Dubrovnik - The Pearl of the Croatian Adriatic
It's not a coincidence that Dubrovnik is called „the town that came from the sea“. The impressive town wall is not only a protection against storms, but also a great promenade 25 meters above sea level. It is, without a doubt, the most important city for yacht charter in Croatia and the one that attracts the biggest numbers of tourists every summer to this stretch of the Adriatic coast.
General Info
Dubrovnik is known to many Yacht Charter regulars and novices as one of the most important cities and tourist resorts in the entire Mediterranean, not just the Adriatic, which is why it was given the nickname “Pearl of the Adriatic”.
Also known as Ragusa in ancient times, the city was founded in the 7th century on the same spot it still stands today, at the most southern part of the Dalmatian Coast, where it was a maritime trade port. Throughout its history it also became a cultural center which is why today it’s the Croatia’s reason for pride, its best resort, which is why during the last centuries it became a place where famous people came to rest.
Travel & Arrival
Naturally, the best way to get to Dubronik is by plane, which would land at the local airport, just 20km from the town itself. The main destinations from which your Yacht Charter group can book a flight are some of the other Croatian cities, as well as European urban centers such as Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam and Paris.
Those afraid of flying can always take a bus to Dubrovnik as there are no direct trains to this location. The closest train station is located in Split, from where you can take a bus. Busses are also available from other places in Croatia, which is why many Yacht Charter tourists prefer to travel along the coast in these buses.
Driving to Dubrovnik is also very popular especially due to the idyllic coastal road lined with quaint villages. The only downside is that during the summer months it can get a little crowded from all the Yacht Charter travelers which means that your trip could take longer than you expected.
Water travel is made by numerous ferries running up and down the coast to Rijeka, stopping in Split, Stari Grad and Sobra. This is a good way of avoiding the traffic, but it’s not always the fastest means of travel, sometimes the trip taking as much as 20 hours, depending on where you and your Yacht Charter sailors board the boat.
Avant & Apres Sail
For those with an eye for culture and history, Dubrovnik is the perfect place to visit, as there are literally tens of places where the Renaissance architecture is still beautifully represented. Places like the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace or the St. Saviour church and the Franciscan Monastery are the most visited sights by the Yacht Charter holidaymakers. The old walls that surround the town are another interesting particularity of the city’s history.
There is also a hoard of museums that should cover most fields of interest of any Yacht Charter tourist, anything from religion to maritime culture and ethnography, enough to get a full view into the local culture and history. Another part of Dubrovnik’s history are the artisans that specialize in weaving anything from tablecloths to linens and napkins, handmade of course. For those of you who are not afraid of trying something new, or rather old, you should try the Pharmacy at the Franciscan monastery which sells creams and medicine made according to ancient recipes. Yacht Charter sailors will surely find something around the shops around the old town to suit their tastes, like some of the local wines.
The old town is also where you want to go for a good meal. Not many local recipes, but rather typical Dalmatian cuisine which is good because you know there are any surprises. Fresh food with fresh ingredients, most from the sea will tempt your Yacht Charter taste buds. The only down side is that prices here in Dubrovnik are a little steeper than other places in Croatia.
After midnight you’ll see that the population walking the streets changes dramatically, as most head for a good rest while the night owls come out for a bit of fun. Lots of young people walk about the town’s promenades Stradun and Lapad. The best clubs are the ones hidden on some narrow side street. Just follow the loud music or some of the locals and you and your Yacht Charter crew should have a swinging party in no time.
Events & Actions
Summertime is a busy time for Dubrovnik, and not just from a Yacht Charter point of view, but also from all the events happening around this period. The Summer Festival in August has a long tradition going back to 1949, with lots of street theater, concerts and open-air performances in the main plazas. Then there are the Film festival in May, the Le Petit Festival du Theatre in August, the Carnival in February and the Julian Rachlin Chamber Music Festival, and the Yacht Charter seamen favorite – the regatta which takes place every beginning of November.