Hi David, It is nice when somebody makes an attempt to recommend my home town and I thank you for it. As a local I have to react to your recommendations because it is clear to me that you are not informed very well about many things and are also a tourist. First of all, ALL of the OLD city and the area within 1 km around it is a tourist trap because of the high prices for both accommodation and food/drinks. This because of the extremely high cost of community taxes, terraces, limited transport into the old town, transport, personnel etc. This is why locals NEVER go anywhere near the old town for a drink because the prices are just like in Norway (even though for the locals there is a 30% discount). Most of these apartments are bough by foreigners that do not have much in common with the city. For accommodation you should stay in places like Mlini and Srebreno. These are located is an area 6-7 km outside of the old town wit beautiful beaches where you will get much more for your money. With an uber (for 10 Euro) you are in the old centre within 10-15 minutes, and there are also taxi boats that take you from these places directly into the old town within 15 minutes. Here , you will find great local restaurants (Lanterna, G, etc) with REAL local food, and not the fancy overpriced "fine dining"restaurants in the old centre. I always laugh when bloggers recommend places in the old town such as "holy burek"and present it as something local. You did not mention it , and this is good. Just for information , a regular Burek is an Oriental dish from Bosnia/Turkey and usually costs about 1-1,7 Euro, but at 'holy burek' they charge you 8 euro for a very bad miniature version of the same dish of very bad quality. You will never see a local buying here, only tourists. You were talking about avoiding tourist traps, yet you recommend Buza bar which is a place made for tourists with high prices. No locals here EVER. My recommendations are where the locals go with much less crowds: Mlini, Srebreno ,Plat for accommodation near beaches with clean water (not Sulic beach for sure), then Cavtat for a romantic night out and a tour of Peljesac with the wineries, mussels, oisters and great nature. Also the island of lokrum is a MUST see, and this is where locals DO go. Attend the 'divlja liga' amateur waterpolo tournament from July to August, this is a local sports event. Cheers!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share all this :) Would agree on so much of this! Felt like I had to mention Buza Bar because it's such a unique experience (even though it's touristy). Thanks again for the great insight. It's much appreciated :)
@@nishthasomani2578 Yes, there is the local bus number 10 going from Cavtat to Dubrovnik every 30 minutes, there is also a bus nr 16 going to Dubrovnik. The best deal is just to call an uber. They cost about 10 euro to the old city gate. You also have the regular taxi boats from Mlini port every 30 minutes.
The best advice is definitely to ignore this video! Just go there off season and you will be fine! And there are plenty apartments inside old town, don't think it is only outside the city walls.
Interesting video, many useful tips, which I will use on my next trip (hopefully one day 😉) But I can't agree with 2 of them. First: it's not true, that you can't eat good food on Stradun. I would highly recommend Tata's Dubrovnik if you like burgers - delicious! We've been there twice. And the second: you should take a cable car ride!! But not for the ride itself, only for the hiking trail you can walk back down to the city. It's stunning! ❤You can skip the cable car of course and go this trail up on foot instead, but I found, that walking down is much more pleasurable than up😂 Hence the cable car on the way up. The views from that trail are breathtaking. If I'm honest, I'm a bit suprised it didn't get on your recommendation list. Have you ever taken this hike?
Good advice re walls etc but I would disagree re cable car, we went up in the cable car, had a coffee in the panorama restaurant - beautiful view, and walked down. Fantastic views and very interesting fort and museum re the Serbo Croatian war.
Veally helpful. I'll be arriving in Dubrovnik the day after tomorrow. haven't really planned much, just aiming for a relaxed trip. But after watching your video, I have a better idea of what to expect.
Great tips! Visiting Dubrovnik in May and this video is really helpful. May I know which website you mentioned for GoT locations? I can’t seem to find it in the description.
Sure thing! I use the Sony ZV1 when you see me talking to the camera. 99% of the rest is being shot with an iPhone 15 Pro Max. And I end up licensing out drone footage from places like Artlist because carrying a drone from country to country gets complicated. I'll work on compiling a list for the future and will leave it in the description. Hope that helps!
