Next time you’re in Dubrovnik Croatia, here are a few ways you can get off the tourist trail to authentically meet more of the locals. After all, what better way to get to know a location than as a local?

Here are our 5 top tips for an authentic Dubrovnik experience.

1. Enjoy the Local Outdoor Markets

Gundulic Square has a thriving morning market filled with fruits, vegetables, flowers, crafts and more. This is not a tourist’s market. This is very much a local’s market. And who knows, in this friendly setting, you may even make friends with a few locals who can tell you even more about their city. In Dubrovnik, markets take place throughout the year, so even in the shoulder seasons, there is plenty to keep you occupied.

2. People Watch at Luza Square

Luza Square is the local meeting spot for locals and tourists alike. The square is bustling with people day and night as historic Sponza Palace, St Blaise Church, and city Bell Tower are all central to the square. Find a bench to sit on or a patch of a wall to lean against, and you’ll blend right in with the local scene as you let the streets scenes pass you by. People-watching truly seems to be a favorite local pastime here as well

3. Hike Mount Srd & Picnic Overlooking Dubrovnik

Rather than piling into a high-priced touristy restaurant, why not pack a picnic lunch by stocking up on fruits and cheeses at the local market and head out for a picnic lunch. There are a number of small supermarkets around the main square where you can pick up any other items you may need to round out your meal. You can take your picnic with you to the top of Mount Srd. At 413 meters above the city, it offers the most spectacular panorama view over Dubrovnik. The hike to the top takes about 90 minutes so you’ll have earned your picnic lunch by the time you get to the top. To get back down, you can opt to take the newly restored communist-era cable car, for a small fee.

4. Embrace the Coastal Life in a Kayak

The city of Dubrovnik is not only one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but also (unsurprisingly) has one of the best beaches in the region. Many Croatians living on the coast maintain an active outdoor lifestyle that includes regularly kayaking out to the local islands. A typical kayak trip out to Lokrum Island involves paddling past cliff caves as well as Dubrovnik’s stunning city walls.

5. Spend a Day at the Beach

If you’d rather just laze around in the sun, Banje Beach is where Dubrovnik’s beach culture lives. It’s a bit like Sydney’s Bondi Beach, minus the surfing. So this is where you’ll find as many locals as you will tourists bathing in the Adriatic’s sparkling waters or bask in the Dalmatian sun. This beach is located right next to the old town, so it’s very central, and there’s also a bar and restaurant directly at the beach.