Point out the phrase Croatia, and Dubrovnik might be the primary metropolis that springs to thoughts. I can’t blame you; that is one among my favourite cities on the planet. Positive, it’s very busy in the summertime months, however dwelling in Dubrovnik is an expertise like no different.
As a digital nomad dwelling in Dubrovnik, you’ll discover greater than sufficient to fill your time—a lot so that you simply’ll in all probability must consider a couple of additional days off. Having spent a good period of time on this lovely place, I’m effectively positioned to advise you on the ins and outs of life in one among Croatia’s most lovely cities.
About Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is situated within the southern Dalmatia area, lapped by the glittering waters of the Adriatic. It’s definitely Croatia’s most well-known and busiest metropolis in the course of the summer season months, however I additionally discovered it charming in the course of the winter.
The one potential draw back to the slower (and colder) months is that almost all issues shut; nevertheless if that doesn’t trouble you, you need to benefit from the slower tempo of life.
It’s a very historic metropolis, relationship again to across the seventh century, and its most well-known spot is town partitions. When you’re a Sport of Thrones fan, you’ll be thrilled to know that there are a number of filming websites to find across the metropolis.
For me, life in Dubrovnik is about consuming good meals, socializing, taking within the lovely surroundings, and exploring the neighboring areas. Positive, it may well get busy in the course of the peak summer season months, however there’s a lot to see and try this it’s straightforward to flee the crowds for a couple of days.
Digital Nomad in Dubrovnik: Private Expertise
Since Croatia launched its digital nomad visa (extra on that later), Dubrovnik has turn out to be a hotspot for digital nomads, particularly in the course of the summer season months. I loved visiting in the course of the autumn months specifically, as I discovered an important social scene with out the foremost crowds.
As you possibly can think about, Dubrovnik isn’t the most affordable metropolis due to its touristic label, however there are many methods to chop prices. I loved my time within the metropolis and located it very easy to make new mates and meet different folks. The web is quick, there are many nice cafes to work from, and general, I had a incredible high quality of life throughout my keep.
I discovered the height summer season months, significantly July and August, somewhat too populated, and I don’t advise you to aim to stroll town partitions at the moment. Nonetheless, the climate is wonderful, there are some nice seashores close by, and also you’re certain to like the full-on summer season vibe.
Is Dubrovnik Protected?
The excellent news is that dwelling in Dubrovnik as a digital nomad is unlikely to pose any important security issues. I by no means felt unsafe or unnerved throughout my time there, and general, Dubrovnik is taken into account a secure place. In fact, it’s a big metropolis so at all times use your frequent sense and keep in mind that in busy areas, there’s at all times an opportunity of pickpockets.
Regardless of the small danger of petty theft, I felt very at house in Dubrovnik and sometimes walked round by myself with out feeling any want to stay to the busier areas. In reality, I felt very secure in Croatia general.
The largest situation for me was the crowds across the metropolis wall areas in the course of the peak summer season months, however that’s avoidable if you happen to discover massive teams of individuals somewhat overwhelming.
Finest Areas to Stay in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik isn’t a very sprawling metropolis, however there are some very best areas to base your self as a digital nomad. Listed here are a few of my suggestions:
1. Previous City
If you wish to be as centrally situated as attainable, the Previous City is for you. I spent numerous my time right here, and though I didn’t search lodging within the space, I discovered it a reasonably vibrant and enjoyable spot. The one draw back is that you simply’re prone to spend extra on lease, but when yow will discover somebody to share with, you’ll save money.
When working remotely in Dubrovnik, selecting to remain within the Previous City cuts down on commuting prices. It locations you within the coronary heart of town and means you’re by no means too far-off from nightlife, eating places, and sights. There are additionally loads of incredible cafes to work from on this neighborhood.
2. Lapad
If you wish to keep someplace that also has a vigorous vibe however isn’t fairly as central because the Previous City, I’d advocate Lapad. This neighborhood is pedestrianized, so that you’re not going to be disturbed by visitors. It’s additionally house to some fairly cafes, eating places, and a welcoming seaside view.
