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Who hasn’t heard of Dubrovnik, Croatia, yet? This world-famous city on the southernmost tip of Croatia is famous for its famous medieval walls, the heritage of the famous Dubrovnik Republic, and the incredibly beautiful Old Town, which is under the protection of UNESCO. Beautiful beaches, culture at every turn, the most romantic sunsets, and unique food make every vacation in Dubrovnik unforgettable.
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It is located in the south of Croatia, on the border between the Mediterranean and the Balkan hinterland. Its historical core is located under the 412-meter-high Srđ hill, an invaluable part of the world’s cultural heritage protected by UNESCO.
“Those who seek paradise on earth should come and see Dubrovnik,” said George Bernard Shaw.
Indeed, as one of the few cities in the world surrounded by medieval walls in their original state, Dubrovnik is a natural magnet for travelers from all over the world.
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History of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, a historic city in southern Croatia, has a fascinating past dating back to the 7th century. Refugees from Greece founded it, and it later became an important trade center thanks to its strategic location on the Adriatic. In the Middle Ages, Dubrovnik was known as the Republic of Ragusa, a prosperous city-state that rivaled Venice. Its wealth and power came from maritime trade and diplomatic skills, which allowed it to maintain its independence until the end of the 18th century. The jewel of the city is the majestic walls that still surround the old town and protect Dubrovnik from the conquerors.
Dubrovnik was a center of culture, education, and art during its heyday. The Renaissance and Gothic buildings that have survived today testify to the city’s rich architectural history. In 1667, Dubrovnik suffered a devastating earthquake, but the city was gradually rebuilt. Today, Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its old town attracts tourists from all over the world. Dubrovnik’s history, full of ups and downs, makes it a popular tourist destination and a symbol of resilience and independence.
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What time of year is best to visit Dubrovnik?
The best time to visit Dubrovnik is from April to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October, i.e., in spring and autumn. But if you don’t mind colder or warmer weather, you can visit Dubrovnik practically anytime.
In summer, despite the hot Mediterranean weather, Dubrovnik is the most visited city in Croatia. Dubrovnik’s old town is small and can quickly get crowded. Up to five cruise ships in high season can stop in Dubrovnik in one day. This means that more than 10,000 tourists daily disembark from cruise ships alone.
Traffic marshals sometimes stand at the city gates to direct people, not cars. If you still want to visit Dubrovnik during the summer, don’t hesitate. The city is still beautiful, regardless of the crowds, and it also offers swimming in the beautiful Adriatic Sea.
What to see in Dubrovnik
Coming to Dubrovnik and not walking around the walls is a real sin. But that’s not the only attraction that will surprise you. The Old Town is reminiscent of the 16th century and the golden era of the Republic of Dubrovnik at every turn. You can admire the beauty of this stone monument from the Srđ hill above the city, and if you wish for the peace and wellness of the Mediterranean nature, board a boat and go to the neighboring wooded island of Lokrum or the beautiful Elafites.
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Dubrovnik city walls
TripAdvisor has included Dubrovnik’s city walls among the ten monuments that must be visited before you die. They were built from the 13th to the 17th century for defense and surrounded the old part of the city of Dubrovnik, which was a length of 1940 m. They are protected by towers on the four sides of the world – Minčeta in the north, Bokar in the west, Revelin in the east, and the fortress of St. Ivan in the southeast. The walls are best visited from 8 to 10 a.m. or late in the morning. There are three entrances: on Stradun at Pilská brány, at St. Ivan, and at the fortress of St. Luke.
Dubrovnik old town
The Old Town of Dubrovnik, under the protection of UNESCO, is the most famous historical urban core in Croatia. Its contours are marked by walls and two entrances to the city, Pile in the west and Ploče in the east. The old part of the city, in the form of an irregular pentagon, is interwoven with the wide main street Stradun, small streets, staircases, and squares. Among the monuments, the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries with cloisters, the Great and Small Onofrio fountains (16th century), the Duke’s Court (15th century), the Sponza Palace, the Orlando Column (1418), the town bell tower (1447) and the Baroque church of st. Moisture (1706).
Church of St. Moisture
The baroque church of St. Vlaha, the patron saint of Dubrovnik, was built from 1706 to 1715 on the site of an older Romanesque church that burned down in a fire. It is decorated with a richly decorated facade with a portal and wide stairs. The central area of the church is covered by a dome. On the main marble altar is a statue of St. A gilded silver statue (15th century) holding a model of the city before the earthquake in 1667. It is interesting that the statue survived both the earthquake and the fire that affected the old church.
