Dubrovnik

Introduction

Dubrovnik is a beautiful and intricate city in southern Croatia. Tourists from Europe and beyond flock to the city, drawn by its warm location on the Adriatic Sea and its historic Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Heavy shelling by Serbs in the 1990s damaged the Old City considerably, but major efforts have helped bring it back to its former splendour. Dubrovnik is also a regional hub of trade, thanks in large part to its seaport, which is one of the Adriatic Sea's major ports.

Neighbourhoods

• Old City is the walled part of the city and is the main tourist drawcard.
• Ploce lies just east of the Old City.
• Gruz is home to a Dubrovnik port and place to search for cheap private accommodation.
• Lapad is home to a lot of accommodation options, including a few large hotels.
• Babin Kuk has a few large hotels and the city's longest beach, named Copacabana.

Sights and Activities

The Old City

Dubrovnik's walled Old City dates back to the 13th century and is the main tourist attraction in Dubrovnik for good reason. Its cobbled streets and narrow alleys are packed with history and bustle with activity. A must is to get up on the wall and walk the perimiter, taking in the great views. Within the walled old city, there are numerous museums, galleries and sights to take in. Listed below are some of the highlights.

• Pile gate is one of two gates that can be used to enter the walled city. It used to have a moat surrounding it and a drawbridge that closed at night. Now it's a walkway and the door is always open.
• Stradun is the ancient main street running through the Old City. Along it are any number of important institutions, buildings and attractions.
• Big Onofrio Fountain can be found near the Pile Gate entrance. It was built in 1438 to provide water from a spring 12 kilometres away. It once was adorned with lots of sculptures, but was damaged in an earthquake in 1667. 16 carved masks remain, with water jets gushing from their mouths.
• Sponza Palace is a beautiful 16th century building that once served as the custom's house and then as the mint. It now houses the state archives. Several rooms inside are open to the public and dedicated to the history of Dubrovnik. Admission is free, it's open from 10:00am-10:00pm daily.
• The Dominican Monastery, founded in 1315, can be found near the Ploce Gate. Inside are a beautiful gothic cloister and some prized works of art, most famously Titian's Mary Magdalene with SS Raphael, Blaise and Tobias. It's located at Sveti Dominika 4, open daily from 9:00am-6:00pm (3:00pm in winter) and costs 10kn to enter.
• Dubrovnik Synagogue - Europe's second oldest synagogue and the oldest Sefardic synagogue in use in the world today. Several artefacts are on display inside, including a 13th-century Torah scroll from the Spanish expulsion of 1492. It's open 10:00am-8:00pm daily and costs 10kn to enter.
• Rector's Palace, once the seat of government in the old Republic, is a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The keys to the city's gates can be found here. Located at Pred Dvorom 3, open 9:00am-6:00pm daily, admission is 15kn.
• Dubrovnik Cathedral is the third church to stand on this spot, after a 14th century version was destroyed during the earthquake of 1667. That in turn was built atop a 7th century basilica. The remains of both earlier churches can still be seen within the cathedral. The Cathedral's treasury contains the arm, leg and skull of St Blaise, plated in gold. It costs 10kn to enter the treasury.
• Orlando Column, a column carved in 1417, is a popular meeting place that can be found at the eastern end of Stradun.
• The Franciscan Monastery includes a 14th century cloister and the oldest pharmacy in Europe still in operation (it opened for business in 1317).