I preferred Lapad as I discovered it to be a bit extra chilled out in comparison with the Previous City. There are many cafes to work from on this space, and lease is barely decrease as a result of it’s not fairly as central. It’s additionally fairly straightforward to get to the Previous City by way of bus if you wish to be proper in the midst of town itself.
3. Babin Kuk
I stayed within the Babin Kuk space for some time and I actually preferred it there. It’s barely out of town middle, round 6.5km/4 miles, but it surely’s straightforward to get to the Previous City by way of bus. I loved the slower tempo and the very fact that there have been fewer crowds. The one draw back is that lease isn’t that low-cost; it’s classed as being fairly high-end.
Nonetheless, if you wish to reside by the seaside and revel in lazy days in cafes with a view, this can be a great place. I met many different distant staff on this neighborhood, and since it’s quieter, I felt much less overwhelmed by noise and crowds.
4. Ploče
When you’re enthusiastic about dwelling in Dubrovnik and wish to be someplace somewhat extra luxurious, Ploče is an efficient place to think about. Right here, you’ll discover some fancy motels and Airbnbs, and whereas the worth is barely increased, the world provides a complicated vibe and is inside strolling distance of the Previous City.
I discovered Ploče fairly a cushty and welcoming place. Banje Seaside can also be close by, so it’s a good selection if you happen to get pleasure from seaside time throughout your downtime. There are additionally loads of nightlife choices round, with out being proper within the thick of it. Personally, I really feel this neighborhood is a superb supply of center floor between common life and touristic enjoyable.
Discover Lodging in Dubrovnik
Discovering lodging in Dubrovnik may be difficult if you happen to depart it somewhat too late to start your search. I like to recommend planning to reach a month or so earlier than the summer season season begins, so you possibly can safe a spot to remain. When you’re visiting within the winter months, you’ll discover lodging fairly straightforward to seek out.
1. Reserving.com: I used reserving.com to seek out hostels and serviced lodging in Dubrovnik and at all times discovered nice costs. You may as well search simply outdoors of town middle to maintain prices low. Nonetheless, I’d advocate reserving as far upfront as attainable, to keep away from one of the best costs being snapped up.
2. Airbnb: There are a lot of long-stay flats out there in Dubrovnik for first rate costs. Once more, it’s finest to ebook forward of time because the summer season season turns into very busy and many individuals have the identical concept—discover someplace to remain! Lapad is a very fashionable place for Airbnbs.
3. Fb teams: When you search on Fb, you’ll discover many teams for Dubrovnik itself, together with digital nomad teams. This can be a good solution to discover different like-minded individuals who you might be able to share lodging with and hold prices low. It’s additionally a great place to seek out additional tips about saving cash and issues to see and do.
Price of Residing in Dubrovnik
I really feel the price of dwelling in Dubrovnik is barely increased than in the remainder of the nation, however that’s possible as a result of it’s such a vacationer place. Total, nevertheless, it’s on par with most massive European cities, and if you know the way to chop prices, you’ll hold money in your pocket.
Eating places and Groceries
When you select to eat at eating places focusing on vacationers, you’ll rapidly run out of money. For instance, the price of a meal in a average vacationer restaurant within the Previous City will price you round €30-€40, ($32-$43) relying on what you may have.
When you keep away from these locations and as a substitute go to small, native eating places away from town middle, you’ll discover decrease costs; I usually ate in a conventional place in Lapad for round €15/$16, which is kind of a saving.
When you can, it’s finest to cook dinner at house as you’ll discover groceries fairly moderately priced. Head to the recent fruit and vegetable markets to fill up on recent produce and go to the native butcher on your meat. Generally, you should purchase per week’s price of groceries for lower than €50/$53.
Lodging Prices
Lodging is almost certainly to take the most important chunk of your cash. The price of an house varies based on how shut or far-off you might be from the Previous City, however on common, you’re round €650/$690 per thirty days. Your utilities, equivalent to electrical energy, water, fuel, and web are on prime of that worth.