Good job with these tips. You nailed it. Greetings from Dubrovnik and feel free to connect when you are back so we can hook you up with some activities ;)
NOTHING is cheap in this city. I'm here right now, and starter are like 20 euro, and the main course for a mediocre pasta dish is 30. Its robbery has been driving on a bike on the whole coast, the nature is amazing but avoid this place until their inflation drops again. And they don't pay their staff very well even with these insane prices.
Hi Camden, Really great video, thanks! Please could you kindly provide more information on your experience of a renting a car? Was it fairly cheap? Was there anything else you had to consider/ keep in mind once you had the car? Any tips or recommendations in regards to renting a car? Thank you in advance!
Great questions! Renting the car was pretty easy (not much different than how you'd rent in the US). I'd say it was probably cheaper to rent the car itself but that could have been because I was using discovercars. Be prepared to pay a bit more for fuel compared to the US. The roads were all very easy to navigate and I found the highways were often pretty empty. The highways did have toll fees that were higher than I was used to in the US but you probably won't deal with that unless you're driving long distances. Last thing to keep in mind is most cars in Europe are manual. Not an issue if you know how to drive a stick shift but I see people accidentally rent manuals all the time. Just be sure to ask for the automatic when you reserve the car because the rental places won't have many automatic cars on site (again - compared to the US). Hope all that makes sense!
@@camdendavid Sorry for the late reply! - Thank you very much for getting back to me, your response is very helpful! Please could I kindly ask about something else? I understand yourself and your wife got married in Dubrovnik, and I was wondering whether there is anything romantic you would recommend? Perhaps different from the usual stuff that may be recommended? Thanks in advance!
@@camdendavid Hey Camden, just writing another comment to kindly follow-up on my earlier message to ask whether you have any recommendations for romantic things to do in Dubrovnik (restaurants + actual things to do)? Thank you in advance!
@@emmanueloloyede8809 Hey Emmanuel! Sorry for the delay -- didn't see that the first time. Hmm, that's a tough one cause it totally depends on what kind of activities you and your partner find romantic. I'd say one of the cheapest and most underrated things to do in Dubrovnik is a super early morning or late night walk through the old town. If you go early or late enough, it'll feel like a ghost town and it's a completely different experience compared to what 99% get. It'd be easy enough to pack some of your favorite snacks and stroll the city while making a stop on the water to eat. If you're not looking for the early morning or evening activities, I think Lokrum Island is a great spot for a picnic. It's pretty easy to get away from the crowds and find a secluded spot on along the water. Anything like that will be super low cost and can be romantic. But like any destination, you can always splurge for exclusive experiences (chartering a boat is always popular in Dubrovnik - I haven't done that except for our rehearsal dinner). If you're looking for more upscale dining, I know Nautika and Restaurant 360 are always popular choices (be prepared to spend more there). Hope all that makes sense and helps :)
@@camdendavid Hey! No worries at all - thank you for getting back to me. This is really great advice and I appreciate you taking the time to talk me through some options, thank you! I am looking forward to our stay in Dubrovnik and I hope my partner enjoys the trip too! :)
Thanks for the video. I'll be there in December. I know it's not the ideal time but the weather should be at least mild/sunny, which is better than Canada. Thoughts on Dubrovnik during December?
Definitely warmer than Canada hahah. I haven't visited during December but I would imagine you'll have most of the city to yourself -- probably a unique type of experience. But I'll let any locals chime in :)
first time to croatia, Is there any national parks near to dubrovnik also do you recommend getting a ferry from dubrovnik to one of the nearby islands if so which one
It really depends on how long you have to visit and what type of transportation you'll have access to. There are a few national parks within a 3-4 hour drive: Krka is one of the most popular in Croatia. Mljet National Park is on an island and there should be a ferry to get you there. Sutjeska National Park is over the border in Bosnia but I've heard great things. Durmitor National Park is one in Montenegro. Lokrum Island isn't a national park but it'll be the easiest to get to (by a long shot). I haven't done a ton of island hopping so hopefully a local will see this and provide more insight. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the tips David! Just a few questions as I plan my trip to Dubrovnik: 1. Realistically speaking, for a first-timer, would 1 day be enough for completing a walk in the old town and city walls? I'm going in June so I'm prepared for lots of tourists .... 2. Many suggested getting a Dubrovnik pass as it's the same price as the ticket. Can I get it upon arrival or would you recommend buying online in advance (any service charge?)? 3. Unfortunately Google Map says Buza Bari and Bar dodo are closed! Any restaurants or food gems you would recommend? Thanks so much!
