Geographic position
The city of Dubrovnik is situated in the very south of the Republic of Croatia. It occupies an area of 364.05 square kilometres from Duboka Ljuta gorge - near the village of Plat to the east, and to Imotica to the west, a length of 53 kilometres.
The city of Dubrovnik encloses the tiny Elaphite archipelago (Šipan, Lopud, Koločep, Tajan, Olipa, Jakljan, Daksa).
Rich cultural heritage
Dubrovnik is rich in cultural and historical monuments and is included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Dubrovnik Summer Festival is held annually here, and the city is also the venue for scientific, scholarly and literary conferences (PEN in 1933 and 1993) and world tourist congresses (ASTA, FUAAV, DRV, SNAV, etc.). Nature lovers can find here a true Mediterranean landscape, sailors will find marinas and blue sea.
Population
The population of 55.638 inhabits the area in 35 places with 17.480 households on an average density of 152 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Climate
The geographical position of the area is typical of the clasic Mediterranean or 'estasian' climate with mild and damp winters, and hot dry summers at quite low air humidity (approx. 2.600 sunny hours). The annual average of rainfall is 1.250 mm.
The average air temperature is 17°C and the summer sea temperature is 21°C appx. Maximum change of 4°C is very advantageous to the nervous system and general health. There are many sunny days during the winter months. The average summer temperature of 25°C is refreshed by gentle Maestral - the messenger of lovely weather. Whereas during the cooler months, the Bura and Jugo winds prevail.
Flora & Fauna
There is a wealth of contrast with bays, beaches, steep cliffs and densely wooded islands. There is a rich Flora: groves of cypress, pine, olive as well as wineyards and lemon and orange plantations - together with aromatic herbs and flowers, plus such exotic plants: palms, agava and cactus create an unique atmosphere.
UNESCO Heritage
The walls of Dubrovnik girdle a perfectly preserved complex of public and private, sacral and secular buildings representing all periods of the city's history, beginning with its founding in the 7th century. Particular mention should be made of the city's main street, Stradun, the Prince's Palace, the church of St Vlaho, the Cathedral, three large monasteries, the Custom's Office and the City Hall. The Republic of Dubrovnik was the centre of a separate political and territorial entity, and was proud of its culture, its achievements in commerce and especially of its freedom, preserved down so many tempestuous centuries.

WE HIGHLY RECCOMMEND YOU TO VISIT:
Lokrum is a beautiful little uninhabited island. It is situated only 10 minutes by boat from the Dubrovnik harbour. There is a legend that Richard the Lionheart was shipwrecked there in 1192, where he was also rescued. The island of Lokrum is famous for its beautiful beaches, especially for its botanical garden rich in tropical plants like cactus, eucalyptus and palms. The island is uninhabited and therefore offers a unique setting. What you must not miss during your visit is the Dead sea – a crystal-clear lake which is a special treat for swimming for couples with children, and the Fortress built by the French in the form of a star in 1806. It is also the highest peak on the entire island (91 m) from where a beautiful view spreads over the entire island and over the city of Dubrovnik.
Međugorje is one of the most known and most visited Catholic sanctuaries in the entire world. It is visited every year by about million pilgrims, from all corners of the world, who wish to find inner peace, comfort and strenght in this holy place. The building of the church in Međugorje began in 1937, and it was finished in 1969. It is dedicated to St. Jacob. On the top of the hill Križevac in 1933 inhabitants have made a cross of concrete, 14 m high. Međugorje owes its popularityto Our Lady's apparitions when a group of children witnness the apparitions in 1981.
Srebreno is a known tourist destination, situated about 10 km southeast from Dubrovnik. It has a lond sandy beach especially suitable for children. The place is surrounded by mountains which protect the place from the cold northern wind and attract people who enjoy long walks in nature. From the mountains a beautiful view over lush vegetation, beautiful palms, agavas and pine forests, can be enjoyed. Srebreno is also suitable for surfing, sailing, water skiing and other sports. If you are looking for a peaceful tourist destination in the vicinity of Dubrovnik – then Srebreno is the right place for you!
Kupari is a summer resort 8 km southeast of Dubrovnik. The name of the place derives from kupa – ceramic tiles, the production of which was overseen by the Republic of Dubrovnik. It is situated on the slope of a small hill, and it attracts tourists with its 400 m long sandy beach, walking area by the sea, beautiful pine forests and parks filled with palms and oleandar.
Elafiti (the deer islands) make a beautiful archipelago northwest of Dubrovnik. They are connected to the city and its past. Due to the beauty of the nature and warm climate tourists often choose them as an ideal place for vacation. The archipelago is made of 13 islands (Daksa, Koločep, Sveti Andrija, Lopud, Ruda, Šipan, Mišnjak, Jakljan, Kosmeč, Golgeč, Crkvine, Tajan and Olipa). The archipelago was named after the Greek word elafos which means deer. There are several theories on the subject – according to one the archipelago seen from the air looks like a deer about to jump; according to another theory deers had lived in that area. The third theory states that the archipelago looks like deer antlers. The islands are rich in vegetation and make a beautiful sight, especially when seen from Dubrovnik. During the summer, the sea temperature is usually between 26°C - 28° C, and the temperature is from 28°C – 35°C. A warm breeze makes the weather even nicer. The islands are small and can be visited on foot. There is also a daily ferry line that leads from Dubrovnik to the islands. The most popular and the biggest islands are Šipan, Lopud and Koločep. Šipan is the biggest island in the Elafiti archipelago (16 km2) and it also has the largest cultural heritage. The island has over 30 little churches. There are also two fisherman villages, Šipanjska luka and Sučuraj. image 4The highest peak of the island is Velji vrh (234 m) where the ruins of a small church of St. Peter can be found. The inhabitants have given the island its picturesque name – “the little island of gold” because there was a real prosperity there once. Today about 500 inhabitants live there. Lopud is the second biggest inhabited island, but it is also the most developed. Olives, grapevine and all sorts of southern fruits are grown there. The surface of the island is 4.6 km2. The highest peak is Polačica with its 214 m of altitude. The island was inhabited for centuries, so many ancient, Roman and Greek, remainders can be found there. There is also a famous beach Šunj. Koločep was named after the Greek word kalos niktos – beautiful nights. There are two villages there: Gornje and Donje Čelo. Koločep has 150 inhabitants. Olives, figs, citrus fruits, carob and different sorts of fruits and vegetables are grown there. This island is the smallest of all the inhabited islands in the Elafiti archipelago. Its surface is 2.3 km2 and the highest peak is 125 m. There is also a park with tropical plants, as well as many bautiful gravel and sandy beaches. There is also a small island of Sv. Andrija (St. Andrew) or as the inhabitants call it the Hermit. The island is 400 m long and covered in pine trees. It is uninhabited and attractive because of its untouched nature. There used to be a benedictine convent there where a known poet from Dubrovnik, Mavro Vetranović, spent his last days in seclusion.
