Located on the coastline of a scenic exclave at the very southern tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is considered the Jewel of the Adriatic Sea. As mountains soar behind it, pine forests surround it, and the Bombay Sapphire sea glistens beyond it, the small but extraordinary city of Dubrovnik awaits your arrival.
At the heart of the city is Dubrovnik Old Town created for maritime trade over 1,000 years ago rivaling Venice during the Middle Ages. Today, the city’s Medieval walls, Renaissance Churches, and Baroque palaces are so well-preserved, that it has became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and to this day is thought to be the best remaining example of Medieval Europe.
Dubrovnik Old Town is so pristine, in fact, that it makes for the perfect movie set. Game of Thrones fans might better know it as the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, Kings Landing, where the House of Lannister infamously ruled. Meanwhile, the tiled limestone thoroughfare of Stradun which runs through the heart of the Old Town was featured in Star Wars Episode IX.
Walking through Dubrovnik Old Town today, you’ll find a line-up of top cafes, restaurants, specialty stores, and souvenir shops amongst a collection of breathtaking pieces of architecture. While it’s one of the Mediterranean’s most coveted cities, its calm and peaceful atmosphere allows you to easily spend days happily getting lost in the little lanes and drinking coffee in the squares.
But don’t get too comfortable inside Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls because there is so much more waiting to be explored in this gorgeous region from mountain viewpoints to sleepy Adriatic islands. Between the beauty of the medieval Old Town and the Mediterranean nature, it’s no surprise it has attracted porminent playwrights, poets, painter, and scholar for centuries. By the 19th century, it became a destination for the rich and famous. George Bernard Shaw once remarked, “those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it.”
Take a tour of the 11th-century Minčeta Tower, the best-preserved tower along the walls of Dubrovnik Old Town. From the 12th-century St John’s Chapel to the cloisters’ blooming gardens, every corner of the tower holds beautiful surprises. Minčeta Tower also marks the highest point of the fortification and presides over the city as a symbol of its success in being unconquered. Visitors are encouraged to climb up to the top of the tower for spectacular views over Dubrovnik Old Town and the Adriatic Sea.
See Sponza Palace
The 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance Sponza Palace is not only one of the most stunning buildings in Dubrovnik Old Town but it’s also one of the most historically and culturally significant. Throughout its history, the building served as a palace, a mint, an arsenal, and a meeting place for the Academy of the Learned, Dubrovnik’s intellectual community. Today, it houses the Dubrovnik Archives where you can find the most historically significant documents of Croatia that share insight into the country’s turbulent history.
Red History Museum
Get unparalleled insight into Croatia’s modern history as part of the communist regime of Yugoslavia at Red History Museum. It offers an exemplary exploration of Croatia’s struggle to freedom as well as fascinating context to the country’s social, cultural, and artistic heritage. Inside, find everything from Yugoslavian relics and staged Yugoslavian homes to stories of everyday people and places that were affected by the communist regime. Afterward, you’ll find yourself with a whole new appreciation for Croatia and Dubrovnik as it stands today.
Walk the Walls
Walking the historic walls is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town to introduce yourself to the city. Having surrounded Dubrovnik since the 13th century, it has become a major part of Dubrovnik’s identity. It takes around two hours to walk the whole circle around the city and every step is breathtaking. Enjoy views over the Old Town, spotting its architectural highlights along the way, as well as views across the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding islands. Don’t forget to take in the walls themselves which in parts are six metres thick and 25 metres tall.
Take a Game of Thrones Tour
To Game of Thrones fans, Dubrovnik might be better known as King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms and home of the Lannisters. To revel in this city of Westeros, take a Game of Thrones tour which shows you all of the incredible filming locations used in the series. See the steps where Cersei Lannister did her walk of shame, where the rebellion of Joffrey Lannister took place, which building inspired the Red Keep, and much more.
Admire the Architecture
It may be simple, but one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town is to wander around and soak in the splendour of its architecture. While the city itself dates back over 1000 years, you’ll find much of the architecture harks to the medieval and Baroque periods. From Stradun, the town’s bustling main street, to the steep narrow alleyways, there are mesmerising architectural details. Don’t miss Sponza Palace, Rector’s Palace, Pile Gate, the Church of St Blaise and Onofrio’s Fountain along the way.
The Old Town of Dubrovnik sits at the base of a mountainous coastline and the views from the mountains above it are nothing short of breathtaking. To see them for yourself, catch a ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car to reach the top of the mountain. From there, you’ll get clear views of the coastline for miles as well as a birds-eye-view of the Old Town which looks surprisingly small from above! Top tip: go at sunset to catch the incredible views in that glowy golden light.
Each year, between 10 July and 25 August, the city comes alive with dance, theatre, and music thanks to the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. The festival honours the city’s history as a cultural hub, a place where artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives have come together and found inspiration. Across the 47 days of celebration, find sensational events throughout the city including the Dubrovnik City Orchestra, folklore ensembles, exhibitions of 21st century Croatian paintings, and so much more. The buzz of creativity makes it a really special time to experience Dubrovnik.