Further Afield

• Lokrum is a small island in the Adriatic Sea, a short distance from Dubrovnik. Short boat rides leave from inside the old town's harbour every day. There's a ruined old monastery that you can climb to get panoramic views of Dubrovnik, the surrounding coast and the sea. There is also good snorkelling to be done all around the island, and for the really adventurous, the rocky coastline provides some excellent cliff-jumping opportunities. Checking the water you are jumping in before you do so is advisable, with the south of the island providing the highest adrenalin pumping jumps. Sea kayaking around Dubrovnik's city walls is also popular; the majority of the agencies conducting these tours tend to circle around Lokrum Island and stop for lunch at Betina Cave. There is also a nudist 'beach' on the island, but if you can brave the naked old men, it's worth it.
• Cavtat is a small sea side town that can be easily reached from the city using the local bus route no 10, with buses running every 30 minutes. The pleasant harbour of Cavtat provides an excellant place to relax in one of its traditional cafes. There are some other impressive sites though, which include the Rector's palace and a mausoleum.
• Elaphite Islands are a small group of islands to the north of Dubrovnik, with only three of them (Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep) being inhabited. Sipan is the largest of the three, though day trips can be made to any of three islands. All three of them boast of unspoilt beaches, quiet villages and a few architechtural sights. The best way to reach the Elaphite islands is to hop on a ferry operated by the Jadrolinija Company.
• Mljet Island is a beautiful island covered with thick forest and surrounded by lakes. There is also a national park on the western side of the island. The island can be reached by the ferry operated by the Jadrolinija Company.

Events and Festivals

• Dubrovnik summer festival, from mid-July to mid-August, is a major event in the city, with over a hundred performances held at various venues in the Old City.
• The Feast of St Blaise - St Blaise is the patron saint of Dubrovnik, whose birthday has been celebrated on Candlemas for over 800 years. On February 2, white doves are released from St Blaise’s Church, and the day of festivities sees a morning mass, grand parade with reliquaries and images carried by elaborately costumed local people and festivities in the square around the church. The historic event is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list.
• Carnival Celebrated every February in Croatia for the last 600 years in the heart of Dubrovnik, Carnival on Stradun Street is crowded with locals in fabulous costumes or futuristic get-ups, riders in medieval armor carrying lances, street theater performers and bands. The main parade is magnificent and there are jousting competitions, masquerade balls and street parties.
• Libertas Film Festival is an international film festival celebrating independent films.
• Dubrovnik International Film Festival.

Weather

Dubrovnik's climate is typically Mediterranean with wet, mild winters and dry, hot summers. January is the coldest month (9 °C) and August the warmest (25 °C). Temperatures in the peak season of July and August can reach as high as 38 °C. During winter, the city is considerably quieter, which in itself can make it a good time to visit.

Getting There

By Plane

Dubrovnik airport (IATA: DBV) (ICAO: LDDU) is situated some 20 kilometres south of the city. Croatia Airlines operates domestic flights to and from Zagreb and depending on the season, from Osijek, Zadar and Pula. They also have international connections to the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland, as well as Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. Other airlines flying into Dubrovnik include Aer Lingus (Dublin), Estonian Air (Tallinn), Jetair Fly (Brussels), British Airways and Thomson Airways (London), Flybe (Birmingham) and LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw and Krakow).

In total, there are a couple of dozen of airlines serving the city, some of them only offering seasonal (summer) flights.

A taxi ride from the airport will set you back about 200Kn. Atlas provides a hourly bus service to the Old Town (stop near the cable car station) or Gruž (stop next to the Grawe building and at the bus terminal), but hotels are not necessarily within walking distance of either drop off point. Taxis are usually available to pick you up at the drop-off location.

By Train

There is no train station in Dubrovnik. The best you can do is catch a train to Split and then catch the bus from there. If you are travelling from Sarajevo or Mostar, you can also catch the train to Čapljina (BiH) and a bus from there. It is about a 2-3-hour bus ride to Dubrovnik from there. The train used to run all the way to Ploče, but the line was discontinued in 2013.

By Car

The coastal drive into Dubrovnik is a stunning trip along a road clinging to seaside cliffs. Along the way, there are many scenic towns and picturesque beaches to stop off at. Allow plenty of time for the journey from Split, as traffic can be bad and the winding roads do slow you down.

Dubrovnik is on the European route E65 from Sweden through Szczecin, Prague, Bratislava and Zagreb to Skopje and Chania in Greece.

By Bus

Buses to Dubrovnik arrive at a newly constructed bus station in the Gruz neighbourhood. There are 8 buses daily from Zagreb, making the journey in about 11 hours. Buses run regularly along the coast from Zadar via Sibenik, Trogir, Split and Makarska to Dubrovnik. If you are catching coming from the direction of Split, then you will pass through Bosnia-Hercegovina briefly. It's worth having your passport handy, although a check is unlikely.

