Dubrovnik Travel Guide
“If you want to see heaven on Earth, come to Dubrovnik”, proclaimed the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw – and he wasn’t wrong.
A vivid collection of crimson architecture perched on a cerulean bay; few cities can claim to be more picturesque than Dubrovnik. But there’s more to the city than its aesthetic charms and a glimpse at its history is enough to show you why.
The whole of the mediaeval old town is UNESCO listed, including the ruler-straight Stradun, the 300m (984ft) road that bisects it. There’s much to gawp at, including the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace, St Blasius Church and the Franciscan Monastery. Not all of it is as old as it appears, however, as 95% of the city was destroyed by shelling during the Yugoslav Wars and later rebuilt, giving the place an oddly museum-like quality.
In recent years, Dubrovnik has reinvented itself as a major holiday destination in Europe. Many high-end restaurants have sprung up to serve happy tourists toothsome local seafood and Croatia’s many excellent wines. The city’s night scene is vibrant too, with energetic clubs and open-air bars thronged with well-heeled guests. If that isn’t enough, the cast of Game of Thrones came here to film the King’s Landing scenes – making Dubrovnik the essential stop for many fans.
But the real beauty of Dubrovnik is to be found in the quiet, shaded streets where pretty potted plants adorn beautiful balconies, the odd washing line is strung between shuttered windows and incongruous doorways lead to hole-in-the-wall bars.
For the best view, take a stroll atop the medieval walls. From here, the glittering Adriatic Sea beckons, speckled with islands and cruise ships, wooden galleons, speed boats, sightseeing vessels and kayakers. On sea or on land, Dubrovnik shines as one of Europe’s prettiest places.
Historically a key Mediterranean trading port, Dubrovnik has transformed into a tourist hotspot.
Dubrovnik’s first settlers were refugees from the colony of Epidaurus, who arrived in the seventh century. For centuries the city, known until 1808 as the Republic of Ragusa, was a free city-state that stood as one of the Adriatic’s most important cities.
From the ninth century, Dubrovnik began to take shape as a well prepared and fortified municipality, resisting a 15-month long siege from the Saracen. It was dominated by the influence of the Byzantine Empire from the seventh century until the 12th, when more autonomous aspirations started to grow within its people.
At the beginning of the 13th century though, Dubrovnik fell under the control of its primary rival, the Most Serene Republic of Venice, until breaking free of its control in 1358. Prosperity followed, as Dubrovnik became the chief rival of the Venetian Empire, before suffering a double blow. An earthquake in 1667 devastated the city.
Then the opening of new trade routes to the east sent the city into decline, a period which ended with Napoleon’s conquest in 1806. His reign here was short lived though, with Dubrovnik becoming part of the Habsburg Empire from 1815 until 1918. Dubrovnik began to lure tourists, with literary giants such as George Bernard Shaw and Agatha Christie among those singing its praises.
The city’s sturdy walls have never been breached, but they did endure a battering between 1991-92 when Serb and Montenegrin paramilitaries laid siege to the city in the Croatian War of Independence. A legacy of the repair work was a swathe of bright orange roof tiles (the lighter tiles came from the original quarry which closed before 1991) which distinguishes the Old Town.
Today, the development of upmarket hotels and restaurants has ensured cruise and low-cost airline passengers are arriving in droves.
Dubrovnik has a borderline humid subtropical and Mediterranean climate marked by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
Spring (March to May) is pleasant and sees the temperatures gradually increase from 11C in March to 18C in May.
Summer’s (June to August) allure of the Adriatic means Dubrovnik is heaving with tourists during the peak holiday season, so brace yourself for queues and higher room rates.
Autumn (September to November) is pleasant and a perfect time to sample the city’s charms in a more laid-back environment without the crowds. Mind the Bora wind that blows cold gusts starting October.
Winter (December to February) still see plenty of sunshine despite temperatures dropping to around 10C but many restaurants close for the season so some might find the city too deserted.
Getting around Dubrovnik
There are no trams, trains or metros in Dubrovnik, but the Old Town is more than easily accessible by bus and navigable on foot.
Libertas
Telephone:
+385 20 441 444
Website:
www.libertasdubrovnik.hr runs the city’s bus service.
