Dubbed by poet Byron as "the pearl of the Adriatic", Dubrovnik Riviera is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Europe - but it's not all deep blue sea and dramatic coastline. The popular Old Town is filled with limestone streets you'll love getting lost in, while Baroque churches and characterful palazzi are dotted throughout. Complete with medieval fortifications, a Dubrovnik Riviera villa holiday will be a truly unique one.
Fancy a bit of island hopping? Many Croatian islands await you just a short boat ride away, making this a perfect day-trip destination hotspot too.
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked villas in Dubrovnik Riviera have this in spades.
We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking luxury villas and holiday homes in Dubrovnik Riviera that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our villas are 100% family-friendly, and have the ‘wow’ factor.
Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
With its medieval fortifications, limestone streets, pebbly beaches and seafood restaurants, you'd be hard pressed to find a reason not to visit Dubrovnik Riviera. Brimming with character owing to the city's long history, it may have become a popular tourist destination in recent years but there's still plenty to uncover away from the masses.
Globetrotting gourmands in particular will relish a visit during the Dubrovnik FestiWine in April - perfectly timed considering it falls just before most tourists descend! The Good Food Festival in October is similarly a must-visit, complete with culinary workshops to enjoy before finding your own favourite spots throughout the city.
Throw in the chance to island hop, soak up the views from bastions and towers, kick back on Copacabana Beach, and then seek shade in the Franciscan Monastery, and you've got a perfect European holiday destination.
Many tourists come to Dubrovnik Riviera specifically to wander the medieval city walls and explore the charming Old Town. However, did you know that its history actually extends back to the Roman, Byzantine and Venetian times? A trip to the Maritime Museum will fill you in on how the city has resisted wars and sieges across the centuries, while the War Photo Limited gallery also makes for a moving visit.
Game of Thrones fans can explore more of the city's fantastical history by visiting some of the series' filming locations - there are even dedicated tours! Fort Lovrjenac was used as the Red Keep, while Rector's Palace served as the Spice King's Qarth abode.
If you prefer your entertainment to be live onstage as opposed to on a screen, Fort Lovrjenac transforms into a wonderful outdoor theatre space in the summertime. Some of Shakespeare's most popular plays are regularly performed, but be sure to score your tickets in advance!
Dubrovnik is every foodie's paradise, bringing together traditional flavours of nearby Bosnia, Montenegro and Italy to create some truly delicious dishes. Unsurprisingly, many menus have a seafood emphasis, with local chefs making the most of the city's proximity to the sea. Mussels cooked in white wine, squid ink risotto and oysters abound!
If you're someone who likes to pick at multiple plates, you're also in luck: there's a strong platter culture here, serving up fresh meats and cheeses. And what makes everything better? A drizzle of olive oil, which is the foundation of all authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
However, those who like to kick back on their Croatia villa holiday with a glass of wine are also in luck. The Peljesac peninsula produces some of Croatia's finest reds, perfectly lending the region to wine-tasting tours. Coffee more your speed? Dubrovnik locals are also partial to a macchiato - enjoy one in an authentic Old Town cafe as you watch the world go by.
Still hungry for more? Check out our blog on the traditional foods to try on your Dubrovnik villa holiday.
Great for kids: They'll never get bored with jet skis, inflatables and kayaks available to hire, but if you want to take things one step further, why not try a buggy safari?
Great for teens: Older ones will be able to fully appreciate the history of this city while finding their very own hidden gems. There's also lots of potential for snap-sharing on social media!
Spend afternoons sightseeing: All the cruise ships and big tour groups arrive earlier in the morning, meaning crowd levels start to calm down as you cross over into the latter half of the day.
By its very nature, Dubrovnik is a walkable city. That makes it perfect for those who prefer to make their travel plans up as they go along, stumbling upon local eateries and finding the accidental magic around cobbled street corners.
