We understand why he loved Dubrovnik so much. It is a city that makes a lasting impression on its visitors. Words can’t do justice to such a historical gem, it is something you have to see with your own eyes. In Dubrovnik, every stone in every wall has a story to tell. Stories about empires, aristocrats, earthquakes, victory and prosperity.
Amongst Dubrovnik’s historical treasures are over 80 churches, such as the Church of St Blaise and the Cathedral of the Assumption, and an abundance of palaces, squares, fountains and museums.
The limestone streets are polished by use, throughout the centuries. They shine bright in the sunlight, as if their surface was not stone but glass. Everything in the Old Town is within walking distance, so your feet too will help keep the limestone streets smooth and shiny.
But there is more than just the Old Town that makes Dubrovnik so immensely popular. The Elafiti Archipelago, a collection of about a dozen islands off the coast of Dubrovnik, should be on every traveler’s list as well.
It is the combination of the liveliness of the city and the tranquility of these beautiful, untouched islands that makes a holiday in Dubrovnik so attractive. Šipan, the archipelago’s largest island, is the perfect candidate for a twin centre holiday in Croatia, combined with Dubrovnik.
In the 15th century, the Dubrovnik aristocrats started building summer houses on Šipan. They loved the island’s nature and beaches. It was an idyllic place where they could escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
You can easily find the ruins of some of these summer houses when you walk along the road from Suđurađ to Šipanska Luka. These two villages are located at either end of the island, connected by a 5km long road that leads though a green valley filled with vineyards and plenty of olive, fig and citrus groves.
