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Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," calls out to all who appreciate history, glamour, and grandeur. With its stunning waterfront, rich cultural heritage, captivating historical streets, charming local shops, and konobas (traditional taverns) offering a magical atmosphere and delicious food, it's a destination that's hard to resist. Add to that the local wine and beer, and the allure of Dubrovnik becomes impossible to ignore.
At First Glance
If you love reminders of antiquity, Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will captivate you at first glance—if it hasn't already. The city's turbulent history, marked by numerous attempts by neighboring nations to claim it, has left some scars on its architecture. Many areas are still undergoing restoration following the 1990s conflict with the Yugoslavian Army.
Despite this, Dubrovnik's seaside Old Town, encircled by remarkably well-preserved ancient walls, remains utterly mesmerizing.
Though small, the city boasts an impressive array of Baroque churches, medieval monasteries, and Renaissance palaces. Founded in the 7th century, Dubrovnik rose to prominence in the 13th century as an important seafaring hub. To truly appreciate the magic of this medieval gem, try to visit outside of the cruise season—before May or after September—when the crowds are thinner and the atmosphere more serene.
Reaching Dubrovnik
The easiest way to reach Dubrovnik is by air. You can fly directly from various European airports or via Zagreb, with domestic flights being the more affordable option.
If you choose to take the bus from Zagreb, the journey could take over 12 hours. However, driving directly by private car takes about 8-9 hours, covering a distance of approximately 600 kilometers. It’s often recommended to break up the journey with a stop in one of the coastal towns or islands along the way.
For the children of the sea, Split's fast catamaran option is best for Dubrovnik. It takes under 5 hours each way and stops on the islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula, and Mljet en route.
Things to See and Do
Stradun is the city’s main street with a 31-metre-high bell tower lined with restaurants. The street is flanked by two spring water fountains, called Onofrio's fountain (large & little). This is a good spot to enjoy some al fresco dining on the sea's fresh catch and watch people walking about leisurely as the day goes by.
If you want to browse the local market, head towards Gundulić Square on Stradun. This daily market sells fresh organic produce, figs, and cheese. You will also find embroidered linen and lace and products derived from locally grown lavender: bottles of oil, attractively wrapped soaps, pretty linen lavender bags, and much more. For a more authentic local shopping experience, visit Gruž Harbour.
The best way to take in the city is to meander through small side streets and watch the thoroughfare lounging on a bench at the marina and sauntering along the harbor, admiring beautiful old buildings and the ancient drawbridge called Pile Gate. The limestone walls are one of the city’s highlights, where you’ll find people walking the city walls and climbing the dramatic steps and historical turrets from medieval fortifications. On one side, you will see the Adriatic, and on the left are the glimpses of daily life in the Old Town.
Just beyond the Ploče Gate is Dubrovnik’s main beach, Banje. If you are in Old Town, a short drive away is Gruž, Lapad and Babin Kuk, having a full range of facilities for families. Tread among the rocks and pebbly beaches of Lapad and Babin Kuk for a dip in the sea.
Another excursion is to hop on the boat from Old Town’s harbor. In 15 minutes, you will arrive at the tiny island of Lokrum, which manages to pack in a monastery, botanical gardens, saltwater lake, and rocky beaches.
When you’ve had enough of history, head towards the Old Port of Dubrovnik early in the morning; it is a starting point for visiting neighboring islands. The Elaphite Islands and Mljet are to the northwest. Meander through the forest trails and botanical gardens of National Park in Mljet. Perfect for those who like to spend time diving, swimming, and hiking far from the crowds.
Beyond those are the fertile vineyards of the Pelješac peninsula, home to bijou harbor villages and plenty of wineries to tantalize your taste buds.
Separated by a narrow channel from Pelješac is the island of Korčula – which claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. You can visit his house, which is now a museum. Korčula is three hours by bus and ferry, and you can stay overnight in one of the accommodations available there. Korčula Island is a smaller and quainter version of Dubrovnik, famous for its festivals.
