ENJOY A WINTER GETAWAY IN DUBROVNIK

Looking for an unforgettable winter escape in Dubrovnik? The Byron offers a blend of simple luxury and comfort in a historic UNESCO World Heritage building. Centrally located in one of Dubrovnik’s oldest and most charming quarters, The Byron offers the perfect retreat for off-season travelers seeking cosy, warm, and unique boutique accommodation in Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

People often ask us what is Dubrovnik like in the winter? Does the Old Town shut down? Is there anything to do? Is anything open? For us, it can be one of the most enjoyable times of year. And now that budget airlines like Ryanair offer regular winter flights and connections (between cities like London, Vienna, and Charleroi), we figured it was high time to put down a few thoughts to help you plan your trip.

So where to start? From November to March, Dubrovnik transforms into a much more laid back, much less touristed, and perhaps more authentic destination. The sea is usually swimmable until mid-November (in fact, some locals swim year round). During the winter, the temperature in Dubrovnik is generally mild (i.e. possible t-shirt weather in the noon sun but jumper weather in the shade). The main exceptions are when the ‘Bura’ brings exceptionally clear skies and strong gusts of cold air from the North or when the ‘Jugo’ brings rain from Africa. You can and should expect rainy periods and typical winter days where it feels like the world is grey. But the weather also changes on a dime so even if the weather reports call for rain or thundershowers, don’t be surprised to see blue skies and sunshine.

Many restaurants in the Old Town close for the winter but the ones that remain open are often places appreciated and frequented by locals. You’ll have the opportunity to savour authentic cuisine, seasonal specialties, and festive treats (especially during the Dubrovnik Winter Festival).

Most museums and tourist attractions remain open (sometimes with limited hours). But temper your expectations as you’ll also find that places that are listed as open on google are in fact, not. It’s always a good idea to call ahead.

Dubrovnik gets noticeably busier during the Dubrovnik Winter Festival which starts at the end of November until the first week of January and features Chrismas markets, concerts, and traditional celebrations. But outside of Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, the festival of St. Blaise in February (more about that later) and unless there is a cruise ship or bus tours, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy and explore Dubrovnik’s stunning beauty mostly to yourself.

Whether you're drawn to the peaceful pace of winter, the allure of Dubrovnik’s historic charm, or simply crave a unique and intimate getaway, we look forward to welcoming you to The Byron.

Book your winter escape today and experience Dubrovnik like never before. The Byron also offers weekly rates and longer stay rates for digital nomads during the offseason.

We love this town and want you to feel the same! Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have. We’re happy to help!

At Christmas time and during the Winter Festival, Dubrovnik’s Old Town lights up and sparkles with holiday cheer. The Christmas market runs from the start of December through to Christmas, all leading to the main event which is the New Years eve concert and fireworks display.

After New Year, things get really quiet for a couple of months, you can wander the streets and take time to look around without getting trampled by a cruise ship tour group. The city walls are also open in the winter, albeit for a shorter period every day, but with far fewer people, you never feel rushed or jostled while taking in the view of the roof tops or Adriatic sea.

The light is also amazing, much softer than in the summer, with long shadows and soft light bouncing around the old city, constantly changing thoughout the day. It’s a photographers dream. And if you have ever wanted to get photos with just you and no one else around, the winter is probably one of your only opportunities. The Byron hosts photography workshops and is open for collaborations for winter retreats. Send us a message if you would like to organize something. Or if you would like us to hook you up with a local photographer for the morning or a tour guide, we can arrange it.

The weather on the whole is very good. Think crisp sunny days of 12-15 degrees with an overnight temperature of 5-7, with clean sea air. You will need to wrap up once the sun goes down, but find yourself a spot in the sun during the day for lunch then you can normally dispense with the jacket or jumper and soak up the winter warmth.

A lot of the restaurants are closed, but there are still few that are open in the old town and a few more not far away that are worth searching out. With less traffic it just becomes much easier to make these trips as you won’t be sitting in a jam at any point using up valuable holiday time.

The sea is probably going to be too cold to swim (unless that’s your thing), best to head to Banje beach where getting in and out is safer, there can be a big swell in the winter and we don’t recommend jumping in from the Buza beach.

So if you are not going to swim, what else is there to do. Well, you can hang out in a cafe and live like a local for a while. Without the crowds, Dubrovnik shows its more authentic side as a community rather than just a tourist destination. The Gradska Kavana (town coffee shop) remains one of our favourites inside the city walls, You can take a seat and a blanket if you need it and watch the world go by. If you would rather get a cup of third-wave coffee, or need a warm and welcoming place to get some work done, just outside Ploce gate, Life According to KAWA serves fairtrade coffee beans from one of Croatia’s original specialty coffee roasters - Cogito Coffee.

The Feast of St. Blaise

The Feast of St. Blaise is historic celebration which honors the city’s patron saint. The city fills up for the day with all of the trade associations (Fishermen, Carpenters, Stone masons, etc) taking part in time worn processions and ceremonial customs.. It offers a rich and colourful insight into Dubrovnik’s cultural heritage.

Day trips

The winter months are also a great time to visit the areas around Dubrovnik. With far less traffic it’s easier and quicker to get to Cavtat or to Konavle for the day.

Where to Stay

Well we are a little biased it has to be said, but the Byron is of course the best place to stay for your winter trip. With underfloor heating in every room, radiators in the bathrooms and climate control for a blast of heat if you need it, The Byron is a cosy and ideally located base to explore the old town.

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