From Bosnia to the Adriatic

Mish
Oct 26
5 min read

Updated: Oct 28

One bus, countless stairs and the moment we finally stepped into King’s Landing (aka Dubrovnik).

After our long but unforgettable day in Mostar, we rolled back into Sarajevo just after midnight; exhausted, dusty, and laughing about how travel days always sound romantic after they’re over. By the time our heads hit the pillows at our little Illica Lux apartment, it was 12:30 a.m.

Sleep was short-lived.

At 5am, our alarms went off again, and the real race began: packing, breakfast, coffee, and a dash to the bus station for our 7:15am CentroTrans bus to Dubrovnik. We were heading for the Adriatic coast and the long-awaited start of our Croatian cruise.

From Sarajevo to Dubrovnik by Bus

Ash had pre-booked our tickets from Australia, a smart move, as the bus was completely full. The journey cost €35 per person and took about six and a half hours, arriving into Dubrovnik around 1:40pm.

Flying would have been quicker on paper, but once you add airport transfers and check-in time, it only saves you an hour or two. Besides, we love watching the world roll by from a window seat, it’s part of the fun!

The scenery changed beautifully along the way with lush forests giving way to coastal landscapes. Winding roads through valleys and that stunning moment when you catch sight of Bosnia’s tiny stretch of coastline and the glittering bay below. We made a few rest stops, but that one before the border was the standout.

Crossing from Bosnia into Croatia was surprisingly smooth, off the bus for a Passport Check then back to our seats, all in it was about a 20 min stop.

Tip: the bus driver charges €2 per bag for luggage storage on the coach, it’s not written anywhere, and you need cash! Something Ash had thankfully read on TripAdvisor before we left. Crisis averted!

Arrival in Dubrovnik: The Steps Begin

We pulled into the Dubrovnik bus station hot, hungry, and happy. From there, we’d arranged a transfer to our accommodation, Apartments Sonatina, located right inside the Old Town walls.

Since vehicles aren’t allowed inside, the apartment team emailed us a few days earlier suggesting a local porter service called Baggage & Smile Luggage Storage Dubrovnik (https://luggagestoragedubrovnik.hr/) At €15 per bag Ash thought we could manage on our own, I talked him out of that.. Thankfully. Spoiler: we couldn’t have managed.

Our driver, Marko, turned out to be a gem, a born-and-bred Dubrovnik local with great stories and a wicked sense of humour. He chatted the whole way, giving us a mini city intro before we even set foot inside the walls.

And then came the stairs. So. Many. Stairs.

The walk from Ploče Gate to our apartment was beautiful but brutal in the afternoon heat. Narrow stone alleys, steep steps, tourists everywhere. Watching the porters glide effortlessly up with our heavy bags was worth every euro. Honestly, I don’t think we’d have even found the apartment without them.

Apartments Sonatina: Tiny but Perfect

Our little apartment was exactly what you expect from a European old-town stay. Tiny, charming, and full of character. The room was spotless, the bathroom modern enough, and the aircon worked like a dream. It wasn’t flashy, but after 6.5 hours on a bus, it felt like a five-star suite.

We collapsed onto the bed and promptly fell asleep for an afternoon nap.

First Impressions: Tired but Wow

When we finally ventured out that evening, the fatigue melted away the moment we stepped onto the cobblestones. Dubrovnik is breathtaking.

The Old Town feels straight out of a movie, which of course it literally is. As big Game of Thrones fans, walking through the drawbridge and into what was once King’s Landing gave us goosebumps. The marble streets, red rooftops, and sea views are cinematic from every angle.

We found Nico’s Trattoria, a cosy little Italian tucked down a narrow lane, and grabbed a table outside. Watching people stroll past as the golden evening light hit the stone buildings was everything we love about Europe. We shared a pasta, sipped Aperol spritzes, and finished with gelato, pure bliss.

And then came our first Croatian reality check: prices.

After Bosnia, the jump in cost hit hard... €18 for a spritz (about $28 AUD) and €30 for a simple pasta ($45 AUD). Ash had to stop converting in his head and remind himself where we were. It’s Dubrovnik. Beautiful, touristy, and undeniably expensive.

Day Two: Walking the Wall & Channelling Our Inner Khaleesi

The next morning, Ash headed down to the local market to grab croissants while I plotted our day. We decided to tackle the famous Dubrovnik City Walls, the crown jewel of the Old Town.

Entry cost €40 per person, and it was worth every cent. The views are beyond spectacular with terracotta rooftops tumbling down to the turquoise Adriatic, boats gliding into the harbour, and mountains framing it all. We took our time, soaking it in and stopping for photos every few steps.

Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day wandering the lanes, shopping, and bar-hopping, letting ourselves get a little lost in the maze.

And because we’re those travellers, we decided to spend the afternoon tracking down Game of Thrones filming locations. Instead of booking a pricey walking tour, we used ChatGPT to create our very own self-guided route complete with scene references and photo stops. It was brilliant!

Tip: just ask ChatGPT to design a walking tour of Dubrovnik’s GOT spots and it’ll map it all for you.

We found the Walk of Shame staircase, the pier from the “King’s Landing farewell” scene, and even the spot where Joffrey met his end. It was geeky, fun and free.

Our Last Morning in Dubrovnik

We had to check out by 10am, but we couldn’t embark on our cruise ship until after 3, so we used a great little app called Bounce (https://bounce.com/) to store our luggage for the day. Just €7 per bag at a nearby café. Highly recommend it!

With our hands free, we spent the morning wandering, grabbing lunch, and picking up last-minute cabin snacks (because no one likes an unprepared cruiser).

At 2, we met up with Marko again at the Ploče Gate, where he whisked us off to the port. Seeing the MV Princess Eleganza waiting for us made it all feel real, the adventure we’d been building toward since Doha.

But that’s a story for the next post.