DUBROVNIK - Croatia and Slovenia - page 438

Bad-Weather Warning: If you're planning to fly into or out of Dubrovnik, be aware that
the airport is located right in the blast zone of the fierce Bora winds that periodically howl
alongtheDalmatianCoast(especiallyinthelatefall).It'snotuncommonforflightscoming
intoDubrovniktobedivertedtoSplitinstead,withpassengersforcedtotakeadullfive-hour
bus journey to their intended destination. Departing flights are usually less affected (though
disruptions to incoming planes could, obviously, cause delays for departures as well). Per-
sonally, I've flown out of Dubrovnik a dozen times without incident, but it's not unheard of
for travelers to be inconvenienced by this.
By Car: Coming from the north, you'll drive over the modern Tu đ man Bridge (which
most locals, mindful of their former president's tarnished legacy, call simply “the New
Bridge”). Immediately after crossing the bridge, you have two options: To get to the main
bus station, ferry terminal (with some car-rental drop-off offices nearby), and Lapad Penin-
sula, take the left turn just after the bridge, wind down to the waterfront, then turn left and
follow this road along the Port Gruž embankment. Or, to head for the Old Town, continue
straight after the bridge. You'll pass above the Port Gruž area, then take the right turn-off
marked Dubrovnik (with the little bull's-eye). You'll go through a tunnel, then turn left for
Grad/Old City ; individual big hotels are also signed from here.
This road passes a big parking garage (described later), then twists you around over the
top of the Old Town, until you can see the lower station for the cable car. Here, you have
two choices, which will determine which one-way loop you'll get stuck in: If you want to
reach the Pile Gate (at the eastern end of the Old Town), make a sharp right turn just before
the cable car (watch for Grad/Old City signs), then turn right again (passing the entrance to
the“tenniscourt”parkinglot)tocurlaroundthebackofthecitywallandpopoutatthePile
Gate(withanother,verypriceyparkinglot),thenbackupoutoftowntowardBoninovoBay
andLapad.Or,ifyouwanttoheadeastoftheOldTown,continuestraightpastthecable-car
stationforalong,scenicdriveabovetheViktorijaarea,then(afterloopingdownagain)past
luxury hotels and to the Plo č e Gate.
Dubrovnik at a Glance
▲▲▲ Stradun Stroll Charming walk through Dubrovnik's vibrant Old Town, ideal
for coffee, ice cream, and people-watching. Hours: Always open. See here .
▲▲▲ City Walls Scenic mile-long walk along top of 15th-century fortifications en-
circling the city. Hours: July-Aug daily 8:00-19:30, progressively shorter hours off-
season until 10:00-15:00 in mid-Nov-mid-March. See here .