With over 250 sunny days a year, this small town with red-tiled roofs boasts heavenly scenery

Text and photos byHappy Cloud

Irish writer and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate George Bernard Shaw once said: “Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.”

When you read descriptions like these, it’s only natural to let your imagination run wild before you’ve even set foot in the small town of Dubrovnik. As the final stop on an Aegean cruise itinerary, this seaside hillside town—designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—seems especially blessed, enjoying more than 250 days of sunshine a year.

There are two great ways to take in the city’s scenery: one is to take the cable car up the mountain and look down at this charming little town from above,

and the other is to walk atop the ancient city walls and circle the town. Each offers a unique perspective—be sure to try both if you get the chance.

As I strolled along a short stretch of the wall, I noticed many signs of damage alongside newer reconstructions, and couldn’t help but wonder: does this comply with UNESCO World Heritage regulations?

It turns out that although the site was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1979, it suffered severe damage from over 2,000 bomb attacks during Croatia’s struggle for independence between 1991 and 1992. Reconstruction of the ancient city wasn’t completed until 1995, with assistance from UNESCO.

Placa-Stradun is the main street of the old town, and the polished marble-paved road before you is pretty cool.

Legend has it that this area was once a waterway before being filled in to become a street. The name of the boulevard comes from an Italian officer who visited and exclaimed, “What a magnificent street!” (Che Stradone!)

Croatia’s Dubrovnik Old Town may not have been as breathtaking as initially expected, but upon reviewing and organizing the photos after the trip, I realized it’s actually quite photogenic—and still a small yet historically significant UNESCO World Heritage town.

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