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Best things to do in Dubrovnik
A city with incredible history and culture, Dubrovnik is often talked about as one of the best places to visit in Croatia. And as soon as you set foot there, it’s easy to see why. Sitting high above the Adriatic Sea, the vistas on view from Croatia are just as impressive as the historic landmarks found within the city. Even though it’s always been a popular holiday destination with tourists, it’s recently had something of a resurgence due to it being a filming location for the HBO smash-hit series Game of Thrones. This guide will outline all of the best places in Dubrovnik during your city break. Don't miss our page dedicated to holidays to Croatia to discover great deals.
Game of Thrones Tour
Just as New Zealand received a tourism shot in the arm in the early 2000s when Lord of the Rings was released, Croatia, and in particular Dubrovnik, has been on the receiving end of a tourist boom thanks to the wildly popular Game of Thrones. Even though it’s set in the fictional land of Westeros and featured a lot of CGI enhancing – the look-and-feel of this Croatian city is vital to many of the settings in the series.
Even though you can tick off many of these sights yourself, a Game of Thrones tour gives you the history of these stunning landmarks and lets you in on the thought process as to why they were chosen.
In terms of specifics, fans of the show will recognise the walls of the old town as King’s Landing, and the Trstemo Arboretum, which has been immortalised as the Red Keep. A memorable set piece from the show was when Cersei Lannister had to embark on her ‘walk of shame’ – which is something you can do yourself through the streets of Dubrovnik.
Best for:
Fans of dragons
Don’t miss:
An official tour. It will give you
a history of the area and
landmarks as well information
about why they were chosen
as filming locations.
Stradun
The sights of Dubrovnik Old Town are incredibly picturesque, steeped with history and character. But if you want to see another angle of these incredible buildings – head to Stradun area, which displays a wonderful contrast of old and new.
Known as the main shopping area, you’ll find numerous stores and outlets housed in the very same medieval buildings found all over. Meaning you can get in a spot of retail therapy and admire some incredible architecture at the exact same time. There are also countless restaurants and cafés found here for when you need a breather.
Best for:
A spot of retail therapy
Don’t miss:
Taking your time.
The promenade is
completely pedestrianised,
so break up your shopping
with plenty of rest stops,
people watching from a
street-side table.
Dubrovnik Cable Car
Once you’ve got your fill of the city from the ground, why not see it from a little higher up? Always high up the list on what to do in Croatia, the extraordinary Dubrovnik Cable Car offers a spectacular view of the city. The ride up is a special one, but the best is most definitely saved for last. At the top, the view is stunning – a chorus of red roofs, spires, and bell towers set to the backdrop of the gorgeous blue sea. As you can imagine it is even more beautiful at sunset, so plan accordingly.
Best for:
Panoramic vistas.
Don’t miss:
A sunset ride. Time it so
that you hit the top before
the sun goes down, then
revel in your bird’s eye view
as dusk falls.
Sunset City Walls Tour
The walls are the crowning glory of Dubrovnik and thought to be some of the finest in the world, so make sure you take your time. If you want to revel in the unique history of the city, be sure to sign up for a tour. But if you’re after a little bit of information before you get there, here’s a little to whet your whistle.
The walls were the only defence the city had and although they were first built in the 14th century, they were strengthened in the 15th century. They are two kilometres in length and 25 metres high, while they are almost six metres thick in places. There are three entrances – the Pile Gate, the Ploce Gate, and one from the Maritime Museum. Give the Pile Gate a miss if you want to avoid the crowds and instead head for the Ploce Gate – getting the steepest section out the way first.
Best for:
Historic-tinged exercise.
Don’t miss:
The medieval cannons.
Restored to their former
glory and maintained with
care, these historic defences
are awe-inspiring.
The Best of the Rest
If you’re looking for a few more things to do than we’ve compiled a little round-up for you to tick off.
When you’re tired of the streets, rent a kayak and see the city from the sea. There are plenty of places to rent in the city and kayaking around the walls from the other side for an hour or two is great fun. Speaking of the water, you can also take a ferry to Lokrum - a beautiful forested island just ten minutes from Dubrovnik Old Harbour.
If you’re into bar crawls, you can find some quaint bars cut into the sea-facing cliffs by the city walls. Completely unique, these are great places to have a drink and relax away from the crowds. And if you want a further dose of culture, be sure to check out Rector’s Palace, the Church of St Ignatius Loyal, and the Museum of War Photography.
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