Things to Visit in Dubrovnik: Walls, Old Town, and Islands
Explore Dubrovnik from its medieval city walls to the Adriatic islands. Covers the walled old town, Game of Thrones filming locations, beaches, cable car views, and day trips to Lokrum and the Elaphiti Islands.
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Old Town and City Walls
Walk the full circuit of the city walls
The 2-km wall walk is Dubrovnik's signature experience. Entry costs about 35 EUR (250 HRK). The circuit takes 1-2 hours depending on how often you stop for photos. Start early (walls open at 8 AM) or go after 4 PM to avoid midday heat and cruise ship crowds. The Minceta Tower has the highest viewpoint.
Enter at the Pile Gate entrance
Stop at the Minceta Tower for the highest viewpoint
Walk the Stradun (Placa) main street
The limestone-paved main street runs 300 meters through the heart of the old town from Pile Gate to the Clock Tower. Polished smooth by centuries of foot traffic. Onofrio's Large Fountain at the west end and the Bell Tower at the east end frame the street. Best enjoyed at dawn before the crowds arrive.
Explore the side streets and stairways
The real charm of Dubrovnik is in the narrow alleys branching off the Stradun. Steep staircases lead to residential areas with laundry lines, cat colonies, and hidden restaurant terraces. The northern side streets (toward Minceta) are steeper but less crowded.
Visit the Rector's Palace
A Gothic-Renaissance palace that served as the seat of the Republic of Ragusa government. The rector was elected monthly and could not leave the building during his term. Now a museum with period furniture, paintings, and the old pharmacy. Entry included in the Dubrovnik City Walls combo ticket.
Enter the Franciscan Monastery and Europe's third-oldest pharmacy
The monastery on the Stradun houses a 14th-century cloister with Romanesque columns and a pharmacy in continuous operation since 1317. The small museum displays old apothecary equipment. Entry is about 5 EUR. The cloister is the most photographed quiet spot in the old town.
Viewpoints and Cable Car
Ride the cable car to Mount Srd
The cable car climbs 405 meters above the old town in 4 minutes. The summit terrace has the single best view of Dubrovnik: the walled city, harbor, Lokrum Island, and the Adriatic. Tickets are about 27 EUR round-trip. Go at sunset for golden light, but expect crowds. The upper station has a restaurant and a small war museum.
Walk the Lovrijenac Fortress
The fortress on a cliff outside the western wall offers dramatic views of the old town from across the inlet. Used as a Red Keep filming location in Game of Thrones. Entry is about 7 EUR or included with the city walls ticket. The interior hosts theater performances during the Summer Festival.
Find the viewpoint above the old port
From the eastern wall stairs or the road above the old port (Ulica od Domina), you get a classic postcard angle of the old town rooftops and harbor. Free and uncrowded compared to the walls. Best in morning light.
Beaches and Islands
Swim at Banje Beach
The main beach east of the old town, with views of the walls and Lokrum Island. Free public areas on the sides; the center has a beach club with loungers (30+ EUR). The water is crystal clear. Gets crowded after 10 AM in summer. The sunset from here is exceptional.
Take a ferry to Lokrum Island
A 15-minute ferry from the old port (about 20 EUR round trip). The uninhabited island has a botanical garden, a Benedictine monastery ruin, a saltwater lake (the Dead Sea), and rocky swimming spots. Peacocks roam freely. No overnight stays allowed. Bring snacks and water; the one restaurant is expensive.
Visit Sveti Jakov Beach
A local favorite 20 minutes east of the old town on foot (down a steep staircase). Less crowded than Banje with equally clear water and a small bar. The views of the old town from the water are postcard-worthy. The stairs back up are punishing in the heat.
Take a day trip to the Elaphiti Islands
A boat excursion (full day, 40-60 EUR) visits three car-free islands: Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. Lopud has the best sandy beach (Sunj Beach). Lunch is usually included. Alternatively, take the local ferry and explore independently. A peaceful escape from Dubrovnik's crowds.
