The best things to do and see in Dubrovnik
Just to let you know… This post (probably) contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associates links, and I may receive a small commission when you click on the links. This is at no extra cost to you and allows me to keep running this website. How cool is that?! I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own.
Want to plan a trip to Dubrovnik this year and don’t know where to start your research? You landed on the right page! In this article, I want to take you with me on a virtual tour and show you all the things you need to put on your Dubrovnik travel plan.
Buckle up, cuz this probably will be a long one 😁.
Why do you need to put Dubrovnik on your bucket list?
To be honest, Dubrovnik popped up on my travel radar after seeing Game of Thrones, the big pop-culture phenomenon. In the TV series, Dubrovnik was the famous city that served as King’s Landing.
If you aren’t a big fan of the show or didn’t watch it at all, don’t worry, it doesn’t matter. In fact you are going to save money by not going on Game of Thrones themed-related tours. Also, you will be more focused on discovering the history of this city.
In my opinion, which is also shared by the locals, the city has become too much of a tourist haven, due to the famous show, which means prices are also over-inflated. But don’t worry, I plan to write an article where I will provide tips on how you can visit Dubrovnik and still stay on a budget. Stay tuned for that!
That being said and leaving the TV series behind, Dubrovnik is worth visiting for many reasons. In my opinion, there’s nothing quite like walking the narrow streets of a city, rich in history and architectural details. Dubrovnik was such a city and boy, did it deliver! From the vivacious atmosphere to the impeccable views, this city will probably remain one of my favorites.
Here are 5 amazing facts about Dubrovnik:
- The city walls are 25m high and 6m thick, with 16 towers, from which you can see several lovely views of the sea and the whole city (amazing, right?!);
- The city walls have never been breached (Now, that’s impressive!);
- Dubrovnik is home to many festivals, but the most famous one is Dubrovnik Summer Festival which takes place from mid-July through late August (keep that in mind, if you are a big festival fan);
- In Dubrovnik, you can find one of the world’s oldest pharmacies;
- It was one of the first places to abolish slavery.
Now it’s time for the main reason you got here 😊.
Here is my list of the best things to do and see in Dubrovnik:
1. Fort Lovrijenac
If you’re looking for stunning photo opportunities, this is definitely the place to visit!
Fort Lovrijenac or St Lawrence is also known as “Gibraltar of Dubrovnik” and should be a must on every travel itinerary.
The fortress was built on a 37m high cliff outside the western part of the city walls. If you are a big fan of Game of Thrones, you will be impressed by this place, because most of the scenes were filmed here. Also, if you want a closer “to the story” experience, you can book a Game of Thrones-themed tour. We didn’t do that, but witnessed groups near us and got a sneak peek when the guides explained where the famous scenes were filmed. They even had printed photos from the movie.
This is proof that the tourism industry knows how to seize every opportunity and transform everything into profit. This is why we didn’t book any tour. We felt that this experience couldn’t add a meaningful value to our trip. Personally, I find it more interesting to learn about the history of this place, but of course, feel free to design your trip as you wish.
2. Rector’s Palace
What shows up at a first glance, are the beautiful architectural details of the columns (as you can see in the photos).
What served initially in the late 15th century as a home for the elected rector, is now known as the Cultural History Museum. Sadly, we didn’t visit the place on the inside, our travel plans at that time were built on exploring the city on foot. Looking back, I regret that we didn’t schedule the necessary time to visit museums and places of culture.
Anyway, if you want to buy a ticket, you can click here and go to the official page.
The ticket for Rector’s Palace is 100 kuna (approx. 15 euro) for adults. Also, you have the option to buy a pass which includes more museums and the price is 130 kuna (approx. 18 euro) for adults.
3. Clocktower
This landmark is a remarkable Clock Tower with a height of 31m, that was built in the 15 century. It’s located at the end of Stradun street and close to Sponza Palace in Luza Square.
Not gonna go into more detail, it’s a beautiful clock, you should see it 😅, that’s it!
4. The Fort of St John
This is one of those places that we came to discover by accident while exploring the Old City’s streets. I’m so bad at orientation sometimes, I’m used to simply strolling the streets randomly, or if I have a strict list with what I want to visit, I use my trusty Google Maps app. But, I’m doing my best here to provide you with all the details. I hope they are helpful.
Fort of St John is located on the south-eastern edge of the city port and it consists of an imposing structure which you can’t miss. We saw it from outside because we took a break and enjoyed lunch on one of the benches facing the fort.
Keep in mind that the port itself is a great place to take your time and explore. It’s the perfect place where you can snack, take a break and relax your feet on one of the benches there. During our stay there we witnessed the passing of a pirate themed-ship, which was nice.