Routes 1A, 1B and 1C are popular with tourists as they connect the harbour and bus station at Gruž with the Pile Gate – the western entrance to the Old Town. Route 4 is also useful as it passes by many hotels and terminates near Hotel Dubrovnik Palace. One-hour tickets are available upon boarding or at various Libertas sales points. Daily tickets are also available and they’re valid for 24 hours after activation.
Libertas also runs a Dubrovnik sightseeing bus that takes visitors from the Old Town in the east to the Dubrovnik Bridge in the west.
Taxi stands are located outside the Pile and Ploče gates, at Gruž, the bus station and in Lapad. Operators include
Radio Taxi
Telephone: +385 20 411 411
Radulovic
Telephone: +385 98 725 769 Uber is also available in Dubrovnik.
Driving in Dubrovnik can be chaotic due to the sheer weight of tourist numbers in the high season and a complicated oneway system. Parking spaces are at a premium and the Old Town is pedestrianised. Car hire Car hire companies have offices at the aiport and in the city centre.
Cycling is not common in a city whose core is ruled by pedestrians and whose roads are dominated by cars. Cycling on the busy Adriatic Highway is not recommended.
Bicycle rental “Dubrovnik”
Address: Dalmatinska ul, 14a, Dubrovnik.
Telephone: +385 9 9351 0459
Website: www.bikedubrovnik.com
Accordingly, no companies currently rent out bikes in Dubrovnik, but
Adventure Dubrovnik
Telephone:
+385 98 531 516
Website:
www.adventuredubrovnik.com runs bike tours in the nearby countryside.
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Things to see in Dubrovnik
Attractions
Legend has it that the original cathedral was built by Richard the Lionheart as a thank you after surviving a violent storm off Dubrovnik. This baroque incarnation comes complete with three aisles and a large dome that dominates the city skyline. The cathedral’s treasury holds more than 100 invaluable relics.
Address:
Old Town, Kneza Damjana Jude 1, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 323 459
Opening times: Daily 08:00-19:00.
Website: www.katedraladubrovnik.hr
Admission Fees: Yes (for the treasury).
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
A stroll around Dubrovnik’s city walls is essential. The 2km (1.2-mile) circular path that winds its way around a myriad of fortresses provides stunning vantage points from which to survey the Old Town rooftops, the old port, the Adriatic Sea and the limestone crags to the north. Allow at least an hour.
Address:
Old Town, Poljana Paska Miličevića, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 638 800
Opening times: Daily 08:00-18:30.
Website:
www.citywallsdubrovnik.hr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: Yes
Stradun is the unofficial name for the main street that joins the two main entrances to the Old Town. It bustles with tourists, cafés, bars and shops. The burnished paving stones that cover its length are made of pale limestone marble.
Address:
Old Town Grad, Stradun, Dubrovnik.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
At the entrance of this monastery complex, just off the Stradun, you’ll find a working 14th-century pharmacy believed to be the third oldest in the world. In the museum adjoining the cloisters is a range of medieval medicines. Other highlights include the Church of St Francis and an interior courtyard.
Address:
Poljana Paska Miličevića 4,Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 321 410
Opening times: Daily 09:00-18:00.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
- Church of St Ignatius of Loyola
A wide staircase sweeps up from the open-market on Gundulić Square to the Ruđer Boškovic Square, where Dubrovnik’s most beautiful baroque construction, The Jesuit Church of St Ignatius, stands. Built at the end of the 17th century, the church’s compelling art portrays the life of St Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order.
Address:
Poljana Ruđera Boškovića 7, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 3500
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Website:
www.isusovcidubrovnik.com
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: Yes
Look for the ‘We are forbidden to cheat and use false measures, and when I weigh goods, God weighs me’ motto on this graceful 16th-century palace that was once a customs house and state mint. Today it includes the moving Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders from the siege of 1991-1995.
Address:
Stradun 2, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 1031
Opening times: Daily 08:00-19:00.
Website:
www.dad.hr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
South of the Stradun, the former home of the city’s rector is a romantic blend of Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece. The complex also houses the Cultural History Museum which has some interesting paintings and relics. In summer, the courtyard is used for traditional music and dancing.
