Stopped by the pandemic, tourism has quickly reappeared in Dubrovnik. During the summer period, more and more people want to enter the doors of the pearl of the Adriatic in Croatia. Each with a more or less specific desire, to see all the heritage of the old town in three or four hours, to take selfies on the filming locations of Game of Thrones, to stroll along the main street (Stradun) while eating an ice cream, to party at the beach bar of the rocks (Buza) or on the beach of Banje. What to do when you want to discover this city-museum, both beautiful and confusing? How to find the magic? In high season, the city has many visitors. It's a good idea to come to Croatia out of season! It's a good way to immerse yourself in ancient Ragusa in peace and quiet, while still having enough energy to go to a show or experience a great community event. Maybe we'll have the chance to meet the people of Dubrovnik?
Celebrating St. Blaise's Day
Most of the time, Ragusans have fled from the old town and come back only on important calendar occasions. If there is one date that no one forgets in the region, it is February 3, St. Blaise's Day. The oldest religious festival in the county begins the day before with gunpowder shootings in the old harbor and a release of white doves as a reminder that Dubrovnik still cherishes its old motto: "Freedom cannot be sold even for all the gold in the world". Whether it is windy or rainy, people of all generations arrive on the Stradun in their best traditional costumes. Processions form; white Libertas flags with the effigy of the patron saint of the city are raised high. The next day, the morning mass is celebrated in front of the cathedral. The parish banner bearers open the great procession, in which religious dignitaries, members of the confraternities of the different churches, all in great pomp, participate. Then come the first communicants, the nuns, the civic leaders, the notables, all under the respectful look of the population. Cakes are distributed to the children, dried figs and wine for the adults. Inscribed by UNESCO on the representative list of the intangible heritage of humanity, this incredible parade, with all its rituals, music and songs, remains engraved in the memory. Another important part of the city's cultural heritage is theDubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, born in 1925. The Dubrovački simfonijski orkestar, colloquially known as the DSO, has performed on tour with leading international musicians, performing works from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic repertoire. In addition, the orchestra organizes festivals, with concerts throughout the year.
Supporting the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra
After the traditional New Year's Day and Easter concerts, music lovers have the opportunity to see the orchestra again at the Dubrovnik Music Spring Festival in April and May. At the end of June and the beginning of July, the International Festival of Opera Arias returns, this year paying tribute to the world-famous Croatian tenor Tino Pattiera. Then comes the International Music Festival at the end of the summer, a rich program of symphonic concerts, chamber music, recitals, premieres and collaborations with international soloists and conductors. Throughout the year, under the direction of the orchestra, other musical cycles follow one another, such as the Autumn Music Muscovite, the baroque music Orlando Furioso, the chamber music Stradun Classic at the end of September. The Dubrovnik Summer Festival was founded in 1950. A pioneer in this field in Croatia. This year, more than 70 shows are scheduled (classical music, jazz, folklore, dance, theater, cinema) on stages set up mainly outdoors (squares, streets, gardens).
Also an emblematic figure of Dubrovnik, the folk group Linđo Folk Ensemble. Founded in 1967, the mixed troupe regularly renews itself to accommodate the younger generation. On a capella songs(klapa), with traditional Dalmatian instruments, it dances in beautiful period costumes. It participates in several annual festivals and national events of importance while keeping its tourist activity. From June to the end of August, the Linđo can be seen in front of the cathedral and presents its 1.5-hour show at the Lazareti Cultural Center.
Of course, it's not about sulking in the summer, but rather finding ways to avoid the crowds. In the evening, we rediscover the fort Lovrjenac, this mythical place of the city, thanks to the Midsummer Scene. This English-language theater festival was created in 2014, on the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. In keeping with the centuries-old tradition of outdoor trestles, plays are performed under the starry early summer sky. The company has already performed A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet, among others. For 2023, its new production is a musical based on Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days.
English subtitles will also be provided for the young Lopud film festival, which will be held for thethird time in 2023. The idea was to relocate to the island of the Elaphites archipelago. For six days, the Ponta Lopud Festival will show seven films in eight night sessions at the fortress of the Franciscan monastery or at the beach of RMH Lafodia. This year's festival of young Croatian filmmakers will once again reflect new trends, while focusing on the creative filmmaking process, with master classes and meetings to which the public is invited.
