As every good photographer knows, getting the best images is sometimes about access; knowing where to go and how to get there. When you arrive at a new destination no amount of research or planning on Photopills can really compensate from having some local knowledge to tap into.

Most people will come to Dubrovnik and happily snap away on the stradun, the walls, the Jesuit stairs, from Mount Srd or in the plethora of back streets. There are of course some fantastic images to be captured in these locations, but what if you want something just a little different and you are prepared to get up early and walk just that little bit further to get them?

Whether you prefer street photography, landscape or long exposure, here are some ideas that might help you get more from a photographic stay in Dubrovnik. Above all else, have fun and if you find any new spots, be sure to let me know.

If you’re planning a small wedding or elopement here, you may want to start with my complete guide to Getting Married in Dubrovnik, where I cover locations, timing and what to expect as a UK or US couple.

If you are thinking about booking a photographer for your Intimate Dubrovnik wedding or elopement, I 'd love to hear your plans.

You can get some great images of the old town harbour just after you enter the old town via Ploce Gate, but what if you want a wider view and perhaps a set up for a long exposure spot. Well, from Ploce Gate walk away from the old town for about 50meters, you are looking for the red Tisak cabin. Next to that you will see some steps leading down to restaurant Port 22.

This is actually at the access to the rocks that you see in the photo above and anyone can access it although it odes feel a bit odd walking through the restaurant., just smile and wave and maybe by a cool beer on the way back out. Once you’ve walked down to the water you can choose your spot. In the summer they have a set of steps to help with getting in and out of the water, but these aren’t there in the winter.

Best time to go - The sun will set behind the old town so an early evening visit could give you great colour, but might leave the old town slightly in shadow. A better bet is to go early and catch the old town just as the sun is rising. Ideal for a casual portrait session so we can get to know one another before your wedding.

Whilst the beach or perhaps we should call it the 'bathing platform' isn’t generally advertised as open for all, the hotel are quite happy for you to pop along and take some photos as long as you don’t annoy their guests. Head out of the old town via Ploce Gate and walk towards the Excelsior hotel. You can access the waterside area by walking through the car park and then down the steps just before you get to the hotel.

From here you can either frame up their very own rock pool if the sea is a bit rough or shoot back towards the old town. Once again, early evening will give some epic sunset photos, whereas early morning the sea tends to be calmer and the old town is bathed in the soft light of daybreak.

This kind of approach is exactly why many couples choose to elope at some of these spots — I’ve written a full guide to elopements and intimate weddings in Croatia if you’re considering something more personal and unhurried.

Head out of town via Buža gate and walk up to the fire station before turning left. Walk up the road (and it is up) until you get live with the Minćeta tower. Just opposite is a newly restored chapel, which has a raised platform facing the road, which is great for getting a better vantage point that doesn’t include parked cars or passing traffic.

Ideally get there before the sun comes up as the city lights are still on, once the sun peaks over the hills in the bottom left of the image, then the lights go out. At sunset the sky to the east is a little too dark, but its still an interesting image.

This time head out of the old town via Pile gate and walk up the road past the Hilton Hotel. Once you get to Seasme Restaurant, turn left and follow the road up until you read the Gradac car park. You can get some great angles of the Fort all the way along the car park, please don’t feel tempted to step over the barriers, it’s a heck of a drop down to the sea and rocks below.

If you’ve tried the locations in 1 & 2 above, but wanted to get a slightly wider shot that includes the hills behind the old town, then this is it. A 25 minute walk outside of the old town but again very accessible. As an added bonus why not carry on to Hotel Belvedere (as you are already over half way there) that was heavily bombed during the homeland war. You can wander around the grounds and some of the buildings. It's now home to a lot of stay cats, so take a few bags of cat food and make some new friends.

Finally, we get back to the old town itself. If you like street photography then the old town is a bit of a dream. As with most of the locations above, you will need to be up early to get the best light and to avoid the crowds. The shadows are better and last for longer in early spring and late autumn, it’s also much quieter then and cooler, so an ideal time to visit.

Personally I like the front of the cathedral and Pile to the west of the old town for sunrise and then for sunset, there are some great shadows to be found towards Ploce Gate and the streets leading up to it, which is on the east of the old town.

These stone streets and shaded alleys work beautifully for quieter, more timeless images — especially in black and white wedding photography, where texture and light matter more than colour.

This is one of the quieter locations I use when photographing couples looking to elope — but if you would like more ideas, you can read my guide to intimate weddings and elopements in Dubrovnik.