New Ryanair base in Dubrovnik from April 2024

New ways of getting to Croatia is always exciting news, and a major airline opening a new base in Croatia is doubly so! As of April 2024, there will be a new Ryanair base in Dubrovnik which is fantastic news for all travellers hoping to visit this exceedingly charming Croatian city in summer 2024…and even later in the year. (Read on for more details of that!)

New Ryanair base in Dubrovnik

New connections to the UK and Ireland

Travellers from the UK will be delighted with the fact that as of 2nd April 2024, Ryanair will be running no less than six flights a week to this southern Croatian city. Flights will operate from Tuesday to Sunday each week and at present are bookable up until the end of October. However, this route is intended to operate year-round which is fantastic – a wonderful way of opening up Dubrovnik to visitors during the late autumn and winter, for it is a delightful city year-round.

Ryanair’s Manchester to Dubrovnik route will also commence in April, on Thursday 4th. This route will fly twice a week – on Mondays and Thursdays – up until 24th October.

And there will be flights from Dublin aplenty too! With a couple of flights a week from 19th March (on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), things start in earnest on 31st March when the airline will be operating daily flights to Dubrovnik. Again, these flights are currently bookable up until the end of October, but the Dublin – Dubrovnik route is also intended to be a year-round one.

Flights from Germany to Dubrovnik

Ryanair will also be launching a number of connections from various German airports to Dubrovnik in April.

Flights from Berlin Brandenburg airport will operate twice a week from 3rd April 2024, flying on Wednesdays and Sundays. From Dusseldorf Weeze Airport, they will also operate twice a week – this time from 2nd April 2024, flying on Tuesdays and Saturdays. These flight details will also be the case from Memmingen Airport, whilst from Karlsruhe / Baden Baden there will also be twice weekly flights, commencing on 5th April 2024 and operating on Mondays and Fridays.

Connections from Italy to Dubrovnik with Ryanair

Despite the physical proximity between Italy and Croatia – it’s just the Adriatic Sea between them, after all – many travellers are thankful for the existence of flight connections between the two countries to make the journey over just a short hop. And here’s a couple of new Ryanair connections that will help!

There will be five flights a week from Rome Fiumicino Airport from 3rd April 2024, with flights operating from Wednesdays to Sundays. Milan Bergamo will see twice-weekly flights from 2nd April 2024, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

More flights from Europe to Dubrovnik

The flights mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg!

There will be a fantastic three connections from Poland to Dubrovnik with Ryanair. Flights from Krakow will commence on 2nd April 2024, flying on Tuesdays and Saturdays, whilst from Poznan there will be flights on Mondays and Thursdays starting from 4th April 2024. From Wroclaw it’s a case of twice-weekly flights as well – from 3rd April 2024, running on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Vienna will be connected with Ryanair flights to Dubrovnik four days a week from 31st March 2024, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Vienna – Dubrovnik route is also intended to be a year-round one. Great news for our Viennese pals…but how about combining a Christmas visit to Vienna and Dubrovnik in winter 2024? How lovely would that be?

Paris Beauvais Airport will see two Ryanair flights a week to Dubrovnik from 5th April 2024, operating on Mondays and Fridays.

Flights from Brussels Charleroi Airport to Dubrovnik will commence on 4th April 2024, operating on Mondays and Thursdays.

Our Nordic friends won’t be missing out! There will be flights two times a week from Oslo Torp and Stockholm Arlanda to Dubrovnik from 3rd April 2024, whilst flights from Helsinki to Dubrovnik will commence on 5th April 2024.

More info on the new Ryanair base in Dubrovnik

Head to Ryanair‘s website for more details of these flights…and to book your tickets too, of course! To welcome these new flights to Dubrovnik, flights are currently being offered from €29.99 one-way.

Do take a look at our Flights to Croatia 2024 page for details of all flights from the UK and Ireland to all over Croatia, and also our Getting to Dubrovnik page for details of flights from Europe and further beyond.

You may also find taking a look at Dubrovnik Airport‘s website helpful in planning your travel to the city.

Spotlight on: Old Town Walls, Dubrovnik

In the first of a regular series looking at some of Croatia’s most famous – and perhaps lesser-known – sights in more detail, today we’re taking a look at the Old Town Walls, Dubrovnik. These famed walls run for a length of 1,940 metres around the Old Town part of Dubrovnik and are 25 metres tall at their highest point. In the interior, the walls have a thickness of between 4 metres and 6 metres, whilst on the portion facing out over the Adriatic Sea, they are 1.5 metres to 3 metres thick.

Old Town Walls Dubrovnik
A “close-up” look at the Old Town Walls Dubrovnik

The walls are stunning to experience for yourself in real life and have a fascinating history. They have protected Dubrovnik during a number of attacks over the centuries and served as excellent protection during the Homeland War in Croatia in the early 1990s. The walls also withstood an incredibly powerful earthquake in 1667 (when 2,000 locals are estimated to have died, and many of the Old Town buildings were destroyed) and were barely damaged.

History of the Old Town Walls, Dubrovnik

Portions of the walls were first constructed in the 13th century, with the basic shape fully outlined by the 14th century. The walls were continuously added to over the subsequent centuries, with considerable work on the walls undertaken in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Many builders and architects contributed to the construction of the walls and their elements over time, including Juraj Dalmatinac (who worked on Minceta Fortress) who is famous for his work in Sibenik.

