Summer 2023 and the 3 weeks adventure Dubrovnik – Croatia
On the 4th day of our adventure on 1 September, 2023: Even though we were eagerly looking forward to reaching the beach in Dubrovnik and had planned to depart in the morning, we couldn’t quite stick to our schedule. We ended up getting on the road only around 7 in the morning. We had a 250-kilometer drive ahead, but according to Google Maps, it would take approximately 5 hours, and it turned out to be quite accurate. The journey was pleasant and uneventful.
Our first stop was at the Franjo Tuđman Bridge, where there’s convenient parking right next to the bridge. Midway on the bridge, you can even try bungee jumping. However, our bravest family member, our daughter Adela, hesitated, and we didn’t press her. As for me, I discovered that I had a slight fear of heights, perhaps a second cup of morning coffee would have helped.
After returning to our car, we continued towards Dubrovnik, heading to Uvala Lapad Beach. We took a brief swim, much to the children’s delight, and then decided to check in at our booked accommodation through Booking.
A word of caution: having a car in Dubrovnik can be a bit of a burden. Parking spaces are scarce and expensive. When booking, we made sure to include parking, and we wanted it to be near the beach, which we confirmed using Google Maps. It indicated just 7 minutes to the beach. However, what Google Maps didn’t account for were the numerous steps in Dubrovnik. In reality, it took us about 20 minutes to get there because of the many steps. But every city has its unique charm, and we found Dubrovnik to be exceptionally delightful. The view was like looking at Venice from above as if through binoculars. Upon reaching our accommodation, we looked for a local store to replenish our supplies. It was called Maxim Konzum, and the prices were similar to those in other parts of Europe, with very minor differences. I must mention that throughout our adventure, the diesel fuel price ranged between 4.5 to 5 euros per liter.
After a brief rest, we decided to head to the beach in the evening. While theoretically it should have been a quick 7-minute walk, we descended about 20 meters of stairs to reach Bellevue Beach, which is situated right next to the Rixos Premium Dubrovnik Hotel. Access is on the left, along a path we initially walked past. As it was already late, we decided to return to our accommodation to rest up for the next day.
On the 5th day of our adventure on 2 September, 2023: After a hearty breakfast, we headed to the beach, which required a slightly longer walk. With the impression that we could traverse and explore the old town on the way to the beach, we set off on a pleasant discovery. Dubrovnik’s old town is magnificent, and we couldn’t resist wandering through its streets. Although we didn’t climb the walls to explore, we attempted to get lost in the city’s charming streets. It was an enjoyable experience, and we eventually made it to Banje Beach after 3 hours of strolling.
The view from the beach of Dubrovnik’s Old Town is breathtaking, with crystal-clear waters. However, I must mention that the beach itself is pebbly, which can become tiring after a few days if you don’t have proper beach footwear.
Around 4 PM, we decided to go for dinner and stopped at a restaurant. Afterward, we returned to our accommodation to rest.
In the evening, we thought of taking a walk to Dubrovnik Cross. Google indicated it would only take us 47 minutes. However, after walking for 30 minutes, we gave up and returned to our car, determined to reach Dubrovnik Cross, which is a special attraction. You can also get there using a cable car, the Dubrovnik Cable Car, which provides a fantastic panoramic view. Late at night, when the cable car isn’t operational, you can still reach it by taxi. Dubrovnik Cross is also home to a restaurant. The drive requires extra attention, especially at night, as it is not well signposted and leads to some rather tight and tricky areas. Nevertheless, it’s well worth the effort.
On the 6th day of our adventure on 3 September, 2023: Today, we started the day earlier and made a quick trip to Maxi Konzum. We had run out of supplies, and replenishing them was necessary. After breakfast, we headed to Banje Beach again, followed by a visit to the Old Town of Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik Port, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Church of St. Ignatius.
Upon returning from the beach, we took a break, spending more time by the seaside, which made us feel a bit tired. We ordered hamburgers, the children’s favorite, from Otto Street Food. In the evening, we decided to make another trip to Dubrovnik Cross. The kids wanted to see the city’s panorama once more, and I must admit it’s a unique sight. By this point, the drive had become enjoyable, and I had no apprehensions due to the tight turns and narrow sections of the road.
After the second mini-excursion to Dubrovnik Cross, we decided to visit the Old Town and have dinner there. With limited time, we parked at Dubrovnik Center Parking nearby to avoid walking from our accommodation. We explored the city at night, although it was our last day, and it was quite late. We stuck to the main streets as we didn’t want to venture into the intricate alleyways. Thank you, Dubrovnik, for the lovely memories – you are indeed a fairytale city.