Address:
Pred Dvorom 3, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 1452
Opening times: Daily 09:00-18:00.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
Most of the attractions in Dubrovnik are rooted in the distant past. The remarkable War Photo Limited breaks the mould with exhibitions of modern war photography. It makes for a sobering but salutary visit, presenting raw evidence of the realities of conflict in the former Yugoslavia and around the world.
Address:
Antuninska 6, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 322 166
Opening times: Daily 10:00-21:00.
Website:
www.warphotoltd.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Take the cable car to Srđ Hill for sweeping views of the city, Lokrum island and the indented coast. The cable car journey is short and can get crowded, but the panorama at the top is worth the effort. There is a restaurant at the summit as well as a museum.
Address:
Ul. Kralja Petra Krešimira IV, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 5393
Opening times: Daily 09:00-24:00.
Website:
www.dubrovnikcablecar.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Said to be the second oldest (and possibly the smallest) synagogue in Europe, Dubrovnik Synagogue was the only such place of worship to remain functioning throughout WWII. Found on the second floor, the synagogue itself still has its original 17th-century furnishings, while below there’s a modestly sized museum with some fascinating exhibits.
Address:
Žudioska 5, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 1204
Opening times: Daily 109:00-19:00.
Website:
www.godubrovnik.guide
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
Tourist Offices
Address:
Old Town, Brsalje 5, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 3887
Opening times: Daily 08:00-20:00.
Website:
www.tzdubrovnik.hr
The city has two main tourist offices, where friendly, multilingual staff provide maps and brochures and arrange accommodation. They also have details of walking tours as well as how to get around the region if you want to do some island-hopping. The office located just outside the Old Town at Pile Gate is also the head office of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board.
- Dubrovnik Tourist Information Centre, Gruž
Address:
Gruž, Obala Ivana Pavla II, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 417 983
Opening times: Daily 08:00-20:00.
Website:
www.tzdubrovnik.hr
The second main tourist information centre is located at the port of Dubrvonik, Gruž.
Tourist passes
Website:
www.dubrovnikcard.com offers free entry to top attractions, discounts in restaurants and shops, free bus travel and a complimentary city guide.
Cards are available for one, three and seven days, and can be purchased at tourist offices in Dubrovnik, with additional savings available if purchased online.
Things to do in Dubrovnik
- Check out the best views of the city
For the best views of Dubrovnik, get yourself to the top of Mount Srd, towering just behind the walls of the Old Town. At 412m (1351ft) high, it will take you 90 minutes to walk up to Fort Imperijal perched on its top, but if you don’t fancy the calf burn.
The cable car (
Website:
www.dubrovnikcablecar.com ) will get you to the summit in less than four minutes.
Croatia was among the first countries in the world to establish a national climbing organisation, and when you glimpse the rugged cliffs of the Dalmatian mountains you’ll understand why. Gorges, peaks, caverns and spurs are all abundant, though inexperienced climbers may struggle.
Viator (
Website:
www.viator.com ) will sort you out with a tour.
- Hop from island to island
It’s bordering on criminal to come to Dubrovnik without taking in one or several of the beautiful outlying islands. Lokrum is a haven of nature and the easiest to reach just 15 minutes away from Dubrovnik’s Old Town quay, while Mljet is one of the most seductive islands in the whole of the Adriatic, thanks to its pine trees, saltwater lakes and immense solitude.
Dubrovnik Island Boat Tours
Telephone:
+385 91 165 6666
Website:
www.dubrovnik-boat.com have vessels for hire.
There’s a reason Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a fan of the Adriatic – the sea’s crystal-clear waters hide a plethora of maritime flora and fauna, and two shipwrecks, the Taranto and the Tomislav are also fascinating to explore underwater.
Blue Planet Diving Center
Telephone:
+385 9 1899 0973
Website:
www.blueplanet-diving.com is a small family-run company that will see you safely in and out of the shallows.
Dubrovnik tours and excursions
Dubrovnik tours
The tourist office organises walking tours of Dubrovnik’s Old Town taking in all the main sights. Tourist agency Atlas has private tours of the Old Town as well as Game of Thrones filming locations.