Features of the Old Town Walls, Dubrovnik

As we’ve mentioned, the walls run for 1,940 metres in length and include a number of towers, fortresses and gates, and we’ll take a look at some of the best ones here.

Minceta Fortress, completed in 1464, was the main point of defence on the land side of Dubrovnik and is in fact the northernmost point of the Walls as well as the highest point. (So be sure to climb for some fantastic views!) The Tower was originally built in a rectangular shape in the 14th century but was then changed to be a round tower in the mid-15th century.

Top Sights in Croatia - Dubrovnik Old Town
A view over the rooftops of Dubrovnik Old Town from Minceta Tower

Pile Gate is the main entrance into the Old Town on the western side and stands where Pile Fortress used to be, which was torn down in 1818. As you approach this gate you will cross a 15th-century, triple-arched stone bridge. Above the gate itself you will notice a statue of St. Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint, that was sculpted by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic; the gate itself actually consists of two gates, and outer and an inner one which were built at different times.

Pile Gate, Old Town Walls Dubrovnik
Pile Gate with the stone bridge approaching it

On the western side of the Old Town is Ploce Gate which also consists of an outer and an inner gate and a stone bridge on its approach; again, this gate was constructed in the 15th century. Be sure to check out a gorgeous view of the harbour when you cross this bridge!

Next to Ploce Gate is Revelin Fortress which is also adjacent to the Old Town port. This fortress was constructed in the late 16th century to protect the city from attacks from Venice which were considered heightened at the time. These days, the fortress is home to Club Revelin – what an amazing place to do some partying!

St John’s Fortress to the southeast of the Old Town harbour stood to protect the city from attacks from the sea. Completed in 1557, today this amazing building is home to the Dubrovnik Aquarium and the Maritime Museum.

St John Fortress, Old Town Walls Dubrovnik
St John Fortress

The circular Bokar Fortress stands to protect Pile Gate and the harbour just below. Completed in 1570, this fortress was used as an ammunition store and also to test canon range.

Lovrijenac Fortress stands separate to the town walls – but you will get an excellent view of this fortress when you make the walk on them, and a ticket to the town walls also includes a visit here. This was likely the most important defence of the city, given its position 40 metres up on these cliffs. Originally built in the 14th century – likely on the site of a previous fort, which existed perhaps as early as the 10th century – this triangular-shaped fortress was strengthened and changed over the centuries and also needed restoring after the 1667 earthquake. Amazing, the walls of the fortress that face the sea are 12 metres thick, but much, much less so on the side facing inland. Lovirjenac “plays” the Red Keep of King’s Landing in Game of Thrones.

Lovrijenac Fortress, Dubrovnik
Lovrijenac Fortress

Visiting the Old Town Walls

Getting There

Obviously, the Old Town Walls completely surround the Old Town (the clue is in the name!) so once you’re in Dubrovnik, make your way over to the Old Town.

You can obviously marvel at the walls from many a spot inside and outside of the Old Town. In fact, walking around the outside of them – on the land side, of course – is one way of appreciating the magnitude of the walls and the level of protection they bestowed on the town. Should you get a chance, opting for a spot of sea kayaking in Dubrovnik is another fantastic way of seeing the walls, this time from sea level (of course!). Again, you can imagine how imposing the walls would have been to potential marauders.

Entry & Tickets

There are entrances up to the Town Walls by both Pile and Ploce gates, and you can buy tickets for the walls at both of these locations. Personally, we like entering at Pile Gate to make the walk around on the sea side first before heading inland and marvelling at all the pretty orange rooftops. It is also possible to buy tickets online on the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities website. Tickets cost €35 for adults and €15 for children under 18 (2023 prices). This includes entry to Lovrenjac Fortress as well.

Old Town Walls Dubrovnik

More info

You can learn more about the walls on the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities website. This society was formed in 1952 to protect, preserve and promote the walls. The same society also looks after the stunning town walls in Ston.

Take a look at our Dubrovnik Old Town Photos gallery to see the sights visible on and from the walls.

Sonic Festival Dubrovnik

The first Sonic Festival to take place in Dubrovnik’s stunning Lovrijenac Fortress this September

A new name on Croatia’s impressive music festival scene comes to Dubrovnik this September. Sonic Festival’s Sonic Sunset Session is to be held in the mighty Lovrijenac Fortress in Dubrovnik on 8th and 9th September 2022 – electronic music fans will delight in partying it up in this amazing location, the first time it will be used as a festival site.

Sonic Festival Dubrovnik

About Sonic Festival

Sonic Festival’s first edition is being presented as the Sonic Sunset Session to provide revellers with an unforgettable experience of both the location and the entire event. And some of the top names in the house and techno scene – both internationally and locally – are on the bill for this first edition: Italian producer and DJ Marco Faraone; one of Ibiza’s go-to DJs, Jamie Roy; and regional acts such as Danijel Čehranov, Dea Tosh, NEROA, Brigitta & MattButt.

Hailing from Tuscany, Marco Faraone grew up immersed in music – his father was a DJ in the 80s, and his initial foray into DJing was dominated by the many hip-hop records that comprised his then-modest collection. Marco then graduated to playing drum ‘n’ bass, before settling on a discerning techno vibe for which he is best known today. Marco became a resident at Florence’s globally-renowned Tenax club and quickly graduated from being a ‘crafty up-and-comer’ to one of modern techno’s most recognised and respected names. Marco’s productions have graced some of the scene’s most respected labels such as Drumcode, Defected and Rekids as well as his own much-respected UNCAGE imprint.

