Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Dubrovnik, Croatia. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Dubrovnik, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Dubrovnik vacation!
Don’t Expect To Have Dubrovnik To Yourself
The secret is out. Dubrovnik is awesome! But it’s pretty much always full of tourists, especially on days when the cruise ships are in port. Unless you visit Dubrovnik in winter, expect to deal with a lot of tours and crowds of tourists.
Don’t Forget to Pack Good Walking Shoes
You’ll do a lot of walking when you visit Dubrovnik. The cobblestone streets require comfortable shoes. If it’s raining the pavers can get really slick, so you want to have shoes with a good grip so you’re not slipping and falling all over. Walking the city walls is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik, and you’ll be glad you have good shoes when climbing those steps!
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Don’t Plan to Spend Euros
Many cruise ship passengers make the mistake of only bringing Euros to spend because they are coming from other Euro countries. However, Croatia still uses Kuna, so you can get some of the local currency when you arrive. Many places will take credit cards, and some of the more touristy places will take Euros, but if you plan to take public transportation or buy anything from street vendors, you’ll need to have local currency.
Don’t Visit Lokrum if it’s Windy
One of the best day trips from Dubrovnik is to visit the island of Lokrum. It’s about a 15-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik, but it can be a torturous trip if it’s windy. Check the weather and save it for a day when there are calmer seas, or make sure you have your seasickness medication.
Don’t Forget to Pack Water Shoes
Croatia is known for its beautiful beaches, but they aren’t soft, sandy beaches. The beaches are actually made up of pebbles, so going barefoot can be a painful day at the beach. Water shoes are a real lifesaver for the beaches in Croatia.
Don’t Skip the Museums and Churches
A lot of people visit Dubrovnik and spend their time walking around and walking on the walls. Many people, especially if only visiting for the day, don’t actually go into any of the museums and churches. It’s easy to rush past them when you’re trying to see it all. But there are some great museums and churches in Dubrovnik. If you buy the Dubrovnik card, you can get access to some of them. Check out the Maritime Museum, the Franciscan Monastery, and the Dominican Monastery.
Don’t Miss Out on the Back Alleys and Stairways
It’s tempting to stay in the main area where all the other tourists are, but there are some great spots hidden in the back alleyways of Dubrovnik. If you’ve worn your good walking shoes, go ahead and see what’s at the top of that staircase. As a bonus, the restaurants get cheaper and more authentic the farther you go from the main square.
Don’t Worry About Finding Dubrovnik Hotels
Unless you visit in peak tourist season of June, July, and August, you don’t need to worry too much about finding Dubrovnik hotels to stay in. In addition to hotels and bed and breakfasts, there are plenty of rooms to rent in Dubrovnik.
Don’t Expect Your Cruise Ship to Wait For You
If you visit Dubrovnik on a cruise, be mindful of what time you have to be back to the cruise port in Dubrovnik. Your ship will not wait for you if you are late. There are tons of videos online of people who were left behind by their cruise ship. If you miss the boat, you’ll have to catch up with it at the next port, at your own expense.
Dubrovnik is a great city in Croatia, whether you’re visiting as part of a cruise, or spending a few days in Croatia. When you do visit Dubrovnik, don’t forget to chat with the locals! I hope this helps you know some of the things to avoid doing on your Dubrovnik vacation. Looking for more tips on visiting Croatia? Check out these blog posts!