Find your dream catamaran rental in Dubrovnik and South Dalmatia

Venture to this impressive fortress city and discover the gorgeous green islands in the Adriatic Sea

Dubrovnik is undoubtedly one of the most impressive cities in South Dalmatia. Make sure to also pay a visit to the small, green islands in southern Dalmatia. These stunning islands are full of lush green nature and excellent little konobas (small Croatian restaurants).

The perfect holiday destination for lovers of nature and culture

Dubrovnik is a veritable cornucopia of Mediterranean beauty and cultural heritage. There are also plenty of different areas that are easily accessible during a sailing trip. You can also take a trip to Montenegro.

Must-see locations during your catamaran rental in Southern Dalmatia

Dubrovnik and the surrounding area

The ACI Marina Dubrovnik, which is a great starting point for your trip, is located at Komolac, at the end of the Rijeka Dubrovacka fjord, which is about two nautical miles from the city. The marina has a wide range of services, including a supermarket, a wonderful restaurant, a café, a beer bar, clean sanitary facilities, a laundrette, a swimming pool, tennis courts and playgrounds, a hairdressing salon, a massage parlour and an internet café. The old town is about six kilometres from the marina and is easily reached by local buses.

The impressive Lovrijenac Fortress sits on a steep 37-metre-high cliff and is located at the city’s western entrance. Numerous legends are associated with this impregnable fortress' history. It is said to have been built within three months and, from the 11th century onwards, has provided protection for the city of Dubrovnik against the repeated attacks of the Venetians.

This fortress was the greatest defender of freedom for centuries. Carved in stone above the front door are the words "NON BENE PRO TOTO LIBERTAS VENDITUR AURO" (Freedom will not be sold for all the gold in the world).

Explore the city during your catamaran rental in Dubrovnik

The city of Dubrovnik offers a spectacular cable car ride up Mount Srđ (405 m). The ride starts in the old town and takes just under 5 minutes. From the top of the hill, you will have an incomparable view of the old town and the island of Lokrum. Food and drink are readily available. There are two panoramic terraces and a snack bar. Price for the round trip is approximately €10.00.

Stradun

This is the most beautiful and important street in the heart of the old town, and is also sometimes known as Placa Luža. The name Stradun comes from the Venetians and means "Big Street".

Today, this street is lined with a great number of small shops, galleries and souvenir shops. There is a wide variety of restaurants and cafés along the narrow streets that branch off of Stradun. In the evening, the Stradun becomes an open-air stage and promenade. Sit back in one of the many street cafés and look out over the hustle and bustle of the street whilst sipping wine or an espresso.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival

Every year on July 10th, the Libertas flag is raised on the Roland Column, which marks the start of Dubrovnik's oldest music and theatre festival. In order to prepare for the festival, the city's squares, streets and churches are transformed into stages every summer.

Synagogues and churches

The Sv. Gospa Cathedral (Assumption) is diagonally opposite the Dean's Palace. According to historical sources, this Romanesque cathedral was a richly decorated basilica whose dome was adorned with magnificent sculptures. According to legend, Richard Lionheart was stranded on the island of Lokrum in 1192 on the way home from his third crusade. Out of gratitude for his rescue, he provided the church with an endowment. Above the main altar you can admire a painting by the Venetian artist Titian from 1552.

St. Blasius has been the patron saint of Dubrovnik since 972. According to legend, he saved the city from the Venetians. Relics of the patron saint are kept in the treasury of Dubrovnik Cathedral and are shown to the faithful every year on the 3rd of February during the procession on the streets of the city.

The city wall and towers

The city walls measure approximately 2 kilometres long and consist of the main wall, 16 towers, three forts, six bastions, two corner forts, three outer walls, three moats, two outer forts and two drawbridges.

Most of the wall still looks exactly as it did between the 12th and 17th centuries, when it was designed and built.

Restaurants, food and wine

Dubrovnik's restaurants and konobas offer their guests a wide variety of culinary delights. During your catamaran rental in Dubrovnik, be sure to taste the fresh fish specialities prepared with homemade olive oil. You also cannot miss out on Dubrovnik's legendary orange cake. Other culinary highlights include the marmalade made from pungent oranges and other tasty delicacies made from fruit and aromatic liqueurs.

Great dining options

Make sure to stop by these restaurants during your catamaran rental in Dubrovnik:

• Restaurant Zoë, Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik Tel. +385-20 44 04 84
• Restaurant Mediterraneo, Kardinala Stepinca 31, 20000, Croatia, Tel. +385 20 440 100

Nightlife in Dubrovnik

If you want to immerse yourself in the nightlife, visit Club EastWest which is located on the Banje beach directly by the sea. The clubbing scene also includes Club Lazareti. This popular hub has an interactive stage and an outdoor terrace with a view of the city harbour

The Elaphiti Islands and the region’s larger islands

Lokrum

The island of Lokrum, a historical goldmine, is a protected nature park with tropical and subtropical vegetation. Benedictine monks founded a monastery on the island in the 11th century and planted a large exotic garden. The monks had to leave Lokrum when the island was sold in 1798. They proceeded to curse all future owners of the island.

