What to do with only a Day in Dubrovnik

Spending just a day in Dubrovnik, Croatia is not nearly enough time to explore this wondrous port city. However, a day is all I had. In this article I share my experience as well as list some of the top things to see an do in Dubrovnik if you only have a day.

Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik certainly lives up to the epithet. I had been sailing on the Costa Deliziosa. The morning sun was shimmering over the Adriatic Sea as we made our way into the port of Dubrovnik. This being my first time on a cruise ship, I was enamored with many of the details of cruising, such as how the captain and his crew navigated the giant ship within some pretty narrow confines. With an impassible bridge in one direction, and a cruise ship in the other, the crew threaded-the-needle and effortlessly brought the vessel to dock.  It was an impressive display of maneuverability, all viewed from the deck of my luxurious cabin.

This was my first time in Croatia and I was very excited to see the Old City of Dubrovnik and take the recently restored Cable Car to the top of town. It did not disappoint, the views of Old Town and the sapphire blue waters below were simply stunning. While atop Srdj Hill, we toured the Croatian War of Independence Museum, which is located within an old fortification bunker. The venue for this museum is so apropos. Not only is it a fascinating look at this relatively recent war that broke up Yugoslavia, but the venue is so raw and full of character—it was a photographers delight.

As I mentioned, the views from Srdj Hill are amazing! While gazing at the view, our tour guide was telling me about some of the nearby islands. When I asked, “Is that small one out there used for anything?” She said, “Not really, but there is an interesting story about it.”

Apparently, in the 19th century, a Romeo and Juliet tale occurred. There were these two young adults who were infatuated with one another, but because one of them was noble, they could not be together.  The powers-that-be banned the two from seeing each other, and just to be sure nothing inappropriate occurred, the young man was banished to the remote island to live the rest of his life in solitude. The young woman could not bear to be without her love, so one night she snuck out from her family home and attempted to swim to the island. Unfortunately, it was much farther than she anticipated and the waters swallowed up her young life. When the man learned of this tragedy, he decided to stay on the island and devote his life to God.

A short while later, we rode the cable car back down to the bottom where we took a short walk to Old Town Dubrovnik and entered at Plocw Gate, which is the east entrance. If you’re a fan of the T.V. show, “Game of Thrones” (like I am), then you’ll really appreciate the fact that this fortification area of Old Town just happens to be a primary set for the show. Two months out of each year, most of Old Town is shut down to tourists so they can film portions of the show. Our tour guide even pointed out the spot where the Queen Mother was released from prison and had to do a walk of shame––fully naked, down a long corridor while extras threw rotten food at her. Apparently they had to shoot this scene a few times, as if once was not humiliating enough.

I’m not sure what it was about Old Town, but all of us were enamored by––it was simply a captivating area to explore. While there were hordes of tourists milling around, there were fingers of cobblestone alleys jetting off from the center of the square in which you could sight-see with much less congestion. There were so many cool cafes, coffee shops and artisans selling their wares, along with a number of musicians singing and playing cultural instruments.

Top Things to See and Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Our time in Dubrovnik was far too short, so if you only have a day to see this enchanting city, here are some of the thing to see and do in Dubrovnik that I recommend:

• Walk along the city walls: Dubrovnik’s well-preserved medieval walls offer stunning views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.
• Visit the Old Town: Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many historic buildings, including the Rector’s Palace, the Sponza Palace, and the Church of St. Blaise.
• Take a cable car to the top of Mount Srd: The cable car ride offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
• Explore the Franciscan Monastery: The monastery is home to a beautiful cloister and a pharmacy that dates back to 1317.
• Take a boat tour: A boat tour of the nearby islands and beaches is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the Adriatic Sea.
• Visit the Dubrovnik Cathedral, a baroque-style church that is the city’s most important religious building.
• Go for a walk along the Stradun, the main street of Dubrovnik, is a great place to grab a coffee, people watch and see the locals.
• Take a sunset stroll along the city walls, is one of the best ways to see the city and experience the sunset over the Adriatic Sea.