Dubrovnik for £100 a night
LESS than 30 years ago, Dubrovnik was under siege during Yugoslavia’s break-up. Now, it’s a booming tourist destination attracting 1.2 million annual visitors. With its ancient churches and monasteries, this medieval walled city by the Adriatic Sea is incredibly photogenic — no wonder it was chosen as a key setting for TV show Game Of Thrones (prompting a stampede of fans). But can you visit this mega-popular Unesco World Heritage Site on the cheap?
Where to stay Hotel Ivka
HOTELS within the city walls are super-pricey, but Ivka is a 30-minute walk from Pile Gate, one of the main entrances. It’s a pleasant stroll to this no-nonsense, friendly hotel on a quiet side street in the Lapad district, and it has comfortable rooms (ask for one with a balcony). Plus there’s a relaxing little bar terrace. B&B doubles from £64 (ivkahoteldubrovnik.com)
Hotel Sumratin
ALSO in Lapad — a bus ride or a 40-minute walk to the city — this is for those who want to enjoy the Old Town and the sea (pictured far right). It’s up a hill from Sunset Beach in a pretty cove. Do not expect a fancy design hotel: rooms are basic, but spotless. B&B doubles from £73 (hotel-sumratin.com)
Hotel Neptun
THE last of our Lapad trio has wildly fluctuating prices. Over the summer, rooms here can cost around £200 a night. But grab a deal before the crowds arrive — or in early autumn when it’s still warm — and rates can be as little as £73. There’s a terrace with sun loungers and steps to the crystal- clear Adriatic, plus an infinity pool. Rooms are slick and modern. B&B B& doubles from £73 (hotelneptundubrovnik.com)
Airbnb
IF EVER a city were made for Airbnb, it’s Dubrovnik. Old Town summer prices are usually about £120 to £150. But rates drop at places such as Room Ella, a quiet flat a 15-minute walk away. Rooms from £68 at Room Ella (airbnb.co.uk); prices can fluctuate
Where to eat Konoba Rozario
CLOSE to the Dominican Monastery, Rozario (pictured top right) is a good-value, down-toearth restaurant run by Marina and Marin Vuletic. Enjoy various seafood and meat dishes either on the small terrace or in the cosy dining room. The oysters and grilled squid are especially good; three courses from £25. Address: 1 Prijeko, konoba-rozario.hr THIS restaurant, popular with locals, is outside the city walls by Pile Gate with terrific sea views (pictured above left). It’s the sister restaurant of Nautika, which is just across a square (one of the city’s best). But you can dine on swordfish carpaccio, seafood risotto and octopus salad here for much less — around £25 for three courses. The citrusy ‘ rozata’ pudding is a treat. nautikarestaurants.com
Barba
SITuATED on the passageway toward the cable car station which takes you to the ridgetop overlooking the city, Barba is a tiny fast-food joint famous for its tasty octopus burgers (£8.50). Tuna burgers (£8.80) and sardine burgers (£7.30) are also on offer. It’s a perfect pitstop. Address: 5 Ulica Boskoviceva
Buffet Skola
FOR a sandwich on the go, look no further than Buffet Skola. In an alley close to the Franciscan monastery, this gem serves homemade focaccia- style bread with Dalmatian cured ham, local cheese and tomatoes. It costs about £3.50 for a sandwich. Address: 1 Ulica Antuninska
Kavana Teatar
PIZZAS are very popular here. Pizzeria Baracuda, in an alley off the Old Town’s main road (Stradun), is a good choice, as is Pizzeria Tabasco by the cable car station; pizzas cost around £10.50 at each. For a bargain, head to the atmospheric Kavana Teatar in Lapad, where elderly gents play cards and a good margherita is £3.70. Address: 72 Iva Vojnovica
How to get there
BRITISH Airways has return flights from Gatwick costing from £126 ( ba.com); airport buses to the city centre depart every 15 minutes and cost £4.65, taking half an hour. For further information, go to croatia.hr