Discovering Dubrovnik: Top Things to Do in the Pearl of the Adriatic
- Amy Leggett
- Jul 29
- 8 min read
Quick Tips:
Short on time? Use these quick links to jump to the information you're looking for!
Just a head's up, this post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places or experiences that I have personally vetted...I got you covered!
If you are looking for an amazing destination for your next vacation, follow the crowd and plan a visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia. It is popular for a reason...it has breathtaking scenery, interesting history, unique experiences, and an overall adventurous vibe. Dubrovnik was my favorite stop on my recent Croatian vacation. Nestled on the dazzling Dalmation coast, Dubrovnik looks like it fell out of a fairy tale. Everywhere you turn there are Insta-worthy photo opportunities (as well as Game of Thrones filiming locations!). So pack some comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and your camera and follow me as I show you some of the best sights to see in Dubrovnik!
Top Attractions in Dubrovnik:
Explore Old Town Dubrovnik
One of the main attractions in Dubrovnik is the Old Town. The streets are paved with limestone and the Old Town is filled with quaint narrow alleyways where you can find shops, cafés and local artisans. Part of the fun is just roaming from alleyway to alleyway to see what you discover! Here are some highlights of the Old Town area:
The Stradun: The Stradun is the main street of the Old Town (see the picture above) and it is a perfect spot for souvenir shopping and people watching (as well as cat spotting if you are a cat lover like me!).
Cat Spotting is a Fun Activity in the Old Town!
Plaza del Mercado: A few steps off of the Stradun you can find Plaza del Mercado (or Market Square) filled with local merchants selling their wares. Madison purchased some hand embroidered items and I got a hand-crafted table runner that I love! The Square is also lined with restaurants and cafés. We ate at two different spots and both were delicious. We were given an insider tip from our tour guide that the Café Royal was one of the best spots to go for fresh oysters (a Dubrovnik specialty) at a reasonable price. We followed her advice and stopped there mid-afternoon for a glass of Croatian wine and to try some fresh oysters. We also had lunch at Pizzeria Castro, an Italian spot next to the Café Royal, and had delicious wood-fired pizza. They also offered gluten free crust for my Celiac daughters. Win on all counts!
Vendors in Market Square
The Jesuit Stairs (the Game of Thrones "Walk of Shame" Spot): If you watched Game of Thrones you are very familar with Cersei Lannister's walk of shame. The Jesuit Staircase in Dubrovnik was used for this iconic scene so is a must see spot for all GOT fans. Even if you are not a GOT fan, it is still a must see as one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Dubrovnik. The staircase is just steps away from the Market Square. You will probably notice the crowd of people gathered around trying to snap a picture of the now infamous staircase.
The Jesuit Staircase (the Location of the Famous Game of Thrones Walk of Shame)
Old Town At Night: Make sure to experience Dubrovnik's Old Town at night. Not only are the nighttime views breathtaking, but there is a lively night lift to experience. Loud music echos off the alleyway walls from numerous locations filled with people.
Dubrovnik at Night (With the City Walls in the Background)
Walk the City Wall
The most iconic experience in Dubrovnik is to walk the fortified city walls that surround Old Town. We did this after we took a walking tour of Old Town so that we would know what we were looking down at. Walking the wall is not included in most walking tours so it is something that you need to do on your own. Our tour guide gave us the tip to buy a Dubrovnik Pass for 40 Euros which includes entrance to walk the city wall as well as entrance to many other attractions in Dubrovnik. Click here for more informaiton on the Dubrovnik Pass.
The city walls date back to the 10th century and completely surround the old town. Walking them gives you a panoramic view of the city, the red-roofed houses, and the amazingly beautiful Adriatic sea. The Instagrammable photos you will get from this perspective are well worth the 40 Euros, the steep staircase climb and the hoards of tourists. It is a must do if you are physically capable (there are no other options for getting to the top of the walls than climbing a bagillion stairs!).