International buses run from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo, Medugorje, Trebinje, Mostar, Caplina) and Montenegro (Kotor, Budva, Ulcinj, Herceg Novi, Podgorica). There is lengthy bus trip from Trieste in Italy that runs every day and an even longer one from Munich and Frankfurt that runs most days.

By Boat

Domestic
Jadrolinija runs a ferry service down the coast from Rijeka, stopping off at Split, Stari Grad, Korčula and Sobra on the way, taking up to 20 hours to make the trip. The view of the coast line is the main entertainment on the trip.

Italy
From Bari, Azzurraline (summer) and Jadrolinija (all year) have crossings to Dubrovnik.

Getting Around

The Old Town can be comparatively difficult to navigate on first appearances, as it really is a warren of little streets. There are however signs at the entrances to many of these streets advertising what businesses, shops, restaurants and accommodation are to be found in that direction.

That being said, some of these signs appear to be either intentionally misleading or woefully out of date. For example, there is no office of any bus company within the Old Town, despite what the signs may say.

The city is completely pedestrianised and easily small enough to get around on foot, some of the streets are a little steep though.

The sea taxis (like a motorboat) operate from the bay area, and go to the castle, they accommodate about 3-4 people and are a generally good option. Not expensive, but not cheap either. Still, it's a worthwhile choice for families.

If you are not staying in Old Town, it's relatively simple get there by bus, as just about every one leads to the Old Town. However, it might be advisable to get a timetable [4] just in case. It costs 12 kn (just over €1.5) for tickets bought at any kiosk,or 15 kn bought on the bus; ticket valid for 1 hr. At selected kiosks (including the international bus station) you can purchase a day pass for 30 kn. This pass is valid for 24 hr of unlimited travel on the city bus network, starting from the first validation. The easiest way to get from the Main Bus Station to the Old Town is by using the (mostly modern and air-con equipped) buses number 1, 1A and 1B, which circulate almost constantly. These buses can be boarded from the bus stop just outside the Main Bus Station. Apart from this, there is another bus service which comes inside the bus station and drops you directly at the Old Town. Schedules are available at the information counter of the Main Bus Station. Busses in Dubrovnik are operated by Libertas and a map of the bus network can be found in their website.

Eat

There is a wide range of restaurants in the Old Town, mostly offering a very similar menu of local seafood and some meat dishes. The cuisine may not be very imaginative, but it is usually of good quality and very fresh.

Restaurants can be crudely separated into (slightly) cheaper tourist-trap places, and more expensive but first class gastronomic restaurants. There are a few pizzerias, mostly wood-fired and quite acceptable. The Kraš chocolate sold at stores is delicious. Remember that Dubrovnik, more so than the rest of Croatia, is well aware of its status as a tourist hot-spot. Rents for restaurant premises are high and consequently the prices on the menus reflect this.

Note that in the off peak season of November–March nearly all the top-end restaurants close, leaving only a handful of desperate tourist trap enterprises operating and still charging high prices. You can however still eat well and discounts can be negotiated.

Dubrovnik cuisine is characteristically not very spicy and is famous for traditionalism. Many popular meals are characteristic of Dubrovnik such as zelena menestra (it is the name for many sorts of cabbages and other vegetables with meat), the meat dish pašticada and the famous caramel-based dessert dubrovačka rozata.

Since Dubrovnik restaurants are quite popular, many mid-range and high-end establishments provide the option of online reservation. English-language menus are found everywhere.