Beyond Old Town, a boat ride away, is the village of Cavat in the Konavle region, South of Dubrovnik and before Montenegro. You can enjoy the region for its vineyards and numerous bicycle trails through hills and valleys.
Dubrovnik is a timeless city. At night, watch as the city comes to life with music drifting from classical concerts held in historic buildings. Do not miss the many outdoor restaurants, where you can feast on plates of fresh seafood before you call it in.
Tips for Exploring Dubrovnik
The Old Town is a pedestrian zone, meaning you can only walk through it. So make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes.
Hit the Old Town museums, particularly the Museum of the Homeland War, to learn about its maritime history and its recent past.
You can visit Dubrovnik any time of the year, and the labyrinth of cobbled streets and the baroque architecture will welcome you with open arms. Indulge in nostalgia by admiring the Fort of St Lawrence, Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, and imagining the old town in bygone days.
Dubrovnik is located in the southernmost part of the brightest Croatian region: the Dalmatia–Dubrovnik area. Take the cable car up the top of Mount Srd and take beautiful photos of Croatia's best-known panoramas and the whole of the Mediterranean area. You can also stop for the view while coming from the direction of Dubrovnik airport.
If you like watersports, Dubrovnik has a wide variety of hot spots and activities, including waterskiing, banana rides, kayaking, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, and flyboarding. A major draw is catamaran sailing and big game fishing around Dubrovnik's coast and islands.
Dubrovnik has all sorts of restaurants to suit any palate, from quick, cheap and tasty to premium gourmet ones. Alfresco dining draws a major crowd for its relaxed sense of informality, even during colder months when heaters are taken outside. Italian cuisine is well known here. Many of the restaurants are family-owned so that the recipes may differ from restaurant to restaurant. Don’t miss out on some of Dubrovnik’s signature dishes. Although there aren’t many vegetarian restaurants, you’ll find restaurants with vegetarian selections.
Here are 22 Best Croatian Dishes You Must Try
And now the important thing for the fans of….
Game of Thrones & King's Landing - the filming locations in Dubrovnik
Rarely does a certain kind of show or movie come along that grabs the world's attention and keeps them captivated. Game of Thrones is one of those shows; it is considered one of the greatest fantasy shows of all time. For those who have seen the series and are ardent fans, a visit to Dubrovnik will be like déjà vu – to experience these locations – and soak in the gorgeous settings while feeling like being a part of it,
Such is the grandeur of Dubrovnik that filming in the Old Town needed no special actions for scenery or special effects to play the port city of King’s Landing, a stronghold of the Lannister family. This is the list of the locations used for filming.
Dubrovnik Old Town, ‘the pearl of the Adriatic,’ overlooking the enormous Dalmatian coast, has been a perfect place for the drama to unfold.
Walls Of Dubrovnik are a series of defensive stone walls that stretch completely around the old town, at a maximum height of about 25 metres (82 ft)
St Dominika Street: Dubrovnik’s walled old city is a labyrinth of lanes flanked by stone houses
Pile Gate is the main entrance to Old Town.
Bokar Fortress was built in 1461 by Italian architect and sculptor Michelozzo di Bartolomeo to defend Pile Gate, the western entrance to Dubrovnik.
Trsteno Arboretum: Twenty minutes from Dubrovnik, this 15th-century palace garden is home to some of the world’s ancient tree species.
Minčeta Tower: This tower is named after the Mencetic family, who owned the ground upon which it was built. It is the highest point of the walls and offers an unforgettable view of the old town of Dubrovnik.
Island of Lokrum: Six hundred meters off Croatia’s mainland, this attractive place dates back to 1023.
Fort Lovrijenac: Built to resist Venetian rule and located on the western side of Old Town today, it is famous for the plays it hosts.
Tags: 4 Days in Dubrovnik, Travel to Dubrovnik for Your Next Best Holiday, Dubrovnik holidays. travel to Dubrovnik, Vocations in Dubrovnik Croatia, things to do in Dubrovnik Croatia