Jamie Roy is someone who lives and breathes underground electronic music culture in all its forms. It’s therefore no surprise that Jamie quickly became one of Ibiza’s go-to DJs in 2019 when he held a residency at the legendary Ushuaia for Nic Fanciulli’s ‘Dance Or Die’ events. As a producer, he has landed on the likes of Repopulate Mars, Trick, Unsound, Saved, Kaluki and Under No Illusion. With each and every new EP, Roy shows a subtle evolution of his sound while staying true to his roots. Whether playing an intense club set at places like Studio 338 or La Terrazza Barcelona, or
laying it down for huge crowds on main stages at BPM Festival Costa Rica or Elrow in Glasgow, Roy always knows exactly what record to reach for to make the best connection with his crowd.

Danijel Čehranov, the owner of Last95 Records, is one of Belgrade’s most sought-after DJs, as well as one of the most successful regional music producers. He has played at the amazing Dance Arena at Exit Festival, the Main Stage at the Sea Dance Festival, and also in New York, Moscow, Istanbul and the entire region.

Tickets for Sonic Festival

Tickets for Sonic Festival are planned to go on sale on 1st July 2022, and will be available on Entrio.

More Info

Take a look at Sonic Festival on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest news on the festival.

Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2021

Croatia featured in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2021

Earlier this week, the winners of the 34th annual Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 were revealed. Covering a very wide range of categories all across the globe – from cities to islands to hotels and resorts, cruise lines to trains to airlines and airports – and featuring the votes of 800,00 participants, practically everything is rated!

It’s no surprise to see Croatia and certain destinations in Croatia featured too. First up, in the prestigious listing of the top 20 countries in the world, Croatia was voted in ninth place behind hot favourites such as Portugal (which topped the list), New Zealand, Japan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Italy, Iceland and Greece.

Hvar named best island in Europe

Amongst the island categories, gorgeous Hvar was voted the best island in Europe! The amazing Dalmatian island beat other popular European islands such as Mykonos, Crete, Mallorca and Ibiza to claim the top spot.

Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2021
A view of Hvar Town

The beautiful Hvar Town is obviously a big draw on the island, well known as a chic and somewhat party-happy destination. There’s plenty more besides on this island famous for its sunshine and its lavender – see more in our Hvar section.

Dubrovnik 5th in the best cities in the world category

Also rather pleasingly is the inclusion of Dubrovnik in the Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 best (small) cities in the world list – in fifth place, no less. Conde Nast Travelers states that “the beauty of this city at the edge of the Adriatic is very real” and mentions the highlights of the limestone streets, and ancient city walls and the nearby island of Lokrum.

View from Mount Srd, Dubrovnik
The view from Mount Srd looking over Dubrovnik Old Town (and the island of Lokrum)

Anyone that’s been to Dubrovnik will know what a magical place the city is, so it’s no surprise to see it included in this list. The Old Town truly has to be seen to be believed, although there’s so much more to see and do in Dubrovnik and the nearby region! See more in our Dubrovnik section.

More on the Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2021

You can see the winners in all categories on the Conde Nast Traveler website.

Dubrovnik wedding planner Yes I Du

Meet Dubrovnik wedding planner Yes I Du and see the amazing weddings their team has helped plan

Visit Croatia recently sat down – virtually, of course! – for a talk with Dubrovnik wedding planner Yes I Du (what an excellent name!). Lovely Tea from Yes I Du told us about the all-female team behind the company, as well as some of the amazing weddings they’ve helped organise – and what they think will be seen in wedding trends in 2021.

Read on below to find out more about Dubrovnik wedding planner extraordinaire Yes I Du!

Dubrovnik Wedding Planner Yes I Du (Credit: De Botanika Weddings)
Credit: De Botanika Weddings

1. How did Yes I Du come into existence? Can you tell us about it and yourselves?  

The agency was founded by Martina as a logical continuation after studying Organization & Management  and working in the organization of corporate and private events. Today, after 10 years of experience, there are three of us: Martina, Maja and Tea. We are an independent, female-run business.

Yes I Du (Credit: De Botanika Weddings)
Credit: De Botanika Weddings

2. Can you tell us a little bit about the first wedding you helped plan? What were Yes I Du’s experiences of putting on that first event?  

The first wedding was more of a helping hand for friends when it came to organizing, styling and decorating their wedding. We did that pro bono to get some experience after doing thorough research and setting up all the theoretical obligations which were necessary for planning and organizing weddings. Even with experience in organizing other events, weddings have a very personal and emotional element, and a lot of details, which makes them different from any other event.

The real weddings with actual clients came after this. Researching the market, getting to know the venues and finding professional partners were the three key steps for the beginning. Furthermore, from the very first wedding, we tried to build our own style and create personalized weddings, which is our signature still today.

Yes, most of our weddings are in Dubrovnik, as our city offers so many diverse, stunning locations. Our other preferred venues throughout Croatia are Meneghetti in Istria, Bellevue on Lošinj island, Lola and Fort George on Vis island, Villa Dalmacija in Split and the Aman Resort in Sveti Stefan, Montenegro.