In the course of the summer season, you’ll want a minimum of a fan, however air-conditioning if in all probability preferable. On common, utilities will price round €350/$370, relying in your utilization.
For these causes, it’s finest to attempt to share lodging if you happen to can, so you possibly can halve these costs and save as you go. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll discover that Airbnb works out cheaper if yow will discover someplace that permits long-term stays. Once more, keep away from the Previous City to maintain costs a bit decrease.
Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
The excellent news is that as a Dubrovnik digital nomad, you’ll discover it straightforward to get round. I discovered town fairly walkable, and the middle is all pedestrianized, which makes getting round on foot quite a bit simpler. This can be a smart way to economize.
If you wish to journey outdoors of town middle, the bus community is dependable and comparatively low-cost. A one-way ticket prices round €2/$2.10, and I discovered buses very easy to make use of. I’d advocate solely utilizing taxis or Uber when you want to, e.g. if you want to get house late at evening; they’re fairly costly and can eat into your funds.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
I used Hrvatski Telekom (T-Cell) for my SIM card wants, and it lined my calls and knowledge at cheap prices. It’s very easy to get a SIM card; you merely take your passport right into a retailer within the metropolis middle they usually’ll set you up. A SIM card is reasonably priced, at round €5/$5.30.
Different dependable SIM suppliers embody A1 and Telemach. You may as well use an eSIM, with Airalo being the most well-liked choice.
Whichever choice you select, it’s straightforward to prime your cellphone up on the finish of the month, both on-line or by visiting a retailer within the metropolis middle.
Cash Saving Suggestions for Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is among the most costly locations in Dubrovnik, however that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t save somewhat cash right here and there. Listed here are my prime tips about the way to do exactly that.
- Cook dinner at house: Vacationer restaurant costs are a lot increased than common eating places; if you happen to cook dinner at house, you’ll not solely lower your expenses however shall be extra inclined to eat healthily.
- Keep away from the height summer season months: Dubrovnik is a seasonal place so it is sensible that costs are at all times increased from round June to the center of September. When you can, keep away from these months and also you’ll discover cheaper costs normally. The winter months are additionally good for cash saving, though town is quite a bit quieter.
- Stroll as a lot as attainable: Buses are low-cost and straightforward to make use of, however if you happen to stroll as a lot as you possibly can, you’ll discover these Euros sticking round slightly than disappearing. As I discussed, the middle of Dubrovnik specifically could be very straightforward to stroll round.
- Keep away from taxis: There are occasions while you would possibly want to make use of a taxi but when attainable, attempt to keep away from them. Taxis are costly, and except it’s late at evening otherwise you’re determined to get someplace rapidly, decide to stroll or use the bus.
- Keep away from the vacationer entice: Vacationer locations are at all times costlier than extra conventional spots. Be sure you keep away from vacationer eating places but in addition just remember to do your procuring in small, locally-owned outlets slightly than vacationer ones close to the large sights.
- Keep outdoors of the Previous City: It’s nice to remain centrally, however lease within the Previous City is far increased than within the suburban areas. When you can, share your lodging and go halves.
Coworking Areas in Dubrovnik and WiFi Velocity
Being a digital nomad in Dubrovnik, you’re in all probability occupied with coworking spots. Though there are various distant staff right here, town is primarily aimed towards vacationers, and there are but to be any good high quality coworking areas.
The excellent news is that you simply’ll discover loads of nice cafes to work from, and I’ll speak about these shortly.
One other plus level of staying in Dubrovnik is the web. I didn’t expertise any issues with WiFi throughout my time in Dubrovnik, even when utilizing it for heavy work, equivalent to video calls. In line with Speedtest, the common add and obtain speeds in Dubrovnik are 13.64 Mbps and 31.16 Mbps respectively.
Finest Cafes to Work From in Dubrovnik
There aren’t any coworking areas in Dubrovnik, however there are many nice, laptop-friendly cafes you should utilize as a substitute. When dwelling in Dubrovnik as a digital nomad, I discovered a number of spots to completely go well with my wants. Listed here are my suggestions:
- Nishta: I actually preferred this cafe, not solely as a result of it’s proper within the coronary heart of the Previous City, however as a result of it’s a comfy house with snug chairs, nice WiFi, and incredible espresso. What extra may you need?
