Founded in the 7th century, or even earlier, on a rocky outcrop named Laus, the city of Dubrovnik is among the 10 best preserved medieval walled cities in the world.
Located on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik was spared during World War II but sadly received heavy damage from shelling during the breakup of Yugoslavia while besieged by the Serb-Montenegrin forces. The town has a rich history that spans over millennia.
Today’s Dubrovnik is unfortunately rich with busloads of tourists as well as immigrants who have settled more permanently. Regardless, Dubrovnik is a beautiful sight, in particular when viewed from the nearby hills when you can’t see the hordes of tourists and tourists shops. As you look from afar, just imagine what life would have been like back in the 13th to 18th centuries.
Dubrovnik was known as Ragusa (in various forms) since the 10th century until 1918. The name Dubrovnik was first used in the late 12th century and endured to this day.
Best is to do a homestay with the friendly locals outside Dubrovnik and then to visit the old town very early in the morning, or in the evenings to avoid the bus- and boatloads of tourists. A walk on the path atop the city walls offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. Nearby islands, such as Lokrum Island, can be visited on day trips.
Many people visit Dubrovnik on a stopover of their luxury boat trips along the Adriatic coast. A better way is to travel northbound by bus from Albania and Montenegro, or southbound from Zagreb and Split. Small ferries cover nearby islands, while larger ferry boats pick up and drop off passengers at a string of islands along the Adriatic coast. An area worth discovering.
Below are a few photos Dubrovnik which I hope will inspire you to visit for the first time, or visit again.
☛ Read more: Blog posts of Eastern Europe and Russia
Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.