Tips for the Best City Wall Experience:
Here are some tips that you should know to make your city wall experience as incredible as it can be:
The walls get very crowded as they are the top tourist attraction in Dubrovnik. To avoid the crowds it is best to get there right at 8:00 am when they open (before the many cruise ships drop off even more tourists to wander the town) OR wait until later in the afternoon after all the cruise ship tourists have returned to their boat. The walls are open until 7:30 or 8:30 pm depending on the time of year. A late afternoon visit could provide that "Golden Hour" lighting for your Instagramable photos.
Another reason to go earlier or later is to avoid the high heat of midday. Learn from my mistake! We went at noon right after our walking tour. BAD IDEA! The limestone that the walls are built of reflect all that midday sun making for a VERY toasty experience. Even if you don't go right at the height of the sunshine, it is important to wear your sunscreen because it gets intense up there!
There are three entrances to the wall. The Pile Gate (which is the main entrance to old town), by St. John's Fortress, and the Ploče Gate. If the Pile Gate is too crowded when you arrive to walk the wall, try entering at one of the other entrances to avoid the line.
Walking the wall is one-way, counter-clockwise around the Old Town. You can get off at any of the entrances noted above (although I wouldn't recommend it...you don't want to miss any views!). TIP: Keep your ticket handy because you will need to show it at each entry point. If you choose to leave the wall, you will not be readmitted with your same ticket.
Bring a bottle of water with you because, again, it does get super hot. There are a few spots to purchase a drink or a snack olong the wall, but I am sure the prices are a bit elevated.
Head's up that walking the wall is strenuous. There are a lot of steps to get up to the top of the wall as well as steps along the way. There are lots of flat places, but when there is an uphill or a staircase it can challenge the knees and the lungs...be prepared.
Walking the whole wall takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how often you stop to admire the views and take photos.
Here are some of the amazing photos you can snag when you walk the city walls.
Visit One of the Oldest Operating Pharmacies at the Franciscan Monastery Complex
The Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik has been in operation for almost 700 years. The Monastery houses one of the oldest operating pharmacies, a beautiful cloister garden and a museum which houses antique pharmaceutical equipment, tools and medical literature. The museum also has damage from Croatia's most recent war and some remnants from the damage caused by the war. It is a humbling reminder of the difficult recent history this country has experienced.
In addition to the museum, there is a peaceful cloister garden in the middle of the Monastery complex. It offers a nice haven from the bustling, crowded streets of Old Dubrovnik.
The Old Pharmacy within the Franciscan Monastery is one of the oldest operating pharmacies in Europe. It was originally opened in 1317 to serve as an in-house pharmacy for the friars. It was subsequently opened to the public to service the Town's population. The Old Pharmacy is still in operation today and visitors can purchase items prepared from the old Franciscan recipes.
Entry into the Franciscan Monastery is included with the Dubrovnik Pass or by paying an entry fee of 6 Euros. It is open from 9am to 6pm daily (but does close at 2pm during the winter months of November to the end of March). The Monastery is located in Old Town near the Pile Gate entry.
Grab a Drink Cliffside at Buza Bar
A truly unique Dubrovnik experience is to grab a drink at Buza Bar which literally sits on the cliffs of the Adriatic. If you are lucky and get a calm sea day, you can even jump off the rocks and take a refreshing swim between drinks! Unfortunately the day we went the sea was churning so my girls didn't get to cliff jump at Buza Bar. Read more about the Buza Bar experience on my recent blog.
Take a Ferry For a Magical Day on Lokrum Island
On the recommendation of our tour guide, we spend a free day taking a ferry over to Lokrum Island. It was one of the best things we did on our trip! Lokrum Island is a magical place filled with colorful peacocks, amazing views, great swimming spots and scenic hiking trails. Pack a picnic lunch (or grab a bite from one of the cafes on the Island) and spend a day relaxing next to the stunning Adriatic Sea. For a more detailed description of spending a day on Lokrum Island and all the things you can do or see there, read my blog describing this magical place.
Dubrovnik Will Amaze You!
I highly recommend a visit to Dubrovnik. I was enchanted by this walled city and would love to return some day. This list of things to do gives you a well-rounded experience of Dubrovnik including the history, the culture, the natural beauty and, of course, the fun!
Comments