Telephone:
+385 1 2415 611
Website:
www.tzdubrovnik.hr
From June to September, boats leave from the Old Port for the Elaphiti islands of Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, as well as the island of Lokrum and the village of Cavtat along the coast.
Dubrovnik Boats operates services to the Elaphites. Tirena, a wooden galleon ship, also organises sunset cruises.
Telephone:
+385 9 9351 0459
Website:
www.dubrovnikboat.com
Dubrovnik excursions
The small mountainous nation of Montenegro is close enough to be managed as a short side trip. Its rugged mountain range leaves enough space for a string of seaside towns and villages. The historic town of Kotor is a justifiably popular tourist spot, resembling a more workaday version of Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+382 77 100 001
Website:
www.montenegro.travel
Dubrovnik makes a good base for exploring the southern Dalmatian islands. One of the most visited is the lush green jewel Mljet, much of which is a national park. Hire a bike and circle the network of paths and lakes. The smaller Elaphite islands (Koločep, Lopud and Šipan) are worth a visit too.
Telephone:
+385 20 744 041
Website:
www.np-mljet.hrShopping in Dubrovnik
The Old Town is the place for shopping in Dubrovnik, though most of it is firmly geared towards the bountiful tourist trade with prices to match. A number of small shops hug the Stradun, but the warren of streets that break north and south from this main street offer more variety and, often, cheaper prices.
Tourist-centred shops line the Stradun, the main street that joins the two main entrances to the Old Town. Among the best is Dubrovačka Kuća (Svetog Dominika 2) – which sells everything from souvenirs and paintings to fine Croatian wine.
The daily market on Gunduličeva Poljana in the Old Town sells tourist items such as lavender oil, candied orange peel (arancini), and table linens. It also has stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
Shopping centres are located outside the Old Town in the city. DOC, located in Lapad, has lots of international brand clothes and shoe shops. Alternatively, a smaller shopping centre in the business district of Gruž, Mercante, offers around 20 stores.
Shops in Dubrovnik are generally open 09:00-19:00/20:00, though opening times tend to be erratic and are limited in the winter months. Most shops open seven days a week.
There are a variety of souvenirs you can buy in Dubrovnik, including cravat ties, jewellery, lavender, handmade bags and clothes. Food lovers should also consider taking home local specialities such as olives, capers, candied orange and lemon peels (known as Arancini), truffle oils, brandies and herb or fruit liquors (Rakija).
Croatian wines also make excellent souvenirs. Famous red wines include Plavac Mali (bold and flavourful), and Dubrovnik Malvasija which is also called the nectar of the gods. Pošip, Malvazija Istarska and Grk are popular white wines.
The standard VAT rate in Croatia is 25%.
Restaurants in Dubrovnik
Being the tourist magnet that it is, Dubrovnik has plenty of restaurants, though one is more or less indistinguishable from the next. If you like seafood, grilled meat and pasta, you’ll be a happy diner here. The restaurants below have been grouped into three different pricing categories:
Expensive (over 250 HRK)
Moderate (100 HRK to 250 HRK)
Cheap (up to 100 HRK)
These Dubrovnik restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service.
Expensive
Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean
Established in 1886, Proto once served dinner to Edward VIII and Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson, and the restaurant takes pride in the dignitaries it has hosted ever since. Today, it’s known for its fresh seafood menu which depends exclusively on the daily ingredients available. The vegetables on offer are also worthy of trying, they’re all organic and come from the region’s rural homesteads.
Address:
Siroka 1, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 323 234
Website:
www.i-host.gr
Cuisine: Mediterranean
This elegant restaurant in a medieval arsenal comes with sublime views of the Old Port. Restaurant 360° is the place to sample top-class Mediterranean fare, especially through its tasting menu, which includes scampi and sea bass along with richer options like pigeon that’s served with royal foie gras and pickled peach. Reservations are essential and the restaurant closes for winter.
Address:
Svetog Dominika bb, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 322 222
Website:
www.360dubrovnik.com
Cuisine: Croatian
This beacon among Prijeko street’s run-of-the-mill tourist restaurants belongs to the equally classy Prijeko Palace hotel above. Chef Damir Šarić uses contemporary techniques to prepare traditional dishes. Think incredibly succulent lamb cooked in olive oil, ox cheeks with walnuts and honey and seafood dishes fresh from the Dalmatian coast.