• La Luna, Andrije Hebranga 60, ☎ +385 20 419 736. Daily 09:00-24:00. Large portions. Really good pizza with fresh ingredients. Best to have a medium pizza for 1 person or large if you are really hungry - a large can be split in half for not that hungry couples. Only pizza is served before 17:00, for pasta or other dishes you will have to wait until 17:00. 45 kn/medium pizza.
• Lokanda Peskarija, Na ponti bb, ☎ +385 20 324 750. Traditional Dalmatian appetizers and meals, you get your meal in a large black fisherman's style pot.
• Mea Culpa, Široka Street. One of the best pizzerias on what is becoming a 'pizza street'. Go for pizza or a coffee and brandy and exchange banter with the staff. 70 kn/pizza+bottle of water.
• Nishta, Prijeko 30 (At the top of the first set of stairs on Palmotićeva, which is the 3rd street on the left when walking from Pile gate), ☎ +385 92 218 8612. Dubrovnik's only vegetarian restaurant, with vegan and gluten-free options available upon request.
• Pekara Zlatno Zrno patisserie, Petra Kresimira (outside the city walls near the fire station), ☎ +385 20 412153. Nice patisserie and bakery that stays open late. Expensive, but cheaper than those within the city walls.
• Poklisar, Ribarnica 1 (in the old harbour), ☎ +385 20 322176. Limited but good menu, including pizza and some very enjoyable live piano music.
• Pizzeria Scala, Mata Vodopića 3 (near Tommy's supermarket), ☎ +385 91 412-5110. Daily 08:00-24:00. A very nice pizzeria between Lapad and Babin Kuk with good pizza and very good Mexican food/specialities. 40 kn for a normal 30 cm pizza; 50-80 kn for delicious Mexican food/specialities.
• Spaghetteria Toni, Nikole Bozidarevica 14, ☎ +385 20 323-134. A small Italian-style restaurant in the old town with outdoor seating providing a wide variety of pasta.
• Taj Mahal (within the old city). Offers a variety of Bosnian and Eastern cuisine such as Cevapcici u lepinji, baklava and tufahi. The wait can be quite long, and vegetarian options are often sold out.
• Lady Pipi (from Pile Gate second street on left right at the top of the steps). Worth the climb for magnificent views over the old town from the restaurants' terrace and presumably taking it's name from an ancient water feature just outside the restaurant (not for the prudish). Grilled fish with vegetables 110 kn, grilled chicken with fries about 70 kn, salads, etc. Be prepared to wait for a table with a terrace view as is very popular with locals - alternatively arrive before 20:00 to avoid the busiest times. Beware of wasps.
• Arka, Gundulićeva poljana (in the Old Town). Dalmatian cuisine in an excellent location. Has some good vegetarian options. The baked moussaka especially is worth a try.
• Domino Steak House, Od Domina 6, ☎ +385 20 323 103. One of the best for a variety of ways of serving steak. Also serves traditional Dalmatian fare.
• Dubravka 1836 ([email protected]), Brsalje 1 (Pile Gate, Brsalje Sq at entrance to the Old Town.), ☎ +385 20 426 319. Variety of pizzas, meat and seafood dishes, quality domestic and foreign wines, cocktails, homemade ice cream and desserts. Pizza 60 kn, mains 70-160 kn, dessert 30 kn.
• Konoba Atlantic, Kardinala Stepinca 42, ☎ +385 20 435 726. Tasty Italian food and inexpensive wine. Try the lobster and prawn ravioli.
• Marco Polo, Lucarica 6 (near St. Blaise church), ☎ +385 99 801 45 66. Daily 10:00-24:00. Good traditional food served in a small outdoor courtyard. Really nice restaurant with different types of food.
• Proto, Široka Ulica (Old Town). Good seafood.
• Gils Cuisine & Pop Lounge, Sv. Dominika bb (Near the Ploce gate), ☎ +385 20 32 2222, fax: +358 20 32 2220, e-mail: [email protected]. A rather over the top venue located in the Old town of Dubrovnik with stunning views of the old harbour. The restaurant offers ultra modern French cuisine and a wine and digestive cellar. A lounge bar has fresh cocktails and funky DJ music. 500 kn/person.
• Nautika, Brsalje 3 (just outside the Pile gate to the Old City, on the waterfront), ☎ +385 20 44 25 26. Great views of the sea and Old City. Pay attention to the menu prices which switch from kuna to euro throughout. Try the €17 "Mediterranean Lunch" special; otherwise start at 200 kn.
• Porat Restaurant & Terrace (Restaurant in Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik hotel), Marijana Blazica 2, ☎ +385 20 320-320. Spacious terrace, just outside the Pile gate. Offers international and Croatian cuisine.

Drink

The most popular hard alcohol in Croatia is home made rakija. This is a very strong distilled drink made from a variety of fruits. Examples include šljivovica, made from plums, loza, made from grapes, and orahovica, made with walnuts. All are quite strong.