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Lovrijenac fortress
Also known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar, Lovrijenac Fortress stands on a cliff 37m above sea level outside the walls on the western side of the Old Town. You can reach it by climbing the path above the sea cliff. The fortress, a symbol of resistance against the Venetian Republic, offers a magnificent view of the Old Town and the sea. Today, many performances are held here, and it is most famous for the performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The ticket to the Lovrijenac Fortress is included in the price of the Dubrovnik Walls ticket, but you can also buy a separate ticket just for the Lovrijenac Fortress.
Franciscan Monastery of the Little Brothers and Church
The construction of the Franciscan monastery began in 1317 in the area between Stradun and the Minčeta fortress. Over time, a unique stone oasis with a monastery, the most beautiful cloister in Croatia, a church, a pharmacy, and a rich library grew here as a monument to the priceless heritage of the Republic of Dubrovnik. The church today houses the altarpiece of Celestin Medović and the grave of Ivan Gundulić. The monastery library stores more than 70 thousand works, among which there are 206 valuable incunabula, and the pharmacy has been operating since 1317 until today, which is unique in Europe. The monastery also includes a museum that houses books and archival material, old apothecary exhibits, and attractive old apothecary vases from Florence and Siena.
Lokrum Reservation
The uninhabited island of Lokrum is the closest to Dubrovnik and can be reached in just 10 minutes by boat from the city’s port. As soon as you disembark on the island’s shore, you will feel the magic of the forest vegetation protected by UNESCO and the Lokrum Gardens. So close, yet so exotic, peaceful, and almost unreal, this island holds many myths, legends, and historical facts. There is an unusual small lake of the Dead Sea, a botanical garden, a Benedictine monastery with a cloister garden (11th century) and a replica of the Iron Throne from the series Game of Thrones, which was filmed here. It is rich in flora and fauna and due to the fact that it is a special reservation of forest vegetation, you are not allowed to spend the night there.
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Cable car and Vrch Srd
If you want to see the most beautiful panorama of Dubrovnik, get on the cable car, and in 4 minutes, you will be at the top of Srd. A large amphitheater awaits you at the top station. Here, you can relax in the snack bar, buy souvenirs, and enjoy the spectacular view of Dubrovnik from 405 m above sea level above the city. A perfect photo is guaranteed!
Elaphite Islands
The Elafite or Deer Islands consist of eight islands and five islets, of which only three are inhabited – Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Lesnatý Koločep is the closest to Dubrovnik. Its tranquility, Mediterranean aromatic herbs, and beaches washed by clear seas are the dream of every modern traveler. Lopud charms with its sandy beaches, fortresses, small churches, summer residences, and works of art, while Šipan is rich in vineyards and olive groves and has more than thirty churches, several monasteries, and sixty Gothic-Renaissance summer residences. You can get to Elafity by boat from the port of Gruž or, in our interesting arrangement, by a replica of a traditional Dubrovnik sailing ship, the Karaka!
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Beaches in Dubrovnik
There are several nice beaches around the city. However, in Dubrovnik, as anywhere else on the Croatian Adriatic, you can swim and sunbathe almost anywhere along the coast. But let’s say that if you want to go to the beach in Dubrovnik, the most popular and located in the center of the city is Dubrovnik’s Banje beach.
In addition to the beaches located within the city of Dubrovnik (see some listed below), there are several attractive beach resorts within easy reach of Dubrovnik.
From Gruž, Dubrovnik’s main ferry terminal, there are regular trips to the mostly untouched Elaphite Archipelago, whose three main islands, Koločep (Kalamota), Lopud, and Šipan offer tranquility and nice pebble beaches.
Swimming spots on Lokrum Island are also a good place to spend warm summer days – swimming and sunbathing on Lokrum Island, located just outside the Old Town of Dubrovnik, is a very popular swimming spot even among the locals.
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Food in Dubrovnik
When someone mentions the food and wine of southern Croatia, you immediately salivate. Fresh seafood, lamb roasted under the lid, dingač wines, malvasija dubrovacka, plavac mali, and sweet Dubrovnik rožata are some of the irresistible challenges for the taste buds. It is impossible to list all the charming places by the sea, in the Old Town, on the roofs of beautiful buildings, but you will not go wrong with this selection.
Why visit Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik, Croatia is simply a place where history and romance blend perfectly. Whether you are walking along the ancient walls, discovering hidden alleys, or enjoying the sunset over the Adriatic, the city will always enchant you with its unique atmosphere. For lovers of romance, Dubrovnik is the ideal place to spend unforgettable moments for two – under the starry sky or in picturesque cafes that tell the stories of past centuries. Visiting Dubrovnik means not only discovering the beauty of the city but also being carried away by its charm, which remains in the heart forever.
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