There are some stunning towns and cities in Croatia, but none compare to Dubrovnik. There's only one problem. Budget travelers can feel squeezed out due to the large number of visitors to this Dalmatian port.
Some of the best things to do in the city are free. The experience of just being there is what makes Dubrovnik appealing.
Houses and churches are surrounded by stone walls. During the day the Adriatic shimmers with sunlight while at night the paved streets shimmer with their own light. You don't have to pay a Croatian kuna to see great paintings and markets.
Squeeze every moment out of your next vacation with tips and tricks from Lonely Planet in our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.The outer rim of the city has green hills that are a great place to enjoy nature. The old town's terracotta roofs can be seen from the top of the Way of the Cross.
The hiking trails on the Petka hills lead through the cool shade of Mediterranean forests up to stunning views of the tiny Grebeni rocks. Don't go out in the high sun, come prepared with water, sunscreen, snacks and a sun hat.
The setting for intrigue, murder and some dagger-sharp one-liners is likely to be found in House of the Dragon, as it was in Game of thrones.
You can take a self-guided walking tour of the highlights, starting at the Jesuit stairs, where the notorious "walk of shame" scene was set. You can go to Gradac Park, where Joffrey had a bad wedding experience, if you stroll down to the shore.
The city's greatest sight is the Old Town. It has a mix of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture that makes it feel like a fairy-tale. There was a trading network stretching from the Adriatic to the Black Sea. It was rebuilt after a 1667 earthquake and feels like it has not changed in hundreds of years.
It's the best part for budget travelers. The streets are open to everyone, even though there is a fee to climb the walls. You can see tourists and locals from the stairs of the church, sit on a bench in the harbor, or look at swimmers at the beach.
Local and international artists have their work displayed in churches. Titian's Assumption of Mary can be seen above the main altar in the Baroque Cathedral. The church is free, but there is a small fee to get into the Treasury.
Stunning Baroque frescoes fill the main apse, and colorful stained glass windows by renowned local painter Ivo Duli, are other highlights.
The carved column in the middle of Lua Sq isn't seen by many visitors. The city used to have a statue of a knight. The hero of the Song of Roland is shown in the column. The city-state's basic measurement of length was the 51.2 cm (20.2in) right forearm.
Every morning, the Grad Market adds a splash of color to the stone. You can get a free taste of some of the traditional local sweets at many stalls. The main market in Gru has a fish market.
The war that followed Yugoslavia's break up shattered the city. The city's scars are hard to spot, but if you look around the old town you'll see the damage from the war. The portraits of the young men and women who died defending Dubrovnik are on display in a free room at the Palace.
Even the most popular beaches, like Banje, have room for beachgoers who want to put down a towel. If you want to sunbathe the way locals do it, go to rugged Dane or scenic uli. There are pebbly shores and dramatic sunsets at Lapad Bay.
You will learn a lot when you visit the exclusive Clara Stones Jewellery. The only semiprecious material in the region is known for its shiny scarlet color, yet before you can get your hands on it, you need to know that it is not shiny nor red. You can see the transformation at the workshop.
You can take a day trip to the islands around Dubrovnik for free, but you have to help the group clean up some of the coast. After about an hour of work, you can take a break and swim in crystal-clear waters, explore watery caves and more. The NGOs rely on donations and these aren't mandatory.
In November and December, the Dubrovnik Tourism Board gives away a free ticket to the town. Guided walking tours of the old town are followed by a folk singing and dancing performance on Lua Sq, giving insight into traditions that have nourished this gem of a city for centuries.
The article was first published about a month ago.
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