Dubrovnik wedding planner Yes I Du (Credit: Katja Simon)
Credit: Katja Simon
Dubrovnik wedding planner Yes I Du (Credit: Marko Marinković)
Credit: Marko Marinković

4. What country are most of your clients from? Or is it a real mix of places?  

Our clients come from a variety of places: the USA, the Middle East, the UK, Scandinavia, Ireland, Canada, Germany, etc.

5. What do you think is the most magical wedding venue in Croatia?

Two places come to mind: Meneghetti in Istria and Fort Lovrijenac in Dubrovnik. So different yet both so breathtaking. But any venue can be made into a magical place by us! 🙂

Dubrovnik wedding planner Yes I Du (Credit: Credit: Mihoci Studios)
Credit: Mihoci Studios

6. What are the main things, would you say, that couples who are considering holding a wedding in Croatia should be aware of?

They should keep in mind that we are a small country with fewer possibilities, especially if they are coming to Dubrovnik, we have to be prepared well in advance. As long as they let us know what they want on time and have the budget for it, there’s nothing we can’t do. But timing is very important.

7. Why do you think Croatia is suitable for a destination wedding?

Again, Croatia is such a small country but it truly offers very diverse and beautiful locations. You can find anything from a stunning mountain landscape to a dreamy seaside resort. The distances between airports and cities are small, the traffic is well connected, there are additional things to see and do if guests want to extend their stay, and it is situated not more than 2-3 hours away from the biggest European metropolises.

Yes I Du (Credit: Martina Škrobot)
Credit: Martina Škrobot
Yes I Du (Credit: Irina i Matej)
Credit: Irina i Matej

8. Can you share a bit about what was the most unusual or most memorable wedding you helped plan?

There are definitely a few that come to mind. The first one would be Martina’s brother’s wedding, for emotional reasons. 🙂 From a business point of view, it was the wedding of Shayan and Anousheh on Fort Lovrijenac in 2016. It was a wedding on a world level, trendsetting and mind-blowing. It inspired us to develop our business.

Yes I Du (Credit: Iva i Vedran)
Credit: Iva i Vedran

We think that only either the most luxurious events, or small but still luxurious elopement style weddings, will take over in 2021. These couples will really treat themselves and be pampered for a whole week. We also think that all services for these clients and weddings will be even more personalized and individual-orientated.

Thank you Yes I Du!

Thank you so much to Tea and Yes I Du for taking the time to answer our questions, as well as providing the stunning images you see accompanying this post.

If you’d like to see some more of the absolutely gorgeous weddings that Yes I Du have helped plan, do look them up on Instagram: @Yes_I_Du_Weddings.

Alternatively, you may well be considering getting married in Dubrovnik (or elsewhere in Croatia) in 2021 or further in the future. Do contact the wonderful Dubrovnik wedding planner Yes I Du to see how they can work their magic for your special day!

YES I DU wedding agency
Rijecka 19
Dubrovnik

Croatia
Web: yes-i-du.net
Email: info@yes-i-du.net
Tel: +385 95 3616 217

Puzzle Punks Game of Thrones Virtual Escape Room

PuzzlePunks Dubrovnik launch Croatia’s first virtual escape room

Everyone’s adapting to the ‘new normal’ during these unprecedented times – with working, schooling, exercise, entertainment and more all now having to take place at home. Entertainment in particular has changed form – perhaps you’ve fired up an old games console for some multiplayer online gaming; have had multi-person video calls with friends and a glass or three of wine; or even taken part in an online pub quiz? But what about an escape room – there’s no way you can do that now, right? Wrong! Thanks to PuzzlePunks Dubrovnik and their online virtual escape room, you can!

Puzzle Punks Game of Thrones Virtual Escape Room

And not just any virtual escape room – but a Game of Thrones-inspired one! Anyone who’s anyone knows that Dubrovnik “is” King’s Landing, and PuzzlePunks Dubrovnik normally run a real life Game of Thrones escape room at their base. But they’ve cleverly adapted to the coronavirus crisis, and turned this escape room into an online virtual game. Take part in fun and challenging games with family and friends – wherever you all are in the world – from the comfort of your own sofa.

Although normal life has been put on hold for almost everyone, including businesses, local Dubrovnik couple Diana Marlais and Bogdan Dascalescu saw an opportunity to create something new to help and evolve their venture. As Diana proudly explains:

We are the first company that offers live video escape games in Croatia & one of the early adopters around the world. Our bookings kept getting canceled and the season was looking quite gloomy. The entire world just stopped and honestly, we felt quite scared of our future. To make things more complicated, we found out we have a baby on the way. Necessity is the mother of invention, so in our case as well, we felt we had no other choice but to adapt & innovate.

Puzzle Punks Game of Thrones Virtual Escape Room

Their virtual escape room game takes you into the world of Game of Thrones – you and your team have 60 minutes to Save King’s Landing. You’ll be able to use a live avatar at your command via live video, directing him to look around the room for clues. As your eyes and hands inside the room, he’ll walk, look and pick up items based on your instructions. Pay close attention to the game and use your observational skills; combining the teamwork of you and your friends, you’ll be able to spend a thrilling 60 minutes solving puzzles.

