Dubrovnik, located in the south of Croatia is one of this year’s most popular holiday destinations for one key reason – Game of Thrones. However, after spending a week there, I realized that there is so much more to the city than just visiting the series’ filming locations.
Before You Go
First things first, deciding to go was a very easy decision for me and a friend – she was an avid Game of Thrones watcher, and I had seen a lot of photos of the area and received a recommendation from another friend, so it seemed like the perfect place to go on holiday.
I would recommend looking at sites like Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights to Dubrovnik because this ended up being more pricey than we expected, and ended up traveling down to Gatwick airport to get the best deal on flights. Be prepared to travel and shop around to find the best bargains.
In terms of accommodation, depending on your personal preference, I would recommend Airbnb to get the best deals on week-long stays, which allow you to rent a local’s apartment or rooms. This worked out perfectly for us because this gave us access to our host’s local knowledge and expertise, as well as giving us an introductory tour and was always on hand to lend a hand when we needed it. This is also likely to get you the best place, in a great location as well.
When You’re There
After doing a large amount of research on things to do and what to expect, I had established that Dubrovnik was a tourist-heavy and expensive area of eastern Europe, due to the large reliance upon the tourist industry. I was expecting the use of their currency Kuna (about 10 Kuna to £1.20) to be the only way to pay and was a little surprised to see that a select few stores also accepted Euros.
When we first arrived, we picked up the airport shuttle bus that took us directly to the Old town, for around 50 Kuna each, and from there we located the local bus number 6 (for 12 Kuna each) to Lapad, where we were staying.
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is very much the centre of the city, which is fit to burst with enough restaurants, souvenir shops, and tourists to last a lifetime.
If you’re heading to Dubrovnik to see the tourist sites, be prepared to be joined by hundreds of others, especially in peak season. The Game of Thrones filming locations like the Jesuit staircase and the West Pier are two of the most popular spots in the city.
However, a trip to some of Dubrovnik’s neighboring islands like Lokrum (also a Game of Thrones filming location) and Elaphite will make your trip one to remember.
The transport connections to and from the Old town are cheap and regular and gave us frequent and reliable access to everything we wanted to do. We stayed in Lapad, a short 15-minute bus journey from the Old town, and just a 5-minute walk from Sunset Beach, which boasted some incredible sunsets every night.
I would highly recommend staying away from the Old town in terms of accommodation to allow yourself to experience a different, and less intense, part of the diverse city.
Best places to visit
Lokrum Island – As well as giving you a breath of fresh air away from the majority of tourists, a 10-minute boat ride is all it takes to get to this paradise, which is completely shaded and offers a completely different vibe to the rest of the city.
Gradac Park – Similarly to Lokrum, Gradac Park is a hidden gem, but a beautiful place to spend a couple of hours away from the hustle and bustle of the Old town, whilst admiring the views of Fort Lovrijenac and the Mediterranean sea.
Old Town – Obviously the Old town is the most popular tourist destination for a reason, and not just because of Game of Thrones. The buildings and streets are beautifully crafted, and when the city is slightly less crowded, these areas come alive with their simplicity and beauty. Well worth a visit just to walk around!
In terms of spending, I went into the holiday expecting Dubrovnik to be an expensive place to spend a week because that’s what a lot of websites had told me. However, I was happy to discover that it seemed to be a myth and staying there was a lot cheaper than I had anticipated.
A student budget is more than enough to cover a week’s stay in this vibrant city, and it offers a lot more than just the fame it has received from Game of Thrones.
By Faith Pring
Photo’s courtesy of Faith Pring