Climate
The spring and summer months (May-September) are the best time to visit Dubrovnik. The Mediterranean climate ensures an average temperature of around 26°C and sea temperature of 21°C, with the refreshing maestral sea breeze keeping temperatures down along the coast in early summer. Sunlovers should note that Dubrovnik receives 2584 hours of sun a year. Winters are mild with an average temperature of around 10°C
Things to do
Dubrovnik’s summer festival from July to mid-August is the most prestigious summer festival in Croatia: a program of theatre, concerts and dance are presented on open-air stages throughout the city, attracting the best national artists and folklore ensembles. The Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra also performs regular concerts each week hosting both national and international conductors. The Feast of St Blaise (3rd Feb) is marked by pageants and processions, and carnival festivities heralding the arrival of Lent in February are also popular.
Those interested in the architectural and artistic heritage of Dubrovnik will be captivated by the perfectly preserved old town with its squares, cobbled streets, tall houses, convents, churches, palaces, museums and fountains, all cut from the same light colored, local stone. Visitors can follow a number of walking routes or take guided tours around the city. Dubrovnik’s city walls, built between the 13th and 16th centuries are the finest in the world and offer spectacular views of the town and sea, making a walk around them a high point of any visit.
The
pristine waters around Dubrovnik offer excellent scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities. There are a number of beaches around the city or a good option is to take the
10m minute ferry ride to Lokrum island, a beautiful,
uninhabited, wooded island with rocky beaches, a botanical garden and
medieval Benedictine monastery. Other water sport activities include sea
kayaking, parasailing and jetskiing, a number of companies also
offer sailing charters.
The nearby Elephiti islands of Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan
and Mljet are scattered with fortresses, monasteries, beaches, forests
and small villages, and are a perfect destination for a day trip out of
Dubrovnik. They can all be reached by regular, daily ferry shuttles. A
20 minute ferry ride will also take you to the popular, historic town
of Cavtat where you can lunch in one of the many seafront
cafes.
Those wishing to journey further afield can visit the famous city of Mostar in Bosnia, Montenegro or the Peljesac peninsula and island of Korcula and their many wineries.
Eating out
Dubrovnik has an abundance of cafes, restaurants and bars, many situated along the ‘Placa’ or main street. Cuisine is typically Mediterranean with pasta, risotto, pizza and seafood. Smoked hams are a regional speciality. New restaurants are opening monthly with a growing choice of international cuisines. Guests staying at Saraca apartments can enjoy discounts at a number of restaurants around town.
For those self catering, daily open air markets on Gundulic Square in the old town, and at Gruz¹ harbour, are a good place to buy fresh local produce; seafood, fruit & vegetables. There are also a number of excellent local bakeries. For day trips to the beach or islands, picnic hampers can be arranged.
