Point out the phrase Croatia, and Dubrovnik might be the primary metropolis that springs to thoughts. I can’t blame you; that is considered one of my favourite cities on this planet. Positive, it’s very busy in the summertime months, however residing in Dubrovnik is an expertise like no different.
As a digital nomad residing in Dubrovnik, you’ll discover greater than sufficient to fill your time—a lot so that you just’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 properly positioned to advise you on the ins and outs of life in considered one of 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 throughout the summer season months, however I additionally discovered it charming throughout the winter.
The one potential draw back to the slower (and colder) months is that the majority issues shut; nevertheless if that doesn’t trouble you, you must 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 the town partitions. For those who’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 will probably get busy throughout the peak summer season months, however there’s a lot to see and do 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 develop into a hotspot for digital nomads, particularly throughout the summer season months. I loved visiting throughout the autumn months specifically, as I discovered a terrific social scene with out the most important crowds.
As you’ll be able to think about, Dubrovnik isn’t the most cost effective metropolis because of 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 implausible high quality of life throughout my keep.
I discovered the height summer season months, significantly July and August, just a little too populated, and I don’t advise you to aim to stroll the town partitions right now. 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 residing in Dubrovnik as a digital nomad is unlikely to pose any vital 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 all the time use your frequent sense and keep in mind that in busy areas, there’s all the time an opportunity of pickpockets.
Regardless of the small threat of petty theft, I felt very at house in Dubrovnik and sometimes walked round alone with out feeling any want to stay to the busier areas. In reality, I felt very secure in Croatia general.
The most important subject for me was the crowds across the metropolis wall areas throughout the peak summer season months, however that’s avoidable if you happen to discover giant teams of individuals just a little overwhelming.
Greatest Areas to Stay in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik isn’t a very sprawling metropolis, however there are some ideally suited areas to base your self as a digital nomad. Listed here are a few of my suggestions:
1. Outdated City
If you wish to be as centrally situated as potential, the Outdated 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 just’re prone to spend extra on lease, but when you will discover somebody to share with, you’ll save money.
When working remotely in Dubrovnik, selecting to remain within the Outdated City cuts down on commuting prices. It locations you within the coronary heart of the town and means you’re by no means too far-off from nightlife, eating places, and sights. There are additionally loads of implausible cafes to work from on this neighborhood.
2. Lapad
If you wish to keep someplace that also has a full of life vibe however isn’t fairly as central because the Outdated City, I’d suggest 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 favored Lapad as I discovered it to be a bit extra chilled out in comparison with the Outdated 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 Outdated City by way of bus if you wish to be proper in the course of the town itself.
3. Babin Kuk
I stayed within the Babin Kuk space for some time and I actually favored it there. It’s barely out of the town middle, round 6.5km/4 miles, however it’s straightforward to get to the Outdated City by way of bus. I loved the slower tempo and the actual 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 stay by the seaside and luxuriate in lazy days in cafes with a view, this can be a great spot. 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
For those who’re eager about residing in Dubrovnik and need to be someplace just a little extra luxurious, Ploče is an efficient place to contemplate. Right here, you’ll discover some fancy lodges and Airbnbs, and whereas the value is barely larger, the world presents a classy vibe and is inside strolling distance of the Outdated 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 good supply of center floor between common life and touristic enjoyable.
Methods to Discover Lodging in Dubrovnik
Discovering lodging in Dubrovnik might be difficult if you happen to go away it just a little 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’ll be able to safe a spot to remain. For those who’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 all the time discovered nice costs. You too can search simply exterior of the town middle to maintain prices low. Nonetheless, I’d suggest reserving as far upfront as potential, to keep away from one of the best costs being snapped up.
2. Airbnb: There are lots of long-stay flats out there in Dubrovnik for respectable costs. Once more, it’s greatest to ebook forward of time because the summer season season turns into very busy and many individuals have the identical thought—discover someplace to remain! Lapad is a very in style place for Airbnbs.
3. Fb teams: For those who search on Fb, you’ll discover many teams for Dubrovnik itself, together with digital nomad teams. It is a good strategy to discover different like-minded individuals who you could possibly share lodging with and maintain prices low. It’s additionally a superb place to seek out additional tips about saving cash and issues to see and do.
Price of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
I really feel the price of residing in Dubrovnik is barely larger 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 giant European cities, and if you know the way to chop prices, you’ll maintain money in your pocket.
