There are many ways to experience Dubrovnik's magic—walking its ancient streets, sailing its cobalt waters, or tracing history across marble stones. But perhaps the most satisfying way is with knife and fork in hand. From your first morning coffee to a moonlit toast, Dubrovnik's restaurants create a journey of flavours and impressions.

Here is how to spend one perfect culinary day across four of the city's most celebrated dining spots

Morning Ritual: Gradska Kavana Arsenal

No day in Dubrovnik should begin without the ritual of coffee on Stradun. At Gradska Kavana Arsenal, a storied café tucked under the graceful arches of the Old Arsenal, breakfast unfolds with the kind of elegance only centuries of history can bestow. Here, the marble tables and vaulted ceilings recall the city's mercantile heyday, while outside, life spills across the main square.

Begin with a strong espresso or cappuccino, accompanied by a warm croissant or traditional pastry. Locals gather here to read the paper, catch up with friends, and watch the city wake.

Midday Pause: Dubravka 1836

By lunchtime, the sun glitters off the city walls, and there is no better place to settle than Dubravka 1836, perched at Pile Gate, where the Old Town meets the sea. This restaurant is steeped in history, having served travellers for nearly two centuries, yet it remains refreshingly timeless. The menu is a love letter to Dalmatian tradition, from fresh Adriatic fish to hearty pastas.

Order a plate of black risotto, infused with cuttlefish ink, or a grilled fish caught that morning.

Afternoon Ascent: Panorama Restaurant

As the afternoon light softens, take the cable car up to Panorama Restaurant, Dubrovnik's dining room in the sky. Perched on Mount Srđ, 400 metres above the Old City, it offers what may be the most iconic view on the Adriatic. From here, the terracotta rooftops stretch like a painting below, framed by the glittering sea and the Elafiti Islands on the horizon.

The menu celebrates light, refreshing flavours perfect for a mid-afternoon indulgence: octopus carpaccio drizzled with olive oil, crisp salads with pine nuts, or a glass of chilled white wine from nearby Pelješac.

Evening Elegance: Nautika Restaurant

When the sun dips low, Dubrovnik saves its finest table for last. At Nautika, perched on the edge of the Pile harbour where the city walls meet the sea, dining becomes theatre. Presidents, actors, and dignitaries have graced its terrace, but the true star is the Adriatic, shimmering in twilight. Begin with shrimp gnocchi, silky with beurre blanc, or opt for oysters fresh from nearby Ston.

For mains, the Dalmatian-style lamb pairs heritage with artistry, arriving like a painting of jewel-coloured cabbage, golden chickpeas, and tender blush meat.

A Journey in Four Chapters

From a morning coffee where history lingers in every arch, to a lunch where sea and stone embrace, to an afternoon floating above the rooftops, and an evening wrapped in elegance by the Adriatic, Dubrovnik's restaurants offer a day like no other.

The island of Mljet has once again proven itself a muse for photographers. This year’s Mljet National Park Photo Contest invited shutterbugs to showcase the island’s wild beauty, cultural heritage, and everyday island life — and the response was fantastic.

Running from August 6 to 27, 2025, the competition drew in dozens of stunning shots: from dreamy landscapes and hidden coves to vibrant traditions and snapshots of recreation on Croatia’s greenest island. Each entry brought a new perspective, and the jury had a tough job picking favourites.

“Mljet never fails to inspire — the photos this year stood out for their quality, originality, and that special spark of emotion,” the organisers said.

On September 15, 2025, the expert jury gathered to make the final call, selecting the top entries across three categories. The winning photos capture not just the island’s scenery, but the soul of Mljet itself. See all the winners here 

Cavtat’s rich past will once again step into the spotlight as the much-loved Costumed Storytelling Tours return this autumn — and admission is completely free.

These unique walking tours transform the town’s streets into a living stage, where actors in costume embody the historical figures who shaped Cavtat. Blending theatre with history, the performances allow visitors and locals alike to experience the town’s legends, traditions, and vibrant past in an unforgettable way.

The tours begin at Villa Banac, with two upcoming dates left on the schedule:

• September 30 at 18:00

• October 14 at 17:30

Organisers promise a dynamic journey through time, where audiences will encounter characters and stories that breathe new life into Cavtat’s cultural heritage.

With free admission and an interactive format, the Costumed Storytelling Tours are an ideal way for families, history lovers, and curious visitors to experience Cavtat in a whole new light.

Croatian Post (HP) is struggling to fill vacancies for new postmen — and is now testing an unusual solution. According to listings on the Croatian Employment Service, HP is currently looking for 15 postmen in Zagreb, 10 in Split, five in Dubrovnik, and several more for express deliveries in Istria and the coastal region.

Facing a shortage of staff, the company has launched a pilot project inviting residents themselves to help deliver mail inside their own buildings. Participants will receive between €100 and €300 per month, depending on the number of mailboxes and how often deliveries are made, reports tportal.

