THE MAGIC OF A WALLED EUROPEAN CITY

Dubrovnik is one of the world's most magnificent walled cities, encircled by massive stone walls from the 16th century. One thing that makes this walled city so unique is it's location on the Adriatic Sea. You can enjoy spectacular views all around the walls (which you can walk on!). We enjoyed a lovely tour around the city with a guide who enlightened us with its wonderful history. I was shocked to learn that the most recent war was in the 90s. Dubrovnik has fully recovered and its pedestrian only streets in the Old Town have charming restaurants, shops, museums and churches to explore.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

You can stay in the Old Town or very close by but I preferred staying out in Lapad, a peninsula located just outside. The Old Town is super charming but it is also very crowded, especially on days when cruise ships dock. So staying in Lapad was only about a 15 minute car ride from the Old Town for walking around or having dinners. Lapad is beautiful, enjoying the tranquility of the ocean breeze and walking around a seaside walkway was refreshing.

Explore a Nearby Country

From Dubrovnik an easy day trip is a visit to Montenegro. This small country has spectacular villages and history. We visited Kotor and Budva. Kotor is a medieval walled city wedged in between mountains. You can climb the wall for the most spectacular views. Budva is on the Adriatic Sea, known for its beaches and nightlife but also has a very charming Old Town.

Lastly, where to eat in Dubrovnik... There are so many wonderful restaurants all over Croatia but for a truly special meal (and our favorite of the trip), you need to dine at 360 Restaurant. The entire experience was amazing. Even my teenage boys were impressed! The location is like no other, situated right on the wall of the city. The ambience is casual and comfortable, the service is unparalleled and the meal was exquisite. We arrived at 6:30 and left around 9:30 which allowed us to enjoyed the beautiful shift of lighting at sunset. You definitely want to dine here when visiting Dubrovnik but you must make a reservation weeks ahead.

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