Great questions! 1. You'll be busy, but one day should be enough for seeing the main sights in the old town. 2. The pass is great IF you're planning to see some of the other things it includes. But many tourists only end up going to see the walls. If you're just going to do the walls, it probably doesn't make sense to go through the process of having the pass. You could get it online or buy it upon arrival. Biggest advantage to online is you won't have to do it when you're there (not sure on any service charges). 3. Weird! I imagine those places will be up and running soon. I'd still plan on heading to Beach Sulic to see which spots are open. They have a couple bars on the beach and they'll all have great views. I'd also probably go to the entrance of the Buza Bars to see if you can access the water. If you can, I'd probably grab a pizza and plan a picnic down there (Pizzeria Tabasco is one of the more affordable pizza spots). If you're only there for a day, I'd ignore trying to find any food gems. Dubrovnik is beautiful but I wouldn't say there's any food spots that you HAVE to try. I'd focus on enjoying the old town and seeing as much as you can (while eating cheap). Hope all that makes sense and hope you have a great trip!
Parking fees - 20hours it was 147 euros. I was there couple of weeks ago and they ripped me off. Garage near the castle. You pay or else you cannot take your car back. Crooks!
Pretty sure the pass is currently the same price as the walls. If that's the case, definitely a good option to go with the pass (especially if you plan to visit the other attractions included). And yes, you can book tickets online :)
Plitvice lake is my dream place to go , i have booked tickets to Dubrovnik ,i dont know car driving , can you please guide me how can i reach to plitivice is morning 7 so that i can it most?
Hmmmm, I'd probably be looking for day-trips offered through professional operators. They might have a bus that will get you up there. You'll have better luck with that if you can fly up to Zagreb though. Hope that makes sense!
Eating in restaurants located in a Stradun street is not a TOURIST TRAP!!!??? The restaurants are places with local food of high quality and if you want to eat next to the George Clooney or Leonardo DiCaprio and have a great view to the heart of the city YOU HAVE TO PAY THE LOCATION!!!! If you don't want to pay it, don't tell the BS on your channel! Every tourist comming to Dubrovnik CAN AFFORD to eat at least once a lunch in one of those places. Forget about your McDonnald's food for 10 EUR here in Croatia.
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Hi David,
It is nice when somebody makes an attempt to recommend my home town and I thank you for it.
As a local I have to react to your recommendations because it is clear to me that you are not informed very well about many things and are also a tourist.
First of all, ALL of the OLD city and the area within 1 km around it is a tourist trap because of the high prices for both accommodation and food/drinks. This because of the extremely high cost of community taxes, terraces, limited transport into the old town, transport, personnel etc.
This is why locals NEVER go anywhere near the old town for a drink because the prices are just like in Norway (even though for the locals there is a 30% discount). Most of these apartments are bough by foreigners that do not have much in common with the city.
For accommodation you should stay in places like Mlini and Srebreno. These are located is an area 6-7 km outside of the old town wit beautiful beaches where you will get much more for your money.
With an uber (for 10 Euro) you are in the old centre within 10-15 minutes, and there are also taxi boats that take you from these places directly into the old town within 15 minutes.
Here , you will find great local restaurants (Lanterna, G, etc) with REAL local food, and not the fancy overpriced "fine dining"restaurants in the old centre.
I always laugh when bloggers recommend places in the old town such as "holy burek"and present it as something local. You did not mention it , and this is good. Just for information , a regular Burek is an Oriental dish from Bosnia/Turkey and usually costs about 1-1,7 Euro, but at 'holy burek' they charge you 8 euro for a very bad miniature version of the same dish of very bad quality. You will never see a local buying here, only tourists.
You were talking about avoiding tourist traps, yet you recommend Buza bar which is a place made for tourists with high prices. No locals here EVER.