- Buzz Bar: When you go to this bar/cafe in the course of the day, you’ll discover it to be laidback, reasonably priced, and comfy for a couple of hours of labor. Nonetheless, it’s finest to go away earlier than 6 pm because it will get fairly busy and loud.
- City & Veggie: When you’re vegan, that is the place for you. They provide scrumptious plant-based snacks and treats, but it surely’s additionally a cushty place to work from. The employees don’t thoughts you utilizing your laptop computer, and I used to be fairly productive from this spot.
Actions and Issues To Do in Dubrovnik
Whereas dwelling in Dubrovnik, your days off shall be packed. For me, one of the best factor about life on this metropolis is that you simply’re by no means too far-off from a sight, a seaside, or just an important cafe to sit down and chill for some time.
To offer you an concept of what you possibly can spend your free time on, listed here are my prime picks:
1. Dubrovnik Metropolis Partitions
Arms down, the primary factor to do in Dubrovnik is to stroll across the metropolis partitions. Nonetheless, there’s a huge however coming your manner: it’s finest to do that very early within the morning or outdoors of the height season. In July and August, it’s almost not possible to stroll round right here and revel in it as a result of crowds.
Regardless of that, it’s nonetheless my favourite factor to do – be sure to clear loads of house in your digicam for wonderful snaps. You’ll be able to stroll across the partitions in round two hours most and from there, head into the Previous City to proceed your sightseeing tour. Click on right here to be taught extra in regards to the metropolis partitions tour.
2. Elaphiti Islands
The gorgeous Elaphiti Islands are a brief boat journey from Dubrovnik harbor – it’s a good way to flee the hustle and bustle and revel in a day on the seaside. I took an island-hopping boat journey that lasted round eight hours and I used to be so blissed out by the top of it; I can’t advocate it sufficient.
Taking a guided tour means you’ll get to see a number of islands, and Šipan was my favourite. There are additionally ruins of church buildings to discover, vineyards, and beautiful views in every single place you look.
3. Sport of Thrones Strolling Tour
When you’re a soon-to-be Dubrovnik digital nomad and a GoT fan, you have to go to the filming places across the metropolis. One of the simplest ways to do that is by way of a Sport of Thrones strolling tour, which can take you to Fort Lovrijenac, Pile Gate, and Stradun. You’ll additionally go to a reproduction of the well-known Iron Throne at Jesuit Stairs.
Admittedly, I’m not the largest GoT fan however I nonetheless actually loved trying out the filming places. Having your photograph taken on the Iron Throne can also be a must-do and one thing you’ll wish to share in your social media accounts for everybody to see.
4. Dubrovnik Cable Automobile
I’m not sometimes one for heights, however I braved the Dubrovnik cable automotive, and I’m so glad I did. The views from the highest are merely spectacular and actually gave me a brand new appreciation of the world’s magnificence.
I’d advocate happening the cable automotive as early within the day as you possibly can if you wish to keep away from crowds. Generally you need to wait fairly some time if you happen to go to within the afternoon, particularly in the course of the peak months. When you’ve got time, seize a espresso and a few cake from the restaurant on the prime and revel in a full day or a couple of hours at leisure.
5. Copacabana Seaside
Sure, the identify would possibly make you suppose you’re some other place completely, however Copacabana Seaside is one among my favourite chill-out spots in Dubrovnik. It’s fairly straightforward to get to; you merely take the bus to Lapad after which stroll alongside the marked path. It takes not more than quarter-hour by foot.
Right here, you’ll discover a restaurant, sun-loungers and parasols for rent, and there are watersports too. Total, it’s only a excellent place to take in the solar, get a tan, and customarily benefit from the summer season vibes.