In 1839, Habsburg Archduke Maximilian Ferdinand bought the entire island and made it his summer residence. Empress Elisabeth was also a guest on the island during the Habsburg period. According to legend, she threw her lacklustre pearls into the sea, wanting to restore them to their original state, but the empress fell victim to an assassination attempt and never returned to the island. The pearls have not been found to this day.

Today, the former monastery houses a restaurant.

On the east coast of the evergreen island is the small port of Portoc. From here, there is a path leading to the remains of a fortress. From the fortress you are greeted with a magical view of Lokrum and Dubrovnik. Another attraction is the small "Mrtvo more" saltwater lake, located in the south of the island.

The Elaphite archipelago is located a few nautical miles northwest of Dubrovnik and consists of 13 islands. Only the three largest islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan are inhabited.

Lopud

Lopud is covered in many different types of vegetation and is the second largest of the Elaphite Islands. Sunj Bay is normally a beautiful anchorage, but it is important to be aware of winds coming from the south. In the case of Jugo/Sirocco winds, the northwest bay of the island is recommended as a safe anchorage.

From here, you will have a beautiful view of the island of Šipan. On the north side of the bay is a small harbour protected by two piers. A full range of utilities are available in the village of Lopud and the island also has its own freshwater springs.

Šipan

Šipan is the largest island in the archipelago. The Romans built two towns on the island that still exist today: Šipanska Luka and Sudurad. The harbours in Sudurad and Sipanska Luka (the two coastal towns) are famous for the sheer number mega yachts that anchor there during the season. This is where the jet set and high society find peace and relaxation. In addition to numerous other musicians, actors and politicians, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are among the island’s most prominent visitors.

There is a Renaissance castle high above the village of Šipanska Luka. From there you will have a magnificent view of the island and the bay.

Mljet

Mljet’s most renowned site is its national park, with is home to a myriad of fauna and flora as well as extensive holm oak forests. The centre of the national park has two natural saltwater lakes. Benedictine monks from Apulia built a monastery there in the 12th century. In order to operate their mills, they dug a branch canal that connects the lakes with the sea.

In Pomena, you can dock your catamaran rental for free at the pier of the Konoba Barba Ive restaurant, provided you reserve a table for dinner. From here, you can visit the national park and the two saltwater lakes on foot.

Luka Polace is a bay sheltered on all sides, surrounded by forested mountains. Numerous catamarans anchor in this sheltered bay during the season.

According to Greek mythology, Odysseus is said to have been stranded on Mljet on a voyage that went astray. The beautiful sea nymph Calypso fell in love with him and held him captive there with her spell for seven years.

Korčula

The town of Korcula with its ACI Marina is located on the eastern side of the island. To get a berth in season, you will have to arrive early.

Vela Luka, the largest town on the island, is located on the west side of Korcula in a deeply cut bay. Provided you can get a spot on the town pier, you will be safe from bow anchors and protected from all winds.

Most of the sights, such as the Cathedral of St. Mark, the Bishop's Palace and its treasury, along with Marco Polo's house, are in Korcula, the island’s capital. According to legend, Marco Polo was born in Korcula in 1254. The world traveller's house is located near the cathedral. You can see old maps and documents in his house.

Restaurants and bars in the old town

Korcula has a variety of good restaurants. The "Konoba Adio Mare" is located in the centre of the old town, right next to Marco Polo's house. This where you can be pampered with national dishes and local wines. The restaurant "Kanavelic" serves a rich selection of seafood, and the "Konoba Marinero" offers homemade regional specialities.

If you want to get into the nightlife, visit the "Tramonto Cocktail Bar". From the terrace you will have a wonderful view of the harbour and the vessels. "Dos Locos" is a great hangout site for young people, and "Dnodna" bar is a meeting place for locals and sailors.

Lastovo

Lastovo is about 24 nautical miles south of Korčula and 22 nautical miles west of Mljet. The island was a restricted military area during the Yugoslavian era. The Yugoslav army ran an important base here. Numerous bunkers are silent witnesses to that today. In 2006, the island of Lastovo and the surrounding islands were declared a nature park. The island is known for its blue lagoons and for having the best freshly caught lobster in the entire Adriatic.

The Peljesac peninsula

The Peljesac peninsula stretches from Ston to Cape Lovište. It is about 71 km long and 6 km wide and is connected to the mainland by a narrow land bridge. A large variety of produce grows here, for example: olive groves, fig trees, grapes, almonds, oranges, pomegranates and mandarins. The peninsula is known for the Dingac wine region, which is one of the most important wine-growing areas in Croatia. This is where premium-quality wines are made from the Plavac Mali grape.

Beautiful anchorages and moorings for your catamaran rental in Dubrovnik can be found in Loviste, Trpanj, Drace, Brijesta, Luka, Mali-Ston, Tjpanje, Trstenik, Orebić and Zuzljana.