Address:
Old Town, Prijeko 22, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 321 145
Website:
www.prijekopalace.com
Moderate
Cuisine: Seafood
Diners at Lokanda Peskarija can choose between eating in a candlelit dining room or on the romantic waterside terrace, overlooking the old harbour. The fried squid and mussels are both excellent and come served in attractive black pots. The restaurant gets busy in the summer months thanks to its prime location, and bookings are recommended.
Address:
Na ponti bb, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 9 9375 8816
Website:
www.lokandapeskarija.com
Cuisine: Vegetarian, Vegan
Not everyone is a fan of seafood and for those looking for alternatives, a visit to the first vegetarian restaurant Nishta is a must. Cosy, colourful, wallet-friendly and only a few minutes from the main square, Nishta also caters to people with various food intolerances.
Address:
Prijeko bb, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 322 088
Website:
www.nishtarestaurant.com
Cuisine: Seafood
Orhan is another one of Dubrovnik’s renowned seafood eateries, with an outdoor terrace offering stunning views over the Old Town walls and the Lovrijenac Fortress. Dalmatian specialities dominate, and menus are dependent on the catch of the day.
Address:
Old Town, Od Tabakarije 1, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 041 4183
Website:
www.restaurant-orhan.com
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Sesame specialises in serving Mediterranean cuisine in atmospheric surroundings densely decorated with old photos of Dubrovnik. The restaurant itself is set in a 200-year-old family home and is surrounded by citrus trees. As it’s close to the university, it’s a popular hangout for students.
Address:
Dante Alighieri 2, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 412 910
Website:
www.sesame.hr
Cheap
Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean
Fancy an octopus burger to go? Barba is a family run street food restaurant that prides itself in locally sourced ingredients. Ideal for a quick lunch while exploring Old Town, beware that their portions are bigger than expected.
Address:
Boškovićeva 5, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 9 1205 3488
Cuisine: Seafood
Restaurants in Dubrovnik don’t come much cheaper and any more cheerful than this busy outdoor place. The name means ‘oyster’, and they’re great value here, alongside the generous seafood dishes, especially washed down with affordable local wines.
Address:
Gundulićeva Poljana 8, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 20 323 682
Cuisine: Barbecue
Tabac Pub is not modern, and it has helped improve people’s lives. It serves varied barbecue dishes alongside generous seafood platters.
Address:
Vukovarska ul. 34, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 035 7242Dubrovnik Nightlife
Despite its city-break allure, Dubrovnik isn’t known for its raucous nightlife. However, there are still numerous options for a lively night out.
While Dubrovnik’s cultural scene is relatively rich, festivals tend to make up the city’s event’s calendar, rather than one-off performances. This means that there are prolonged periods with only occasional events taking place. When things do happen, though, they’re generally worth the wait.
Bars in Dubrovnik
One of the most buzzing bars in Dubrovnik also happens to be one of the smallest. It’s worth squeezing down the tiny lane off the Stradun and into D’Vino if you fancy trying out some excellent Croatian and international wines. The vaulted interior is very inviting when the weather turns chilly.
Address:
Old Town, Palmitoćeva 4a, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 1130
Website:
www.dvino.net
Right opposite the Rector’s Palace, NoneNina (formerly known as Hemingway), attracts the cocktail-sipping set with its wicker lounge chairs perfect to settle into for an afternoon of people-watching in the Old Town.
Address:
Pred Dvorom 4, Dubrovni.
Telephone:
+385 9 8915 9909
visit this Beach Bar Dodo and try the local varieties historic to the region. The wine list is extensive, but make sure to sample Plavac Mali, Posip, Grk and Malvasija dubrovacka, as chances are you won’t come across them elsewhere in town.
Address: Šulić Beach, Ul. od Tabakarije 37, Dubrovnik.
Telephone: +385 9 9689 8495
Website: www.dododubrovnik.com
Clubs in Dubrovnik
Seafood restaurant by day, this beach side establishment transforms into a trendy club in the night. If bling is your thing, you’ll feel right at home. The music tends towards the more fashionable edges of electronica, but the atmosphere veers more towards cocktails than raves.
