Dubrovnik as a conference and incentive destination offers numerous options for the organization of unique and truly unforgettable corporate, scientific, professional and social events. Its uniqueness is reflected in its rich historical and cultural heritage combined with beautiful nature - the Mediterranean hinterland and the blue of the Adriatic Sea. In combination with high-quality congress and accommodation infrastructure and top-quality and professional DMC and PCO offer, they make Dubrovnik an unmissable destination for event organizers. This is evident from the fact that Dubrovnik has a large share in the Croatian meetings industry and that it hosts a large number of congresses, conferences, incentive programs, sports events, and festivals held in Croatia.
There are very few places in the world where history and culture are intertwined like in Dubrovnik. The historical heritage of the famous Republic of Dubrovnik is present to this day, and numerous buildings and fortresses from the Renaissance period are living monuments and witnesses of the glorious past of the people of Dubrovnik. In the 15th century, Dubrovnik was one of the most important trade centres of the Mediterranean. Thanks to diplomatic skills, the city maintained its independence and as a city-state was a centre not only for trade, but also for culture and art.
The monumental city walls from the 16th century with five fortresses, almost two kilometres long, remain the symbol and biggest attraction of Dubrovnik to this day, and the entire old city centre has been on the UNESCO protected cultural heritage list since 1979. Precisely thanks to its walls and old historical centre, Dubrovnik became the perfect backdrop for one of the world's most famous series, "starring" as King's Landing in the popular Game of Thrones, but also a great film location in a number of other famous film hits, such as Robin Hood, Star Wars and others.
The most famous city promenade - Stradun, as well as numerous narrow stone alleys, medieval palaces and churches become open-air stages and locations of numerous cultural festivals, music and drama events in the summer. The Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Midsummer Scene Festival, International Opera Festival Dubrovnik...are just a few of the cultural events.
Dubrovnik was recognized and developed as a tourist destination very early on, and along with the development of tourism, the congress offer also developed. The first international conference in Dubrovnik was held way back in 1897, when the Grand Hotel Imperial was opened, and since the early 1970's, the infrastructure has been systematically developed and quality conference hotels have been built. Today, there are more than 50 hotels in Dubrovnik, of which 15 are five-star and 17 are four-star. The city has a total of 30,000 beds, of which more than 12,000 are in hotels, and the rest in private accommodation and villas.
Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens and Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel in Mlini stand out among the largest conference hotels in Dubrovnik, as well as in Croatia, with halls that can host 1,200 people. There is also the Rixos Premium Dubrovnik hotel, where the capacity of the largest hall is 900 people. The largest hall of Hotel Croatia, in nearby Cavtat, can host up to 850 people, Hotel Dubrovnik Palace 750, and Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik 650 people.
What makes Dubrovnik stand out as a meetings and event destination are its historic locations as event spaces that can enhance any event with their ambiance and historical charm - from formal receptions and dinners, to the presentation and premier of new products, smaller conferences, etc. One of them is the monumental fortress from the 16th century - Revelin Fortress, the protector of the eastern gates of the city of Dubrovnik, which can host up to 400 people indoors, as part of a gala dinner, and the same number on the terrace. There is also the Lovrjenac fortress on the opposite side of the city, often known as the Gibraltar of Dubrovnik, which can host up to 500 people for a gala dinner and offers irresistible views over Dubrovnik. The Rector's Palace, a luxurious Gothic-Renaissance palace from the 15th century, has a capacity of up to 120 people for a gala dinner, and the Sponza Palace, a Renaissance palace from the 16th century with an atrium and a vaulted gallery, has a capacity of up to 90 people. If it is a cocktail party, or a buffet dinner, the capacities of these spaces are even larger. One of the largest special spaces for the organization of events is Klarisa, a restaurant space within the monastery of St. Clare behind the Great Onofrio's Fountain, which can host a total of 600 people in the outdoor and indoor spaces, and which is now a part of the Hard Rock Cafe franchise.
The Dubrovnik Convention Bureau
The Dubrovnik Convention Bureau, a part of Dubrovnik Tourist Board, is a non-profit organisation that promotes Dubrovnik as an attractive international meetings destination. It provides impartial and free advice to both domestic and international meeting planners wishing to organize a meeting, conference or an incentive in this beautiful Mediterranean city.
The Dubrovnik Convention Bureau helps planners with bidding documentation, venue finding, and connects them with local PCO-s, DMC-s or other service providers. Also, it offers valuable suggestions for social and partners programs or pre & post tours. Additionally, Dubrovnik Convention Bureau marketing activities include organization of press tours and site inspections for international journalists and meeting planners, in order to show off the diversity of Dubrovnik attractions and meeting facilities.