Eating places and Groceries
For those who 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 Outdated City will price you round €30-€40, ($32-$43) relying on what you could have.
For those who keep away from these locations and as a substitute go to small, native eating places away from the town middle, you’ll discover decrease costs; I typically ate in a standard place in Lapad for round €15/$16, which is kind of a saving.
For those who can, it’s greatest to cook dinner at house as you’ll discover groceries fairly moderately priced. Head to the contemporary fruit and vegetable markets to refill on contemporary produce and go to the native butcher on your meat. Generally, you should purchase every week’s value of groceries for lower than €50/$53.
Lodging Prices
Lodging is most probably to take the most important chunk of your cash. The price of an residence varies in accordance with how shut or far-off you might be from the Outdated City, however on common, you’re taking a look at round €650/$690 monthly. Your utilities, equivalent to electrical energy, water, gasoline, and web are on prime of that worth.
In the course of the summer season, you’ll want not less than 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 greatest to attempt to share lodging if you happen to can, so you’ll be able to halve these costs and save as you go. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll discover that Airbnb works out cheaper if you will discover someplace that enables long-term stays. Once more, keep away from the Outdated 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 the town fairly walkable, and the middle is all pedestrianized, which makes getting round on foot quite a bit simpler. It is a wonderful means to save cash.
If you wish to journey exterior of the 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 suggest solely utilizing taxis or Uber when it’s essential to, e.g. if it’s essential to get house late at night time; they’re fairly costly and can eat into your finances.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
I used Hrvatski Telekom (T-Cellular) for my SIM card wants, and it coated my calls and knowledge at affordable prices. It’s very easy to get a SIM card; you merely take your passport right into a retailer within the metropolis middle and so they’ll set you up. A SIM card is inexpensive, at round €5/$5.30.
Different dependable SIM suppliers embody A1 and Telemach. You too can use an eSIM, with Airalo being the preferred possibility.
Whichever possibility 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’ll be able to’t save just a little cash right here and there. Listed here are my prime tips about how you can do exactly that.
- Prepare dinner at house: Vacationer restaurant costs are a lot larger than common eating places; if you happen to cook dinner at house, you’ll not solely get monetary savings however will likely be extra inclined to eat healthily.
- Keep away from the height summer season months: Dubrovnik is a seasonal place so it is smart that costs are all the time larger from round June to the center of September. For those who can, keep away from these months and also you’ll discover cheaper costs basically. The winter months are additionally good for cash saving, though the town is quite a bit quieter.
- Stroll as a lot as potential: Buses are low cost and straightforward to make use of, however if you happen to stroll as a lot as you’ll be able to, 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 whenever you may want to make use of a taxi but when potential, attempt to keep away from them. Taxis are costly, and except it’s late at night time otherwise you’re determined to get someplace rapidly, decide to stroll or use the bus.
- Keep away from the vacationer entice: Vacationer locations are all the time costlier than extra conventional spots. Make sure to keep away from vacationer eating places but additionally just remember to do your buying in small, locally-owned outlets slightly than vacationer ones close to the massive sights.
- Keep exterior of the Outdated City: It’s nice to remain centrally, however lease within the Outdated City is far larger than within the suburban areas. For those who can, share your lodging and go halves.
Coworking Areas in Dubrovnik and WiFi Pace
Being a digital nomad in Dubrovnik, you’re in all probability occupied with coworking spots. Though there are a lot of distant staff right here, the town is primarily aimed towards vacationers, and there are but to be any good high quality coworking areas.
The excellent news is that you just’ll discover loads of nice cafes to work from, and I’ll discuss 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 response to Speedtest, the typical add and obtain speeds in Dubrovnik are 13.64 Mbps and 31.16 Mbps respectively.
Greatest Cafes to Work From in Dubrovnik
There aren’t any coworking areas in Dubrovnik, however there are many nice, laptop computer-friendly cafes you need to use as a substitute. When residing 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 favored this cafe, not solely as a result of it’s proper within the coronary heart of the Outdated City, however as a result of it’s a comfortable area with comfy chairs, nice WiFi, and implausible espresso. What extra may you need?
- Buzz Bar: For those who go to this bar/cafe throughout the day, you’ll discover it to be laidback, inexpensive, and cozy for a couple of hours of labor. Nonetheless, it’s greatest to depart earlier than 6 pm because it will get fairly busy and loud.
