Dubrovnik

Start your holiday in Dubrovnik with cheap car hire offered by Online-Car-Hire.

We offer secure online booking providing cheap car rental at Dubrovnik airport.

All of our car hire suppliers offer specialist staff at the end of the telephone for any extra questions that may come up before or after completing your rental car reservation.

Incidentally the airport at Dubrovnik is situated about 20 km from the centre of town.

 

Decidedly indestructible Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic. So good does it look now it is hard to imagine that just under twenty years ago, Dubrovnik was under fire and couldn’t be further from a holiday destination. That this was a war zone during the infant years of the nineties, devoid of any sign of the flourishing tourism scene that is present today. Long gone are the scenes of devastation and in their place, the bullet hole free terracotta roofing tiles which quickly and effectively contributed to the patching up of the city’s damaged scenes.

The popular holiday destination of Dubrovnik (otherwise known as Ragusa) is situated in the coast of the Adriatic Sea in the south of Croatia. Its popularity is owed to its stunning old city as well as its irresistible Mediterranean climate. Temperatures during the summer months can easily reach around 38 degrees centigrade in the south with winter levels settling around 0 degrees but below that further up towards the north of the city.

When Dubrovnik came to be it was little more than a Roman settlement going by the name of Ragusa, a label that is commonly used to this very day. As a port town during the Middle Ages, Dubrovnik flourished in competition with its European seafaring neighbours, Hungary, Venice and Turkey (above all others) for a large portion of all Adriatic seaboard activity.

Dubrovnik went on to earn considerable respect for its academic achievements and was during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to become a leader in the development of the language of Croatian as well as for the arts. During these middle years, Dubrovnik had reached the heights of wealth and ‘celebrity’ among its counterparts.

Throughout its history, Dubrovnik has dusted itself down a number of times. Two major events that really stand out are the earthquake of the Middle Ages and the great siege of the twentieth century. Both times, this seemingly indestructible city has picked itself up and dusted itself down with seeming ease and a stiff upper lip. Both times, the historic Old Town was devastated and both times these incredible buildings and their setting were restored to their previous condition (latterly according to UNESCO legislation) as though nothing had happened. You have to admire that kind of strength of character. To satisfy your curiosity as to the condition of the Old Town immediately following the 90/91 Dubrovnik conflict, there is a chart at the city gate to illustrate the extent of the damage.

Old Dubrovnik is gloriously old and a UNESCO World Heritage site to boot. Like buried treasure, much of what is considered tourist attraction material is concealed within the Old Town city defence walls. However, much more besides exists beyond the walls. Amazingly, the stunning city within the old walls is the product of a concerted effort to fix things on a grand scale not once, but twice following the devastation of the terrible earthquake of the seventeenth century as well as the siege of the twentieth century.

How about a walk about the tops of the medieval walls. There is no better way to explore the Old Town than from above it upon the defences of what was old Dubrovnik. Many of Dubrovnik’s ‘treasures’ are conveniently situated within the pedestrian friendly Old Town. Top spots include the fifteenth century Onofrio fountains built to wash away the plague as well as engaging sculptures in plentiful supply and seemingly watchful ancient churches. To refresh you in between beautiful buildings you will be glad to discover a wealth of cafes on hand to recharge those flat sight seeing batteries.

Other things to do when in Dubrovnik include taking the kids down to the beach. Interestingly engineered with pebbles and concrete, the beach of Copacabana is fully equipped with water sports facilities including jet-ski and banana boat rides and much more besides. Just outside of town is the Highlands of Dubrovnik loved by many for its beautiful countryside, clear waters and dramatic backdrop of mountains. All this a mere half an hour drive away from the city centre.

If visiting the city during the Summer months, you should be congratulated for your visit will coincide with the big event of the year, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. As with all cities during festival season, book up accommodation well in advance (if you haven’t already!) All across Croatia, festivals are held but the one you get at Dubrovnik is claimed to be the biggest and the best. Otherwise known as ‘Libertas’, this brilliant festival has been running since 1950 and takes place at the many historic locations all over the city.

Dubrovnik Airport

Dubrovnik Airport is situated 20 kilometres from Dubrovnik city centre.

A regular bus service is available from the airport into the city. The cost for a single journey is four euros. There is a public bus service (Libertas) available in addition the airport shuttle service.

Taxis are available for your convenience from outside of the terminal building.