Konavli is a fertile valley surrounded with mountains and hills. The name of the valley derives from the Latin word canalis because the Romans in that area invented the canal system to protect their crops from floods. From autumn to spring Konavli would become a large lake. The remainders of the aquaduct can still be seen today. In the area many plants are grown – orange, lemon, tangerine, olive, fig, winegrape, cypress and macchia.
Mljet , the most beautiful and the greenest of Adriatic islands, is 37 km long and 3 km wide. It has about 1300 inhabitants. It is the eighth island in the Adriatic according to its size. The National Park Mljet is on the northwestern side of the island with its surface of 100,4 km2 of protected land and sea. The area was declared a National Park on November 11th 1960 because of its exceptional beauty of nature, numerous beaches, rich flora and fauna, and numerous cultural and historical monuments. The name derives from Melita – in Greek it has the same meaning as a Latin word for honey – mell, mellis. It is no wonder because in the past, in the woods of Mljet there were numerous bee-swarms, and their honeycombs could be found in the hollows of trees and rocks. Mljet is one of a kind, it is a special world of untouched beauty. The biggest attraction is the Benedictine convent from the 12th century, which is situated on the island of St. Maria in the middle of the Big lake. There are also two unique sea lakes that about 10.000 years ago were made of fresh-water: Big and Small lake. The Big lake has the surface of 145 ha and it is 46 m deep. image 4The Small lake has the surface of 24 ha and it is 29 m deep. Both lakes attract visitors from all over the world. The entire National Park can be visited on foot, by bike, and in some places by car. Swimming is allowed in all the places near the sea, as well as near the lakes. The main settlements on the island are Prožura, Babino polje, Blato, Goveđar. All these places lie in the interior of the island. Mljet abounds in caves, burrows, and in brackish lakes which sometimes dry out. The coast facing the mainland is lower and more accessible than the outer side which is steep and filled with collapsed caves. The highest hill on Mljet is Veliki Grad (514 m), and it spreads in the interior of the island above Baibno polje. Thick pine woods cover almost the entire surface of Mljet, so it is no wonder that it is called “The Green island”. It is also a known fact that there are no poisonous snakes on Mljet because of the presence of Indian mongoose. The inhabitants are employed with winegrapes and olivegrowing, and in the last years with tourism also, and that si the reason why new small settlements have developed near the coast. The main port on the island is Sobra which is connects Mljet via ferry line with Dubrovnik and Ston. The second port is Polače which connects Mljet via ferry with the peninsula Pelješac. Almost everybody visits Mljet, from nature lovers, lovecouples, explorers of its secrets and of its cultural and historical sights, and many others.
Cavtat is a small tourist destination, a town 20 km southeast of Dubrovnik. Its harbour is known by its numerous palms, and yachts of the rich and the famous. The harbour is protected with islands of Mrkan, Supetar and Bobara. The most important day in Cavtat is the day of Our Lady of Snow which is held on August 5th. Along with religious ceremony the Day of Homeland Gratitude is celebrated. On the hill there is a mausoleum of the Račić family, built 1920-1923. There is also a house of a known painter Vlaho Bukovac, which has a large collections of his works. The most important event in Cavtat is still the Cavtat Summer (July-August) with numerous evenings with klapa singing, folklore and waterpolo tournaments. It abounds in lush vegetation, beauty of the coast, bays and beaches. It is a great place for recreation with its tennis courts, saunas, workout places...
Trsteno is one of the most beautiful summer resorts in the Dubrovnik area, only 29 km away from the city. The name derives from reed that grows in the area because of much water. Trsteno is most known for its arboretum, one of the oldest and most beautiful parks on our coast, grown by the family Gučrtić in the 15th century, who demanded from sea captains to bring them exotic plants from their travels that took them into all corners of the world. The pride of the arboretum are two giant plane trees situated in the main market that are over 500 years old. Trsteno is known for its beaches, numerous bays, mild climate, fountainheads and rich vegetation.
Mlini is a nice tourist place 11 km off Dubrovnik. Its name derives from brooks that used to flow out of nearby fountainheads and powered the mills. There are also sandy and gravel beaches in Mlini, along with flower gardens, wwalking areas and nuemrous villas. There is also a small harbour out of which boats daily take tourists to Dubrovnik, Cavtat and nearby islands.
Bacinska jezera are situated in the vicinity of the town of Ploče. They are enar the sea, and make one of the most beloved destinations for sports fisheremen. The depth of the lakes varies from 5 to 35 m. Nearby a couple of excellent restaurants can be found.