Dubrovnik, in southern Croatia, is a stunning seaside destination sometimes referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic" for its picturesque location. This beautiful city on the Adriatic Sea is well-known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking natural surroundings. Although most tourists visit Dubrovnik in the summer, the spring is also an excellent time to travel there, thanks to fewer people and shorter lineups.
Visiting Dubrovnik in the spring is not only delightful but can also be cost-effective because it is outside the peak tourist season. In addition, the countryside around Dubrovnik comes alive with the vibrant hues of springtime wildflowers, making it the best time of year for hikers, campers, and photographers. For aspiring visitors, look at this list for the best places to explore in Dubrovnik this spring.
10 The Old Town Dubrovnik
Old Town Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. Protruding into the Adriatic Sea and surrounded by rocky limestone mountains, it is one of the world's finest and best-preserved medieval cities. Visitors staying in the city can walk along these walls encompassing the ancient center of Dubrovnik, and take in breathtaking panoramas of the city and the surrounding green islands. Walking the cobblestone pathways and checking out the historic structures in the Old Town is a must for each visitor to this area encircled by ancient walls.
- Where to stay: Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
- Address: Liechtensteinov Put 3, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Snorkeling, Outdoor pool, Indoor pool, Beachfront, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service
9 Stradun
The Stradun (formally known as Placa) is the busiest street in the historic district of Dubrovnik. As the primary promenade in the area, the road is now only accessible to pedestrians, but visitors can find hotels in the area. Both sides of Stradun boast numerous cafes, shops, and restaurants due to its closure to vehicle traffic. Strolling up and down Stradun is the most incredible way to experience it. When exhausted, stop for a break in front of one of the cafés, order a drink, and people-watch. Do the same when relaxing on Orlando's Column or the stairs of Sveti Vlaho Church.
- Where to stay: Heritage Villa Nobile
- Address: Izmedju Vrta 6, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker, Cable or satellite TV, Free toiletries, Parking
8 Rector's Palace
When staying in the city, don't miss Rector's Palace, where the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa resided from the 14th century until the early 19th century. In addition to being the political and administrative center of the state, it was also home to the Minor Council. Also located here were a watch tower, prison, powder magazine, and armory. The palace of the Rector, designed in the Gothic style, also features Renaissance and Baroque details, all of which work together in perfect harmony. Its current incarnation as a museum evokes Ragusa's brilliant past with masterfully restored rooms, pictures, coats of arms, and coins.
- Where to stay: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
- Address: Marijana Blazica 2, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Indoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center
- Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Valet parking
7 Dubrovnik Cathedral
Book a room close to Dubrovnik's first cathedral, built on the site of a basilica in the 7th century and expanded in the 12th century. Saint John of Nepomuk's altar, made of violet marble, is among the most famous of the cathedral's altars. The most impressive of its religious paintings is a polyptych of the Assumption of the Virgin by the Venetian master Titian, who worked in the 16th century and hung it behind the main altar. Visitors will find the cathedral's treasury off to the left of the altar there. It's covered in gold and silver and holds St. Blaise's and other saints' remains in over 150 shrines.
- Where to stay: Hotel Excelsior
- Address: Frana Supila 12, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Private beach, Indoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service
6 Fort Lovrijenac
Fort Lovrijenac, also known as St. Lawrence Fortress, is a fortification and theater located 37 meters above sea level beyond Dubrovnik, Croatia's western wall. It stands guard over the city's sea and land gateways and is renowned for its performances and resistance to Venetian domination. Fort Lovrijenac lies on the same site where the Venetians tried to construct a fort in the early 11th century. They might have maintained control of Dubrovnik if they'd been successful, but the locals were quicker to the punch. Lovrijenac hosts the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series' Croatian stop, so book a nearby hotel to enjoy this spectacle.
- Where to stay: Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik
- Address: Pera Cingrije 7, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Indoor pool, Beachfront, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service
5 Banje Beach
Probably Dubrovnik's most stunning beach, Banje Beach, located on the shores of the Grand Villa Argentina, offers breathtaking panoramas of Dubrovnik's Old Town and Lokrum Island. The beach is in front of the Ploe Gate, the eastern entrance to Dubrovnik Old Town. On the water's edge, guests may find the beach club's reception desk, restaurant, and cafe bar catering to an affluent crowd. Banje is a popular tourist destination, meaning the area can get packed during peak seasons.
- Where to stay: Grand Villa Argentina
- Address: Frana Supila 14, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Private beach, Outdoor pool, Indoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge
4 Lokrum Island
It's easy to spot Lokrum, a small island and nature reserve near the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, from various locations, such as the Old Town Walls or Mount Srd. For those staying in the city center, visiting the island is a pleasant diversion from the bustle of Dubrovnik for a day or afternoon. It's a wonderful area to go swimming, hiking, or just lounging on the beach, thanks to the beautiful seas and abundance of pathways. The island of Lokrum is utterly devoid of human occupants.
- Where to stay: Villa Dubrovnik
- Address: Vlaha Bukovca 6, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Snorkeling, Indoor pool, Beachfront, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service
3 Loggia Square
Take a walk from one of the best hotels in the city to loggia Square in Dubrovnik, which has always been a popular gathering place for tourists and locals. Located in the northeast corner of Dubrovnik's historic core, this market square is home to some of the city's most recognizable buildings and public monuments. The Loggia of the Bells and Orlando's Column are some of the city's most recognizable features. Also nearby is the stunning Baroque Church of St. Blaise, which houses a priceless art collection.
- Where to stay: Royal Princess Hotel
- Address: Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Private beach, Outdoor pool, Indoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge.
2 Trsteno Arboretum
Stay close to this lush garden, 14 kilometers north-northwest of Dubrovnik, the oldest of its kind in Croatia, and beautiful year-round. Throughout the Renaissance, the nobility of Dubrovnik began to emphasize their gardens more. Plants like lavender, rosemary, fuchsia, and bougainvillea create Renaissance-style geometric forms, and citrus trees add a fragrant touch. A pavilion perched on the edge of a cliff greets visitors, and a chapel stands at the property's center, constructed around the year 1500 stone villa.
- Where to stay: Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
- Address: Na Moru 1, Dubrovnik 20234
- Amenities: Private beach, Snorkeling, Outdoor pool, Indoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge
1 Large Onofrio Fountain
It's impossible to miss this massive polygonal building with a dome and 16 water faucets as soon as one enters the Old Town through the Pile Gate. Onofrio di Giordano della Cava, a famous Italian architect, designed this fountain in 1438. Stone masks (16 in total) and a canine statue cover the upper walls of the fountain for decoration. In the Game of Thrones episode, King's Landing, the fountain—known as kuchak in the local language—played a significant role. From one of the nearby hotels, take strolls to the fountain daily.
- Where to stay: City Hotel Dubrovnik
- Address: 4 Hrvatskog Crvenog Kriza, Dubrovnik 20000
- Amenities: Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Pets allowed on request. Charges may apply.