Bogdan explains:

It’s been our dream to reach more players worldwide. We are happy that we are able to offer those who cannot visit Croatia while traveling is not possible, as well as to escape room fans all over the world, an authentic Dubrovnik experience”. You can make a booking for yourself and your family/friends, or buy a gift voucher if you want to surprise someone with an epic birthday present or just help them get through these challenging self-isolating times”.

PuzzlePunks have adapted their working hours (they are open 12pm – 6am CET daily) to accommodate different time zones, especially for the American market. Slots for their virtual escape room are rapidly being booked up!

To make a reservation for your own team, and for more information, head to puzzlepunks.com.

Dubrovnik to Split

Dubrovnik to Split…and back! Updated for 2020

One of our more frequently visited posts on our blog is our guide on Getting from Split to Dubrovnik…and Dubrovnik to Split! As it’s been a few years since we wrote it, we thought we would revisit the information and update it for 2020.

This is one of the most frequently travelled routes by visitors to Croatia, so we hope you find this information useful!

Dubrovnik to Split - Updated for 2020

Dubrovnik to Split by catamaran

There are three catamaran services running from Dubrovnik to Split in summer, operated by two different companies.

Kapetan Luka run two of these services, both of which sail daily. Perhaps the one that travellers might find most useful is the catamaran that sails Dubrovnik – Pomena (island Mljet) – Korcula Town – Hvar Town – Milna (island of Brac) – this service starts running for the year from early April, and operates daily right through to the end of October. The catamaran departs Dubrovnik at 4.30pm, arriving in Split at 8.55pm – meaning, sailing time is 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Kapetan Luka‘s other catamaran sails Dubrovnik – Sobra (island of Mljet) – Korcula Town – Makarska – Bol (island of Brac) – Split. This one runs daily from the end of May through to the end of October. This catamaran departs Dubrovnik at 4pm, arriving in Split at 8.45pm – sailing time is 4 hours and 15 minutes.

You can book the Kapetan Luka catamarans using the search box below:

Jadrolinija also have a catamaran connecting Dubrovnik and Split. Operating daily from early June to mid September, their catamaran stops at Bol on Brac, Hvar Town and Korcula Town en route. Sailing time between Split and Dubrovnik is 5 hours and 15 minutes. This catamaran sails from Split in the mid afternoon (reaching Dubrovnik at 9pm), and sails from Dubrovnik in the early morning (reaching Split at 12.30pm).

The above mentioned services are the only options if you wish to make the journey from Dubrovnik to Split by sea. No other direct catamaran or ferry route exists – and there are definitely no car ferry options.

Island Hopping

You obviously don’t have to go go direct from Dubrovnik to Split if taking a catamaran! The services above mean you can easily spend a night or two (or more) on the islands of Mljet, Korcula, Hvar and/or Brac along the way!

A possible (part) car ferry route

If you did want to make part of the journey by car ferry, the best idea would be to drive up the coast from Dubrovnik towards the top of the Peljesac Peninsula to Orebic. From here, you can get a car ferry onto the island of Korcula. Driving to the western side of the island, you can then get a car ferry from Vela Luka to Split with Jadrolinija. This ferry sails twice a day (only once on Saturdays and Sundays out of season) and takes 2 hours 45 minutes.

If you wanted to include a different island to Korcula, you could instead drive further up the coast to Drvenik and then get a ferry across to Sucuraj on the island of Hvar. You would then need to drive across the island to Stari Grad to get another ferry up to Split.

Alternatively, you could drive even further up the coast to Makarska and then get a ferry to Sumartin on the island of Brac. Either return back to Makarska to continue your drive to Split, or drive across Brac to Supetar to get another car ferry to Split.

All of these car ferry routes are run by Jadrolinija.

Island hopping with a car is pretty much out of the question – few car ferry routes exist that travel from island to island. So you’re really only be able to visit one island before sailing up to Split.

Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik’s Old Town Harbour

Dubrovnik to Split by Bus

Those not taking the catamaran option for travelling between to two cities will likely instead by travelling by bus. There are plenty of buses travelling on this route every day, year-round – so it’s an easy journey to make indeed.

Journey time is about 4 to 4.5 hours (longer during peak summer season when the roads are busy) and a one-way ticket costs in the region of 90 to 140 Kunas, depending on which bus you take.

You can look up bus times and ticket prices (and book tickets) on the getbybus.com website.

Of course, buses go through the small section of Bosnia & Hercegovina that sits between the two portions of Dalmatia. So keep your passport handy as it will be checked!

Dubrovnik to Split by Air

It is possible to fly between Dubrovnik and Split – however, flights do not operate daily so it’s not the most convenient option.

Operated by Trade Air (and bookable on the Croatia Airlines website), flights operate twice a week. Journey time is 45 minutes.

Split
Narodni trg (People’s Square), also known as Pjaca in Split

Dubrovnik to Split by Road

If you’re hired a car in Croatia, driving up the coast is easy enough. You can either take the scenic coastal road – the Adriatic Highway (or Jadranska magistrala) all the way, but do consider that there will be heavy traffic on this road in the peak summer months.

Alternatively, you can drive up the coastal road to near the town of Ploce. Close to here, you will be able to join the the A1 motorway (this is where it starts/ends) to take it all the way to the Split region. Do be aware that you have to pay a toll for using the motorway – this costs 51 Kunas from Ploce to Split.

Split to Dubrovnik Private Transfer

For those that don’t want to rent a car – but equally don’t want to use public transport – a private transfer can often be the best solution in travelling from Split to Dubrovnik.

