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 all 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 have to think about a number of further days off. Having spent a good period of time on this stunning place, I’m properly positioned to advise you on the ins and outs of life in one in all Croatia’s most stunning 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, it’s best 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. If you happen to’re a Recreation 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 stunning surroundings, and exploring the neighboring areas. Positive, it may get busy in the course of the peak summer season months, however there’s a lot to see and do this it’s straightforward to flee the crowds for a number 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 in the course of the summer season months. I loved visiting in the course of the autumn months specifically, as I discovered a terrific social scene with out the most important 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 pals and meet different individuals. The web is quick, there are many nice cafes to work from, and total, I had a implausible high quality of life throughout my keep.
I discovered the height summer season months, notably July and August, slightly too populated, and I don’t advise you to aim to stroll town partitions presently. Nevertheless, 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 Secure?
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 total, Dubrovnik is taken into account a secure place. In fact, it’s a big metropolis so all the time use your widespread sense and keep in mind that in busy areas, there’s all the time an opportunity of pickpockets.
Regardless of the small danger of petty theft, I felt very at dwelling in Dubrovnik and sometimes walked round alone with out feeling any want to stay to the busier areas. The truth is, I felt very secure in Croatia total.
The most important concern 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 slightly overwhelming.
Finest Areas to Dwell in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik isn’t a very sprawling metropolis, however there are some superb 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 doable, 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 fairly vibrant and enjoyable spot. The one draw back is that you simply’re more likely 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 Outdated City cuts down on commuting prices. It locations you within the coronary heart of 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 energetic 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 site visitors. It’s additionally dwelling 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 through bus if you wish to be proper in the course of 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 town heart, round 6.5km/4 miles, but it surely’s straightforward to get to the Outdated City through 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.
Nevertheless, if you wish to reside by the seashore and luxuriate in lazy days in cafes with a view, this can be a great place. I met many different distant employees on this neighborhood, and since it’s quieter, I felt much less overwhelmed by noise and crowds.
4. Ploče
If you happen to’re occupied with dwelling in Dubrovnik and need to be someplace slightly 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 greater, the world provides a classy vibe and is inside strolling distance of the Outdated City.
I discovered Ploče fairly a snug and welcoming place. Banje Seaside can also be close by, so it’s a sensible choice if you happen to get pleasure from 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.
The right way to Discover Lodging in Dubrovnik
Discovering lodging in Dubrovnik may be difficult if you happen to depart it slightly 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. If you happen to’re visiting within the winter months, you’ll discover lodging fairly straightforward to search out.
1. Reserving.com: I used reserving.com to search out hostels and serviced lodging in Dubrovnik and all the time discovered nice costs. You can even search simply exterior of town heart to maintain prices low. Nevertheless, I’d suggest reserving as far prematurely as doable, to keep away from the most effective 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 greatest to e-book 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 widespread place for Airbnbs.
3. Fb teams: If you happen to 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 might be able to share lodging with and preserve prices low. It’s additionally place to search out further tips about saving cash and issues to see and do.
Value of Residing in Dubrovnik
I really feel the price of dwelling in Dubrovnik is barely greater than in the remainder of the nation, however that’s doubtless as a result of it’s such a vacationer place. Total, nevertheless, it’s on par with most massive European cities, and if you understand how to chop prices, you’ll preserve money in your pocket.
Eating places and Groceries
If you happen to 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 have got.
If you happen to keep away from these locations and as an alternative go to small, native eating places away from 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.
If you happen to can, it’s greatest to prepare dinner at dwelling as you’ll discover groceries fairly fairly priced. Head to the contemporary fruit and vegetable markets to fill up on contemporary produce and go to the native butcher on your meat. Usually, you should buy every week’s value of groceries for lower than €50/$53.
Lodging Prices
Lodging is almost definitely to take the biggest chunk of your cash. The price of an residence varies in keeping with how shut or distant you might be from the Outdated City, however on common, you’re taking a look at round €650/$690 per 30 days. Your utilities, similar to electrical energy, water, gasoline, and web are on high of that value.
Throughout the summer season, you’ll want at the very least 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 try to share lodging if you happen to can, so you possibly can halve these costs and save as you go. Nevertheless, chances are you’ll discover that Airbnb works out cheaper if yow will discover someplace that permits 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 town fairly walkable, and the middle is all pedestrianized, which makes getting round on foot so much simpler. It is a good way to save cash.
If you wish to journey exterior of 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 suggest solely utilizing taxis or Uber when you could, e.g. if you could get dwelling late at night time; they’re fairly costly and can eat into your finances.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
I used Hrvatski Telekom (T-Cell) for my SIM card wants, and it coated 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 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 can even use an eSIM, with Airalo being the preferred possibility.
Whichever possibility you select, it’s straightforward to high your cellphone 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 without doubt one of the costliest locations in Dubrovnik, however that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t save slightly cash right here and there. Listed here are my high tips about the way to just do that.
