Things to do in Dubrovnik… & Around It
‘What to do in Dubrovnik’ very much depends on how many days you have over here. Dubrovnik Old Town is a must, as it holds the key Dubrovnik attractions, but if you get a chance to, look around as well. The difference between the bustling historic center and its serene surroundings is striking, and only contrasting the two will give you a clear idea of the region you’re at.
Read on for our selection of the top Dubrovnik attractions, top things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town, best Dubrovnik tours and top experiences around Dubrovnik. May your visit be a cool one!
Top 10 Dubrovnik Old Town Attractions
Dubrovnik Old Town, the main charm and the most appealing part of the town, is in fact a true neighborhood where people still live. Along with stunning palaces, glitzy streets and historic walls, expect to see laundry drying out in the open, old ladies knitting on the streets and kids playing soccer on the town’s piazzas. It’s a vibrant whole, filled with beauty, history and everyday life. To feel like you know the highlights, visit these top 10 Dubrovnik attractions:
WALLS OF DUBROVNIK
~ Walking around the walls of Dubrovnik couples physical action with inspiring vistas.
If you must choose only one thing to do in Dubrovnik, the answer is simple: walk the City Walls. All right, all right: whilst perhaps the epitome of ‘touristy’, the walls of Dubrovnik are definitely its most unique feature. Encircling the Old Town with 2 kilometers of skillfully-laid local stone, this Dubrovnik attraction lays the town beneath your feet. On a backdrop of terracotta roofs and the shimmering Adriatic Sea, picture-perfect moments line up one after another, extending an otherwise 90-minute walk into hours! For the best of it, walk early in the morning or at sunset!
INFO & TICKETS
SUMMER WORKING HOURS: 08:00 – 18:30 (June & July till 19:30)
Dubrovnik Old Town’s main street Stradun
~ A ‘djir’ on Stradun is a local custom.
Walk of Shame Steps
~ The Game of Thrones season 5 hit scene ‘the walk of atonement’ was filmed right here!
Revelin Fortress
~ Dancing the night away in a 16th century fortress never felt better.
Rector’s Palace Museum
~ Formerly the most important public building in Dubrovnik today houses its history museum.
PHONE: +385 20 321 422
WORKING HOURS: 09:00 – 18:00
The Franciscan Pharmacy
~ 700 years of continuous operation make this place truly worthwhile.
LEARN MORE
WORKING HOURS: 09:00 – 18:00
The Iron Throne
~ Who will sit in the Iron Throne? You, perhaps?
Onofrio’s Fountain
~ Have a sip from the 15th century fountain.
Today, it’s hooked up to the public plumbing, so if you’re accustomed to drinking tap water – refill your bottle here!
Porporela pier in the Old Town harbor
~ A place to kiss, a place to swim.
Dubrovnik Sunsets
~ An attraction in their own right, sunsets shed a whole new dimension upon the Old Town’s stone facades.
Find your spot, whether it’s the City Walls, the top of Srđ hill, Banje beach, Buža bars or Lokrum Island, sit back and hypnotize at least one sunset.
TOP 5 DUBROVNIK POINTS OF INTEREST
1. Dubrovnik City Walls
2. Dubrovnik Old Town
3. Dubrovnik Cable Car
4. Lokrum Island
5. Buža bars
Top 10 things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town
Discovering the maze of Dubrovnik’s Old Town side streets will definitely be at the top of your Dubrovnik attractions list, so stay tuned to learn how to enjoy a more local experience at this popular neighborhood.
Climb some stairs
~ Get your daily workout done and discover what lies beyond the touristy areas.
Dive off cliffs in Dubrovnik’s ‘hole in the wall’ bars
~ Be cool but also smart.
PHONE: +385 98 361 934
Try climbing Maskeron by the Franciscan Monastery
~ And yes, you should try to stay up for at least one pic!
The former rain spout got its new-age life after a boy, trying to attract a girl, climbed it and took his shirt off. Nobody knows if the girl fell for his unorthodox seduction methods, however, many try climbing this stone today and find balancing on its slippery surface a challenge. Psssssst: the easiest way to do it is barefoot.
Have a very long coffee
~ Read the papers, watch people pass by, chat!
Feed the pigeons
~ Over and over again.
BEST TIME: NOON
Coral presentation at Clara Stones Jewelry
~ The red Adriatic coral protects and attracts!
PHONE: +385 20 321 140
WORKING HOURS: 09:30 – 19:00
Enjoy a drink sitting on the side-street stairs
~ In Dubrovnik, everything happens outside!
The entire place buzzes in music and chatter practically all day long, so whether you’re headed for a night cap or for a morning coffee, grab a cushion, sit on some steps and watch life unroll as you enjoy.
Eat fresh oysters at Kamenice Bistro
~ Get a taste of the region’s famous aphrodisiac!
PHONE: +385 20 323 682
REVIEWS
Shop in the souvenir market on Gundulić square
~ Local craftsmanship on display
You’ll find stuff made by locals, from orange and lemon peel sweets, to lavender oils & packs, spices, remakes of ancient maps and palm tree figures.
Wave at Marin Držić and his polished nose
~ Greet the Renaissance writer!
Polished golden, his nose and lap are clearly a Dubrovnik attraction.
Trust us – it’s fine to just nod at the guy as you pass by, but do acknowledge him, as Marin Držić was actually one of Dubrovnik’s greatest writers and is often lovingly called Dubrovnik’s Shakespeare.
LOCAL MEDITATIONS:
1. Count the stairs to somewhere.
2. Count the cats.
3. Feed the pigeons.
4. Listen to the Bell Clock Tower ringing.
5. Swirl wine.
Top places to visit in Dubrovnik
Step outside the walls of Dubrovnik and discover serenity lingering on hilltops, waiting in secret coves, tearing down the sides of a wine glass. While Dubrovnik Old Town enchants, its surroundings lull you into a true Dalmatian state of mind.
Lokrum Island
~ Mystic and serene
Srđ hill
~ Bird’s eye views of Dubrovnik!
Cavtat
~ The charm of Dubrovnik minus the crowds
Elaphite Islands
~ A day away in nature
Pelješac peninsula
~ Attention all wine lovers!
LOCAL PHRASES:
Adio! – used when meeting someone in passing on the street, an equivalent of ‘hello’.
Kenova – what’s up, what’s new, typically rhetoric.
Đe si? – literally, ‘where are you’, but never used literally. Actually means ‘what’s up’ and in typically used when meeting someone in passing.
Fala! – thank you.
Dubrovnik tours
Towns are like people. First impressions are lovely, but it’s only after you learn their true nature that you can truly fall in love. Guided Dubrovnik tours are a way of falling in everlasting love with the place, so choose carefully and keep your heart and mind open to this wonderful town.
Walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town
~ Get the story behind this place
Game of Thrones Dubrovnik tour
~ Does King’s Landing really exist? Yes! It’s the Dubrovnik Old Town.
Adrenaline-powered buggy safari on Srđ hill
~ Thrilling views and dusty rides!
Kayaking tour below the Walls of Dubrovnik
~ Put your paddle into the sea and you’re connected with the whole world
Dubrovnik Old Town foodie tour
~ Snack your way through history
- PHOTO COPYRIGHTS
Wallk of Shame steps (GOT Dubrovnik) – Photo by currystrumpet
Rector’s Palace – Photo by Anosmia
Franciscan Pharmacy – Photo by Anosmia
Iron Throne – Photo by Josh Lackey
Porporela – Photo by archer10 (Dennis) 96M Views
Dubrovnik market – Photo by ironypoisoning
Marin Drzic statue – Photo by tm-tm