I visited 'exceptionally clean' city that's walkable and perfect for families

At Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik your table comes with a side of vertigo, as Lucy Williamson found out first hand during her trip to the Croatian city. She was strapped into her seat, with her knuckles white and her heart racing, suspended 164 feet above the gound and her feet dangling in the air.

At Dinner in the Sky, you hang from a large crane and enjoy a three-course meal made in a suspended kitchen while conquering your fear of heights, and getting a bird’s eye view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, all while trying not to drop your fork onto the unsuspecting pedestrians below.

Lucy said: “It turns out, you haven’t truly experienced Dubrovnik until you’ve seen it from above. Little did I know I’d end up testing this theory not once, not twice, but three times during my Croatian adventure.”

Her next elevated experience came courtesy of the cable car, whisking her up Mount Srd in a swift four minutes.

At the top you will find the Panorama Restaurant, where frozen cocktails taste infinitely better when sipped alongside a bird’s-eye view of the terracotta roofs and sapphire seas of Dubrovnik Old Town. It spreads out below like a perfectly preserved mediaeval model village.

Lucy said: “On a clear day up here, you can see up to 37 miles away. Menu highlights include a trio of seafood delicacies, Chef’s King Prawns, and an extensive Croatian wine list. Seeking refuge at sea level that evening, I joined tour guide Marco from X-Adventure Tours for a sunset kayaking expedition.

“Ready to see Dubrovnik from its best angle?” he said, handing me a paddle. We glide past the city walls, their ancient stones glowing amber in the fading light.”

But walking through Dubrovnik’s Old Town, you really get a reminder that some of the best moments come from simply exploring on foot. The polished limestone streets guide you past historic facades, littered with tucked-away cafes, and small artisan shops.

The only thing it isn’t littered with is, well - litter.

Lucy said: “Despite at least 10,000 tourists strolling its streets every day, it was exceptionally clean and it also felt very safe too.”

The Old Town has truly earned its nickname “Pearl of the Adriatic” and also its UNESCO World Heritage status. The same streets that once hosted maritime merchants transporting diverse cargoes throughout the Mediterranean, now host Game of Thrones location walking tours, while history buffs come to marvel at treasures like one of Europe’s oldest working pharmacies, operating within the Franciscan Monastery since 1317.According to Lucy, a stroll along the city walls is essential.

Dating back to the 10th century and at 1.2 miles long, the walk consists of the main city wall, 16 towers and three fortresses.

And at up to 82ft in height, it offers more of those panoramic views of Dubrovnik’s distinctive terracotta rooftops.

Meanwhile, tucked away behind those ancient city walls lies one of the most breathtaking watering holes you’ll ever stumble upon. The Buza Bar is accessible only through a nondescript opening in the stone. But venture through the unassuming portal and this open-air bar on the rocks below the walls offers front-row seats to a view of shimmering turquoise Adriatic waters.

It’s unlikely to pass even the most cursory health and safety inspection, but visitors can nurse frosty beers and soak up the sun while dangling their legs over the ledge.

Lucy’s base for all of her vertical adventures was the Valamar Lacroma. This family-friendly hotel is perched in the peaceful Babin Kuk peninsula, like a sophisticated aunt watching the Old Town’s party from a safe distance.

She said: “This light-filled, relaxed, contemporary hotel is an ideal choice for an upscale family escape or a romantic getaway by the sea. Here, the soundtrack isn’t the click-clack of tourists’ cameras, but rather the gentle whisper of pine trees and the occasional splash from the vast outdoor pools. With 401 rooms and suites, the Lacroma could easily feel as crowded as the city walls during peak season. Yet somehow, it maintains serenity.

“My room, a Superior with a sea-view balcony, becomes my favourite spot for morning coffee contemplation. It even has a pillow menu that offers more options than the Iron Throne has swords – from feather to foam, and even lavender-scented. Meanwhile, the Lacroma’s morning spread could feed a small medieval army, from fresh fruit, yogurts, bacon and sausage, to made-to-order omelettes.”

For a more intimate dining experience, the Langusto Restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine on a secluded terrace. The Ragusa Spa provides the perfect respite after a day of climbing the city’s endless steps. The heated indoor pool, steam bath, and Finnish sauna seemingly offer more ways to relax than there are Game of Thrones episodes (73).

Valamar has a number of neighbouring hotels on its books - the five star President and two four-star properties, of which Lacroma is one.

But they all have access to the hotel’s secret weapon: Maro World.

If you’re on a family getaway, Maro World is a kids’ paradise. This massive entertainment centre, the largest on the Adriatic, features everything from a trampoline park to a children’s cinema.

Lucy said: “While I technically can’t participate (being a few decades past the target demographic), I couldn’t resist hopping on the fun interactive light wall. It made my old Game Boy look like a relic from the Stone Age. Parents can relax knowing that babysitting and childcare services are available, allowing adults to enjoy a well-deserved break while their kids have a blast. But the city itself is the ultimate playground. Dubrovnik, it turns out, is a city best appreciated from above.”

Whether you’re dangling your feet from a dinner table, lunching 1,360ft up Mount Srd, or standing atop those mighty walls – the higher you go, the better it gets.