History
George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by this beautiful city:
for him, it was paradise. Millions of
people also take home happy memories from this "jewel of
the Adriatic".
Dubrovnik has a remarkable history. An independent,
merchant republic for 700 years (abolished by Napoleon in 1806),
it traded with Turkey and India in the East (with a consul in
Goa, India) and had trade representatives in Africa (in the Cape
Verde Islands). It even had diplomatic relations with the English
court in the middle ages. (There is a letter from Elizabeth I
on display in the City Museum in Dubrovnik). Its status was such
that powerful and rich Venice was envious of this Croatian-Slav
city.
The old town was completed in the 13th century and
remains virtually unchanged to the present day. Tall ramparts
surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town which
lead to the Stradun, the city's promenade. One of the greatest
pleasures for many visitors is to have a drink in one of the nearby
cafes and watch the world go by, whilst they themselves are being
watched by the city patron, St. Blaise, or Sveti Vlaho as the
locals call him. In 1991/2, the Serbs shelled the city causing
considerable damage, but thanks to local efforts and international
aid, the old town has been restored to its former beauty.
But whatever we say, our words do not give justice
to this dazzling place. So come soon and see it with your own
eyes!
Getting there
Dubrovnik is the most southern city in Croatia, and the
most practical way to reach the city is to do so by air. There
are daily flights from London to Dubrovnik with British
Airways during the summer, as well as several per week with Thomsonfly
 . FlyGlobespan has a weekly flight from Edinburgh to Dubrovnik during the summer.
Aer Lingus have
three flights a week from Dublin.
See our Getting There - By Air section for full flight details.
It can also be reached by bus from Zagreb (which
takes about 12 hours), Rijeka, Split or Trieste in Italy. The
most pleasant journey to the city is probably by Jadrolinija
ferry from Rijeka, which stops at islands and ports such as Zadar,
Split, Hvar and Korcula along the way, and takes about 17 hours.
There are also international ferry services from Bari in Italy.
See our Travelling from
Italy section for more details.
Things to see
You will probably enter the old town through the Pile
Gate - in front of you is the Stradun. Here you will find
the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438. On the right is the
Franciscan Monastery, with one of the oldest functioning
pharmacies in Europe, in operation since 1391. At the other end
of the Stradun, you will find the locals' favourite meeting place,
the Orlando Column, with the nearby Sponza Place
and the baroque church of St. Blaise. Here is also the Rector's
Palace, built in 1441, which is now a city museum packed with
valuable and historic exhibits.
Opposite the palace through a narrow street is a
square, Gunduliceva Poljana, which is the site of the busy morning
market. In the same square is the Jesuit Monastery from
the early 18th century. From here you can head for the little
old town port and visit the city walls, built between the 13th
and the 16th centuries, which encircle the city and which have
been remarkably preserved.
If you are visiting in the summer, do not miss the
world-renowned Dubrovnik
Summer Festival, with music, theatre and dance performances.
The version of Hamlet on Lovrijenac Tower is magical.
The Dubrovnik International
Film Festival also runs for several days at the beginning
of October.
Accommodation in
Dubrovnik
As is perhaps to be expected, the range of accommodation
in Dubrovnik is second to none. There are many, many hotels, from
1 star to several top class 5 star ones. Prviate accommodation
in the town, and the surrounding area, can also be easily found.
See Accommodation
in Dubrovnik.
General info
The area code is 020.
Dubrovnik Tourist Office at Cvijete Zuzoric 1/II,
20000 Dubrovnik, Tel: 020 323 887 or 020 323 889, Fax: 020 323
725, Email: tzgd@du.tel.hr
Organised travel
from the UK
Holiday
Options
Transun
Thomson Lakes
& Mountains
Saga Holidays
Balkan Holidays
Inghams
Voyages Jules Verne
Additional info
Dubrovnik
Tourist Board website
Dubrovnik
Online
Dubrovnik-area.com
Dubrovnatic.Net
Dubrovnik-Guide.net
Dubrovnik
Airport
Yacht
Charter Croatia
Fresh
Croatia - Dubrovnik
Taxi
Service Dubrovnik
Read about
New Year's celebrations in Dubrovnik by
Graham Amiss
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