There are many excellent local wines from both the Pelješac Peninsula and Konavle and it is often less expensive than soft drinks like Coca Cola. However, be careful when purchasing wine from unlicensed dealers. Though the price is very attractive with some being as low as 10 kn or €1.5 per litre it can sometimes be of low quality. Croatian beer is also good and popular, though none is made in the Dubrovnik region.

There are numerous cafes throughout the Old Town and the entire city with prices varying according to the location (particularly, those located on the Stradun are by far the most expensive but you are paying for the ambiance and people-watching as well). Most cafes serve a wide variety of drinks all day.

For those travellers looking for a good pint, there are a few Irish pubs within the old town walls. The prices aren't exactly cheap, but there is a small of selection of decent Croatian beers. In terms of clubs, they are pretty non-existant within the old town, but the bars do stay open late.

• Cafe Buža, Iza Mura (Follow a sign that says ‘cold drinks’ and enter through a hole in the wall on the south side of the Old Town. Just wander up the stairs (on the right side of Stradun coming from Pile gate), until you hit the city walls, and then walk all the way down.). The tables and chairs are set out on the side of the cliff and the beers are served in bottles and plastic cups. You can sunbathe on the rocks or do some cliff-diving but do watch for rocks below. This is lovely in the evening, when the sun is setting and you gaze over at island of Lokrum. Eclectic chilled out music plays unobtrusively in the background. There isn’t much in the way of shelter apart from some palm leaves so Buža won’t open in bad weather. Higher price range.
• Casablanca (On one of the streets to the left of Stradun walking from the Pile gate). Look for flashing red and blue lights. This is an interesting, slightly bizarre bar with seating outside on the city stairs, techno music, and may have erotic dancing.
• D'vino Wine Bar, Palmoticeva 4a (Coming from Pile Gate they are on the third street off of Stradun on the left.), ☎ +385 20 321 223. D'Vino Wine Bar has a selection of over 100 fine domestic and imported wine available by the glass, bottle, and in tasting servings. Largest selection of wines by the glass in Dubrovnik with a very intimate, romantic atmosphere, which is a change of pace from other bars in the city.
• Nonenina, Pred Dvorom 4, ☎ +385 91 333 0601. Chill music fills this lounge bar at night, making it a great place to unwind after a full day of sightseeing.
• Troubadour, Bunićeva poljana 2. A popular bar/café which comes alive at night with daily live music, usually jazz. Can be very expensive though, so you often see people sitting on nearby steps enjoying the music with drinks bought from the nearby Konzum supermarket.
• Beer Factory, Ul. Miha Pracata 6. Despite its sterile sounding name, this place has a lovely courtyard out the back. Its real draw however is that it is possibly one of the cheapest places to get a beer in the old town. Some reasonably priced snacks are also available.
• Culture Club Revelin - Culture Club Revelin is situated in the Revelin Fort in the Old Town core and it is a unique place where past and present come together. Its impressive view of the entire city and a carefully selected program have launched Revelin to the central spot of nightlife in Dubrovnik. Address: Svetog Dominika 3, 20000 Dubrovnik
• Skybar - Spacious and vibrant, the Skybar is one of the best places to party into the night when in Dubrovnik! Sky bar offers a vast range of cocktails, beers, smoothies and spirits are reasonably priced and served in a long lounge area. Purple walls, blue neon lights and mirror balls made from cocktail glasses comprise the decor Address: Brsalje, 20000 Dubrovnik

Sleep

Private rooms are a good option for those on a budget, starting from around €10 per person for comfort and privacy exceeding those of hostels. The downside is that they may be far from the Old Town, so make sure you check the location. Owners letting out these rooms accost buses at the bus station, so you can ask around and even bargain a little.

