#13 Croatia

Sep 16

Our household is spilt 50/50 when it comes to Game of Thrones. The first episode Michael had me watch was The Long Night. Needless to say, it felt like a long night and I fell asleep. Never tried to watch another episode after that.

Dubrovnik, Croatia has been one of Game of Thrones' most prominent filming locations, mostly for the exteriors of Westeros' capital city, King's Landing. Dubrovnik's Lovrijenac Fort was the setting for most of the Red Keep scenes, the West Pier for Blackwater Bay, and the Jesuit Stairs off St. Some of these may seem familiar for some and not for others. Either way, it is always kind of fun to imagine yourself on a movie set, being the main character, acting out all the cool moves. With or without Game of Thrones, the cobblestoned streets, the ancient city walls, and the terracotta roofs preserve the history of this small but mighty ancient city.

Dubrovnik is in the middle of the Dalmatian Coast and known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Croatia is a young country but its traditions feel deep-rooted and longstanding. The general vibe is as much Slavic as Mediterranean. Croatia has only existed for 31 years but its people are fiercely proud of their homeland. They’re quick to tell you they’re giving you the best, make sure to ask our walking tour guide. He made sure we all knew how great the city and country is. We are happy we experienced his passion and enthusiasm. It gave us a different outlook than what we arrived with.

Beauty is what kept us around. We are constantly amazed how each and every city or village we visit, has its very own version of beauty. None can be compared, and none will ever be forgotten. (Thanks to these blog posts.)

Below are 4 sights and activities I recommend to others who want to visit:

The views of Old Town from the City Walls
If I had to choose the most stunning and famed attraction of Dubrovnik, its the city walls of the old town. This was one of our last activities and we loved it. It was amazing to recognize so much from a different angle. You had completely different views of the city. The architecture looked different, the layout of the city looked different, and the Adriatic Sea looked different. We saw a treasure trove of Gothic and Renaissance churches, monasteries, Venetian palaces, and ornately carved fountains – all crammed together with shuttered apartments, hole-in-the-wall boutiques, and outdoor restaurants and cafés. Many people do still live in old town! This different perspective was well worth it. The entire walk is 1 1/4 miles and could easily take 2 hours depending on how often you stop.
Exploring the Hidden Gems and Backstreets of the Old Town
A walking tour can help with this! As you are learning so much about the city, take note of where you want to explore after. It is so important to take things slow in the old town: look up at the architecture instead of straight ahead at the other tourists. When we took the time to appreciate the little details of the walled city, like its arched windows and ancient stone structures, we enjoyed the area much more. We found the most gorgeous walkways that were full of color from flowers. We found hidden messages from friends to one another about how many stairs we were going to endure on a certain path. We also found a lot of sleepy cats, they also find please in the silence.
Swimming Breaks
A great way to appreciate Dubrovnik’s natural surroundings is by taking a dip in the water at the rocky beaches at Bard Mala Buza or Buza Bar. These two bars are located right on the edge of the walled city, so they’re a great place to enjoy swimming in the Adriatic’s transparent blue waters. Taking a swim here is the perfect way to cool off and get a break from the busier parts of town. You don’t need to eat or drink to enjoy these swimming spots either but if you decide to, the views are lovely and you lose the noise from the inner walls.
Sunrise and Sunset Views
Our accommodation was high enough for us to experience both. We sat on our balcony and soaked it in. Another way to do this is hiking to the top of Mt. Srd or you can take a cable car to the top. You can take a picnic or some snacks to enjoy the cozy views from up above. You can see the entire walled city. It is magical. You won’t want to miss out on either, they are incredible. It is also a great time to reflect on the day to come, the silence is peaceful.

“Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik,” raved playwright George Bernard Shaw upon visiting the city in 1929.