Selfies are alright, and sunsets are beautiful all around the world, particularly in Dubrovnik, but what about sunrise?
Dubrovnik's geography is awkward for certain types of photography in many ways, surrounded by mountains and at the bottom of an almost perfect slope at the foot of Mount Srdj, the sunrise often stays hidden behind the rocks, by the time it comes out, there's usually not much to see. Summer in Dubrovnik is hot, too hot. I don't really need to say much more about it. If you're a lover of photography and want to capture the city and its surroundings at a time when the temperatures are still pleasant (ish) enough to walk around comfortably and when everyone else is still asleep, get up early and visit these places.
1) Mount Srdj
This is perhaps the most obvious one of all, taking a photo from here at any time of day is always a safe win, but sunrise offers a different angle and visual aesthetic to the location from which uncountable sunset photos are taken every day. Turning to face the rugged mountains, Cavtat, Croatia's southernmost town, the mountaintop village of Bosanka and some of the interior of neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina as the sun rises offers an entirely different viewpoint and photographic experience than the typical ''over the Old City at sunset'' shot, and will bring out some absolutely stunning, unusual images.
2) Park Orsula
Park Orsula is hardly an ''unknown'' location, with numerous buses packed full of tourists stopping there on their way into and out of Dubrovnik to take photos of what is perhaps the best view over the city other than from the top of Srdj. That being said, most people aren't awake at sunrise and a sunrise from here, just like a sunset from here, is truly a sight to behold (and photograph).
3) Bosanka
It's a bit of a walk, but if you're fit and passionate enough about getting the perfect shot then it shouldn't pose much of a problem. Bosanka is a village close to the cable car station on Mount Srdj, a very small settlement consisting of just a handful of houses and some land. From this rocky point, you'll get a photo like no other as the sun rises over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cavtat, and the sparkling Adriatic sea as it is turned golden yellow by the gentle, early morning rays.
4) Stradun
Okay, it isn't quite sunrise by the time the early morning sunshine hits the ancient stone of Stradun and the Old City, but there is no sight quite like an almost empty Stradun, populated only by cleaners, Cistoca workers and the odd dog or cat bathed in the bright yet pleasant light of the early morning sun. The yellow tinged, still quite weak sun rays slowly climbing over the bell tower and covering the entire Baroque centre in pale light will make what would normally be a completely normal photo a small masterpiece without a great deal of effort.
5) Lovrijenac Fortress
Lovrijenac Fortress is a fantastic location for panoramic shots over the Old City, Mount Srdj, Pile bay and much more. The unique thing about Lovrijenac is that it is one of the few structures offering the perfect view over the Old City from the opposite direction it is usually viewed and photographed from, meaning a sunrise from here will be second to none.
6) The City Walls
Arguably Dubrovnik's top attraction and considered to be the most grandiose medieval fortification still standing in Europe, it's hard to go wrong with a photo from here, no matter the time of day and regardless of the device or equipment being used. The walls generally open at 08:00 in the morning before it gets too hot and before the crowds descend upon them, although 08:00 is a bit late for the actual rising of the sun, photos from here in the early morning light, coupled with the short-lived peace and quiet will create a perfect ambience that will be able to be felt through the photographs.
7) Gradac carpark
Yes, a carpark, I know, it hardly sounds glamorous but there really is no carpark quite like it. Gradac carpark, located on Pile just behind Lovrijenac Fortress is located on a high plateau, far away enough, yet still close enough from the Old City to get a good, uninterrupted view of basically everything around. Sunrises and photos of the city bathed in the early morning light from this location can be spectacular.
Whether you're a professional, an amateur, a hobbyist or just someone who wonders why they paid so much for a smartphone with an advanced camera and doesn't use it - let Dubrovnik be your inspiration. Instagram, Facebook, Flickr and the printers await you!