Visit Croatia Recommends This door to door private car service is an easy and comfortable way to travel between these two cities. Prices are fixed and very competitive – cheaper, in fact, than a taxi, with prices starting at €210. You can also choose your pickup time and whether you’d like to modify the trip to include stops along the way, making the transfer into an excursion. For a free quote on Dubrovnik to Split transfers contact Octopus Transfers Croatia

Can I go by train?

Five years may have passed since we wrote our original post and in that time…Dubrovnik has not built a train station. (This is a joke – there were no plans to build one!)

So no, you cannot travel from Dubrovnik by train to Split!

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik – the world’s first museum dedicated to love and romance

The wonderful city of Dubrovnik received a brand new museum earlier this month, and it’s the first museum in the world dedicated to the charming subjects of love and romance – the Love Stories Museum.

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik

Romance and Love in the Love Stories Museum

The Love Stories Museum collects and displays unique personal love stories and items of great sentimental value from around the world. You’ll see items such as a coffee mug from Sweden that got together an American woman and a man from France, and experience stories such as the emotional tale of a couple going through a divorce that decided to give their marriage one last try.

And you, the visitor, can also help expand the collection! You can donate your own personal love story which could end up part of the global love stories collection.

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik

The Love Stories Museum also focuses on local historical and mythical love stories from old Dubrovnik, so there’s a chance to learn more about the city in this respect. And there’s also a display dedicated to romantic plots from films and TV programmes that have been filmed in Dubrovnik in recent times – well known shows and cinematic features such as Game of Thrones, Robin Hood and Star Wars. The Museum also features a music section, introducing visitors to the people that have inspired some of the greatest love songs of all time.

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik

Leave your mark on the Love Wall!

Once you’ve rejoiced in all the romantic stories the museum has to offer, leave your mark on the Love Wall. Sign it, doodle a picture or pin a couple selfie to it – it’s up to you to help create ‘the most romantic wall in the world’!

Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik

Location and Tickets

The Love Stories Museum is located right by Pile Gate, just outside the Old Town. You can see a map of its location here.

Tickets cost 50 Kunas for adults and 35 Kunas for children (aged 10 – 18). Children aged 9 and below go free.

Love Stories Museum
Od Tabakarije 2, Dubrovnik
lovestoriesmuseum.com

Reader’s Trip Report: Croatia – The Thousand Island Wonderland

We were recently contacted by one of our readers, Anju from New Delhi, who visited Croatia in May 2017 with her family and who wanted to share her experiences of the country. Anju covered a good amount of ground in Croatia, visiting Zagreb, the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik.

Check out her fantastically detailed trip report – which she has excellently titled ‘Croatia – The Thousand Island Wonderland’ – below!

Why choose Croatia?

A narrow strip of land tucked away in one corner of the European mainland and a cluster of small islands littered along the Adriatic Sea is hardly likely to catch your attention on the World map but a trip to the beautiful country is sure to make you reminisce your trip with fondness forever. If you love the Sun and beach combo, then a trip to Croatia can be the vacation of your dreams. There are thousands of islands all over, each one more enchanting than the other.

We went to Croatia all the way from New Delhi, India, changing flights from Frankfurt on a Croatian Airlines Boeing to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Dinaric Alps

Your vacation starts the moment you board this plane. One can get a beautiful birds eye view of the Dinaric Alps with their snow laden peaks.

Arriving in Zagreb

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Zagreb AirportThe moment the plane lands in Zagreb, one can’t help but notice that the airport barely looks like an airport from any other mainstream metropolis. I mean not in terms of infrastructure but the human activity around reiterating the fact that this is a sparsely populated country with a total population of 4.2 million.

Zagreb reminds me of Berlin, it’s a city that has to be experienced and not just seen. So, if you have time on hand, spend a couple of days in this vibrant city. The entire city is well connected with trams. The Upper Town can easily be accessed by a funicular with the journey lasting barely 5 mins. The Upper Town houses St. Marks Church, a Gothic-style structure which stands out with its impressive colourful coat of Arms of Croatia on its rooftop.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - ZagrebOne can do a conducted walking tour to get a better understanding of the history of this place. Coming down from the upper town, one can see a variety of cafes and eateries lining on both sides of the street, the name of which I find hard to remember. It is a pedestrian-friendly area with no dearth of places to sit and munch and watch the crowds go by.

While at the marketplace, an interesting observation I make is that most prominent American/European brands for food chains, clothes, shoes and bags are conspicuous by their absence. Croatia is a small country totally self-reliant on indigenous industry. So, we stop looking for known places to eat and decide to grub on the local cuisine which is heavenly in terms of taste and cheaper in terms of price!

If you’re planning to travel to other parts of Croatia as well, then roadways are your best bet. The journey is comfortable, buses are cheap and ply on time and icing on the cake is the scenic views that you start to get throughout the countryside especially as you approach the sea.

That’s exactly we intend to do. Our next destination is Plitvice. After a comfortable bus journey of around 2 hours, we reach Plitvice.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site spread over 295 sq kms. In the vicinity of the park are many beautiful small villages with accommodation facility for tourists. We stayed in a spacious apartment in Mukinje.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Mukinje Apartment

Slight uphill to our beautiful apartment….

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Mukinje

The quaint village of Mukinje!

