Dubrovnik - the pearl of the Adriatic

"Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to see Dubrovnik", said the famous Irish author George Bernard Shaw. Today Dubrovnik is considered to be one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. Located at the far south of Croatia, Dubrovnik is known as "the pearl of the Adriatic" because of its exceptional beauty and unique Renaissance architecture. A town of an exceptionally rich historical and cultural heritage and preserved monumental architecture, Dubrovnik is included on the UNESCO world heritage list.

The History of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century, after the fall of the Roman town of Epidaurum. The city was named after oak forests, called dubrava at those times. Since the 12th century, the city has been surrounded by the famous walls which are still kept intact and remain one of the most famous symbols and tourist attractions of Croatia. The Dubrovnik Republic was founded in the Middle Ages in the area of Dubrovnik and its surroundings. This was an independent city-state thriving on maritime trade that allowed it to successfully resist the major powers and maintain its status of a self-government unit all through the 18th century. Its affluence and smart diplomacy allowed Dubrovnik to reach a high level of development which can still be seen in its numerous monuments found all over the Dubrovnik area. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the town entered its "Golden Age" and became one of the most important centres of the development of the Croatian language and literature. Many important and world-famous scientists, artists and authors come precisely from Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik Attractions

The old city centre of Dubrovnik and its main street of Stradun charm their visitors with a unique blend of past and present as they come each year to enjoy and be part of this town’s unique atmosphere.

As many as 2600 sunny hours per year make Dubrovnik the favourite destination for all those who want to enjoy the mild Mediterranean climate and plenty of sun all through the year. If you add the rich culinary offer, the numerous cultural monuments and happenings and its natural beauty, you will realise that there is a good reason why Dubrovnik is called "paradise on Earth".

The island of Lokrum is located in the immediate vicinity of the town of Dubrovnik. With a surface of only 72 hectares, Lokrum is one of the smallest islands in the southern coastal area. Its lush vegetation and rich flora (around 400 different plant species) is the reason why Lokrum has been made a special forest vegetation reserve. The island can be reached by a tourist boat from the old city harbour and is one of the most popular excursion destinations for all the people of Dubrovnik and their many guests. The two special attractions in this protected nature park are the old Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century and the Forester’s House. The island of Lokrum has been tightly connected to Dubrovnik from the very beginning and is today considered to be a large city garden.

The Dubrovnik Surroundings

The Dubrovnik surroundings are no less beautiful or rich in cultural and historical sites. The Župa Dubrovačka municipality seceded from the City of Dubrovnik in 1997 and now includes the area from Dubrovnik in the west to Cavtat in the south. This area, exceptionally rich in history and with a natural predisposition for the development of tourism, includes the following towns: Brašina, Buići, Čelopeci, Čibača, Donji Brgat, Gornji Brgat, Grbavac, Kupari, Makoše, Martinovići, Mlini, Petrača, Plat, Soline, Zavelje and Srebrno, the centre of the municipality. This is the most picturesque part of the Dubrovnik Riviera famous for its clean sea, many sandy beaches, coves and lush vegetation, and it’s a genuine tourist oasis. Good traffic connections and the vicinity of the Dubrovnik Airport and the historical city of Dubrovnik are the reasons why more tourists come every year, searching for a true Mediterranean holiday. As you enter the bay of Župa Dubrovačka, you can see the islands Supetar, Mrkan and Bobara, also known as the Cavtat islands. Due to their small surface and their inaccessible shores, these islands are uninhabited and protected as a special ornithological reserve. They are the habitat of several endemic plant species. Konavle is the southernmost region of Croatia with an exceptionally rich historical tradition reaching back to the Palaeolithic and Neolithic times. This is an area of specific tradition which has been preserved through history and rich folklore which attracts numerous guests who are looking for something truly special. The centre of the Konavle Municipality is the small town of Cavtat which grew from the historical Roman town of Epidaurum. The remains of antique buildings, the numerous cultural and historical monuments, the exciting autochthonous culinary offer and natural beauties are only some of the reasons why Cavtat, after Dubrovnik, is the most frequented tourist destination in that area. The immediate vicinity of the Ćilipi Airport, with connections to many European capitals, makes the entire Dubrovnik area an attractive destination for your truly special vacation.
 

Find out more about Mlini and Dubrovnik!
The Guide to a holiday in Mlini & Dubrovnik