Climate in Dubrovnik
If you need one of the best of the climate, you’ll must cope with the crowds and go to Dubrovnik between June and the center of September. The hottest month is July, with a mean excessive temperature of 29°C/85°F, and a mean sea temperature of 24°C/75°F. There’s little probability of rain in the course of the summer season, with solely a mean of 38mm in August as an entire.
Even in the course of the spring and fall months, you’ll expertise loads of sunshine, with round 12 hours of sunshine in Might and 10 in September. If you wish to go to in the course of the winter months and revel in a extra chilled-out vibe, you would possibly wish to keep away from November because the wettest month. Regardless of that, the coldest month of January nonetheless provides a comparatively delicate excessive of 12°C/54°F.
Professionals and Cons of Residing in Dubrovnik
As with wherever on the planet, there are each execs and cons of dwelling in Dubrovnik.
Professionals of Residing in Dubrovnik
- A lot to see and do: There’s a motive Dubrovnik is so fashionable as a trip spot; there’s a lot to see and do. Throughout your day off, you’ll be spoilt for alternative on the subject of historic locations to go to and areas of pure magnificence.
- Dependable, high-quality web: I by no means had a difficulty with the Web in Dubrovnik, and I discovered it very straightforward to be productive and get all my work performed.
- It’s straightforward to fulfill different like-minded folks: Dubrovnik is a well-liked spot for digital nomads and vacationers normally. I met many like-minded folks there; it’s straightforward to seek out others to community or just socialize with.
- Getting round is straightforward: Dubrovnik is a really walkable metropolis, and even when you want to go additional than town middle, the bus community is reasonable and dependable.
- Incredible climate in the course of the summer season: The summer season months carry seemingly countless sunshine and splendidly scorching days. When you’re into summer season vibes, Dubrovnik gained’t disappoint you.
Cons of Residing in Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik is costlier than different Croatian cities: Let’s tackle the elephant within the room: Dubrovnik may be dear. Nonetheless, as I’ve talked about, there are methods to chop prices so that you get one of the best of each worlds.
- Discovering lodging may be tough: As a result of Dubrovnik is a principally summer season vacation spot, it’s possible you’ll wrestle to seek out lodging if you happen to depart it too late. As such, you want to plan forward.
- Dubrovnik could be very quiet in the course of the winter months: Whereas it’s attainable to spend time in Dubrovnik in the course of the winter, many bars, eating places, cafes, and outlets are closed for the season. You’ll discover a extra genuine vibe, and it’s quite a bit simpler to discover town partitions, however it’s possible you’ll discover leisure barely missing.
- No coworking areas: Dubrovnik doesn’t have any coworking areas but; if you happen to’re extra productive in a coworking setup, it’s possible you’ll be upset. Nonetheless, I discovered loads of nice laptop-friendly cafes.
Digital Nomad Visa for Dubrovnik
In January 2021, Croatia formally launched its digital nomad visa, making it attainable to reside and work on this lovely nation for as much as one yr. Working remotely in Dubrovnik is now quite a bit simpler due to this growth. The visa is comparatively straightforward to use for and granted rapidly so long as you present all the mandatory paperwork.
If granted, the visa means that you can keep for as much as a yr and can’t be renewed. Nonetheless, you possibly can depart, anticipate six months after which reapply. You’ll want to indicate that you’ve got sufficient funds to assist you throughout your keep together with an tackle in Croatia—this is usually a hostel tackle that you simply replace as soon as you discover someplace extra everlasting.
The additional excellent news is that you would be able to additionally apply to carry your partner and youngsters with you as a part of the household reunification course of.
In Conclusion
I hope this digital nomad information to Dubrovnik has answered your questions and whet your urge for food. Residing in Dubrovnik is an expertise in all the suitable methods, and also you’ll meet so many different folks throughout your time. In fact, you additionally get to remain someplace that’s dripping in magnificence and historical past, which definitely provides to the attraction.
I loved my time in Dubrovnik a lot that I hope to return. Whereas it’s not the most affordable vacation spot in Croatia, it’s a metropolis that gives one thing somewhat totally different from wherever else, and with somewhat intelligent planning and some ideas, you possibly can hold money in your pocket and discover far and large.