• Camping Solitudo (Catch bus #7 from the main bus station (every hour) directly or take bus #1 to the Old Town Pile station and change to bus 6 (6 and 7, direction: 'Babin Kuk')). A large site with one large amenity block in the middle, so if you are on the edge there is a reasonable walk to the toilets. 400 m walk to two beaches. Most of the pitches are dirt or gravel so not great on lightweight groundsheets. Bar and food on site. 2 people in a tent: €47.
• Hostel Marker Dubrovnik-Old Town (in Old Town-Pile Beach, 25 m from sea), ☎ +385 91 739 75 45, e-mail: [email protected]. Marko the owner is a friendly and obliging guy with a local philosophic attitude. He also offers holiday-apartments with their own kitchen and private bathroom. €15-40 per person.
• Hostel Villa Micika Dubrovnik, Mata Vodopica 12 (in Lapad, 200 m walk to the beach. Take Bus #6 from Pile or the bus station to Lapad post office), ☎ +385 20 437 332, e-mail: [email protected]. Funky, clean, character rooms, dorms, big shared terrace. Free Internet with WiFi. All rooms have TV with local and international channels, air-con and bathrooms with shower cabin and WC. €15 low season-€38 high season.
• Guest House Letizia, Radnicka St, Đura Basaričeka 30 (in Gruz above the main city port. Go to the Barcelys Hotel and then after hotel 20 m turn on uphill street on left. A few steps above you will find the guest house), ☎ +385 98 9841801, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 10:00. Free WiFi, a garden and a shared terrace looking out to Gruž Bay. Bright rooms with wooden floors, some have a private balcony. Stone barbecue on the terrace. Guests can also cook in a shared open-plan kitchen, a dining table for 6 is provided, no extra charge is levied for those services. €35-40 per room.
• Dubrovnik Backpacker's Club, Mostarska 2d, ☎ +385 20 435 375, e-mail: [email protected]. Awarded as best hostel in Croatia. Home turned into a backpackers hot spot. Family run with location on Lapad, popular after its beaches and green parks but still just 10 min ride from old town and crowds. No booking fee for booking through their website.
• Youth Hostel Dubrovnik, Vinka Sagrestana 3 (20 min walk from the Old Town), ☎ +385 20 423 241. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 10:00. 82 beds. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but it's usually filled with interesting people up for a chat on the balcony. Dorm bed: €16.70. edit
• Hostel & Rooms Ana, Kovacka 4. A great hostel in the heart of the old town. Small and pokey, as all options in the old town are, but this only adds to the atmosphere. Guests gather in the tiny common area each evening with Ana distributing free locally-made grapa to kindle the social atmosphere.
• Hotel Adriatic Dubrovnik, Masarykov put 9 (at the foot of Petka Hill, by the Adriatic Sea), ☎ +385 20 433 609, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Park and sea view rooms. The city centre is reachable by bus.
• Hotel Komodor, Masarykov put 5, Lapad Bay, ☎ +385 20 433 673, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, free parking for hotel guests and free Wifi in public spaces.
• Hotel Neptun Dubrovnik, Kardinala Stepinca 31, ☎ +385 20 440 100, fax: +385 20 440 200, e-mail: [email protected]. Renovated in 2008. 9-story tower with 79 rooms and 12 family suites, all have air-con, a balcony with sea-view and free WiFi.
• Hotel Lero, Iva Vojnovica 14 (15 min walk from Old Town), ☎ +385 20 341 333, fax: +385 20 332 123, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Renovated city hotel with 155 contemporary designed rooms. Sea views and equipped with regular three star amenities with air-con. Free parking, free WiFi.
• Hotel Petka, Obala Stjepana Radica 38 (in the Port of Gruz), ☎ +385 20 410 500. Convenient for island hopping. Clean air-con rooms, restaurant.
• Hotel Splendid, Masarykov put 10, ☎ +385 20 433 633, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Hotel Splendid is situated in a Mediterranean garden on a pebble beach in Dubrovnik’s Lapad Bay.It offers free parking for hotel guests, complimentary breakfast, free wi-fi in public spaces.
• Hotel Vis, Masarykov put 4, ☎ +385 20 433 605, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Hotel Vis is situated on a pebble beach in Dubrovnik’s Lapad Bay. It offers parking for hotel guests, complimentary breakfast,wi-fi in public spaces.
• Pension Stankovich, Matije Gubca 15 (at the entrance of Old Town), ☎ +385 98 182 7338.
• Dubrovnik b&b, Frana Supila 1 (at the entrance of Old Town), ☎ +385 91 201 55 91.
• Ariston Hotel, Kardinala Stepinca 31, ☎ +385 20 440 100, fax: +385 20 440 200, e-mail: [email protected]. 115 luxury sea and garden view rooms a few miles from the Old Town of Dubrovnik along the Adriatic Sea.
• Grand Villa Argentina, Frana Supila 14 (near the Old Town), ☎ +385 20 475 777, fax: +385 20 440 533, e-mail: [email protected].
• Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, Marijana Blažića 2, ☎ +385 20 320 320. 5-star hotel near the entrance of the Old Town and overlooking the ancient city walls and fortresses. It was built in 1895 and has 139 rooms and 8 suites.
• Hotel Bellevue, Pera Čingrije 7 (1 km from Old Town.), ☎ +385 20 330-300, fax: +385 20 330-100. 5-star hotel on a clifftop overlooking the Adriatic, 93 rooms on 5 levels. Rooms have a modern nautical themed decor with wooden flooring. Private beach, spa and sauna.
• Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, Masarykov put 20 (4.5 km from Old Town), ☎ +385 20 430 777. 5-star hotel on a Lapad peninsula, below the park of little Petka woods and with a view to the Elaphite islands.
• Hotel Excelsior, F. Supila 12, ☎ +385 20 35 33 53. 5-star hotel of 146 bedrooms and 18 suites. Built in 1913 and completely renovated in 1998 overlooking the Old City. Walking distance to the beaches and Old City 2,000 kn.
• Hotel Uvala, Masarykov put 6, Lapad Bay, ☎ +385 20 433 608, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Conference and spa facilities, swimming pools, parking for hotel guests and WiFi in public spaces.
• Pucic Palace, Ulica Od Puca 1 (in the middle of the Old Town across from Gundulic Square), ☎ +385 20 326 200, fax: +385 20 326 223. 19-room 5-star hotel.
• Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, Na moru 1, ☎ +385 20 361 500, fax: +385 2036 1503, e-mail: [email protected]. 5-star beachside resort, 15 km from the centre of Dubrovnik.

