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Home  >  Croatia • Dubrovnik  >  The Adriatic city of Dubrovnik

The Adriatic city of Dubrovnik

Alex Posted onFebruary 21, 2016January 21, 2018 Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Old Town, Dubrovnik Travel Blog, Eastern Europe, Europe, Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, Solo Travel Leave a Comment

Known as the Pearl of Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik in Croatia is without a doubt one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Europe. It will be difficult not to fall in love with Dubrovnik…that medieval charm of its old town and those stunning orange-roofed buildings. Plus the beauty of its old town during nightfall is especially magical and I found myself overlooking the truckload of tourist groups who are here for perhaps the same reason.

After the beer and resting my tired feet, I bought my ticket and board the bus from Kotor to Dubrovnik.

Bus ticket

The journey took almost 3 hours where the bus cruised along the scenic coastal road which overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Yet, I was seated on the side which faces the opposite side of coastal road…boo…

Dubrovnik main bus station

It was already late afternoon when I arrived at Dubrovnik Main Bus Station located at Gruž Port so I got myself a taxi to Hotel Dubrovnik Palace to save me some time.

Check in, Backpack off, wander I go!

While Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is not situated near the Old Town, it’s a mere 10-minute ride away from the bus stop right in front of the hotel via the ‘Hotel Palace – Pile’ local bus No. 4. Buying your bus tickets from the reception beforehand will be cheaper as compared to buying on board from the driver, 12 Croatian Kuna (S$2.50) versus 15 Croatian Kuna.

Hotel from the bus stop

I was already mesmerised by the forts and the sunset view upon alighting at Pile bus stop. It’s beautiful, just beautiful.

Nice view from Pile bus stop

Sunset view

Sunset and fortress

Near Tourist Office at Pile Gate

Nice Sunset

Nightfall at Dubrovnik Old Town

A short walk from the bus stop brought me to Pile Gate (Gradska Vrata Pile), the main entrance of the Old Town.

Pile Gate of Dubrovnik

Street at evening

Corner street at evening

It’s less crowded than I thought, perhaps the day trippers have already left, which means they are missing out the magical moment of Dubrovnik Old Town…something like this…

Amazing combination of sunset colours and the lights along Placa Street (Stradun) leading to Bell Tower, I love it!

Nightfall at Dubrovnik Old Town

The blue hour and those whitewashed buildings make an equally stunning pair.

Church Of Saint Blaise
Church Of Saint Blaise

Another great place to enjoy the blue hour moment is the Old Port (Gradska luka).

Old port of Dubrovnik

St John fort at nightfall

Skala boat at old port of Dubrovnik

Boats at old port

Old port area of Dubrovnik

Not far from the Old Port are the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Rector’s Palace.

Cathedral
Dubrovnik Cathedral
Rector's Palace
Rector’s Palace

I would have continued wandering around but my stomach protested violently and demanded to be fed LOL. To that, it’s not hard to find places to eat around the old town – there’re restaurants almost everywhere I turned. I settled for Restaurant Konoba Penatur amid being tourist-trap-looking, which one isn’t anyway?

Menu of Restaurant Konoba Penatur

Live music at Restaurant Konoba Penatur

Thankfully, the 37 Euro fresh seafood platter and the soup turned out better than I thought.

Seafood platter meal

The streets get even quieter after dinner and a joy to walk around. Besides the restaurants, most of the other shops (majority are selling tourist souvenir) have already closed for the day.

Gundulic square at night

Placa Street at night

Street of old town at night

Another restaurant along the street

I decided to head back for an early rest (it’s only 9 pm…) and be back here in the morning next day.

Clock in front of Pile bus stop

STAY: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace review

‘Best hotel!’ said the taxi driver who drove me over from Dubrovnik Main Bus Station. Nestled in a rocky cove of Lapad peninsula, Hotel Dubrovnik Palace lobby is like any modern hotel but with a stunning view of Adriatic Sea, the exact reason why I opt to stay here instead of Old Town.

Hotel Lobby

Another unique thing about the hotel is that the reception level is on the top floor while the rooms are at lower floors, took me a while to get used to. Yup, totally upside down but that ensures every room to have a gorgeous sea view.

Upside down Hotel Lift

The longish rectangular room is spacious and extend to a private balcony good for watching the sunset. Everything else in the room was perfect and quiet for a good night rest on its comfortable bed. Tasty breakfast, good WiFi signals, friendly staffs were an additional bonus.

There’s a tourist tax of 7 Croatian Kuna per night during my stay.

Nice bedroom

Bedroom of Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Bathroom of Hotel

With an incredible sea view like this, I wouldn’t even hesitate to stay here again when I revisit Dubrovnik. It’s that good.

Room balcony

What are your thoughts about Dubrovnik? Leave a comment and share it with me.

Previous Article Hike up the fortress wall of Kotor
Next Article Dubrovnik Card and the Old Town

About Author

Alex

A Singapore Travel Blog about one guy, his camera and an irresistible impulse to travel. Join his adventures to find travel reviews and tips @ WanderLex.com. Read more

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