Dubrovnik’s attractions

The place where most people head for in Dubrovnik is the Old Town. This is where many of the main attractions can be found. The first of them are the two arched gates that provide the entrances to the medieval wall that surround the Old Town. One to the east (the Ploče) and one to the west (Pile).

The main thoroughfare of the old town is Stradun, also known as Placa, and on each side of this thoroughfare, there is a grid of narrow alleys where travellers can find numerous cafes and restaurants. Other attractions include The Franciscan Monastery with one of the world’s oldest pharmacies (operating since 1317), Dubrovnik Cathedral, the harmonious blend of Gothic and Renaissance-style Sponza Palace, The Rector’s Palace, the Dominican Monastery and, in particular, its 2.2km long city walls that encompass and shelter this unique place. These are just some of the attractions and buildings of historical interest that can be seen in the car-free Old Town.

For those holidaymakers who are looking for some sun as well as some culture, the Lapad peninsula is just west of the Old Town and has several beaches where sun-worshippers can bask away to their heart's content. And although sunbathing is an outdoor pursuit, in all fairness, you'd be hard pressed to call it an activity of sorts. However, anybody in search of genuine outdoor activities need not worry. A whole range of pursuits are available to those who like to push their bodies to the limit. From hiking, white water rafting and sea kayaking to rock climbing, horse riding and scuba diving, it's all on offer in Dubrovnik.

A very interesting site for scuba divers is the shipwreck, Taranto. This ship lies close to the port of Gruz which is situated just off the coast of Dubrovnik. The Taranto has been submerged on the seabed since 1943 and has created an underwater habitat for a variety of marine life including schools of scorpion fish, octopus and lobsters. This is definitely a dive for both beginner and seasoned scuba divers alike!

For those who prefer their outdoor activities taking place on dry land, there is a beautiful hiking trail that runs from behind the Fort Imperial on the top of Srd Hill. This trail will allow hikers to enjoy panoramic views of Gruž Harbour, the Islands of Elaphite and Lokrum, the city of Dubrovnik and a number of islands farther up the Adriatic Sea.

Cuisine

Dubrovnik offers a whole host of culinary delights ranging from French, Japanese, Mexican and some truly good pizza places. However, for those who wish to experience Dubrovnik’s local cuisine; delicious foods made from quality meat and fish, vegetables and fruits and all sourced locally, there are numerous taverns and restaurants in the city where the discerning diner can indulge themselves and get a real taste of Dubrovnik.

Another attraction Dubrovnik offers those who love outdoor revelry is a carnival. Actually, that should probably read carnivals; as the city holds carnivals and festivals all throughout the year.

The jewel of these manifestations is the Dubrovnik Summer Festival which has been annually held since 1950.This festival takes place every year between July 10th and August 25th and embraces the very best opera, theatre, dance and music. Events are held in various open-air venues situated around Dubrovnik. The Summer Festival takes place in the peak months for people visiting Dubrovnik, and thousands of people pack into the city streets to enjoy the events: but this success has its downside.

The challenges

Despite Dubrovnik being one of the more expensive European holiday destinations, visitor numbers continue to rise. By the year 2013, the number of visitors disembarking from cruise ships exceeded 1,000,000 for the first time.

With only three hours between arriving and departing, cruise ship visitors have little time to enjoy all that Dubrovnik has to offer. This leaves many locals feeling like all this is doing is adding to the congestion and contribute very little to the local economy. Concerns about the negative impact this is having on the city's reputation has become so great, that local authorities have imposed a daily limit of 8,000 cruise ship visitors.

Another effect mass tourism has had on Dubrovnik is the substantial drop in the number of people who live in the old centre of Dubrovnik. Since the early 1990’s the number of people residing in the town has dropped from around 5000 to less than 800. The result of this migration is that the Old Town is virtually deserted during the off-peak season. This is in contrast to the peak season when visitor numbers are so great that many local people feel unable to venture outside.

The Trsteno Arboretum

24 kilometres north-west of Dubrovnik is an old fisherman's village called Trsteno.

Trsteno was once the summer residence of the Gučetić-Gozze family who erected the Trsteno Arboretum in the late 15th century. A visit to the Arboretum is highly recommended for people who appreciate the lush green beauty of nature. There they can feast their eyes on a collection of over 300 species of decorative and exotic shrubs and trees.

The Trsteno Arboretum is open to tourists and offers visitors a place of outstanding natural beauty in the form of antique Renaissance gardens that lead down to the blue sparkling Adriatic Sea. If visitors to this beautiful location take the time to explore its calm and peaceful corners with its lovely views, they will enjoy the tranquil respite from the crowds of tourist that flock to other parts of the city.

Oysters and Sea Salt in Ston

Some 2 kilometres farther up the coast lies another very special area, which is the township of Ston. World-renowned for its natural cultivation of oysters and sea mussels, and a salt factory that has been extracting salt from seawater using the exact same methods since ancient times. The area is also world famous for its excellent wines.

Agritourism

Agritourism has become a sustainable method of satisfying the needs of those visitors who are looking for alternative forms of tourism.

Agritourism allows the visitors to experience rural farm activities first hand. Agritourism allows visitors to involve themselves in the daily lives of local people; enjoy homemade local foods and traditions without having an adverse and damaging impact on the environment. It helps to bring people closer to nature and makes them appreciate what there is and what could be lost if we do not wholly embrace sustainable tourism.