Gastronomic delights, Game of Thrones film locations and lively festivals: Seven things to do in Dubrovnik this winter

Winter is coming and Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, is as dazzling as ever.

And it’s never been easier to reach thanks to an extra direct flight every week from London Gatwick with British Airways.

Here, we reveal the delights to be had once you step off the plane.

From superb seafood and fun-filled festivals to mesmerising museums, and buildings and streets that may seem more than a little familiar to Game of Thrones fans, there’s plenty on offer to keep you busy..

Read on to discover the city’s winter season sensations.

Gastronomic delights 

The seafood scene in Dubrovnik is sensational, with the fruits of the Adriatic expertly served up by the local chefs in Michelin-starred restaurants as well as busy cafes.

One mouthwatering highlight is black risotto, so named because of its key ingredient – squid ink. The chefs here are also proud of their seafood platters and stewed mussels.

Another must-eat Dalmatian delight is Zelena menestra, or green stew. It’s been a favourite in the area since the 15th century and – being a hearty mixture of smoked bacon, sausages, cabbage and potatoes – is the perfect comfort food for the winter season.

Tuck in, but make room for dessert.

Arancini – sugared orange peel – is a delicious sweet treat that’s not to missed, though some say the most popular dessert in the city is rozata, a custard pudding served with lashings of caramel.

Dine al-fresco in a cosy restaurants close to the cathedral for splendid views, or head to the peaceful square of Jesuit Church of St Ignatius for a romantic supper.

It’s game on for Game of Thrones fans 

Huge chunks of Game of Thrones were filmed in the city, so wrap up and explore the filming locations.

You’ll find the reality just as eye-opening as the fantasy.

Begin by following in Cersei Lannister’s footsteps and taking the ‘Walk of Atonement’. It began on the old town’s baroque Jesuit Staircase by St Ignatius Church and continued along the charming main street, Stradun.

Following this, gaze upon the immense Fort Minceta, which became Qarth’s House of Undying in the show.

Next, jump on a bus for an eight-mile jaunt up the coast to the Trsteno Arboretum – a stunning botanical garden set around a cliff-edge pavilion that appeared in GoT as the Tyrells’ Red Keep garden.

Lively festivals  

Dubrovnik is transformed into a fairy-tale wonderland thanks to the magical Winter Festival (Dec-Jan), one of several world-class celebrations that maintain its reputation as the City of Festivals.

Gaze upon picturesque streets illuminated with festive lights, sip mulled wine as you peruse the Christmas market and prepare to be mesmerised by special Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra performances.

Visitors in February, meanwhile, can enjoy the incredible Feast of St Blaise, which takes place on the 3rd of the month and honours the city’s patron saint.

The night before white doves are released as all the church bells ring. And on the day there’s a huge procession along Stradun, along with concerts and theatre performances.

The feast’s origins date to the 12th century and it has been listed by UNESCO as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’.

Walk the city walls 

Dubrovnik’s medieval centre is encircled by monumental forts and towering walls up to 83-feet high, lending it an air of fantasyland mystery and grandeur.

You can walk around all 6,300 feet of them all year round for stunning views of picturesque terracotta rooftops, hidden courtyards and the shimmering Adriatic.

Some of the most enticing panoramas materialise on the fort battlements, where the walls are loftiest.

The two main entrances to the walls are at the Ploče Gate and the Pile Gate, with insiders saying the latter, built in 1537, is the most impressive to behold.

There is a multitude of marvellous museums in Dubrovnik, displaying everything from arresting antiquities to mesmerising modern art.

To ensure your Instagram holiday portfolio has all the angles covered, head to the top of Srđ hill on the cable car for a view of the city that’s truly magical.

The summit lies at 1,350ft and from here the city looks particularly fantastical.

What’s more, the view includes a few bonuses, such as the lush Lokrum island just off the coast and the Elaphiti Islands further out.

Attractions at the top include a 200-year-old fort, a coin-blacksmithing shop and a restaurant (with epic views, of course).

If you are desperate to upload lots of your summit snaps to social media without delay, worry not – the cable car has Wi-Fi.

Drinking great wine is an all-weather experience, of course, and in Dubrovnik there’s lots of great wine to drink – Croatia is home to more than 100 grape varieties and its produce is often critically acclaimed.

Highly recommended white wines include Pošip, an indigenous grape on the nearby island of Korčula that’s turned into an elegant wine with hints of apricots and figs. And Malavasija, a honeyed, fragrant variety produced in the neighbouring Konavle region.

Prefer red? Then set your sights on Plavac Mali, a grape grown on the region’s steepest slopes. The best areas, or appellations, for this variety are Dingač and Postup, so look out for those on the labels.