Old Town, Dubrovnik

Talking of history the old town was founded in the 7^th century and has pretty much lasted unscathed to this day other than a major blip in its history of the most recent battles with neighbouring country Serbia (like Croatia, Serbia was part of Yugoslavia at the time) in the early to mid 90's which ultimately was the most damage the city received since its medieval rise.  

But since then there has been much restoration and Dubrovnik is again seen as a majestic city sitting on the crystal blue coasts of the Adriatic Sea.

More on the history of Dubrovnik here. https://www.dubrovnik-travel.net/history/

There is a small beach in the old town vicinity although it is small. If you choose to go here I would suggest getting here early or bringing your own umbrella as the beach fills up quite quickly. Alternatively, I would recommend checking out the beach at Uvala Lapad, in the Lapad region which is a 10-minute drive from the old town. This beach is a lot more spacious and really nice.  

How long should I spend in Dubrovnik?

I would recommend spending at least 3 days in Dubrovnik to explore as much as you can and not just the old town.

Want to see more places to visit in Dubrovnik? Read on.

_{(Click on images to expand)}

Mount Srd, Dubrovnik

Another great place to visit is Mount Srd. I set off on this mini hike on a whim, thankfully I had timed it so it wasn't in the peak sun-scorching hours of the early afternoon. It was just after. The only issue is I had to make do with only one small bottle of water which was NOT ideal. (Don't be like me, please bring more water on endeavours like this, it's the sensible thing to do) The reason you should time your hike after 3 p.m. (in summer) is that it takes around 1 hour (on average) to hike.

When you reach the top you have magnificent views of the sunset and the city in all its splendour.

The alternative is to go up on the cable car but I would urge against it and do your days' exercise, not only are you going to really enjoy the hike up through nature but you'll also feel better at the end of it. Now, it's fair enough to take the cable car down but if you do decide to brave the way back down on foot then remember to bring a torch, you will not see anything on the way back when night falls.

There are great views of the city from this peak and a very popular restaurant sits atop the mountain, although if you do choose to eat here I would consider calling up for a reservation as it is popular and does get very busy.

‍

This was the first out of two mountain I hiked in Croatia although the second one was a lot higher and involved an e-bike. That was in Makarska, the Croatian Riviera in Biokovo National Park to read about that gruelling ride, check out the post here.

Difficulty level hiking Mount Srd:

It was only an hour's trek up, so it wasn't really that difficult hiking this mountain. It was extremely rewarding though. I would suggest getting there before sunset so you can see spectacular views of the city below during this mesmerizing time.

3.5/10

Final ratings of my stay in Dubrovnik:

If you need help with where to stay check out Booking.com there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and apartments at affordable prices in Dubrovnik.

Final Thoughts on Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the more commercial of the Croatian cities I would say, due to this the prices seem to be higher than elsewhere. This should not deter you from visiting, Dubrovnik is a really beautiful city I'd go as far to say it is one of the best cities I have personally visited in the Mediterranean. I feel 5 days to a week is a good amount of time here as it offers the relaxation of a holiday with its beaches, coffee shops, and bars but also the history and beauty. I guess it isn't surprising when you consider the city's nickname of, 'The Pearl of the Adriatic'. https://en.unesco.org/mediabank/21323/

If you like these views, Croatia has a lot more to offer check out the stunning emerald green and turquoise lakes here:

From Split to Plitvice Lakes: Exploring Croatia's Stunning Natural Wonder