The best ways to get around Dubrovnik

Tucked between looming Mt Srđ and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, the historic metropolis of Dubrovnik scores extremely for its gorgeous pure setting. Masking some 21.35 sq km (8.25 sq miles), this small metropolis is straightforward to navigate – the Thirteenth-century outdated city acts as its nucleus, however Dubrovnik stretches northwest alongside the coast to incorporate the resorts of Lapad and Babin Kuk on the peninsula.

Naturally, guests gravitate towards Dubrovnik’s star attraction, the historic outdated city – Stari Grad to locals – which is protected by large fortified city walls. Most sights are concentrated inside these partitions, in a compact space of lower than half a sq. mile, so the vast majority of guests sort out Dubrovnik on foot.

To journey additional afield, public transport is obtainable to all corners of the town, together with as much as the primary port of Gruž and throughout to standard Banje Beach to the east. And if you wish to beat the crowds, boats provide a very traffic-free journey possibility too. Listed here are the most effective methods to get round Dubrovnik.

Discover Dubrovnik’s historic outdated city on foot

The most effective (and solely) approach to get round Dubrovnik’s compact outdated city is by yourself two toes. Enclosed by its age-old partitions, the outdated city is totally pedestrianized. The one motorized autos you may even see listed here are early morning supply vans servicing retailers and eating places on the Stradun, the primary thoroughfare.

Strolling the Stradun and the grid of slender lanes and alleys that stretch from it’s a delight. Nevertheless, the outdated city can lose a few of its sheen when it will get impossibly crowded within the peak summer season season, particularly when cruise ships are in port.

For a rewarding guided strolling tour of Dubrovnik’s outdated city or excursions themed round matters equivalent to Sport of Thrones or ‘Partitions & Wars,’ e-book a tour with Dubrovnik Walks.

Ideas for avoiding the outdated city crowds in Dubrovnik: Verify the Dubrovnik Port Authority website to see what number of cruise ships are attributable to dock on any given day. For those who can’t keep away from essentially the most congested days, plan to wander across the outdated city early within the morning to take the whole lot in at a slower tempo, noting the town’s fabulous architectural particulars. To get an concept of customer numbers earlier than you head out, take a peek on the live camera on the Stradun.

Dubrovnik buses are low-cost and environment friendly

Dubrovnik is not only about its outdated city. For those who’re seeking to reap the benefits of the town’s many parks and seashores, and discover sights past the middle, public transport is a viable possibility. You may get round Dubrovnik simply on the superb bus service operated by Libertas. Timetables are posted at most bus stops or could be consulted on the Libertas web site.

Many guests make use of the common providers linking Pile Gate on the western fringe of the outdated city to Gruž, the place the primary port and bus station are situated, in addition to the seaside resorts of Lapad and Babin Kuk. Most bus traces begin operating within the morning between 5:30am and 6am, persevering with till round midnight. Pay 15 Croatian kunas (US$2.10) in precise change to the motive force, or save a couple of kunas by shopping for tickets prematurely at metropolis newsstands for 12 kunas (US$1.68).

For those who plan to make use of the bus greater than twice a day, it’s price making the small funding for a 24-hour ticket (30 kunas/US$4.20). You’ll be able to choose up single-journey tickets in addition to 24-hour passes on the Libertas kiosk at Pile Gate. As soon as onboard, validate your ticket by inserting it into the machine. Your ticket is then good to go for one hour, which needs to be greater than sufficient time to achieve your vacation spot on this small metropolis.

Ideas for getting the bus in Dubrovnik: The Dubrovnik Card provides free or discounted entry to vacationer sights (together with the town partitions), and in addition free public transport. You get free bus rides for a hard and fast interval, which varies relying on which card you purchase. WiFi is free onboard Libertas buses – search for the ‘Libertas Mediaking’ community in your smartphone after which comply with the easy directions to get linked.

Touring to and from Dubrovnik airport by bus

Dubrovnik airport lies 22km (13.6 miles) southeast of Dubrovnik, close to Čilipi. The drive to the middle typically takes half-hour, however the journey can take longer throughout peak hours, particularly in the summertime. A non-public shuttle bus service operated by Platanus runs between the airport, Ploče Gate within the outdated city and the town bus station in Gruž; test the web site for schedules and costs.

A less expensive however much less handy possibility is to take native transport to the city of Cavtat after which one of many common bus providers to Dubrovnik; the bus cease for Cavtat is situated in entrance of the home arrivals terminal.

You’ll want some endurance to get round Dubrovnik by automotive

Be affected person for those who plan to get round Dubrovnik by rental automotive. The standard worldwide rent firms have places of work on the town and on the airport, however visitors jams are frequent in the course of the excessive season and the town’s one-way visitors system is an enormous impediment to easy visitors move. The areas round Pile Gate and Gruž specifically are sometimes congested with lengthy traces of autos and vacationer buses.

