Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik offers a wide variety of accommodation, which is mainly divided between options found in the Old Town and those located along the coastline that surrounds the city. The elegant Pucić Palace (Od Puča 1) is housed in an 18th-century building that boasts a great location within the city’s medieval walls, while the similarly historic Villa Four Winds (Kunićeva 23) is a more moderately priced option. There are a number of decent hotels to be found on the Lapad Peninsula, including the upmarket Dubrovnik Palace (Masarykov put 20), and the less pricey three-star Hotel Petka (Obala Stjepana Radića 38) in Lapad Bay.

Shopping may not be top of the list of things to do during a visit to Dubrovnik thanks to the city’s setting and history, but due to the prevalence of tourism there remains ample opportunity to have a browse. Head to the he open-air market at Gundulić Square in the Old Town for souvenirs that include basketware and olive oil, in addition to fresh fruit and veg. The market runs until 1pm, while Saturdays are nice and busy. Lapad boasts a similar daily market that complements the fashion stores of DOC Mall (Kralja Tomislava 7), while the Gruz neighbourhood also offers a large daily market.

Thanks to Dubrovnik’s coastal location, the city’s cuisine unsurprisingly centres on fish and seafood, although the local restaurants are adept at drawing on specialities from around Croatia such as truffles and Mediterranean dishes to create an interesting dining scene. For great sea views and a large yet classy menu head to Nautika (Brsalje 3), while Kamenice (Gundulićeva poljana 8) is perhaps more traditional and favoured by locals thanks to its well-priced food. Finding a decent spot for a meal at the resorts scattered along the coastline shouldn't be too difficult, with Tartufo’s fusion menu at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa (Na Moru 1) highly recommended.

Carnival

February

With origins dating back to the 14th century, this week-long celebration resembles a Mardi Gras party and intertwines masked balls with brass bands and lively parades, culminating with a huge bash at Revelin Fort.

Festival of St Blaise

February

This festival celebrates the patron saint of Dubrovnik, combining traditional costumes and a party atmosphere with religious observances. The main street in the Old Town, Stradun, sees a parade featuring the relics of Saint Blaise.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival

July-August

Theatre, dance, opera and classical music all feature alongside other performances during Croatia’s longest-running cultural festival, which draws international names in addition to local talent.

Wild League

July-August

More than 50 clubs participate in this water polo tournament that has been running since 1983, with the beaches of Dubrovnik hosting the matches over the course of several summer weeks.

New Year’s Eve

31 December

The Old Town plays an attractive host to Dubrovnik’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations, with the Stradun the focus of the revelry that is usually much less chilly than most places in Europe.