Culture and History
Take a Game of Thrones walking tour
Dubrovnik stood in for King's Landing throughout the series. Guided tours (about 25-35 EUR, 2 hours) cover the main filming locations: the Jesuit Stairs (Walk of Shame), Lovrijenac Fortress (Red Keep), Pile Gate, and the Ethnographic Museum terrace. Even non-fans appreciate the city history woven in.
Visit the War Photo Limited gallery
A powerful photography gallery documenting conflicts around the world, with a permanent section on the 1990s siege of Dubrovnik. The Croatian War of Independence is recent history here. The gallery provides crucial context for understanding the city. Entry is about 8 EUR.
Learn about the 1991-1992 Siege of Dubrovnik
A museum in the Sponza Palace documents the shelling that damaged 68% of the old town's buildings during the Croatian War. A memorial room lists those killed. The Imperial Fortress on Mount Srd also has a war exhibition. Understanding the siege transforms how you see the restored buildings.
Catch a Dubrovnik Summer Festival performance
The annual festival (July 10 to August 25) stages theater, music, and dance in open-air venues across the old town, including the Lovrijenac Fortress and Rector's Palace atrium. Performances sell out; book early on the festival website. Hamlet performed on the fortress wall is legendary.
Food, Drink, and Practical Tips
Eat fresh seafood at a konoba (tavern)
Konobas serve traditional Dalmatian food: grilled fish, octopus salad, black risotto (squid ink), and peka (slow-cooked meat or fish under a bell-shaped lid). Restaurants inside the old town charge 30-50% more than those in Lapad or Gruz. Ask for the fish of the day, priced by the kilogram.
Try Dubrovnik's ice cream scene
The old town has excellent gelaterias with local flavors: fig, lavender, carob, and orange blossom. Two scoops cost about 3-5 EUR. Lines form at the popular spots after dinner. Locals eat ice cream year-round.
Drink at a cliff bar (Buza Bar)
Two bars carved into the cliffs outside the southern wall serve drinks on terraces perched above the Adriatic. Access through a small door in the wall (look for signs saying 'cold drinks'). Prices are high (beers 7-10 EUR) but the swimming-off-the-rocks-with-a-cocktail experience is unique.
Visit Gruz Market for local produce
The open-air market near the cruise port sells fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, olive oil, and lavender products. Prices are lower than the old town. Open mornings Monday through Saturday. The surrounding Gruz neighborhood has affordable restaurants popular with locals.
Avoid cruise ship days for old town visits
Dubrovnik can receive 6,000+ cruise passengers per day. Check the port schedule online before planning your wall walk or old town exploration. Ships typically arrive 8-9 AM and passengers flood the old town until 4-5 PM. On non-cruise days, the old town feels remarkably peaceful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Dubrovnik?
2-3 days covers the city walls, old town, a beach day, and one island trip. With 4 days, add a day trip to the Elaphiti Islands, Montenegro (Kotor is 2 hours by bus), or Mostar in Bosnia. Dubrovnik's old town is compact (you can walk across it in 10 minutes) so you explore it quickly.
Is Dubrovnik expensive?
By Croatian standards, very. It is Croatia's most expensive city. A meal inside the old town costs 15-30 EUR; outside the walls, prices drop by 30%. Accommodation in summer peaks at 150-300 EUR per night for mid-range hotels. The city walls ticket alone is 35 EUR. Budget travelers should stay in Lapad or Gruz and eat outside the old town.
When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?
May-June and September-October: warm enough to swim, fewer cruise ships, and lower prices. July and August are extremely hot (35C+), packed with tourists, and the most expensive. The Dubrovnik Summer Festival (July-August) is the main cultural draw. Winter is mild (8-15C) and very quiet.
How do you avoid crowds in Dubrovnik?
Start your day at 7-8 AM before cruise passengers arrive. Walk the city walls right when they open (8 AM) or after 4 PM. Check the cruise ship schedule online and plan your old town visits for non-cruise days. Stay in the old town for easy access during quiet morning and evening hours. Explore neighborhoods like Lapad and Gruz for a local experience.