Point out the phrase Croatia, and Dubrovnik might be the primary metropolis that springs to thoughts. I can’t blame you; that is one in every of my favourite cities on the planet. Certain, 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 further 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 in every of Croatia’s most lovely cities.
SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons Why Croatia is a Digital Nomad’s Dream Destination
About Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is positioned within the southern Dalmatia region, lapped by the glittering waters of the Adriatic. It’s actually Croatia’s most well-known and busiest metropolis throughout the summer time months, however I additionally discovered it charming throughout the winter.
The one potential draw back to the slower (and colder) months is that almost all issues shut; nonetheless if that doesn’t trouble you, it is best to benefit from the slower tempo of life.
It’s a very historic metropolis, courting again to across the 7th century, and its most well-known spot is the town partitions. For those who’re a Game 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. Certain, it will possibly get busy throughout the peak summer time 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 turn into a hotspot for digital nomads, particularly throughout the summer time months. I loved visiting throughout the autumn months specifically, as I discovered a fantastic social scene with out the key crowds.
As you possibly can think about, Dubrovnik isn’t the most affordable 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 buddies and meet different individuals. 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 time months, notably 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 time 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 considered a safe place. In fact, it’s a big metropolis so at all times use your frequent sense and do not forget that in busy areas, there’s at all times an opportunity of pickpockets.
Regardless of the small threat of petty theft, I felt very at residence in Dubrovnik and infrequently 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 most important situation for me was the crowds across the metropolis wall areas throughout the peak summer time months, however that’s avoidable when you discover massive teams of individuals just a little overwhelming.
Greatest Areas to Reside 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 below are a few of my suggestions:
1. Previous City
If you wish to be as centrally positioned as attainable, the Old Town is for you. I spent a variety of 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 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 the town and means you’re by no means too distant 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 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 site visitors. It’s additionally residence 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 through bus if you wish to be proper in the midst of the 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 the town heart, round 6.5km/4 miles, nevertheless it’s straightforward to get to the Previous City through 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 dwell by the seashore 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
For those who’re serious about residing in Dubrovnik and wish to be someplace just a little extra luxurious, Ploče is an effective place to think about. Right here, you’ll discover some fancy accommodations and Airbnbs, and whereas the value is barely larger, the world presents a complicated vibe and is inside strolling distance of the Previous City.
I discovered Ploče fairly a cushty and welcoming place. Banje Beach can also be close by, so it’s a good selection when you take pleasure in seashore 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.
How one can Discover Lodging in Dubrovnik
Discovering lodging in Dubrovnik will be tough when you 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 time season begins, so you possibly can safe a spot to remain. For those who’re visiting within the winter months, you’ll discover lodging fairly straightforward to seek out.
1. Booking.com: I used reserving.com to seek out hostels and serviced lodging in Dubrovnik and at all times discovered nice costs. You can even search simply exterior of the town heart 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 lots of long-stay residences out there in Dubrovnik for respectable costs. Once more, it’s finest to ebook forward of time because the summer time season turns into very busy and many individuals have the identical concept—discover someplace to remain! Lapad is a very well-liked 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. This can be a good option to discover different like-minded individuals who you might be able to share lodging with and preserve prices low. It’s additionally a very good place to seek out further tips about saving cash and issues to see and do.
Value of Residing 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, nonetheless, it’s on par with most massive European cities, and if you know the way to chop prices, you’ll preserve money in your pocket.
Eating places and Groceries
For those who select to eat at eating places concentrating on vacationers, you’ll shortly run out of money. For instance, the price of a meal in a reasonable vacationer restaurant within the Previous City will price you round €30-€40, ($32-$43) relying on what you’ve got.
For those who keep away from these locations and as a substitute go to small, native eating places away from the town heart, you’ll discover decrease costs; I usually ate in a conventional place in Lapad for round €15/$16, which is sort of a saving.
For those who can, it’s finest to prepare dinner at residence 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. Basically, you should buy every week’s value of groceries for lower than €50/$53.
Lodging Prices
Lodging is most definitely to take the biggest chunk of your cash. The price of an residence varies in accordance with how shut or distant you might be from the Previous City, however on common, you’re round €650/$690 monthly. Your utilities, corresponding to electrical energy, water, fuel, and web are on prime of that value.
Through the summer time, you’ll want no 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 finest to attempt to share lodging when you can, so you possibly can halve these costs and save as you go. Nonetheless, you might 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 the town fairly walkable, and the middle is all pedestrianized, which makes getting round on foot lots simpler. This can be a good way to save cash.
If you wish to journey exterior of the town heart, 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 residence late at evening; they’re fairly costly and can eat into your finances.
SIM Playing cards and Information
I used Hrvatski Telekom (T-Cellular) 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 heart 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 can even use an eSIM, with Airalo being the most well-liked choice.
Whichever choice you select, it’s straightforward to prime your telephone up on the finish of the month, both on-line or by visiting a retailer within the metropolis heart.
Cash Saving Suggestions for Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is likely one of the costliest locations in Dubrovnik, however that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t save just a little cash right here and there. Listed below are my prime tips about methods to do exactly that.
- Prepare dinner at residence: Vacationer restaurant costs are a lot larger than common eating places; when you prepare dinner at residence, you’ll not solely lower your expenses however shall be extra inclined to eat healthily.