Address:
Ul. Frana Supila 10/B, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 9 9314 6485
Website:
www.banjebeach.com
Culture Club Revelin is a popular nightclub that attracts a young crowd and features a lounge atmosphere and well-priced drinks. The young and lively party venue has DJs playing music all night long. Parties last until 6am and feature resident DJs playing modern Balkan tunes to accompany the sparkling light displays.
Address:
Ul. Svetog Dominika 3, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 9 853 3531
Website:
www.clubrevelin.com
Live music in Dubrovnik
An alternative arts-based club with regular dance nights, this venue near the Old Town’s beach also hosts live performances. Dubrovnik’s outlet for anything avant-garde, three separate performance spaces promote less commercial genres and put on small-scale festivals as well as film nights.
Address:
Frana Supila 8, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 9 5791 5033
- Hard Jazz Caffe Troubadour
In what is a rarity for Dubrovnik, this local institution near the cathedral puts on live acts most nights, especially during the summer months. Most of the music tends to fall under either jazz or blues, but there are occasional exceptions. The bar itself has a pub-like ambiance and quite a few outside tables.
Address:
Bunićeva Poljana 2, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 9 1977 3983
During the summer months, the atmospheric courtyards of the Rector’s Palace and the Sponza Palace double as cultural venues, especially during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Their medieval surroundings make them especially popular for classical concerts and traditional dance performances.
Address:
Pred Dvorom 3, Dubrovnik.
Telephone:
+385 2 032 1452Dubrovnik Food And Drink
Food In Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine influenced by Italian, Greek, and other coastal cultures. The city is mainly known for its seafood, given its location on the Adriatic Sea. Traditional Dubrovnik food consists of fresh seafood, grilled meats, hearty stews, and many vegetables.
With quality ingredients fresh from the land and sea, many dishes in Dubrovnik are simple and rustic. To prepare fish, locals often just brush them with olive oil, flavor with lemon juice and grill. Served with a side of vegetables, this meal is a regional classic.
- Black Risotto (Crni Rizot)
Squid ink provides dark color and a gentle brininess in this Croatian risotto. Rather than lots of butter and cheese, this risotto relies entirely on stirring to make it creamy, so stay close by as it cooks. You can substitute the langoustines with 8 large shrimp or 4 halved Maine lobster tails, if needed.
- Dirty Macaroni (Šporki Makaruli)
Translated to “dirty macaroni” this classic dish is to Croatians what mac and cheese is to Americans. It consists of macaroni, beef or pork, goat or parmesan cheese, a dash of cinnamon, red wine, tomatoes, and onions. It’s delicious with a slice of crusty rustic bread!
Buzara is a Croatian method for preparing seafood, particularly shellfish. To make the dish, locals cook up shrimp, mussels or clams with breadcrumbs, olive oil, wine, garlic and fresh herbs for fresh-from-the-sea flavor.
On a hot summer day, salata od hobotnica (octopus salad) makes an enticing appetizer. Served cold, it combines chunks of tender octopus, chopped onion, parsley, olive oil and vinegar. Local variations might see the addition of potato, tomato, olives or capers.
Dried cod (bakalar) is long and thin. In Croatia, the nickname “bakalar” means that you are skinny.
Whatever you know, it as it requires long and meticulous preparation. It consists of slow-cooked meat, which is previously stuffed with garlic, cloves, carrot, and some bacon for extra flavor.
Drink In Dubrovnik
If you’ve come to Dubrovnik and you like alcohol then be sure to try authentic Dalmatian rakijas liqueurs. These drinks have long been used for ailments – treating colds, flu and stomach pains.
Rakija or Rakia (a type of fruit brandy) is considered the national drink of Croatia. In the Istrian and Dalmatian regions of Croatia, rakija tends to be home-made exclusively from grapes, where the drink is also known locally as trapa or grappa (the latter name also being used in Italy).
The most popular beer in Croatia, with 10 bottles being consumed every second. It has been produced since 1892.
This robust red wine is one of the most famous Croatian varietals, known for its rich flavors of dark fruits, spices, and Mediterranean herbs. It’s commonly grown on the Pelješac Peninsula and produces bold, complex wines.