Automotive parking in Dubrovnik

The lined car parking zone at Ilijina Glavica is Dubrovnik’s greatest, with over 700 areas, and it is open 24-hours. From right here, you’ll be able to stroll downhill via leafy Bogišićev Park to the outdated city in 10 to fifteen minutes, however the climb again up can take a bit longer, relying on how a lot vitality you could have left after a day of sightseeing. Pay by the hour (45 kunas/US$6.30), or get a pay as you go day by day (520 kunas/US$72.80) or weekly ticket (2600 kunas/US$364).

For those who’re touring on a price range, think about parking on the lot situated subsequent to Gruž harbor and taking a public bus into city. Parking prices 20 kunas (US$2.80) per hour, or 200 kunas (US$28) for a day by day ticket, and 1000 kunas (US$140) per week, saving you fairly a couple of kunas for coffees on the Stradun.

Taxis and rideshares are simple to seek out within the metropolis

Taxi ranks for licensed cabs could be discovered on the metropolis’s Pile and Ploče Gates; test the massive indicators posted at every to see the official charges. Pull out your smartphone and examine these with the costs for rideshares by way of the Uber and Bolt apps. These are typically extra pocket-friendly.

Cut price exhausting for those who plan to discover Dubrovnik by boat

For a style of how individuals received round within the time of the crusaders, think about exploring Dubrovnik by boat. Non-public taxi boats are a good way to keep away from the inevitable visitors jams throughout excessive season, and you will really feel like James Bond as you zip your approach to the outdated city from the seaside resort areas of Lapad or Babin Kuk. Nevertheless, this comfort comes at a big worth. Look out for personal boat operators peddling their providers from kiosks on the outdated city harbor and Gruž harbor and discount exhausting for a good worth.

Use ferries to achieve close by islands

A devoted boat service runs each half hour to the forested island of Lokrum, with the fare included within the worth of admission. Purchase your ticket on the devoted kiosk situated on the pier within the harbor in Dubrovnik’s outdated city; for timetables, test the official Lokrum website.

One other standard service for guests is the ferry to the close by Elaphiti Islands (Lopud, Šipan and Koločep) departing from Gruž port. Head to the Jadrolinija workplace close to the departure pier to buy a ticket, or e-book on-line (schedules and ticket costs are on the web site).

You can too get to the coastal metropolis of Cavtat alongside the Adriatic coast. Adriana Cavtat provides common boat transfers (in addition to personal cruises) in the course of the vacationer season.

Take the cable automotive as much as Mount Srđ

Dubrovnik’s iconic cable car dates again to 1969, and when it opened it had the proud standing of being the primary cable automotive within the Adriatic. The unique cableway was destroyed in 1991 in the course of the struggle of independence, however its alternative as soon as once more hyperlinks the outdated city with 2552 toes 778m (2552ft) Mt Srđ, whisking vacationers to the highest in below 4 minutes.

It is a favourite spot to absorb the sweeping views of the outdated city, and the glowing waters of the Adriatic and its surrounding islands. The cable automotive runs from April to October and providers are totally accessible because of elevators and ramps. Verify the web site for opening hours and costs.

Buck the development and rent a bicycle or e-scooter

It’s uncommon to see cyclists or e-scooter riders navigating Dubrovnik’s hilly streets, and the town does not have a bike-share or scooter-share system. Nevertheless, each bikes and scooters can be found for lease from personal operators; look out for fliers promoting leases on the Dubrovnik Tourist Board office subsequent to Pile Gate.

Why strolling is my favourite approach to journey in Dubrovnik

This medieval metropolis was constructed lengthy earlier than motorized autos, at a time when the ocean was the primary technique of transport, so Dubrovnik was designed for pedestrians. My favourite approach to discover the grid of limestone lanes in its compact outdated city (and the historic metropolis partitions) is on foot.

Look as much as spot intricately sculpted stone balconies, the ornate tops of Corinthian columns, or statues of the town’s patron saint, St Blaise, staring down at you. From the highest of the town partitions, maintain an eye fixed out for indicators of on a regular basis Dubrovnik life between the age-old fortifications – the basketball court docket close to Pile Gate, neat traces of laundry drying between the ruins, well-tended vegetable patches, and patio gardens strewn with kids’s toys.

Accessible journey in Dubrovnik

Slender metropolis sidewalks and the outdated city’s aspect streets of uneven stones and steep stairways generally is a actual problem for vacationers with mobility points. Sadly, the town partitions can solely be reached by way of a steep set of stairs. Newer resorts have been designed with accessibility in thoughts, however many older properties don’t have elevators; test along with your resort prematurely.

Town’s public bus system is accessible for wheelchair customers and others with restricted mobility, however not all buses function ramps or a kneeling system. The Dubrovnik Cable Automotive could be accessed by everybody because of ramps and elevators. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be found for lease throughout Croatia from MB Scooter Croatia. For extra info, see Lonely Planet’s accessible travel resources.