- Keep away from the height summer time months: Dubrovnik is a seasonal place so it is smart that costs are at all times 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 on the whole. The winter months are additionally good for cash saving, though the town is lots quieter.
- Stroll as a lot as attainable: Buses are low cost and straightforward to make use of, however when you stroll as a lot as you possibly can, you’ll discover these Euros sticking round moderately than disappearing. As I discussed, the middle of Dubrovnik specifically may be very straightforward to stroll round.
- Keep away from taxis: There are occasions if 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 shortly, choose to stroll or use the bus.
- Keep away from the vacationer entice: Vacationer locations are at all times 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 retailers moderately than vacationer ones close to the large sights.
- Keep exterior of the Previous City: It’s nice to remain centrally, however lease within the Previous City is way 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 eager about coworking spots. Though there are numerous distant staff right here, the town is primarily aimed towards vacationers, and there are but to be any good high quality coworking spaces.
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, corresponding to video calls. According 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-friendly cafes you should utilize as a substitute. When residing in Dubrovnik as a digital nomad, I discovered a number of spots to completely swimsuit my wants. Listed below 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 comfortable area with comfy chairs, nice WiFi, and implausible espresso. What extra might you need?
- Buzz Bar: For those who go to this bar/cafe throughout the day, you’ll discover it to be laidback, reasonably priced, and cozy for a couple of hours of labor. Nonetheless, it’s finest to depart earlier than 6 pm because it will get fairly busy and loud.
- Urban & Veggie: For those who’re vegan, that is the place for you. They provide scrumptious plant-based snacks and treats, nevertheless 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 shall be packed. For me, one of the best factor about life on this metropolis is that you just’re by no means too distant from a sight, a seashore, or just a fantastic 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 below are my prime picks:
1. Dubrovnik Metropolis Partitions
Palms down, the primary factor to do in Dubrovnik is to walk around the city walls. Nonetheless, there’s a huge however coming your approach: it’s finest 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 revel in it because of the crowds.
Regardless of that, it’s nonetheless my favourite factor to do – ensure you clear loads of area in your digicam for wonderful snaps. You may stroll across the partitions in round two hours most and from there, head into the Previous City to proceed your sightseeing tour. Click here to learn more concerning the metropolis partitions tour.
2. Elaphiti Islands
The attractive 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 seashore. I took an island-hopping boat trip 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 gorgeous views all over the 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 places across the metropolis. One of the best ways to do that is through a Game of Thrones walking 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 largest GoT fan however I nonetheless actually loved trying out the filming places. Having your picture 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 Automotive
I’m not sometimes one for heights, however I braved the Dubrovnik cable car, 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 automobile as early within the day as you possibly can if you wish to keep away from crowds. Generally it’s a must to wait fairly some time when you go to within the afternoon, particularly throughout the peak months. You probably have 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 Seashore
Sure, the identify would possibly make you suppose you’re some place else solely, however Copacabana Beach is one in every 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 time vibes.
Climate in Dubrovnik
If you would like one of the best of the climate, you’ll must take care of 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 throughout the summer time, with solely a mean of 38mm in August as an entire.
Even throughout the spring and fall months, you’ll expertise loads of sunshine, with round 12 hours of sunshine in May and 10 in September. If you wish to go to throughout 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 presents a comparatively delicate excessive of 12°C/54°F.
Execs and Cons of Residing in Dubrovnik
As with anyplace on the planet, there are each professionals and cons of residing in Dubrovnik.
Execs of Residing in Dubrovnik
- Lots to see and do: There’s a motive Dubrovnik is so well-liked as a trip spot; there’s lots to see and do. Throughout your day off, you’ll be spoilt for selection in the case 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 individuals: Dubrovnik is a well-liked spot for digital nomads and vacationers on the whole. I met many like-minded individuals 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 the town heart, the bus community is affordable and dependable.
- Implausible climate throughout the summer time: The summer time months carry seemingly infinite sunshine and splendidly scorching days. For those who’re into summer time vibes, Dubrovnik gained’t disappoint you.
Cons of Residing in Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik is costlier than different Croatian cities: Let’s deal with the elephant within the room: Dubrovnik will 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 will be troublesome: As a result of Dubrovnik is a largely summer time vacation spot, you might wrestle to seek out lodging when you go away it too late. As such, you want to plan forward.
- Dubrovnik may be very quiet throughout the winter months: Whereas it’s attainable to spend time in Dubrovnik throughout the winter, many bars, eating places, cafes, and retailers are closed for the season. You’ll discover a extra genuine vibe, and it’s lots simpler to discover the town partitions, however you might discover leisure barely missing.
- No coworking areas: Dubrovnik doesn’t have any coworking areas but; when you’re extra productive in a coworking setup, you might 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 attainable to dwell and work on this lovely nation for as much as one yr. Working remotely in Dubrovnik is now lots simpler because of this improvement. The visa is comparatively straightforward to use for and granted shortly 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 go away, await 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 is usually a hostel deal with that you just replace as soon as you discover someplace extra everlasting.
The additional excellent news is you can 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 best methods, and also you’ll meet so many different individuals throughout your time. In fact, you additionally get to remain someplace that’s dripping in magnificence and historical past, which actually provides to the enchantment.
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 just a little completely different from anyplace else, and with just a little intelligent planning and some suggestions, you possibly can preserve money in your pocket and discover far and huge.