My recommendations are where the locals go with much less crowds:
Mlini, Srebreno ,Plat for accommodation near beaches with clean water (not Sulic beach for sure), then Cavtat for a romantic night out and a tour of Peljesac with the wineries, mussels, oisters and great nature. Also the island of lokrum is a MUST see, and this is where locals DO go.
Attend the 'divlja liga' amateur waterpolo tournament from July to August, this is a local sports event.
Cheers!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share all this :) Would agree on so much of this! Felt like I had to mention Buza Bar because it's such a unique experience (even though it's touristy). Thanks again for the great insight. It's much appreciated :)
These arrogant yanks always think they are all that and now everything unbelievable! They think they are superior to the rest of the world! 🤦♂️
Thank you 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Hi @macakdbk Are there any public transportation from Mlini to Dubrovnik?
@@nishthasomani2578 Yes, there is the local bus number 10 going from Cavtat to Dubrovnik every 30 minutes, there is also a bus nr 16 going to Dubrovnik. The best deal is just to call an uber. They cost about 10 euro to the old city gate.
You also have the regular taxi boats from Mlini port every 30 minutes.
Great video ❤ In fact the most informative so far I came across!
Nothing like BUZA Bar and Beach Bar Dodo! 🌊🌅
Much more useful than most videos. Really good tips thanks; about to book a hotel there and I hadn't thought about no cars in the old city.
Glad it was helpful. Hope you have a great trip!
Hi Camden, thanks for the great info. We are planning to visit Dubrovnik for the first time in June. Your tips were greatly appreciated.
Glad to hear it! Hope you have a great trip and feel free to reach out with any questions :)
Nice David, I am visiting next month. I like your insights a lot better than other sources. Thanks for your service.
Glad you enjoyed and hope you have a great visit :)
Loved where we stayed!
I am planning a trip there in June. May i know where you stayed?
The best advice is definitely to ignore this video! Just go there off season and you will be fine! And there are plenty apartments inside old town, don't think it is only outside the city walls.
Definitely some great options within the old town :)
When is the off season in Croatia?
I have found this tricky because in some countries December is expensive due to Christmas.
Wow you sure do talk fast!
Thank you for the great tips.
I'm lock n loading the names of the bars and beach.
Very good to know
I sure do haha! Hope it was helpful :)
The first video I didn't have to speed up 😂 A lot of useful tips, thank you! Really good job! 😊
Going end of summer love your video we are super exited to go to medjgourne and Dubrovnik 💕
I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Interesting video, many useful tips, which I will use on my next trip (hopefully one day 😉) But I can't agree with 2 of them. First: it's not true, that you can't eat good food on Stradun. I would highly recommend Tata's Dubrovnik if you like burgers - delicious! We've been there twice. And the second: you should take a cable car ride!! But not for the ride itself, only for the hiking trail you can walk back down to the city. It's stunning! ❤You can skip the cable car of course and go this trail up on foot instead, but I found, that walking down is much more pleasurable than up😂 Hence the cable car on the way up. The views from that trail are breathtaking. If I'm honest, I'm a bit suprised it didn't get on your recommendation list. Have you ever taken this hike?
Thanks for sharing all this! Oooohh, I haven’t given that trail a visit but I will next time 😃 thanks!
I really love the information here. I will say it’s hard to watch David’s constant head shaking as he speaks.
Yeah, sorry about that haha. I definitely need to work on containing my bobblehead motion :)
Good advice re walls etc but I would disagree re cable car, we went up in the cable car, had a coffee in the panorama restaurant - beautiful view, and walked down. Fantastic views and very interesting fort and museum re the Serbo Croatian war.
Glad to hear you enjoyed!!!
Veally helpful. I'll be arriving in Dubrovnik the day after tomorrow. haven't really planned much, just aiming for a relaxed trip. But after watching your video, I have a better idea of what to expect.
Hope you have a great time!
Great tips! Visiting Dubrovnik in May and this video is really helpful. May I know which website you mentioned for GoT locations? I can’t seem to find it in the description.
Whoops - My bad on that one! Here you go: gretastravels.com/game-of-thrones-filming-set-in-dubrovnik/ I just added it to the description too :)
@@camdendavid thank you so much!
