Spotlight on Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik on the Croatian coastline is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”.  The city was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979 but was badly damaged in the Yugoslavian war in the 1990’s.  However the city was carefully restored to its former glory by 2005.

Attractions

One of the best ways to see Dubrovnik is to walk around the 2 kilometre city walls, which encircle the Old Town. The 25 metre high  walls were under construction for around 500 years, between the 12th – 17th centuries. Evening is a good time to walk the walls as it’s not so hot and crowded.  You have to pay around £8 to do enter the walls.

The Rector’s Palace is a beautiful old building.  The courtyard hosts several music concerts throughout the year. Upstairs is the cultural history museum which houses a mix of historic items and a photography exhibition which illustrates the damage wrought on Dubrovnik during the 1990s war.

The closest beach to Dubrovnik is Banje and it has views of the old town, but it’s pebbly.  If you prefer sandy beaches you should head to Uvala Lapad Beach.

The Franciscan Monastery has 14th century cloisters and  pharmacy where you can buy traditional remedies made from local ingredients, many grown in its own herb garden.

The Dubrovnik Cable Car, a popular Dubrovnik attraction which was destroyed in the 1990 war, is due to re-open soon. It’ll cost around 10 Euro per person and on a clear day you should be able to see attractive views for miles.

Some of the best Dubrovnik souvenirs are originals from the small jewellery shops, which sell handcrafted artifacts at very reasonable prices.

Events

The Festival of St Blaise kicks off on the evening  of 2 February, with the release of white doves. The following day, there’s a procession in the city.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dnevill/4042417214/

The Dubrovnik International Film Festival started in 1995 and takes place in early July.

The annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival runs from mid July to late August.

Image credits: jimmyharris, kevinbotto, tambako, mr_t_in_dc, dnevill, hisgett

Karen Bryan is the founding editor of the UK based, multi author Europe a la Carte Blog which features Europe travel tips about the best places to visit in Europe.