The Dalmatian Coast Villa Book
Croatia
Destination Guide
Dubrovnik is situated in Southern Dalmatia which, with its rich vegetation, clear blue seas, islands and white pebble beaches, is arguably the most beautiful part of the Adriatic coast. Dating from the 13th century and surrounded by tall ramparts, the old town of Dubrovnik remains virtually unchanged to the present day. Access through the city walls is by one of two entrances leading to the Stradun, the city's promenade, and one of the greatest pleasures for many visitors is to have a drink or meal in one of the nearby cafes and watch the world go by. Here you will find the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438, and the Franciscan Monastery, with one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, in operation since 1391. At the other end of the Stradun, you will find the locals' favourite meeting place, the Orlando Column, with the nearby Sponsa Place and the Baroque church of St. Blaise. Here, there is also the Rector’s Palace, built in 1441, now a city museum packed with interesting exhibits. A narrow street opposite the Palace, leads to a square, Gunduliceva Poljana, with the 18th century Jesuit Monastery, and also the site of the busy morning market. If you are visiting in the summer, do not miss the world-renowned Dubrovnik Summer Festival with music, theatre and dance performances. The Dubrovnik Film Festival also runs for three days at the end of May. Both British Airways and Croatian Airlines have flights to Dubrovnik from London Gatwick and Manchester, and there are also flights from other European cities, including Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Vienna. Charter airlines also operate throughout the summer.