- Prepare dinner at dwelling: Vacationer restaurant costs are a lot greater than common eating places; if you happen to prepare dinner at dwelling, you’ll not solely lower your expenses however will probably 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 greater from round June to the center of September. If you happen to can, keep away from these months and also you’ll discover cheaper costs usually. The winter months are additionally good for cash saving, though town is so much quieter.
- Stroll as a lot as doable: Buses are low-cost and simple to make use of, however if you happen to stroll as a lot as you possibly can, you’ll discover these Euros sticking round fairly than disappearing. As I discussed, the middle of Dubrovnik specifically could be very straightforward to stroll round.
- Keep away from taxis: There are occasions once you would possibly want to make use of a taxi but when doable, try to keep away from them. Taxis are costly, and except it’s late at night time otherwise you’re determined to get someplace rapidly, choose to stroll or use the bus.
- Keep away from the vacationer lure: Vacationer locations are all the time costlier than extra conventional spots. Be sure you keep away from vacationer eating places but additionally just remember to do your purchasing in small, locally-owned retailers fairly 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 greater than within the suburban areas. If you happen to 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 keen on coworking spots. Though there are numerous distant employees 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, similar to video calls. Based on 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 computer-friendly cafes you should utilize as an alternative. When dwelling in Dubrovnik as a digital nomad, I discovered a number of spots to completely swimsuit 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 snug chairs, nice WiFi, and implausible espresso. What extra might you need?
- Buzz Bar: If you happen to go to this bar/cafe in the course of the day, you’ll discover it to be laidback, inexpensive, and cozy for a number of hours of labor. Nevertheless, it’s greatest to go away earlier than 6 pm because it will get fairly busy and loud.
- City & Veggie: If you happen to’re vegan, that is the place for you. They provide scrumptious plant-based snacks and treats, but it surely’s additionally a snug 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 dwelling in Dubrovnik, your days off will probably be packed. For me, the most effective factor about life on this metropolis is that you simply’re by no means too distant from a sight, a seashore, or just a terrific 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 high picks:
1. Dubrovnik Metropolis Partitions
Arms down, the primary factor to do in Dubrovnik is to stroll across the metropolis partitions. Nevertheless, there’s a massive 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 practically unimaginable to stroll round right here and luxuriate in it as a result of crowds.
Regardless of that, it’s nonetheless my favourite factor to do – be sure to clear loads of area in your digicam for wonderful snaps. You possibly can 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 seashore. 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 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. Recreation of Thrones Strolling Tour
If you happen to’re a soon-to-be Dubrovnik digital nomad and a GoT fan, you have to go to the filming places across the metropolis. The easiest way to do that is through a Recreation 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 largest GoT fan however I nonetheless actually loved testing the filming places. Having your photograph 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 usually 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 suggest occurring the cable automotive as early within the day as you possibly can 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 in the course of the peak months. You probably have time, seize a espresso and a few cake from the restaurant on the high and luxuriate in a full day or a number of hours at leisure.
5. Copacabana Seaside
Sure, the identify would possibly make you suppose you’re elsewhere completely, however Copacabana Seaside is one in all 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 good spot to take in the solar, get a tan, and usually benefit from the summer season vibes.
Climate in Dubrovnik
If you would like the most effective of the climate, you’ll have to 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 likelihood 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 luxuriate in a extra chilled-out vibe, you would possibly need to keep away from November because the wettest month. Regardless of that, the coldest month of January nonetheless provides a comparatively gentle 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 widespread as a trip spot; there’s lots to see and do. Throughout your day off, you’ll be spoilt for alternative 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 completed.
- It’s straightforward to fulfill different like-minded individuals: Dubrovnik is a well-liked spot for digital nomads and vacationers usually. I met many like-minded individuals there; it’s straightforward to search out others to community or just socialize with.
- Getting round is simple: Dubrovnik is a really walkable metropolis, and even when you could go additional than town heart, the bus community is reasonable and dependable.
- Incredible climate in the course of the summer season: The summer season months deliver seemingly limitless sunshine and splendidly sizzling days. If you happen to’re into summer season vibes, Dubrovnik received’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 may be dear. Nevertheless, as I’ve talked about, there are methods to chop prices so that you get the most effective of each worlds.
- Discovering lodging may be tough: As a result of Dubrovnik is a largely summer season vacation spot, chances are you’ll battle to search out lodging if you happen to depart it too late. As such, you could plan forward.
- Dubrovnik could be very quiet in the course of the winter months: Whereas it’s doable to spend time in Dubrovnik in the course of the winter, many bars, eating places, cafes, and retailers are closed for the season. You’ll discover a extra genuine vibe, and it’s so much simpler to discover town partitions, however chances are 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, chances are you’ll be upset. Nevertheless, 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 doable to reside and work on this stunning nation for as much as one yr. Working remotely in Dubrovnik is now so much 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. Nevertheless, you possibly can depart, look ahead to six months after which reapply. You’ll want to indicate that you’ve sufficient funds to help you throughout your keep together with an deal with in Croatia—this could be a hostel deal with 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 deliver 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 appropriate 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 definitely 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 provides one thing slightly completely different from wherever else, and with slightly intelligent planning and some suggestions, you possibly can preserve money in your pocket and discover far and vast.