While there's plenty to see on our Dubrovnik villa holidays, the surrounding region and coastline are home to many more towns, villages and islands that make for excellent day trips. Offering you luscious scenery, stunning architecture and sandy beaches, these spots are definitely worthy of a place on your Croatia villa holiday itinerary.
Many of these are accessible by bus or water taxi, making it even easier to plan a little trip out of the city - or maybe extend your stay by a day or two.
The Kravice Waterfalls are around 2.5 hours from Dubrovnik, inviting you into a world of bountiful greenery, bubbling water and an emerald pool - well worth the drive, and especially beautiful in spring.
Just 30 minutes away, Cavtat boasts a charming Old Town all of its own - but this one attracts far fewer crowds, making for a calmer visit. After a morning spent wandering its cobbled streets, kick back on the pebbly beach and watch paddle-boarders go by beneath glorious blue skies.
This small country is home to many stunning towns and villages of its own - so much so you may prefer to make this the next stop on your trip rather than simply a day's outing. You'll find red-roofed houses built into towering hillsides, picturesque pine forests plus the walled city of Kotor.
This medieval walled town is found on its very own island. Perhaps most famous for serving as the birthplace for Marco Polo, it's easily reachable via catamaran, granting you access to the impressive St Mark's Cathedral as well as luscious vineyards and fragrant olive groves.
Arguably the most popular day trip on the Dalmatian Coast, the island of Lokrum is just a short ferry ride away. Covered in pine trees while also being home to the Lokrum Botanical Garden, this is the ideal spot for those who love to surround themselves with nature. We'd suggest a quick swim in Lake Mrtvo More too!
Mostar is actually a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city - intrigued yet? It's intersected by the Neretva River, with the historic and highly instagrammable Old Bridge built over the top. However, the key draw for many is Apparition Hill, which is where six children once claimed to see the Virgin Mary in 1981.
Tired of sitting around on a beach and ready to get out and explore? Mljet National Park is a top spot for active adventurers, situated on one of the largest Dalmatian islands. Whether you choose to kayak in its saltwater lakes or hike up the mountains, you'll find your breath being taken away in more ways than one!
British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 all offer direct flights into Dubrovnik Airport from all across the UK. The flight time is around 2.5 hours and tickets can be relatively inexpensive if booked in advance.
The airport itself is 22km south of the city, with regular buses charging just £4.25 to cover the half-hour journey to the Pile Gate, and then it's onto one of our Dubrovnik holiday villas!
There's a complicated one-way system in place throughout Dubrovnik, meaning it's not the easiest place to get around - especially when you factor in all the tourists come high season. However, cars are available to rent at the airport and city centre from Avis and Hertz. This gives you the freedom to explore more of Croatia throughout your stay.
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is all pedestrianised, but you won't find trains, trams or subways throughout the wider city either. However, due to it being fairly compact, you can easily explore and get around by foot.
Libertas buses connect Gruz, Lapad, Babin Kuk and Ploce with the Old Town via 3 different routes. You can purchase single fares from Tisak newsstands or pay on the bus - but you must have exact change! 24-hour hopper tickets are also available and fairly cheap.
If you're looking to take a day trip or perhaps stay overnight at one of the nearby islands, you're in luck - regular ferries and catamarans leave from Gruz harbour, with most offering disabled access.
You'll do a lot of walking in Dubrovnik Riviera, so be sure to pack comfortable shoes that can withstand long days of exploring.
Dubrovnik is found along the Adriatic Coastline, so you'll find a variety of sandy shores with clear blue waters and rocky coves to explore.
What are the Top things to do in Dubrovnik?
You can go on a snorkeling or kayaking tour, walk the walls of Dubrovnik, take a tour of the old town and even visit Game of Thrones filming locations. If you're looking to venture further, you can take a boat to the surrounding islands and see their local forts.
The Best way to get to Dubrovnik is by air, with direct flights from across Europe. You can also get a flight to the capital, Zagreb, and connect from there by car or bus.
The best time to visit Dubrovnik is between September and October, when it isn't too hot but hot enough to go for a swim. You'll generally find cheaper rates too.
