Dubrovnik

Bart Roberts

Does anyone know of any sandy beaches nearby, i've heard a rumour of a few!
Also is it worth renting a car there or is the public transport decent?
Im staying in the Old Town by the way.

Thanks.

budfox

There are no sandy beaches in Dubrovnik. They are all pebble beaches. There are family beaches on the Lapad Peninsula which is about a ten minute bus ride away but they are very busy....

There's one public beach just outside the city walls. Very very busy though. On it is a beach club called called EastWest. It's the local pretentious Nikki beach type gig. Day beds are nice but the staff are pig ignorant and think they're in St Tropez instead of Croatia. Don't bother with their apres beach drinks such as cocktails as they're way over priced and not worth (rap...Have a look anyway while your there...http://www.ew-dubrovnik.com/

If you're staying in the old town, most people get a small boat out to Lokrum which is a beautiful island about ten mins away. Think Ireland's Eye in terms of location. Boats come and go on the hour until around 7pm.

Again, pebble or rock but bring a towel/cushion bed thing and you'll be fine. Go to one of the bread shops in the morning where they'll do great rolls and just stock up for the day. You can pick one of numerous little bays/bathing spots where you won't be disturbed. It really is very tranquil and the view of the old town on the way back in the evening is just amazing..(bring your camera with you). You'll get reasonably close to some megayachts too....Paul Allen from Microsoft was there last summer...boat was just massive with choppers taking off every hour or so..

Any other tips, let me know...envy you!!!

BF

budfox

Sorry, meant to say, I wouldn't bother renting a car if you're planning on staying in Dubrovnik. The old town is the centre of all the action and if you wish to spread out a bit you can use the bus service which is excellent. It's either Old Town or Lapad Peninsuala really. Also, parking near/around the old town is a nightmare....

I would definitely consider doing one of the three island boat trips which go from the main harbour (early morning at 0730/0800 for the day). They take in a couple of islands and the views/experience is great. Lunch on board mostly and a few beers on the way back. Great swimming/diving off the boat into amazing waters...Do some asking around to find out the good ones...go direct and cut out any agents/re-sellers as they just put a margin on it...

If you're staying for more than a week and you really want to drive, I would recommend heading up to Hvar which is a ferry job....great island..the Ibiza of Croatia....

Hope this helps...

budfox

I can post up some more links if you need them. I know Dubrovnik fairly well and can share some more tips..

Bart Roberts

Thanks for the info Budfox. Im going next Fri with the GF for 10 days.

We planned staying in Dubrovnik for the first 3 days then islands for 5 then back to Dubrovnik for the final 2 days. What you reckon?

I was thinking 3 islands max, which ones do you think besides Hvar (which we'll defo be going to)?

Also we've only booked accom for the first 3 days in Dubrovnik, will it be easy enough to book on the islands over there?

Sorry for all the questions!:)

budfox

Bart Roberts wrote: »

Thanks for the info Budfox. Im going next Fri with the GF for 10 days.

We planned staying in Dubrovnik for the first 3 days then islands for 5 then back to Dubrovnik for the final 2 days. What you reckon?

I was thinking 3 islands max, which ones do you think besides Hvar (which we'll defo be going to)?

Also we've only booked accom for the first 3 days in Dubrovnik, will it be easy enough to book on the islands over there?

Sorry for all the questions!:)

Each to their own but I am pretty sure that you'll love Dubrovnik. I've been four times...like it each time...

Getting around the islands you can either drive or take the ferry.

Here's the ferry company..they depart from the main harbour which is about 10 minutes by taxi from the old town walls...
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/default.aspx?lang=2

Obviously it's slow enough but you can sunbathe on the decks and it's very relaxing actually...

I think 3 island is ambitious to be honest. Hvar is maybe 6 hours on the ferry and you can get rooms from people on the pier. It's legal for people to rent out rooms to tourists in Croatia. (it's a big part of their summer income). You'll find most are pretty OK and if it's just a bed you need then it'll fit the bill perfectly. If you want something a bit smarter, then try:
http://www.suncanihvar.com/. This company have the good hotels in Hvar. They're very smart indeed...you might get a last minute cheap deal with them. They also let you use your keycard in all of their different hotels/bars/restaurants which is handy. Main bar on Hvar is Carpe Diem which is just the business. Dead cool and they do an apres beach party which starts at 5pm and which is brilliant. Right on the pier and is real MTV unplugged stuff...Islands are amazing also...get boats there every day..

Dont bother with Korcula unless you want quieter more lowkey...I personally found it a bit boring. If you want to hire a boat you'll need to bring a yachtmaster or powerboat licence with you. They are very strict in Croatia about this and you won't see the Costa type hire-whatever-you-want floating killing machines...

Few restaurants in the Old town I can tell you about. As you'd expect, there's tons of tourist traps selling over priced/rubbish food...

Getting back to your intinerary, you can also fly to another island or take a short flight to Split which is also a fab city. Depends on budget and what your preference is but in general, doing the islands takes a bit of time and sure is part of the relax of a holiday I guess. When I mentioned the day trips in the other reply, I referred to local small islands. Think Howth to Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey and back in one day...decent lunch and a few bevvies with a good bit of craic along the way. It's not loutish either btw...

In relation to your accomodation, once you've sorted your first few days in the old town, you can probably wing it en route. I'd pre-book my return time in Dubrovnik for your last two cos it gets very busy there in August....
BF

Bart Roberts

Cheers man, thanks for the tips.
Heres hoping Roman Abramovich offers me trip in his yacht!

SuperStarHoney

There's a sandy beach on Lopud island, Sunji (approx. 20 - 30 mins by boat) and it is the only one in the Dubrovnik area. You can get water taxi's from the old town port in the morning and then back in the evening. I didn't use these myself but I assume they would drop you at the port which is on the other side of the island but you can get golf carts to taxi you over to Sunji beach.

bundaegi

There's also a nice, though small, sandy beach on the island of Koločep which is about 20 minutes from Dubrovnik via boat.