Taste the new generation of gastronomy
In 2022, conviviality over a drink or a good meal was back. Let's hope it will be the same in 2023 for the 9th edition of the Good Food Festival (May and October). It is an opportunity to taste special menus in Dubrovnik restaurants, to enjoy local wines, to participate in fun and educational programs with children or culinary workshops for older children. The highlight of the festival is a dinner with a famous chef (reservations are required!).
As an extension of the GFF, the Bavarin Street Food Festival, a new event for street food lovers, seems to have found the right formula. More than 1,000 people came to the lazaret for the first edition in October 2022. The idea? Eat on the go outside while listening to live music. Spring is the ideal season for this kind of very trendy gourmet and festive meeting. You can order sweet or savory snacks, take part in the award-winning bartending contest, and relax in the chill zone. Whether it's hamburger or strictly vegan, fried calamari or fish croquettes, hearty sandwiches or dishes with sauce, lamb stew or spicy macaroons, there's plenty of choice. The chefs are very inventive, but their dishes, served in recycled cardboard bowls, remain affordable!
Dubrovnik has regained its reputation as a welcoming city, where it is good to go out and have fun together while listening to good music.
At the beginning of winter, in December, it's time for the Advent in the City festival, which always starts with the lighting of the first candle on St. Nicholas Day. A Christmas market is set up on the Stradun. Craftsmen offer decorations, sweets and traditional cakes, they heat chocolate or wine with spices, perfect euphoric drinks to listen to Dubrovnik's kolenda, Christmas and New Year's carols.
FUTURE INFO
When is it open?
- All year round! A striking contrast between an old city free to explore in January and the effects of the crowds in the summer.
-In early February for the Saint-Blaise festival.
-At Easter for the craft traditions and the gastronomic offer.
-In spring for the beginning of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra's musical season.
-In summer for the cultural program.
-In autumn for the gastronomic offer.
-In winter for the Advent celebrations.
Duration
One week to visit the historical city, participate in a festival, make excursions in the Dubrovnik-Neretva region.
Budget
-The prices of luxury hotels are double or even triple in summer. For example, 1 night for 2 at Pucić Palace around 500-600 € (August) and 250 € (November). Youth hostels remain expensive in the summer, around €60-80 in a dorm. Overall, the prices of seasonal rentals are more attractive than those of hotels.
-Price range for Dubrovnik Summer Festival tickets: 20-70 € per night.
-The entrance to the old town is free, but the tour of the city walls is not free (35 €). Advantage of the visitor's card(http://www.dubrovnikpass.com), which gives free access to the city walls, most museums and public transport (1 day: 35 €, 3 days: 45 €, 1 week: 55 €).
The advantages
- An exceptional historical heritage .
- A very rich cultural offer.
- A superb seafront to discover.
- New measures put in place to control the number of visitors and avoid overtourism.
The minuses
- Price inflation. Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia!
Getting there
- At the international and domestic bus station (http://autobusni-kolodvor-dubrovnik.com): Obale pope Ivana Pavla II 44A.
- Car rental at the airport, in town.
- Via Zagreb, Dubrovnik airport(http://www.airport-dubrovnik.hr, Dobrota 24, 20213, Čilipi) is well served by regular airlines (Croatia Airline, Air France) and direct low-cost flights from April to fall.
Useful
- TOURIST OFFICE - More information on the website
Brsalje 5
Phone: +385 20 312 011
Phone: +385 20 312 015
- SUMMER FESTIVAL DUBROVNIK - More information on the website of the Dubrovnik Festival or the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra.
From July 10 to August 25, 2023
- THEATER FESTIVAL - More information on the website
From June 22 to July 6, 2023
- LOPUD FILM FESTIVAL - More information on the website
From June 20 to 24, 2023
- GOOD FOOD FESTIVAL - More information on the website
From 9th to 22nd October 2023
- BAVARIN STREET FOOD FESTIVAL - More information on the Facebook page
From 5th to 14th April 2023
