Top things to do in Split and Dubrovnik - That's Not Game of Thrones

[jkbec101]

These two ports have me stumped.  Been watching YouTube videos and reading multiple webpages with the "perfect one day itinerary", but need advice from people who've actually been.  We'll be with NCL and so many of their excursions are Game of Throne themed and that's just not our jam.

 

What are your top things to do in each port.

 

What's new that shouldn't be missed?

[mskaufman]

In Dubrovnik, just walk the wall (35 E) and then take in the scenery. If you get to the harbor, not a long walk there are plenty of vendors selling things to do. In Split, the NCL tour that includes Trogir is very nice.

[sushraya]

We are going soon to these two ports.  Here's our plan:

 

Split:  Going to try a free walking tour, visit Diocletian palace, climb up Marjan hill for a view and just walk along the port promenade area.

 

Dubrovnik:  Catch a bus to Pile Gate, walk the walls (35 euros), then take a cable car to the top of Mt Srd.  Grab a drink at the top, savor the views and then walk around in the old town area.

 

 

[edinburgher]

14 hours ago, jkbec101 said:

What's new that shouldn't be missed?

Both are ancient historic cities so not much will be "new".

 

In addition to  watching your videos, if you have not already searched for and read past threads for both, you might find some of these offer useful info.

 

 

Dubrovnik

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=dubrovnik&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

 

Split.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=split&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

[mskaufman]

Here are my videos for Split and Dubrovnik

 

 

[PurpleTraveller]

Both Dubrovnik and Split are very easy to DIY and both are very old cities so most of what you can see will be old. In Dubrovnik you can walk the city walls, explore the old town or go up the cable car. In Split you can explore the Diocletian Palace and enjoy the waterfront area. Both have plenty of shops and restaurants. You can also choose to go further afield on a tour depending on your interests. Plenty of options in both places which include going to beaches, boat tours, other towns, parks, waterfalls to name a few.

 

[John Bull]

Split

 

A 20-minute waterside walk past ferries to the old town, centred on the Diocletian's Palace. Cheap, easy, restful.

 

Or there will be various tour vendors at the quayside - on one occasion from there we rode a Model T Ford station wagon round some sights. This example of a "T" was a model I'd not come across before - it had automatic transmission, blinkers & other modern accessories, and dashboard decals were all in Chinese. And it was in immaculate condition for a 100-year-old vehicle. Do you think it might have been a replica ? 😄  

 

Trogir is a historic port, busy with tourists and gulets - rather touristic but interesting. It's about 18 miles away by bus or taxi, probably best left for another future visit to Split.

 

Dubrovnik

The cruise berths are at Gruz, 2 - 3 miles from the walled city. Too far to walk, take ship's (convenient but probably over-priced) shuttlebus, or taxi lined up at the berth, or local bus, to Pila (Pile) Gate. 

The city wall is complete, the entrance steps are ijust inside the Pila Gate - you'll need Euros or card. In peak season walk the walls early in the day, it'll be hot and there's little shade - you can descend halfway round if the heat beats you. Then a short uphill walk from the walled city to the cablecar which takes you up to the top of Mount Srd for a panoramic view of the city from behind a tall cold beer.

One time we killed two birds with one stone - negotiated (hard) for a taxi to take us from the ship to the top of Mt Srd along a steep, narrow & twisting road, then the cablecar down & a short downhill walk to the Buza Gate into the city. But don't do it that way if it's high season & you also want to walk the walls.

 

JB 🙂

 

[Malleykatt]

There will be taxis at Gruz as John Bull said. We got a taxi for four of us and for €50 he drove us up to  Franjo Tudman bridge for a view from the top. Then up the narrow road to the top of Mount Srd. Here is the cable car and a small museum. Our driver was a small boy during the war he and he then took us to where he used to live. We finished at Pile Gate after about a 2 hour ride.

To get back we got the local bus that was crowded but quick.