So you are thinking of eloping to Croatia and you've narrowed it down to Dubrovnik. While there are loads of great locations in the Old Town if you want something a little different, a place with the best view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area, then you should consider an elopement on Mount Srđ. (pronounced 'Srge')

When it comes to elopements, Mount Srđ is one of the best venues for this kind of ceremony. It's easily accessible even for people that have mobility issues or for older relatives, which means Gran can get there with no trouble at all. Also due to the small size of an elopement, there are lots of different places that are available and you can normally find a quiet spot, with very few people around (although this does depend a lot on the time of day and the season. See more on this below)

Along with the walls of Dubrovnik, mount Srđ is probably the second most popular destination for anyone who visits Dubrovnik.  Towering 400+ meters above the city of Dubrovnik, it’s one of the best locations for sunset watching as you get a great view out across the elaphiti islands (Šipan, Lopud, and Koločep) and the old town.

At the top you have the Panorama Restaurant, which is part of the same group as the Gradska Kavana in town and does great food (did I mention the mojito's already ?) It also gives you a great perspective on the old town and how it sits in the adriatic, so even of you don't visit at sunset, its a place you plan to see on your trip.

If you are feeling more adventurous, at the highest point of Srđ is the Imperial fortress, with museum or you can try other activities such as the Zip Line, Sky Cycle or Quad bike tours. However, I'd skip the activities, just soak in the views and have a great lunch, before heading back down to the real world again. If you go in the evening, take a jumper as it is always a few degrees cooler at the top than in the old town.

There are 3 main ways to reach Mount Srđ, by cable car, by foot or by car.

- The most popular way to reach the summit is by taking the cable car. The base station is a 5min stroll from the Old Town's Buža gate, just walk towards the fire station and then turn right. It's a 30 Eur round trip or 17 Eur one way. Children between 4yr - 7yr get a discount.

- If you are planing to hike to the top, then allow a little more than an hour from the start of the trail ( it will take you an additional 30mins to reach the trail from the old town Pile gate). The trail to the top is not steep, plus the initial part is under the shade of the trees. However, the pathways are very uneven, so take care of your footing and have the appropriate footwear. Once you exit the tree line you have great views of Dubrovnik all the way to the top.

- Lastly, you can go by car / taxi to the top of Mount Srđ. The road has recently been widened as well, so some of the old choke points that were congested in the summer are no longer an issue.

Each of these has its own advantages so you could combine them. Hike up and the take the cable car down perhaps, but make sure you stop at the Panorama restaurant at the top for refreshments. They make probably the best mojito in Dubrovnik (so now you know why I'm taking the cable car back down).

The amazing view and the ability to find a relatively empty spot somewhere on the hill are the two main reasons. So while the town might be full to the brim, a Mount Srđ or the Island of Lopud, provide two calmer and quieter alternatives.

The top of the hill is dominated by the main vantage point and the restaurant, but if you walk just 5mins to the west, you can find a calm spot away from the cable car. The best location for a Mount Srđ elopement might actually be a 30min walk down the road to the east. Why? well from here you can take photos with the old town in the back ground and there are no cable car wires intruding in the image.

This spot is great for elopements. On the other hand, if you want to have a larger wedding, say up to 20 guests , then the amphitheater located in the Imperial fortress is your best option.

A combination of views on Dubrovnik and the surrounding area, as well as ease of access, plus the restaurant, make Srđ one of the best wedding venues in Dubrovnik.

In my opinion, the best time to elope in Dubrovnik is late April through to May or late September, through to October. There are fewer people and the weather, whilst still warm and relatively stable, isn't as insanely hot as it is in July and August.

As you can see from some of the photos on this blog, the summer can be busy, on Mount Srđ. July and August are the hottest and dryest part of the year. However, even in this period, it’s still possible to find a quieter spot where you can hold your ceremony. 

If you are thinking of peak summer for your Srđ wedding, then try to plan for early morning, when the hill is at its quietest (the cable car starts at 9am, but you can always take a taxi up and then ride the cable car back down). Getting married at sunrise as those first rays of light peak of the mountain is magical (although you do have to get up early).

Alternatively, aim for late afternoon at sunset. The light is amazing and sunsets will always be eternally romantic. There may be more people around but its always possible to find a quiet spot to get some great photos.