What to see & do on a Dubrovnik short break

From celeb-spotting and yachting to cable car rides and sea-view dining, there are plenty of ways to get the most out of your weekend break in historic Dubrovnik, says Sital from our Europe Team.

The trip started off in style – we got seat upgrades! Flying out Club Europe business class was a great touch, and we were lucky enough to enjoy the same star treatment on our return flight. Thanks British Airways!

I completely fell in love with Dubrovnik straight away. Its colourful history is everywhere you look. The streets and buildings are all really picturesque so it’s an absolute dream for a keen photographer like me – I went crazy with my camera.

THE HOTEL
Beachfront luxury

Hotel Excelsior was to be home for my Dubrovnik holiday. This five-star luxury hotel on the coast is just steps away from Dubrovnik’s Unesco-protected Old Town – literally a five-minute walk. The hotel’s setting is incredible; very tranquil, and it’s also blessed with a private beach. I love city hotels with beach access – so cool. Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik’s three amazing restaurants all offer panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea which make a scenic accompaniment to any meal.

Hotel Excelsior is in the perfect location to explore Dubrovnik during a city break, and it looks the part too following a snazzy revamp. Its own story is as fascinating as the history that surrounds it, having been host to so many celebs, dignitaries and royal family members over the years. Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor and loads of stars from Game of Thrones have all stayed here.

DAY ONE
Location, location, location

We experienced the amazing history of Dubrovnik’s old town first-hand by walking around the medieval wall. The city wall circles the entire old town and it’s just… wow! It spans 1,940 meters (takes about two hours) and showcases stunning sea views as well as giving you a unique perspective on Dubrovnik itself. You notice what a clean and well-kept city this is, and it’s great seeing so many cute hidden restaurants and cafes in the narrow side streets and by the marina. We stopped for lunch at one of these little places and I was blown away by the food; it was all so fresh, so if you’re a foodie you’ll love it.

And Game of Thrones fans are in for a treat too. Dubrovnik doubled up as the set of King’s Landing in the show, and we were shown many of the actual locations that were used. It was amazing being able to stand in the same spot as some of my favourite GOT scenes.

As I said, great views are all around you on a holiday to Dubrovnik, but nothing prepares you for the panoramic scenes you get from a cable car ride. I recommend this experience as an absolute must for anyone visiting – just beautiful.

Look familiar? Real-life Game of Thrones sets add a magical element to Dubrovnik holidays.

DAY TWO
Elaphiti Islands yacht tour, full day

Such a good day – we toured the beautiful Elaphiti Islands in our own private yacht. This picturesque island chain stretches northwest from Dubrovnik into the Adriatic. We cruised around the isles checking out the postcard-pretty coves, hidden bays and sandy beaches. The water was crystal clear and we all went swimming. The Elaphiti archipelago is made up of 13 islands and only three are inhabited – Lopud, Koločep and finally Sipan which is largest of them and where we had the best lunch ever at Bowa. It’s a hidden little paradise overlooking sapphire-blue waters and serving some of the best seafood I’ve ever tasted.

In the evening the good food continued back at the hotel whose three restaurants really are some of the best venues in Dubrovnik for sea-view dining. Sensus styles itself as ‘modern interpretation of Mediterranean classics’, and certainly doesn’t disappoint. As the hotel’s main fine dining restaurant, the quality of the cooking is unmistakable, only upstaged by the quality of the setting. With the sun setting over the old town – the famous red tile roofs and deep blue Adriatic waters – it’s an awesome sight.