Dubrovnik

Why Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik's Old Town is a UNESCO masterpiece — 2km of medieval walls encircle marble-paved streets, Baroque churches, and terracotta rooftops cascading toward impossibly blue water. Yes, Game of Thrones put it on the map as King's Landing, but the city has been drawing visitors since Lord Byron called it "the Pearl of the Adriatic." Walk the city walls at sunrise before the cruise ship crowds arrive, take a kayak around the old port, and ferry to the Elafiti Islands for an afternoon of swimming off empty beaches. Croatia's wine and seafood are wildly underrated — fresh-caught fish grilled with local olive oil and Plavac Mali red wine.

Top Experiences

• City Walls Walk — The full circuit takes about 90 minutes and delivers unbeatable views from every angle. Go first thing in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and crowds.
• Game of Thrones Filming Locations Tour — Walk the actual streets where Cersei did her walk of shame, stand on the Iron Throne filming location, and see the city through the lens of Westeros.
• Elafiti Islands Boat Trip — Three car-free islands (Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan) accessible by boat from Dubrovnik's old port. Swim, explore villages, and eat fresh seafood by the water.

Where to Stay

Inside the Old Town walls is magical but limited and pricey — apartments from $120-250/night. Pile Gate area (just outside the walls) is the practical sweet spot at $80-150/night. Lapad peninsula has beach hotels and resorts at more moderate rates. Babin Kuk is the budget zone with apartment hotels at $50-90/night. Book early for summer — Dubrovnik fills up fast.

Flight Tips

Fly into Dubrovnik Airport (DBV). Seasonal direct flights from NYC (JFK) on Croatian Airlines, year-round connections through London, Frankfurt, and Zagreb. The airport is 20km from Old Town, connected by shuttle bus. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for summer. May-June and September-October are the golden months — warm seas, fewer crowds, and prices 30-40% lower than July-August peak.