Things To Do In Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, a living, breathing dream of the days of the yore. A city that sits by the Adriatic sea, Dubrovnik is all about walled Old Towns and forts and drawbridges, garrison fortresses and fountains, old baroque houses and gothic churches. You can do so much in Dubrovnik, from exploring the city walls to basking on beaches, trips to nearby islands and kayaking in the sea. The best of all? Game of Thrones tour.

Dubrovnik's Old Town consists of fortifications and houses, squares and fountains, streets and churches, some as old as the 15th Century. The Stradun street is a part of the Old Town, as is the gate of Pile and Ploce, You will find many a fun things to see as you weave your way around this area, from cats scampering across your path to tour guides reciting stories, cafes steaming out wafts of coffee fragrances and the astronomical clock ticking quietly.

Well, this is the thing most tourists come here for, and possibly you might be one of those too. Dubrovnik became the legendary city of King’s Landing in the HBO magnum opus, with many places like the city walls and gates serving as real sets. There are so many walking and cycling tours available in the city, as well as special walks through places like Rector’s Palace, City Walls and Old Town streets.

The city of Dubrovnik sits happily sandwiched between the Adriatic sea and Mount Srd. A Cable Car rope scales up from the Old Town to Srd and the ride makes for one hell of a tourist attraction. You get a bird’s eye view of the city, its ancient walls and the sea beyond. After reaching the Srd Mountain you can enjoy its magnificence, and listen to tour guides or audio guides that tell the history of its defence.

The pharmacy housed inside the Franciscan Monastery is Europe’s oldest of its kind. In addition to touring the monastery grounds, gardens and church, you myst visit the Pharmacy that is almost 700 years old. Old local keepers handle the shop and sell jars and crocs of salves, lotions, potions and such that are made from centuries old recipe books. You will also see many jars and glass bottles stoppered with poisons, mixtures and medicines that are hundreds of years old, along with tools and implements too.

Dubrovnik offers an array of stunning beaches. And why shouldn’t it? With the title of ‘Pearl of Adriatic,’ the city is deliciously spread by the coast. The city beach Banje is very close to the Old Town and is a great fit for families with kids. The long decks, loungers and shower heads ensure you enjoy your swim at the sea as well as sports like volleyball and football, along with jet-skiing. If you want to experience the local beach and crowd then head to where the citizens of Dubrovnik go - Sveti Jakov. It is part pebble-part shingle beach and boasts of good bars, restaurants and sunshades.

The Adriatic Sea is beautiful, yes, but it is also great for water-sports. Especially kayaking. Sea Kayaking is organised at Lokrum Island, a small secluded spot of land not far away from Dubrovnik’s mainland. Usually a half-day trip with lunch, the tour includes basic lessons like paddling, water safety etc and sea kayaks are provided along with guides. For extra special sea-kayaking tours, go for the Sunset ones; they also include wine and cheese tasting sometimes.

Only a few hundred metres from the mainland, Lokrum is a precious jewel in the Adriatic, with verdant landscapes and quiet solitude. There are ruins here if medieval monasteries (Benedictine Monastery), natural cut pools for swimming, botanical gardens and loose wandering peacocks and rabbits. If you are into Game of Thrones, Lokrum island will remind you of Qarth, where some of the show was shot.