Dubrovnik Tourist Board as a whole, actively contributes and supports responsible and sustainable tourism development, promoting all the values of the destination.
Dubrovnik Convention Bureau
Brsalje 5
Tel: +385 20 323 887
Fax: +385 20 323 725
conference@tzdubrovnik.hr
romana.vlasic@tzdubrovnik.hr
tzdubrovnik.hr
Dubrovnik, as a UNESCO city and the pearl of the Adriatic, a magnificent combination of culture, heritage and nature, is the perfect backdrop for all the usual, but also the special and as yet unseen types of incentive programs imbued with an autochthonous atmosphere. For all those who, as part of incentives, want to get to know Dubrovnik's history and tradition, there are programs such as a Renaissance dinner with music and dance in one of the fortresses, a reception with the Rector in the Rector's Palace, a sunset cruise with an appropriate program on the Karaka or Tirena ships, a visit to the indigenous Konavle house with a water mill and an olive oil press or a folklore evening with traditional songs and dances.
For a wine and gourmet experience of the Dubrovnik region, tours of the nearby family agricultural estates and tasting of local products, the Pelješac peninsula and the island of Korčula and their vineyards, olive groves in the hinterland of the city, tasting oysters from the Bay of Mali Ston and dinners in well-known Dubrovnik restaurants that offer the best from local suppliers prepared in a traditional or modern manner.
If you like to include activities on land or at sea in your incentive program - Dubrovnik offers the best of both worlds. If you want an exciting and competitive incentive, there are various treasure hunting programs in the historical centre of the city, a ride by cable car or quad vehicles to Srđ hill, which towers protectively over the city. In the area of Dubrovnik-Neretva County and Dubrovnik, there are many perfect locations for underwater research for all those who want to try their hand at diving, and you can also visit the island of Lokrum in an active way with a sea kayak. Numerous other sports activities at sea can serve as an excellent incentive or an additional social program on warmer days.
One of the most beautiful Mediterranean cities, but also the leading Croatian Convention Center, Dubrovnik each year is host to numerous international and national conferences. With its outstanding natural beauty and preserved heritage, Dubrovnik is a city very rich in tourist attractions.
Dubrovnik is a famous cultural center. Its many churches and other religious buildings, city walls and fortresses, museums... its exceptional historic value will enchant every visitor to this ancient city. Dubrovnik is a city with rich cultural offerings in which the number of exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, festivals, highlight the traditional "Summer Festival" within which the open air at various locations in the city held numerous concerts and theatrical performances.
The most important festivals:
Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Dubrovnik Winter Festival
Good Food Festival
Midsummer Scene
Ana in the City
Park Orsula Music Festival
Internation festival of opera
International Late Summer Music Festival Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Festiwine
Le petit festival du theatre
Less is more - the well-known saying best describes the local gastronomy, which adds premium olive oil and a pinch of sea salt from the award-winning Ston salt pans to the original flavours of Mediterranean cuisine, simply prepared fish and seafood dishes. Organically grown fruits and vegetables on the fertile soil of Konavle and the Neretva river valley are an inspiration to the chefs of top restaurants from Michelin guides, as well as the gastronomic offer in traditional taverns and konobas. Regardless of whether you are a gourmet who combines the refined flavours of haute cuisine with top local wines or an adventurer looking for a tasty quick meal, in Dubrovnik you will find a wide range of local and international specialties. The perfect dessert at the end of the meal will certainly be the most famous local dessert - Dubrovnik rozata, which got its name from the rose liqueur (rosulin), which gives it a special fragrant aroma.
Wine in the Dubrovnik region is a special story. Always appreciated, with a production tradition dating back to the time of the Republic of Dubrovnik, it is an indispensable companion to a good lunch or dinner. Red wine, Plavac mali from Pelješac, is one of the most famous Croatian wines, but be sure to try white wine as well - Pošip from the island of Korčula and Malvazija from Konavle
The rich historical and cultural heritage of this thousand-year-old city, the largest hotel and conference facilities in Croatia, an international airport, fascinating natural landscapes, a mild Mediterranean climate and a large selection of incentive activities and entertainment, are elements that make Dubrovnik an ideal destination for your next congress, conference, business event or incentives.
1. A combination of history, natural beauty and modern amenities
The rich and centuries-old history of this proud city has made Dubrovnik a European cultural centre. Historical heritage is intertwined with contemporary trends and culture in everyday life. Every summer, Dubrovnik is visited by the most popular current statesmen, athletes and stars, and in addition to its history, it is also a backdrop for the popular film industry and hosts countless sporting and cultural events.
It is adorned with a mild Mediterranean climate that brings an average of 2,600 sunny hours a year to this destination. That is precisely why Dubrovnik and its surroundings, the coastal belt and islands abound in beautiful forests of fragrant pines and cypresses, as well as fertile vineyards, olive groves and orchards.