The weather man had predicted heavy rain the following day, so we decide to set off for the parks the same day. Around 12 noon, we set out for the lakes. The park has many trails that will take you to different parts of the park, so pick one trail and stick to it. The best way to start your journey is from the upper lakes. After some inquiry from the Information office, we opt for Trail H and head straight for the train. After getting off at the next train station, we look around for Trail H and set forth. The trail is 8.9 kms long and is moderately tough. There are other trails also each one laid out on a different route and with varying degrees of difficult terrain.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Plitvice Lake paths

First look of the winding wooden paths….lots more to come!

We are greeted with small waterfalls emerging from everywhere, from behind the bushes and rocks. A sturdy wooden path takes us over a wide lake which is home to a large variety of fish. The path winds further into the park and over a very fast gushing waterfall. We keep on walking on the designated trail and keep soaking in the beauty of this wonder of nature. Every possible variety of waterfall is visible here, small, medium, large, noisy and silent ones, high and low, flowing into the lake and from the lake.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Plitvice Lakes waterfall

A waterfall at every nook and corner!

The walking trail leads us to the ferry point. The ferry takes us to the other side of the park in continuation of the journey. Ferry and train tickets are included in the entrance ticket to the park. The ferry drops us off at the lower lakes. The scenery is still bewitching but the waterfalls look different. Towards the end of the trail is the signage for the ‘Big waterfall’.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Plitvice Lake Big Waterfall

The bewitching ‘Big Waterfall’

If you have the energy to walk an extra couple of kilometres then don’t miss this one, if you do miss it then the only consolation is that the huge cascading waters of the fall are visible in all their glory from the main trail too. So, our trek to the park ends with a welcome ride back to the main station. This long arduous day in the park doesn’t tire one out, so wonder nature is therapeutic!

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Plitvice Lake waterfalls

Waterfalls galore!

We bought a 2-day ticket to the park, so we decide to venture out into the park again. I notice for the first time that the waterfalls are visible from the main road leading to the park. This time we take a different trail. It starts from the main entrance leading up to the water front. Equally beautiful with a different view of the waterfalls.

Plitvice National Park is picture perfect, its magnificent beauty comparable perhaps to the Garden of Eden itself.

On to the coast and Zadar

We pack our bags for the third destination in our itinerary. Zadar. Early morning next day we take the bus from Plitvice to Zadar. The journey is only 1 hour 30 minutes and the scenery en route is breathtakingly beautiful.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Plitvice to Zadar bus

From Plitvice to Zadar by bus

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - ZadarZadar is a seaside town with most of all tourist activities happening along the sea coast with the most popular among them being the Sea organ. We approach the sea coast from the old town square. Lined with loads of eateries and small shops, the paved narrow streets have something to catch your attention at every step. Trinkets, souvenirs, clothes et al on both sides beckon tourists. These narrow streets lead to an open courtyard with a tower, some historical monuments and a picturesque view of the sea. There are cathedrals and churches aplenty if you have an eye and ear for history.

The highlight of this outing is the Sea Organ. Huge metallic pipes have been installed under the sea along the sea shore. As water strikes against these wind pipes, a sound of mouth organ emanates out of nowhere. One can sit here for hours on end and listen to this melodious syncing motion of water. ‘Greeting to the Sun’ next to the sea organ right on the sea front is equally intriguing.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Zadar Greeting to the SunThis is the most popular hub for tourists at Zadar and rightly so. As dusk approaches, the waves become higher and the sound from the sea organ increases. The day closes with a spectacular sun set.

If you have time just hang around a bit late till the crowds dissipate. You will be able to hear the sea organ more clearly. An overnight stay is enough in Zadar unless you want to come back to the Sea organ next day too. We’re tempted to do the same but we have our bookings in place for our next halt in Split.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Zadar sunset

Awe inspiring sunset!

Down the coast to Split

The most talked about attraction in Split is the 4th century Diocletian Palace. The massive structure of the bishop Gregory of Nin right at the entrance to the palace sets the tone for your outing. It’s huge and very impressive. Touching the toe of Nin is believed to bring good luck, so tourists visiting the palace line up in front of the statue to rub its toe.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Gregory of Nin in Split

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Gregory of Nin's toe in Split

The palace is in ruins yet impressive. There are loads of eateries and shops in every nook and corner, the palace has also been converted into a hotel in some parts. Its lively and buzzing with activity. Inside is also the Cathedral of St Domnius housing the crypt and the Temple of Jupiter. My word of advice, just peep into the temple, don’t buy the ticket, the temple is small, only as far as the eye can see from outside. The Diocletian Palace can easily be a full day outing with the last leg of the day at the sea front. We had dinner at Café Fife just along the sea shore, the taste of their fish delicacy is still making me salivate. Total value for money!

We are fast approaching the end of our journey with our last destination being Dubrovnik. We’ve allocated four days to this city called the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. The scenic route on the entire stretch from Split to Dubrovnik can actually make one envious of the people who reside here. Adriatic Sea has been almost ‘customized’ to suit their requirements, there are play areas for children, lounge chairs for elderly, all kinds of boats, personal swimming areas. Every nook and corner of the sea is being put to good use but the water is really clean.

Ending the trip in Dubrovnik

The moment we set foot in Dubrovnik, the touristy air of the place hits us. The air is moist and warm, there are people swarming everywhere and the town is buzzing with activity. We move into a beautiful apartment just facing the sea. Anything less than that would be a shame. The city is enlisted in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites and is every bit so.