U convince me bcs of that video to visit dubrovnik!!! I actually was piking place to visit and here i go:))
Hope you have a great time!
@@camdendavid aww yes but mannn train conection there is so terible!!
Thanks mate. One question what camera and accessories do you use. Could you please share us the links to your filming accessories ?
Sure thing! I use the Sony ZV1 when you see me talking to the camera. 99% of the rest is being shot with an iPhone 15 Pro Max. And I end up licensing out drone footage from places like Artlist because carrying a drone from country to country gets complicated. I'll work on compiling a list for the future and will leave it in the description. Hope that helps!
Good job with these tips. You nailed it. Greetings from Dubrovnik and feel free to connect when you are back so we can hook you up with some activities ;)
Much appreciated!!
NOTHING is cheap in this city. I'm here right now, and starter are like 20 euro, and the main course for a mediocre pasta dish is 30. Its robbery has been driving on a bike on the whole coast, the nature is amazing but avoid this place until their inflation drops again. And they don't pay their staff very well even with these insane prices.
Hi Camden,
Really great video, thanks!
Please could you kindly provide more information on your experience of a renting a car?
Was it fairly cheap? Was there anything else you had to consider/ keep in mind once you had the car? Any tips or recommendations in regards to renting a car?
Thank you in advance!
Great questions! Renting the car was pretty easy (not much different than how you'd rent in the US). I'd say it was probably cheaper to rent the car itself but that could have been because I was using discovercars. Be prepared to pay a bit more for fuel compared to the US. The roads were all very easy to navigate and I found the highways were often pretty empty. The highways did have toll fees that were higher than I was used to in the US but you probably won't deal with that unless you're driving long distances. Last thing to keep in mind is most cars in Europe are manual. Not an issue if you know how to drive a stick shift but I see people accidentally rent manuals all the time. Just be sure to ask for the automatic when you reserve the car because the rental places won't have many automatic cars on site (again - compared to the US). Hope all that makes sense!
@@camdendavid Sorry for the late reply! - Thank you very much for getting back to me, your response is very helpful!
Please could I kindly ask about something else? I understand yourself and your wife got married in Dubrovnik, and I was wondering whether there is anything romantic you would recommend? Perhaps different from the usual stuff that may be recommended?
Thanks in advance!
@@camdendavid Hey Camden, just writing another comment to kindly follow-up on my earlier message to ask whether you have any recommendations for romantic things to do in Dubrovnik (restaurants + actual things to do)? Thank you in advance!
@@emmanueloloyede8809 Hey Emmanuel! Sorry for the delay -- didn't see that the first time. Hmm, that's a tough one cause it totally depends on what kind of activities you and your partner find romantic. I'd say one of the cheapest and most underrated things to do in Dubrovnik is a super early morning or late night walk through the old town. If you go early or late enough, it'll feel like a ghost town and it's a completely different experience compared to what 99% get. It'd be easy enough to pack some of your favorite snacks and stroll the city while making a stop on the water to eat. If you're not looking for the early morning or evening activities, I think Lokrum Island is a great spot for a picnic. It's pretty easy to get away from the crowds and find a secluded spot on along the water. Anything like that will be super low cost and can be romantic. But like any destination, you can always splurge for exclusive experiences (chartering a boat is always popular in Dubrovnik - I haven't done that except for our rehearsal dinner). If you're looking for more upscale dining, I know Nautika and Restaurant 360 are always popular choices (be prepared to spend more there). Hope all that makes sense and helps :)
@@camdendavid Hey! No worries at all - thank you for getting back to me. This is really great advice and I appreciate you taking the time to talk me through some options, thank you! I am looking forward to our stay in Dubrovnik and I hope my partner enjoys the trip too! :)
Thanks for the video. I'll be there in December. I know it's not the ideal time but the weather should be at least mild/sunny, which is better than Canada. Thoughts on Dubrovnik during December?