- City & Veggie: For those who’re vegan, that is the place for you. They provide scrumptious plant-based snacks and treats, however it’s additionally a cushty place to work from. The workers 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 residing in Dubrovnik, your days off will likely be packed. For me, one of the best factor about life on this metropolis is that you just’re by no means too far-off from a sight, a seaside, or just a terrific cafe to sit down and chill for some time.
To present you an thought of what you’ll be able to spend your free time on, listed here are my prime picks:
1. Dubrovnik Metropolis Partitions
Fingers down, the primary factor to do in Dubrovnik is to stroll across the metropolis partitions. Nonetheless, there’s a large however coming your manner: it’s greatest to do that very early within the morning or exterior of the height season. In July and August, it’s almost unimaginable to stroll round right here and luxuriate in it because of the crowds.
Regardless of that, it’s nonetheless my favourite factor to do – be sure to clear loads of area in your digital camera for wonderful snaps. You may stroll across the partitions in round two hours most and from there, head into the Outdated City to proceed your sightseeing tour. Click on right here to study 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 luxuriate 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 tip of it; I can’t suggest 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
For those who’re a soon-to-be Dubrovnik digital nomad and a GoT fan, you have to go to the filming areas across the metropolis. One of the simplest ways to do that is by way of a Sport of Thrones strolling tour, which is able to 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 most important GoT fan however I nonetheless actually loved testing the filming areas. Having your picture taken on the Iron Throne can also be a must-do and one thing you’ll need 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 automobile, 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 suggest occurring the cable automobile as early within the day as you’ll be able to if you wish to keep away from crowds. Generally you must wait fairly some time if you happen to go to within the afternoon, particularly throughout the peak months. If in case you have time, seize a espresso and a few cake from the restaurant on the prime and luxuriate in a full day or a couple of hours at leisure.
5. Copacabana Seaside
Sure, the title may make you assume you’re some other place totally, however Copacabana Seaside is considered one of 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 spot to take in the solar, get a tan, and usually 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 median excessive temperature of 29°C/85°F, and a median sea temperature of 24°C/75°F. There’s little likelihood of rain throughout the summer season, with solely a median of 38mm in August as a complete.
Even throughout 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 throughout the winter months and luxuriate in a extra chilled-out vibe, you may need to keep away from November because the wettest month. Regardless of that, the coldest month of January nonetheless presents a comparatively gentle excessive of 12°C/54°F.
Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
As with anyplace on this planet, there are each execs and cons of residing in Dubrovnik.
Execs of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
- Lots to see and do: There’s a cause Dubrovnik is so in style as a trip spot; there’s a lot to see and do. Throughout your break day, you’ll be spoilt for alternative with regards to 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 completed.
- It’s straightforward to fulfill different like-minded folks: Dubrovnik is a well-liked spot for digital nomads and vacationers basically. 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 it’s essential to go additional than the town middle, the bus community is reasonable and dependable.
- Unbelievable climate throughout the summer season: The summer season months carry seemingly limitless sunshine and splendidly sizzling days. For those who’re into summer season vibes, Dubrovnik received’t disappoint you.
Cons of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik is costlier than different Croatian cities: Let’s deal with the elephant within the room: Dubrovnik might 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 might be troublesome: As a result of Dubrovnik is a largely summer season vacation spot, it’s possible you’ll battle to seek out lodging if you happen to go away it too late. As such, it’s essential to plan forward.
- Dubrovnik could be very quiet throughout the winter months: Whereas it’s potential to spend time in Dubrovnik throughout 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 the 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 dissatisfied. 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 potential to stay and work on this lovely nation for as much as one yr. Working remotely in Dubrovnik is now quite a bit simpler because of this improvement. The visa is comparatively straightforward to use for and granted rapidly so long as you present all the mandatory paperwork.
If granted, the visa permits you to keep for as much as a yr and can’t be renewed. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to go away, look forward to 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 deal with in Croatia—this generally is a hostel deal with that you just replace as soon as you discover someplace extra everlasting.
The additional excellent news is which you could 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. Dwelling in Dubrovnik is an expertise in all the appropriate 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 enchantment.
I loved my time in Dubrovnik a lot that I hope to return. Whereas it’s not the most cost effective vacation spot in Croatia, it’s a metropolis that gives one thing just a little totally different from anyplace else, and with just a little intelligent planning and some ideas, you’ll be able to maintain money in your pocket and discover far and broad.