Learn

• Dubrovnik University

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet cafés are available in all major cities. They are relatively cheap and reliable. A free Wi-Fi signal can be found virtually in every city and can be found in cafés, restaurants, hotels, some libraries, schools, colleges etc. Mostly it's free, but sometimes a fee is required or you can use it for a limited time only. Internet connections with unlimited downloads costs 178 kn (€24) per month via T-Com and just 99 kn with some other providers like Metronet or Iskon.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

The country calling code to Croatia is: 385. To make an international call from Croatia, the code is: 00.

Croatia uses the GSM 900/1800 system for mobile phones. There are three providers, T-Mobile (also operates the Bonbon prepaid brand), Vip (also operates the Tomato prepaid brand) and Tele2. Over 98% of the country's area is covered. If you have an unlocked phone, you can buy a prepaid SIM card for 20 kn. There have been promotions in which SIM cards were given avay for free with newspapers (7 kn) and sometimes even literally handed out on the street. GSM phones bundled with T-Mobile or Vip prepaid SIM cards can be found in post offices, grocery stores and kiosks at varying prices.

An alternative to using a mobile phone is Calling Cards which can be found in postal offices and kiosks, there are two providers, Dencall and Hitme. You can buy cards from 25 kn.

Post

Hrvatska Posta is the national postal service of Croatia and has pretty fast and reliable service throughout the country and internationally. It takes several days by airmail to other countries in Europe, but over a week to the US for example. They have a direct link to the pricelist, where you can see the prices of sending postcards, letters and parcels both domestically as well as to other countries. Post boxes are yellow in Croatia and the times of collections are indicated on the box. The opening times of post offices vary, but mostly they are open from 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Friday and until 2:00pm on Saturdays, though some might keep shorter or even a longer hours, just ask around. You can buy stamps here, or at newsstands. Prices start at around 10Kn for sending a letter or postcard to neighbouring countries, a few more further away. If you want to send packages internationally, it might be better to check companies like FedEx, TNT, DHL or UPS. They are reliable, fast and usually not much more expensive than Croatia's postal service.

External Links