4 Key Areas Of Croatia Worth Exploring
September 12, 2019
With the television epic Game of Thrones coming to an end, the beautiful city of Dubrovnik will no longer be used as a filming location. However, with the Croatian gem forever being linked to the show and simply being a fantastic city break destination in its own right, the number of visitors is only likely to continue in one direction.
One of the most popular things to do when exploring the charming Old Town is to walk on top of the historic walls that once fortified Dubrovnik. However, there are a few things to consider if you plan to do so.
Depending on what time of year you take your Dubrovnik city break, it can get very hot along the Dalmatian Coast. If the weather is scorching, plan to do your city walls tour in the morning or late afternoon, otherwise you may be beaten by the heat. Walking up and down steps and slopes, with the sun burning down on you could make your experience uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst.
Even if you take the precaution of avoiding the hottest parts of the day, it's always a good idea to bring plenty of water with you. Depending on how busy the walls are, it could take up to two hours to travel the entire length. That's a long time to be without refreshment and so you should ensure you keep yourself hydrated. If you forget or run out of something to drink, there are a couple of bars situated along the sea wall where you can take a well-earnest rest with a cold glass of whatever takes your fancy.
You may already know (or might be told when you buy your tickets), but when you pay for admission to the Dubrovnik city walls, you also get access to Lovrijenac Fortress. Situated nearby and very recognisable from various Game of Thrones scenes, it's definitely worth a visit if you have the time. As well as giving you great views over the entire Old Town, you can learn about how it was built in just three months in order to beat the Venetians to establish a fortress in this position.
As you walk around the edge of this great city, you will see it from many different vantage points. We recommend taking your time to admire as many as these vistas as possible, as each reveals something different. From the leafy island of Lokrum situated just across the sea to the mast-filled harbour and towering Mount Srd, there's so much to enjoy.
If you enter the city walls at Pile Gate (the main entrance to the Old Town) and walk to your left (the direction in which everyone is encouraged to walk), you may be flagging or have even skipped out by the time you reach Minčeta Tower in the north-west corner. However, this is another sight that shouldn't be missed, especially for Game of Thrones fans. Used to film scenes in 'The House of the Undying', it has walls that are six metres thick and is a symbol of Dubrovnik's impenetrability. It's also the highest point on the walls and, therefore, provides arguably the best viewpoint from which to look out across the red roofs.
Whilst walking the Dubrovnik city walls, the temptation is to keep your eyes fixed on the beautiful views outside of the structure on which you are walking. These should definitely be enjoyed, but you're likely to learn a lot more about modern-day Dubrovnik if you take notice of what's going on inside the walls too. School kids playing in playgrounds, locals hanging washing from strategically placed lines and people going about their business through the narrow alleys can all give you an interesting insight.
If you would like to plan your Dubrovnik city break, we can tailor-make a holiday to suit your needs.
