Splashed by the blue Adriatic and surrounded by famously stout walls, Dubrovnik is the most popular destination in Croatia, the perfectly-preserved Medieval and Baroque riches of its Old Town an inexhaustible source of wonder and fascination.

Packed with museums and sights (including those unmissably strollable set of walls), Dubrovnik is also a beach resort, with several attractive shingle strands within easy reach of the centre. The city is also an ideal base from which to visit the tranquil, unspoilt Elafiti Islands, the botanical gardens at Trsteno, and the cute port of Cavtat.

Dubrovnik boasts some great restaurants and atmospheric bars, although it is in the unique urban setting that the real magic lies. Accommodation and food are more expensive in Dubrovnik than elsewhere in Croatia, especially between Easter and October; travelling out of season can bring considerable benefits.