2. Only 2 hours away by plane from the most important European cities
Although in the very south of Croatia, Dubrovnik is well connected to the rest of the country and European destinations by road, sea and air. Dubrovnik Airport is only 22 km from the city, and Dubrovnik has connections with the most important European metropolises directly, but also via Zagreb. The average flight time from prominent European cities to Dubrovnik is one to two hours.
The Croatian ferry companies connect Dubrovnik with ports along the Croatian coast and with the Italian port of Bari, and is an extremely popular destination for world cruise ships. So it is also accessible by sea.
The year 2022 was marked by the opening of the Pelješac Bridge, a major infrastructure important for Croatian traffic. With the opening of this famous bridge, Dubrovnik became more easily accessible by road and better connected with the rest of Croatia, and thus with Europe.
3. The largest hotel and congress facilities in Croatia and unique event spaces
Dubrovnik, right after Zagreb as a metropolis, is the most important Croatian congress destination. The reason for this is its historical and natural features, but also its long-standing tradition and excellence in tourism, which is why it is recognized and highly valued as a quality destination on international tourist markets. With the development of tourism, hotel and congress facilities developed and grew, so Dubrovnik today has significant capacities for the organization of international events - large hotel chains and world-renowned brands as well as the most unique and perhaps the most beautiful historical venues.
4. Expert and professional support in the organization of events
One of the reasons why you will want Dubrovnik as your next meetings destination is the quality professional support of experienced organizers, i.e. local PCO and DMC agencies. As members of international professional associations and holders of international and Croatian certificates that guarantee the highest professional standards, they are always in step with the most current trends in the MICE industry world. In addition, they certainly do not lack creativity in realizing all your ideas. But, perhaps more importantly, they are the best experts on the destination and therefore the best source of quality support and advice in choosing the best location, communication with local suppliers, organization of guided tours and accompanying social programs. Dubrovnik Tourist Board – Convention Bureau will gladly offer and supplement its free and impartial assistance in these segments of the organization.
5. Original flavours of Mediterranean cuisine and top local wines
The wealth of the sea, the Mediterranean climate and climate, and thus the vegetation and varieties, as well as the historical activity of the people of Dubrovnik as world navigators who brought new things from distant lands, led to the fact that Dubrovnik today has an extremely rich wine and gastronomic offer based on healthy and fresh groceries. Whether you want to taste authentic local dishes, served in traditional dishes, or you want the ultimate experience of international cuisine on a modern plate, or simply a simple and quick meal - Dubrovnik's gastronomic scene has something for everyone.
The tradition of wine production in this area dates back to the days of the Republic of Dubrovnik, and among the most valued are the red wines from the Pelješac peninsula of the Plavac Mali variety and the white wine Pošip from the island of Korčula and Malvazija from Konavle.
6. A diverse selection of incentive activities
When you look at Dubrovnik from the sea, you cannot fail to notice that it is characterized by three colours - the pearly white colour of the stone walls, the blue colour of the sea and the green colour of the rich vegetation. Through these three characteristics, this pearl of the Adriatic provides a multitude of ideas for creative, exciting and striking incentive programs.
If you like the white colour of the city the most - you can choose numerous cultural, treasure hunt or gastronomic tours of the city and its surroundings, a cable car ride to the Srđ hill or the unmissable Game of Thrones tour.
If you are more attracted to the blue sea, there are pleasant rides on replicas of historical merchant sailing ships - ships Tirena or Karaka with a fun program and an unforgettable sunset, but also boat trips to the nearby Lokrum, the enchanting Elaphite Islands or Korčula, Lastovo and Mljet. For the more active, one of the most popular activities in Dubrovnik is kayaking on the sea at sunset, as well as diving in the Blue Cave on the island of Koločep.
The beauty of the greenery of Dubrovnik's surroundings can be enjoyed by visiting the Neretva valley, driving off-road vehicles around the area and on the Srđ hill, visiting the unique Arboretum Trsteno, which is adorned with historical gardens and is famous for its collection of Mediterranean and exotic species of plants and through a visit to Konavle and the autochthonous experience of life in that area.
7. The perfect bleisure destination
The bleisure, bizcation or workcation concept of travel has been popular for some time, and it involves combining official business travel with personal vacation travel. Dubrovnik is also an ideal destination for this type of tourism. In addition to all the mentioned advantages for the organization of business events and incentives, it also offers numerous facilities for relaxing and sea-intoxicating holiday tourism. So business guests, after a congress, conference or incentives with their family, friends, colleagues or even alone, can continue to enjoy everything that Dubrovnik has to offer for a real vacation from work - beautiful landscapes, sea and beaches and numerous excursions.
