Along the Coast: More Photographs from Dubrovnik

I arrived in Dubrovnik from Zagreb, and if you plan to visit and are arriving at Dubrovnik Airport, I recommend organizing your transportation from the airport to your accommodation before arrival. It’s easier, and the drive to Dubrovnik around Old Town is scenic.

The Airbnb was located above the Old Town, which provided a great view. However, it’s pretty high up there, and after climbing it 3-4 times throughout the day in 30+ Celsius heat, I was exhausted. I was glad there was a washer and dryer at this Airbnb! Fortunately, that walk is quite scenic and I found plenty of photo opportunities.

The Heat is Extreme, the Crowds are Plentiful

Dubrovnik can become extremely hot, and visiting in July or August can be a challenge for some due to the high temperatures. There can also be a significant number of people. Shoulder season sees fewer crowds, and the temperatures are a bit cooler. I was there during the second weekend in September, the tail end of the peak season. Along with the high temperature, the humidity was pushing over 90%.

I’m not sure what the crowds are like in July and August, but early September is still very busy. I assume that cruise ships contribute significantly to the foot traffic. It was jam-packed with dozens of guided tours. Additionally, Old Town features very high staircases, and with all the people, it was very exhausting and sometimes slow-moving. I’m not saying this to say it wasn’t beautiful, or that I wouldn’t recommend it. However, suppose you are looking to avoid the crowds as much as possible while still enjoying pleasing temperatures. In that case, I’d recommend going in early October, which is further removed from peak season. In November, everything starts to close up for the season, and your options will be limited. Many tourist-centric shops close in November and do not reopen until March.

Best Times for Photos

It’s no surprise that you will probably have the best opportunity aesthetically during early morning or close to sunset. During my first morning, I set my alarm and was out the door at 7 am. Not only did it provide the most pleasing palette of warmth and colour, but there were also no crowds, and it was significantly more relaxing to explore. This wasn’t even that early, and it was perfect timing to capture during the early sun. In summary, if you have the opportunity, get out early one morning to explore at your own pace and enjoy Old Town without the crowds.

The evening was equally as beautiful, but as you can imagine, it was still bustling at that time. At least it’s a little cooler.

It’s the Place to Spend Money

If you are visiting Croatia for a taste of the Croatian palette, Dubrovnik is a prime spot to be. There are many restaurants of varying sorts. There is no shortage of places to eat in Old Town, and they look to be very nice restaurants. I was travelling solo, so fine dining wasn’t top of my list, but if you are coming to Dubrovnik as a couple, do some research on the restaurants and make reservations for the ones you want. I walked by at least one Michelin Star restaurant.

In addition to the restaurants dotted within the Old Town, if it’s not a restaurant, it’s a shop of some sort selling the obvious souvenirs that you would find in any heavily trafficked location in any city, but also clothes, jewelry, art, and plenty of Game of Thrones merchandise. There really isn’t much wasted space here, as it’s all capitalized by some incentive to draw people in.

If you aren’t dining in a nice restaurant in Old Town, you will find people walking around with gelato while browsing the shops. There is no shortage of ways to part with your Euro.

Conclusion

The layout of Old Town reminded me a bit of Matera, in that it is filled with paths and inclines within an ancient setting. However, I found that Old Town in Dubrovnik was a bit more challenging to get around. The substantial increase in people made it a bit more chaotic, and Dubrovnik is now much more well-known as a tourist destination, which is evident. The place is indeed beautiful, but I will say it is a challenging place to compose photos, as there are just so many people. In some areas, it isn’t easy to stand without being in someone’s path.

It’s still a place I’d recommend visiting, as even from above, Old Town is a stunning place to behold. If you are not able to visit later in the shoulder season, get out early in the day when the crowds are light and the temperatures are a bit cooler, and you’ll have a fantastic time exploring Old Town and walking around the walls of the city.