The old city is a walled city overlooking the sea surrounded by a thick wall and an old harbour. A walk on this wall is a Must-do attraction. It has refreshing views of the sea. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, then you will be able to identify some familiar sites along the wall too.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Dubrovnik view

View from the top of the city wall

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Dubrovnik Lovrijenac Fortress

Can you make out where does this feature in Game of Thrones?

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Dubrovnik off StradunOne can easily spend at least 2 days just wandering and idling around in the old city soaking in the history or just doing some monument gazing. ‘Stradun’ or the main street can be fun both during the day and at night. It’s always crowded with tourists and connects the entire old city with lanes and by-lanes. Scores of shops and restaurants are lined up all along that serve local Croatian fish delicacies apart from conventional cuisines. Absolutely not-to-miss!

Dubrovnik has a lot of islands all around that are a favourite spot for snorkelers and water enthusiasts. We took a one day cruise to Elaphiti Islands. This island-hopping cruise offers beautiful views of the sea and a lot of opportunity for water sport since the sea is so calm. A word of advice for my fellow Indian tourists though, take this cruise only if you really want to splash around in the water otherwise your day trip can be dull because the scenery is pretty much the same.

The highlight of the cruise is the sea gull feeding done by the crew as they hold our little leftover grubs of food for the sea gulls to devour. Out of nowhere the sea gulls flock to grab-a-bite. There is suddenly so much activity with all cameras going into a frenzy to catch that moment. Amazing!

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Lokrum panoramic view

Panoramic view of the sea from the edge of the cliff in Lokrum Island

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Lokrum peacock

Posing for the perfect picture

Yet another beautiful island that can be explored is ‘Lokrum’. The main attraction is the free-moving peacocks and bunnies all over the island. The birds are so used to having humans around that they actually stay perched on the rocks while everyone is clicking their pictures.

Croatia - The Thousand Island Wonderland - Game of Thrones throneThe island also has a monastery and a small salt-lake aptly called ‘Dead Sea’. Both locals and tourists throng to this lake to soak in the sun and splash around in this lake that is absolutely calm hence the name. The iconic ‘Iron Throne’ from ‘Game of Thrones’ is housed here in the museum, you can take pictures with yourself on the throne.

If you walk all the way to the end of the island to a rocky cliff then you can get some mesmerising views of the sea.

Our Croatian vacation is all set to wrap up as we prepare to take a flight from Dubrovnik to Munich and back home. But this Croatia trip will be etched in my mind forever. The few things that stand out for me is the pristine beauty of this small country, the absolutely delicious local cuisine comprising of local fish variety and the warmth that people show towards tourists in general. After all it’s the people of the land that make all the difference!

Anju Chandna
New Delhi, India

UberBOAT now available in Croatia for transfers & day tours

You’ve probably used Uber in your home city or when travelling abroad – and in fact it’s also available in several Croatian towns and cities. But what do you do when you want a private transfer on the Adriatic Sea?

Easy – Uber + boat = UberBOAT!

uberBOAT sailing

UberBOAT is a service that’s available in Split, Dubrovnik and the island of Hvar, and can be utilised with the existing Uber app. With UberBOAT you can transfer to a destination and back, for a half-day or full-day trip that you can plan out yourself. That means that you can easily visit some of the local islands that you may otherwise find tricky to reach – especially useful if you only have a short amount of time for exploring.

Private Tours with UberBOAT

For example, from Split you could visit all the delights of the islands of Hvar, Solta, Vis, Bisevo (and the famous Blue Cave), and Brac, including the popular town of Bol with its famous Zlatni Rat beach.

From Dubrovnik you may be thinking of visiting the tranquil Elafiti islands, the lush island of Mljet, Korcula or perhaps even off-the-beaten track Lastovo.

The captain of an UberBoat stays with the passengers for as long as they want. That means there’s plenty of time to visit the islands, do a bit of sightseeing, the sampling of local cuisine and even a bit of time to buy some island souvenirs.

uberBOAT captain

UberBoat fares depend on boat size, mileage and duration of the trip. An eight-passenger speedboat starts at 330 Kunas, with each additional kilometre costing 29 Kunas and each minute costing 2.60 Kunas. A larger boat costs from 660 Kunas and 36 Kunas per kilometer and 3.30 Kunas per minute.

uberBOAT dropoff

Private transfers with UberBOAT

UberBOAT also offer a simple and fast transfer to a destination and back. For example, a transfer from Split to Hvar costs 2,600 Kunas for an eight-person speedboat, or 3,300 Kunas for a 12-person speedboat (UberBoat XL). Split to Bol costs 2,100 Kunas (2,800 for UberBoat XL), Dubrovnik to Mljet is 3,820 Kunas (4,600 Kunas for UberBoat XL), whilst Dubrovnik to Korcula is 5,000 Kunas (6,000 Kunas for UberBoat XL).

UberBOAT app

All Uber captains have valid licenses and are exceedingly familiar with the Croatian coastline, so any trip is very safe as well as lots of fun!

To get a feel for the service, check out this video on travelling in style:

More on UberBOAT

For more details, check out www.uber.com/hr/en/u/uberboat/. But if you need a boat, simply open up the Uber app and get tapping to ‘hail’ a boat!