It was founded in the seventh century, Dubrovnik reached its heyday as a crucial sea-trading port in the late middle ages, and the proliferation of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings are a legacy of its rich and glorious past.

The Town of Dubrovnik

There are exquisite pedestrian plazas all around. You can walk from the bay of Lapad along the seashore keeping Hotel Neptune on the wayside right up to Solitudo and retrace your steps back to Lapad, you will find that the sights and sounds of history meeting with daily life is just surreal. The experience will be unique and stay with you for years.

Tourist Attractions

The famous sights to see are the Franjevaèkog Samostana Mala Braca (Franciscan Friars Minor Monastery) in the west, which houses one of the three oldest pharmacies in Europe, the 15th century Dominikanskog Samostana (Dominican monastery), located in the east of the city, and the 17th century Katedrale (cathedral). The Dubrovaèki Muzej (Dubrovnik Museum) housed in the splendid Kneažev Dvor (Rector’s Palace) is also worth a visit. Unleash the Columbus in you, and there are numerous glittering bays, untouched islands and sleepy villages for you to discover. The people here are warm and friendly.

George Bernard Shaw had described this place as heaven on earth. You'd agree he was not exaggerating if you visit the magnificent Konavle or the picturesque Peljeaac peninsula or venture over to the islands Korcula, Mljet and Lopud. These are of course just a few of the jewels that are abundantly scattered all over this region.

The Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik

The months between April and October would be ideal to visit this place. Though the day temperatures may peak to a scorching level of 39´c, the seas remain at a languorous 26´c. However, the cool Mediterranean breeze which constantly wafts in from the sea hardly lets you feel the heat. This is also the time for the regional festivals that the region is famous for.

If you're planning to visit Dubrovnik during winter, pack some warm clothes. Although the temperatures seldom drop below the freezing point, the wind chill can drop the temperature further.

Local Cuisine

This area is famous for its unique cuisine. Amongst the more exotic are brodet from eels or frog legs in Neretva River Valley, sea oysters and mussels in Ston, cukarini in Korcula, dried seafood preparations in Elafiti Islands, rozata or kontonjata in Dubrovnik, and pizzoto with green manestra in Cavtat. Don't forget to wash them down with copious amounts of excellent wines that are produced locally. Dubrovnik nightlife can be as laid-back or as upbeat as you like. Whether you want a quiet candlelit dinner or dancing till dawn, you'll find something to suit your mood.

Rental Accommodation Generally Available

Apart from several well appointed hotels, you can choose from more than 300 private villas and apartments. The rates are usually very reasonable, but they do not depend on touts thronging ferry and bus stations. Properties commonly vary from beach side and city apartments to spacious, detached villas and rambling rural piles.

Conclusion

It's commonly said that the town is a dream etched in stone. Come and see for yourself. Ivan Gundulić, a 17th century Croatian writer, predicted the downfall of the great Turkish Empire in his great poem Osman. He wrote this immortal verse that is performed on every opening of the world famous Dubrovnik Summer Festival:

O, beautiful liberty, dear and sweet,

Thou heavenly gift where riches all meet,

Actual source of our glory of these hours,

The sole adornment of this grove of ours,

All silver, all gold, and our lives so dear,

Cannot recompense thy beauty so clear.

So come and see it with your own eyes!


Mark Strauss writes regularly on real estate and business topics