Fort Lovrijenac has become one of Dubrovnik’s most recognisable pieces of architecture thanks to its appearance in Game of Thrones as the setting for King Joffrey’s name day. However, the fort’s beauty, history, and architecture are so significant that it’s worth visiting regardless of its most recent claim to fame. The fort was strategically built upon a steep craggy rock overlooking the Adriatic in the 11th century which stopped the Venetians from taking over the city. Now, it’s a wonderful place to watch some Shakespeare!
Elaphiti Islands
Hop on a scenic boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands, an archipelago of largely uninhabited small ancient islands known for their rich natural beauty and village charm. Take the time to wander the calm, peaceful villages and swim in its crystal clear shores. After a few days in the bustle of Dubrovnik, the slow pace of life here will feel very refreshing. That said, be sure to make time for all of its highlights including Konavle Valley, the town of Cavtat, Ston and Peljesac Peninsula, and Korčula Island.
Aquatic Activities
Since the city is surrounded by the gorgeous clear cerulean waters of the Adriatic, aquatic activities like kayaking, snorkelling, and scuba-diving are some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia. On a kayaking tour, your qualified instructor will lead you around the historic walls of Dubrovnik Old Town and towards the shores of Lokrum Island where you will have a chance to swim, snorkel, and explore coastal caves. Meanwhile, divers have the chance to discover the flora and fauna hiding beneath the Adriatic’s surface.
Sitting directly in front of Dubrovnik Old Town, Lokrum Island awaits to share the natural beauty of Croatia and Dubrovnik. Spend the day enjoying the gardens, swimming at the beach, or watching the peacocks and rabbits that call this island home. As previously mentioned, you can visit the island on a kayak tour but for more time to appreciate the island, take an early morning ferry to the island and spend the entire day there. Don’t forget to pack your bathing suits!
Pay a Visit to Kotor and Mostar
Did you know that Dubrovnik is less than 100 km from Kotor, Montenegro, and less than 150 km from Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina? Well, now that you do, be sure to add a city road trip or two to your itinerary! These two magical destinations are so close to Dubrovnik that it would be rude not to visit them while you’re in the area. Plus, the scenery en route is nothing short of extraordinary.
Try the Local Cafes and Restaurants
Exploring is always exciting in Dubrovnik, but sometimes there’s nothing better than simply sipping coffee in the local cafes and seeking out the best restaurants to try local dishes. From the low-key to the boujie, there are plenty of top spots to check out around the Old Town and new. Top tip: try the stuffed peppers, brujet (fish stew), and soparnik, a delicious flat vegetable pie.
For the best modern Dalmatian cuisine try Restaurant Dubrovnik, a fine dining restaurant serving creative local dishes. The highly exclusive Proto is another top Dubrovnik restaurant with a prowess for Dalmatian seafood. For the best Čevapi, a must-try local dish, visit Taj Mahal a stylish Bosnian restaurant where the country’s rich culture is beautifully reflected in its cuisine.
If you only have a couple of days to explore Dubrovnik, these are the things not to miss:
Walking through Dubrovnik Old Town’s narrow cobbled streets, you‘ll pass discreet old doorways and while many lead inside houses, one unassuming door leads through the town walls to a scenic clifftop bar called Buža Bar. To find it, follow the steps that lead down from the Pile Gate or turn right at the top of Stradum and walk along the Old Town walls until you come across a suspicious door. You’ll enjoy a spectacular sunset but make sure you get there early to get a spot–it can get busy!
Experience the delights of Dubrovnik on one of our luxury cruises which sails along the Croatian coast to the port city of Split ticking off all the region’s best destinations along the way. Our cruises are navigated by our modern luxury 36-40 passengers yachts that prioritize space and comfort, exceptional service, and memorable experiences. Read more about two of our Dubrovnik to Split cruises below.
Join this luxury 8-day cruise from Dubrovnik to Split navigating the highlights of the Croatian coast in a way that blissfully blends adventure and relaxation. Beginning in Europe’s most pristine medieval settlement, Dubrovnik Old Town, you’ll cruise leisurely up the Croatian coast stopping at an incredible variety of locations from history-rich towns and cities to laid-back Adriatic islands. At each stop, you’ll be taken on quality tours that capture the greatness of Croatia’s beauty and the depth of its culture. Oyster and wine tasting at a local oyster farm in Ston, a boat ride to the luminous Blue Grotto in Biševo, and a tour of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace in Split are just some of the wonderful memories you can expect to make. Meanwhile, the facilities onboard your luxurious modern 36-passenger cruise ship (including the restaurant, jacuzzi, and sun decks ensure each moment at sea provides the utmost indulgence and relaxation.
On this luxury 8-day cruise from Dubrovnik to Split, allow us to whisk you away to enchanting destinations steeped in history where every day promises new adventures and gastronomic delights. Hopping between destinations on the Croatia’s mainland coast and its gorgeous Adriatic islands including Hvar, Trogir, and Putniković, you’ll be introduced to the best of Croatian food and wine through thoughtful tours.
Expect to experience true Croatian hospitality with a homemade dinner hosted by a local family in Gromača, sample local produce and delicacies in the ancient town of Trogir’s market, and taste the flavours of Croatian wine on several winery tours. In between, your culture cup will be filled with classical music concerts, palace tours, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Onboard your yacht, lecturers will deliver insightful presentations on Croatian gastronomy while the crew serves classic cocktails before you slip into your robe and slippers ready for a sound night’s sleep in your plush suite.
