situated, in addition to the seaside resorts of Lapad and Babin Kuk. Most bus strains 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 motive force, or save just a few kunas by shopping for tickets upfront at metropolis newsstands for 12 kunas (US$1.68).
For those who plan to make use of the bus greater than twice a day, it’s price making the small funding for a 24-hour ticket (30 kunas/US$4.20). You may choose 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 ought to 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 provides 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 comply with the easy 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 usually takes half-hour, however the journey can take longer throughout peak hours, particularly in the summertime. A personal shuttle bus service operated by Platanus runs between the airport, Ploče Gate within the outdated city and town bus station in Gruž; test the web site for schedules and costs.
A less expensive however much less handy possibility is to take native transport to the city of Cavtat after which one of many common bus companies to Dubrovnik; the bus cease for Cavtat is situated in entrance of the home arrivals terminal.
You’ll want some endurance to get round Dubrovnik by automobile
Be affected person for those who plan to get round Dubrovnik by rental automobile. The standard worldwide rent corporations have places of work on the town and on the airport, however visitors jams are widespread in the course of the excessive season and town’s one-way visitors system is a giant impediment to clean visitors circulate. The areas round Pile Gate and Gruž specifically are sometimes congested with lengthy strains of autos and vacationer buses.
Automobile parking in Dubrovnik
The coated parking zone at Ilijina Glavica is Dubrovnik’s greatest, 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 vitality you have got 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).
For those who’re touring on a funds, take into account parking on the lot situated 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 might be discovered on the metropolis’s Pile and Ploče Gates; test the massive indicators posted at every to see the official charges. Pull out your smartphone and examine these with the costs for rideshares by way of the Uber and Bolt apps. These are usually extra pocket-friendly.
Cut price laborious for those who plan to discover Dubrovnik by boat
For a style of how folks obtained round within the time of the crusaders, take into account exploring Dubrovnik by boat. Personal taxi boats are a good way to keep away from the inevitable visitors jams throughout excessive season, and you will really feel like James Bond as you zip your option to the outdated city from the seaside resort areas of Lapad or Babin Kuk. Nonetheless, this comfort comes at a major value. Look out for personal boat operators peddling their companies from kiosks on the outdated city harbor and Gruž harbor and cut price laborious 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 situated on the pier within the harbor in Dubrovnik’s outdated city; for timetables, test the official Lokrum website.
One other widespread 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 guide on-line (schedules and ticket costs are on the web site).
You may also get to the coastal metropolis of Cavtat alongside the Adriatic coast. Adriana Cavtat provides common boat transfers (in addition to non-public cruises) in the course of the vacationer season.
Take the cable automobile 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 automobile within the Adriatic. The unique cableway was destroyed in 1991 in the course of the struggle of independence, however its alternative as soon as once more hyperlinks the outdated city with 2552 toes 778m (2552ft) Mt Srđ, whisking vacationers to the highest in below 4 minutes.
This can be a favourite spot to soak up the sweeping views of the outdated city, and the glowing waters of the Adriatic and its surrounding islands. The cable automobile runs from April to October and companies are absolutely accessible because of elevators and ramps. Test 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. Nonetheless, each bikes and scooters can be found for hire from non-public operators; look out for fliers promoting leases on the Dubrovnik Tourist Board office subsequent to Pile Gate.
Why strolling is my favourite option to journey in Dubrovnik
This medieval metropolis was constructed lengthy earlier than motorized autos, at a time when the ocean was the primary technique of transport, so Dubrovnik was designed for pedestrians. My favourite option 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 courtroom close to Pile Gate, neat strains of laundry drying between the ruins, well-tended vegetable patches, and patio gardens strewn with youngsters’s toys.
Accessible journey in Dubrovnik
Slender metropolis sidewalks and the outdated city’s aspect streets of uneven stones and steep stairways is usually a actual problem for vacationers with mobility points. Sadly, town partitions can solely be reached by way of a steep set of stairs. Newer accommodations have been designed with accessibility in thoughts, however many older properties don’t have elevators; test 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 machine. The Dubrovnik Cable Automobile might be accessed by everybody because of ramps and elevators. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be found for hire throughout Croatia from MB Scooter Croatia. For extra info, see Lonely Planet’s accessible travel resources.