Definitely warmer than Canada hahah. I haven't visited during December but I would imagine you'll have most of the city to yourself -- probably a unique type of experience. But I'll let any locals chime in :)
first time to croatia, Is there any national parks near to dubrovnik also do you recommend getting a ferry from dubrovnik to one of the nearby islands if so which one
It really depends on how long you have to visit and what type of transportation you'll have access to. There are a few national parks within a 3-4 hour drive: Krka is one of the most popular in Croatia. Mljet National Park is on an island and there should be a ferry to get you there. Sutjeska National Park is over the border in Bosnia but I've heard great things. Durmitor National Park is one in Montenegro. Lokrum Island isn't a national park but it'll be the easiest to get to (by a long shot). I haven't done a ton of island hopping so hopefully a local will see this and provide more insight. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the tips David! Just a few questions as I plan my trip to Dubrovnik:
1. Realistically speaking, for a first-timer, would 1 day be enough for completing a walk in the old town and city walls? I'm going in June so I'm prepared for lots of tourists ....
2. Many suggested getting a Dubrovnik pass as it's the same price as the ticket. Can I get it upon arrival or would you recommend buying online in advance (any service charge?)?
3. Unfortunately Google Map says Buza Bari and Bar dodo are closed! Any restaurants or food gems you would recommend?
Thanks so much!
Great questions!
1. You'll be busy, but one day should be enough for seeing the main sights in the old town.
2. The pass is great IF you're planning to see some of the other things it includes. But many tourists only end up going to see the walls. If you're just going to do the walls, it probably doesn't make sense to go through the process of having the pass. You could get it online or buy it upon arrival. Biggest advantage to online is you won't have to do it when you're there (not sure on any service charges).
3. Weird! I imagine those places will be up and running soon. I'd still plan on heading to Beach Sulic to see which spots are open. They have a couple bars on the beach and they'll all have great views. I'd also probably go to the entrance of the Buza Bars to see if you can access the water. If you can, I'd probably grab a pizza and plan a picnic down there (Pizzeria Tabasco is one of the more affordable pizza spots).
If you're only there for a day, I'd ignore trying to find any food gems. Dubrovnik is beautiful but I wouldn't say there's any food spots that you HAVE to try. I'd focus on enjoying the old town and seeing as much as you can (while eating cheap). Hope all that makes sense and hope you have a great trip!
I’m guessing he checked google maps without considering the time change. They were probably just closed at that time.
❤❤
Nice video.
Much appreciated
Parking fees - 20hours it was 147 euros. I was there couple of weeks ago and they ripped me off. Garage near the castle. You pay or else you cannot take your car back. Crooks!
Yikes! Definitely a place I would prefer to walk in.. appreciate you sharing
Is it worth taking dubrovnik pass for a day for entry to walls and fort? Also Can we book entry to walls and fort online?
Pretty sure the pass is currently the same price as the walls. If that's the case, definitely a good option to go with the pass (especially if you plan to visit the other attractions included). And yes, you can book tickets online :)
great video! how can i get from the airport to old town??
Taxi or Bus
I'd agree with @NikolaBevanda's response. Uber is another fine option (and what I typically choose - can be a few dollars more)
@@camdendavid thank you !!
Bus or Uber
Dude it is still cheaper than the US or other touristy places
Absolutely
Plitvice lake is my dream place to go , i have booked tickets to Dubrovnik ,i dont know car driving , can you please guide me how can i reach to plitivice is morning 7 so that i can it most?
Hmmmm, I'd probably be looking for day-trips offered through professional operators. They might have a bus that will get you up there. You'll have better luck with that if you can fly up to Zagreb though. Hope that makes sense!
@@camdendavid sometime Plitvice were full of Serbs living there....then genocide happened during ww2. Now it is an empty territory.
Wow some people in this comment section really need to relax lol.
What I wish I knew about dubrovnik before I went was the fact that there's literally nothing there, not worth going to atall
Eating in restaurants located in a Stradun street is not a TOURIST TRAP!!!??? The restaurants are places with local food of high quality and if you want to eat next to the George Clooney or Leonardo DiCaprio and have a great view to the heart of the city YOU HAVE TO PAY THE LOCATION!!!! If you don't want to pay it, don't tell the BS on your channel! Every tourist comming to Dubrovnik CAN AFFORD to eat at least once a lunch in one of those places. Forget about your McDonnald's food for 10 EUR here in Croatia.
McDonalds? I appreciate you sharing your perspective but I'll let the google reviews speak for themselves haha