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Dubrovnik
Croatia
SEA
A historic city of ancient stone walls, sunshine, and remarkably clear blue water.
Dubrovnik's medieval fortresses rise above the Adriatic, while limestone streets and narrow passageways wind through the old town. Beyond the famous city walls, little paths and staircases lead down to the rocky coastline, where coves and sheltered swimming spots sit beneath the fortifications.
It's a city with centuries of history to explore, but some of its greatest pleasures are found just beyond the walls, with a towel, a swimsuit, and the sea.
IMPRESSIONS
Dubrovnik has a way of drawing you toward the water.
The old town is lively, with restaurants and shops tucked among centuries-old buildings, steep staircases, and little squares. But step outside the walls and the atmosphere changes. People gather along the rocks to swim, sunbathe, or sit in the natural pools formed along the shoreline. Nearby, local water polo players pass the ball between the cliffs and their court in the sea.
And then there's the water itself. So clear you can see the rocks beneath you, and so salty that floating takes hardly any effort. It's difficult to resist getting in, even if you've only stopped for a look.
PROVISIONS
There's no shortage of good places to eat in Dubrovnik, whether you're spending the day in the old town or down by the sea.
Breakfast might come with a view of the morning market, followed by fresh seafood or a bowl of mussels with lemon at a little restaurant tucked along the limestone streets. Along the coast, beach bars offer somewhere to grab a cold beer and settle in for a few hours, with the music changing depending on who's behind the bar that day.
And sometimes the best lunch is a freshly made sandwich from a tiny, no-frills shop, wrapped up to take down to the rocks between swims.
RETURNS
Some of the best days in Dubrovnik are spent doing very little.
Find a spot along the rocks, spread out a towel, and settle in with a book. Swim whenever you feel like cooling off, then climb back out to dry in the sunshine. Before you know it, an entire afternoon has passed, and there's still no particular reason to leave.
There are always more places to explore, from little caves and swimming spots along the coast to nearby islands and other parts of Dalmatia. But it's just as tempting to return to a favorite stretch of shoreline, stay until the sun begins to set, and do it all again the next day.
Until next time,
Dubrovnik.
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