5. Walking on the city walls
Provided you don’t have a fear of heights, I think that this is the number one activity that tourists choose to do in Dubrovnik, besides visiting Fort Lovrijenac. The walls are approx. 2km long, so you will need to book at least 2 hours in your travel itinerary. Of course, if you want you can buy a ticket for a Game of Thrones themed-tour, but keep in mind that it can be pricey. If you are tempted to buy this experience, I recommend you read some reviews before. Other people’s reviews helped me on multiple occasions to maintain my wallet’s integrity 😅.
The City Walls will offer a fantastic view of the blue sea and the overall landscape of Dubrovnik’s Old City which consists of beautiful red rooftops.
If you are visiting Dubrovnik during the summer, it’s recommended to book this activity in the evening or earlier in the morning.
6. Loggia Square
Loggia Square is another place you should take your time and explore. Even if you don’t put it on your travel checklist, you will find it for sure, just by walking around the Old City’s streets.
This former market can be found in the northeast section of the old city center and it features public monuments and old buildings. We spend time here taking photos and overall enjoying the atmosphere.
7. Walk through Stradun
This large street is also known as Placa and it’s a place where locals and tourists come to spend time at cafes and restaurants and snuck in some shopping as well. Stradun street is also famous for its white limestone paving. I was really surprised to find out how old Stradun is because it dates back to 1468.
Oh, and something I found out after we left Dubrovnik, unfortunately, is that on one of the side streets of Stradun you can find a place named War Photo Limited. This place is displaying fascinating photography that captures armed conflicts that mankind was involved in.
8. Strolling the narrow streets
As I previously mentioned, Dubrovnik it’s an expensive city, largely because of the fame that Game of Thrones brought to it.
If you travel on a budget and want to enjoy the city’s essence, don’t worry, you can do that just by strolling the streets within the city gates. There are a lot of unique spots where you can capture the Old City’s vibe and also come across unexpected scenic overlooks. This is something that we did a lot during our 3 days stay in Dubrovnik and every time we discovered a new beautiful corner to admire.
9. The City gates
The city gates are the first landmark that will welcome you when you approach the old city.
To picture a better image, passing through the city gates is like entering a place where history is carved into every corner of every street. From the city walls that protected the city a long time ago to the fortresses that fought invaders to keep the people safe and free. And let’s not forget about the buildings marked with architectural details that mixed gothic and renaissance styles alike. Without any exaggeration, after you pass the city gates you are invaded by an awestruck feeling of entering another world, a medieval one.
Fan of Game of Thrones or not, the beauty of this city has nothing to do with the notorious TV show or the popularity that came after.
10. Eating waffles (yes, this is a thing!)
If you’ve never read any of my articles, welcome. I like food. And I LOVED Dubrovnik’s waffles!
I know, I know this is not your typical classic list of things to do, but hear me out! While strolling randomly through the streets we passed a place that just allured us in with the sweet smell of baked goods and the view of colorful and delicious toppings. One waffle is pretty big (that’s what she said), so keep that in mind. Maybe you can split it with your travel partner (or not 😅).
11. Lokrum Island
I have to say that we didn’t visit this one 😔 . It was on our list, but we just didn’t have enough time for it. As you probably know, sometimes travel plans don’t go as you expect them to, but that’s ok. However, I can’t write this article, without mentioning Lokrum because it’s a lusciously beautiful island filled with a variety of trees and is also home to the medieval Benedict monastery.
12. Checking out amazing scenic overlook spots
Here is a list of the best scenic overlooks which I recommend you check out:
- Peline Ulica:
This street is located along the north walls of Old Town. The best time to go there is at night, because the streetlights, the narrow streets and the old stone walls make this view look fantastic.
- Lovrijenac Fortress
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, Lovrijenac offers one of the most phenomenal views over the city walls, the city itself and the Adriatic sea. Prepare your camera and I recommend you take your time and try all the angles.
- Sulic beach
While going up the stairs to the entrance of Lovrijenac, you will have a great view of Sulic beach. As you can see in the photo below, the landscape is spectacular. This was one of those times when we accidentally came across unexpected views.
- Along the Old Town Port
Roaming along with the port, we found great spots with a view of the city. My advice to you is to take your time, buy some food or snacks, find a bench, and enjoy your lunch while feeling the city’s energy.
- Ulica uz Jezuita
After you find this street via Google Maps, search for the stairs that lead up towards Saint Ignatius Church. From the top of the steps, you will get a great angle to take some Instagram worthy photos.
I hope you find this article useful and it makes you more excited to plan your next amazing trip to Dubrovnik!