HP says postmen often lose several hours in large apartment blocks due to the sheer number of mailboxes and frequent issues with poorly marked names. By engaging someone familiar with the building and its residents, the company believes deliveries could become faster and more efficient — freeing up postmen to handle other deliveries across the city.

The scheme is now on trial, and if successful, it could mark a significant shift in how everyday mail is delivered in Croatia’s busiest urban areas.

The nominations are closed and the countdown begins! RuralFoto 2025, the third edition of the unique online photo contest dedicated to rural life, nature, and agriculture, has received a record-breaking 1,386 photographs from Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From striking macro shots of insects and funny animal moments to traditional customs and everyday village life, the entries show the countryside in all its richness.

“The images are more impressive each year. From macro photography to traditions and village life as it once was — the jury will have a tough job picking just 10 in each category,” said jury president Leticija Hrenković.

What’s next?

A professional jury of photographers and experts will now shortlist the top 10 photos in each category, leading into the final phase where participants themselves will vote on the four best. Category winners will receive €500 each, while the “Audience Award” – a GoPro Hero 13 camera sponsored by the Croatian County Association – will go to the photo with the most likes on KLUB.

The best photos will go on display at the AgroRocks Conference in Osijek on October 3, 2025, followed by an exhibition at the Brodsko Posavlje Museum.

More than just a competition, RuralFoto promotes rural heritage, nature, and agriculture, raising awareness about the value of rural identity while connecting generations.

Partners of RuralFoto 2025 include Žito Grupa, Agro Invest Grupa, Podravka, Novocommerce International, Yuksel Seeds, Marketino, the Croatian County Association, HGK, the European Commission, Hrvatske šume, HBOR, Energovizija, and UKRRA.

Turkish Airlines carried 139,285 passengers on its Croatia routes in the first half of this year, marking an 8.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The growth was fuelled by its Zagreb service, which welcomed 117,023 travellers, up 10.6% year-on-year, with an average cabin load factor of 79.3%, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

Dubrovnik told a different story. The airline handled 22,262 passengers on its flights to the Adriatic city, down 1.7%, while its average occupancy rate slipped to 67.4%. Turkish Airlines operated 10.7% more flights to Zagreb, while cutting Dubrovnik services by 8.4%.

The figures highlight the increasing importance of Zagreb as Turkish Airlines’ primary gateway into Croatia, while Dubrovnik, despite its global tourism appeal, saw a slight decline in traffic.

Croatia’s Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said on Tuesday in New York that the conditions for recognising a Palestinian state have not yet been met, stressing that hostilities must cease and all hostages must be released first. His comments come a day after President Zoran Milanović publicly called for Croatia to recognise Palestine.

“At this moment, like some other key European countries, we believe the time for recognition has not yet arrived. The conflicts must stop, and all hostages must be freed,” Grlić Radman told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

He added that recognising Palestine now would also mean recognising Hamas, which he described as a terrorist organisation that “is holding Palestine hostage.”

President Milanović, speaking in New York on Monday, argued that Croatia should recognise Palestine, calling it not a reward but a fundamental right.

Grlić Radman underlined that Croatia supports a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, but only as the outcome of a peace process involving Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Meanwhile, Croatia has joined 23 other countries — including Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the EU — in urging the reopening of a medical corridor between Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The initiative includes offers of financial aid, medical staff, and equipment to help treat patients. The United States was not among the signatories.

“Together we must contribute to strengthening the peace process and influencing the key actors to stop the violence so that a just peace can be achieved,” the minister said.

As part of its proactive Middle East policy, Croatia has recently hosted both the Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers in Zagreb, with Grlić Radman also visiting Jordan and Syria. In October, he is scheduled to travel to Iraq.

Speculation is mounting in the world’s media that Croatia could be the ultimate honeymoon destination for Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce.

The Adriatic gem has all the makings of a celebrity fairytale — from over 1,000 islands and crystal-clear seas to UNESCO sites and Game of Thrones filming locations. Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” offers cinematic backdrops of medieval walls and golden sunsets, while Hvar’s lavender fields and luxury resorts tick every Instagram box.

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For Kelce, there’s also a personal connection: his family roots trace back seven generations to a small Croatian village, making a wedding here both romantic and meaningful. Swift, known for choosing places with history and soul, would find no shortage of poetic settings in Croatia’s stone cities, hidden coves, and dramatic coastlines.

Whether or not the superstar couple says “I do” in Croatia, the growing international buzz underscores the country’s reputation as one of the world’s most romantic — and increasingly desirable — destinations.

@anajagusch That would make Taylor practically my distant cousin-in-law. I said what I said, let me live in my delulu land. @New Heights @Travis Kelce #jasonkelce #kelce #kelcebrothers #croatia #croatian ♬ original sound - Anamarija