Dubrovnik is best known by some as the Pearl of the Adriatic, and best known by others as King's Landing. This southern Croatian city sits on the cliffs of the Adriatic Sea in the region of Dalmatia. And while the city holds much to explore and many fascinating locals to meet, it is perhaps most famous for its medieval Old Town. This area is encircled with massive stone walls dating back to the 16th century. The streets are paved with ancient limestone and are lined with shops offering handmade crafts and restaurants serving up fresh seafood.

You can comfortably spend a weekend in Dubrovnik (as I did), but you could easily spend a week or two here as well if you're in the mood to relax on beaches, take a few sunset sails, and relax before venturing off to see more of Croatia - Zagreb and Split are beautiful destinations to check out next.

Croatia has a rich and resilient history, as they declared their independence from Yugoslavia in the '90s. Because of this, the country is still rebuilding, but quickly becoming one of the most popular travel destinations.

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When I convinced my study abroad roommate to book a weekend trip to Dubrovnik with me, I only knew two things about it. One - It was the cheapest destination we could book so last minute. Two - it was the set for Game of Throne's King's Landing. That's it. I literally booked a trip because it looked pretty on HBO and mostly I wanted to yell "I am the Queen!" from the city walls, and maybe find a t-shirt with Jon Snow's face on it.

With an open mind, I fell in love with Dubrovnik and all it has to offer. From the moment our driver rounded a mountaintop and suddenly we were atop a cliff overlooking a turquoise Adriatic Sea and the walls of the medieval old town came into view, to the moment I jumped off a cliff into the waters below, or to the moment I watched the sunset from above the city. I fell in love with Dubrovnik, and I can't wait to go back.

// Explore Old Town.

You can easily spend an entire day wandering the streets of Old Town, so don't be afraid to let yourself get lost in the back alleys. Enter through the city walls at Pile Gate and make your way down the Stradun, or main street. From there, the streets wind off into narrow alleys and side paths where you'll find many amazing shops, cafes and locals.

Some landmarks to visit include the baroque St. Blaise Church, the Sponza Palace (dating back to the Renaissance), the Rector's Palace and History Museum, the Onofrios fountain, and the Franciscan monastery. Explore the Gundulićeva Poljana open-air market for fresh fruits, vegetables, honeys, spices and crafts.





// Hike the City Walls.

I highly recommend making this the first thing you do one morning. You will beat the crowds, and if you are traveling in the summer, you will help beat the midday heat. Walk the walls at your own pace (it can take an hour or two) and enjoy the incredible views over the orange rooftops and sparkling Adriatic.


// Visit Fort Lovrijenac.

Better known as the Red Keep to Game of Thrones fans, Fort Lovrijenac (or St. Lawrence Fortress) is a fortress and theater outside of the western wall of Old Town. It overlooks the two entrances to the city - one by sea and one by land.


// Kayak the Adriatic.

One of my favorite excursions in Dubrovnik was the kayak tour that we took. There is no shortage of companies that you can sign up for if you decide to do this last minute. Our tour took us out on the Adriatic to kayak around the beautiful Lokrum Island. We paused first to swim in a cave on the island, and then at a beach in another cave where kayakers provided with lunch and snorkeling gear. Our kayak tour guide even convinced my roommate and I to cliff jump with him. By far one of the most thrilling experiences of my life! Dubrovnik can definitely be as adventurous as it can be relaxing. The tour then offered some of the most incredible views of the Old Town from the water.


// Enjoy the local areas and beaches.

There are many amazing beaches outside of Old Town to spend an afternoon lounging in the sun. Banje is a popular beach, and even offers restaurants and night clubs. Lapad, Copacabana, and Pasjaca beaches are all favorite destinations as well.

And don't spend your whole time in the Old Town. I highly recommend staying in an Airbnb outside of the city walls in a local area. Public transportation was very easy to figure out, and you'll get a taste for local life and culture.

// Spend a day island hopping.

Another favorite excursion of mine was the day that we spent island hopping. You can definitely take ferries from island to island and see them at your own pace, but I recommend booking a tour. Walking around the marina in Old Town, there are many vendor booths who offer boat day trips to the surrounding islands. Pro tip: if you walk around and are visibly checking out different booths, the companies will lower their prices to win your service.

There are ferries from Dubrovnik to the islands of Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep, and these are the islands that my tour took us to as well (the boat charter sailed from island to island, and also included an open bar and lunch). Each island is stunning and offers magnificent beaches, hiking, and great little towns full of shopping and restaurants where you can enjoy some of the freshest fish.



// Ride the cable car and watch the sunset.

The cable car runs from Old Town up to the top of the mountain side, where you'll get incredible views looking down over the city walls and orange rooftops, the Adriatic, and Lokrum Island. The best time of day to take the ride up is just before sunset. Watch the sky turn stunning oranges and reds over the medieval city. There's even a restaurant at the top if you want to linger and take in the views.


// Drink rakija at some of the best bars.

Rakija is a type of fruit brandy that is popular in the Balkans. Our first night in Dubrovnik, we sat down at a restaurant for dinner and were greeted with a shot of the liquor. Personally I think it tastes something like jet fuel, but to each their own - it's worth trying for a taste of the local flavor!

Make time to check out some of Dubrovnik's scenic bars. Cafe Buza is built into the cliff side, and patrons can enjoy a drink while sitting on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Wine taste at D'Vino Wine Bar, or enjoy panoramic seaside views or an underground cocktail at Cave Bar More.



// Take a day trip.

If you have extra time and want to explore outside of Dubrovnik, there are many day trip excursions that leave from Old Town. Venture to Montenegro, or spend a day in Bosnia and Herzegovina exploring Mostar and Medjugorje.

// (Extra - Take a Game of Thrones Tour!)

If you're a fan of the hit HBO series like I am, you already know that Dubrovnik  is the setting for King's Landing. Fort Lovrijenac serves as the Red Keep, and the large rounded tower atop the walls is the House of the Undying. You may even recognize a certain set of stairs as you recall Cersei's walk of shame. There are tours that will take you through the sites, and even let you sit on the Iron Throne at the end (totally worth it).