The Dalmatian Coast, where Dubrovnik, Croatia lies is one of the most gorgeous areas we have seen. With its steep cliffs, clear water, and various islands, it’s no wonder the Dalmatian Coast has become popular with tourists. The UNESCO World Heritage Site added Dubrovnik in 1979. After our visit, we understood why it’s called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
Historical Significance
Dubrovnik’s main claim to fame is the magnificent city walls that encompass what is known as “Old Town”. They were built starting in the 13th century as a defense against attacks. The walls are an impressive site from afar, but actually walking along them was a pretty fantastic experience.
The orange rooftops dotted the city below, and we could smell the enticing aromas from homes and restaurants. We also had amazing views looking out to the Adriatic Sea. The Old Town and its walls get extremely crowded, not only from tourists staying there, but from the many cruises that come into the port. Therefore, I suggest getting there as early as you can to beat the crowds and the heat!
Afterwards, we rode a cable car up to Mount Srd in order to see a bird’s eye view of the city.
We also took some time to walk around the city, have lunch, and visit War Photo Limited, which is the war photography museum. Here, they have a permanent display called “The End of Yugoslavia”, which covered the wars in Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Staying Active on the Water
The next day we went kayaking in the sea. Leaving from just outside the city walls, we kayaked around the island of Lokrum. We fought a strong wind and choppy sea, but we pushed on through!
Our guides led us to a cave where we stopped for a snack, swam in the sea, and snorkeled. We loved seeing Dubrovnik from this perspective and thoroughly enjoyed our 7.5 km kayak trip.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
Our hotel was in the Lapad region of Dubrovnik, just a short bus ride or long stroll to the Old Town. It had a private beach situated on small cliffs on a mountainside.
It was funny seeing the lounge chairs resting on rocks instead of sand, but it worked out pretty well. The water was so clear that you could see all the way to the bottom, close to 150 feet. There were many entry points into the sea, but we decided to have some fun and jump off the nearby rocks. Jon and I must have jumped into the sea about 20 times.
There was a nice long path along the coast, that led to many restaurants and other points to get into the sea.
We wish we were able to stay longer in “the Pearl of the Adriatic,” but isn’t that always the case? We would have loved to explore some of the surrounding islands more, but we just ran out of time. I guess we’ll just have to plan another trip back!