Dubrovnik | 10x tips what to see and do in Old Town

Dubrovnik is the most romantic and best preserved fortified city of Croatia and maybe in the world. It was not for nothing that I returned for the seventh time (!) to this unique, bizarrely well-preserved walled city where time seems to have stood still for centuries on the one hand and modern life continues as normal on the other.

Crawling between the groups Game of Thrones fans through narrow streets and small restaurants, I tried to capture all the special places of Dubrovnik with my camera. I now know this city like no other, so it's high time to provide you with the best tips.

I wrote several articles about this city, each with a different topic. In this article I mainly focus on what you can see and do in Old Town. These are 10 tips on what to see and do in the old part of Dubrovnik!

10x the most beautiful sights in Old Town Dubrovnik

1. The old city walls

The Old City Walls of Dubrovnik are an iconic sight not to be missed when visiting the city. Dating back to the 13th century, this impressive fortification encloses the entire old town. You can feel the history as you explore the various watchtowers, bastions and fortresses that once protected the city from invasion. Be sure to bring your camera to capture this unforgettable experience!

As you walk the city walls, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the red roofs, narrow streets, and the glistening Adriatic Sea. It is great to see how incredibly well preserved and restored all this has been.

Tip:: You can for 35 euros per person buy a ticket on site for access to the city wall. For those who want more historical information; it is also possible to organized walking tours to book.

What many people also don't know is that with your ticket for the old city walls you also have direct access to some museums. These are hidden in the wall and watchtowers. There is much more going on in the wall and underground than meets the eye from the outside. Especially the museum inside Fort Minceta (the largest and highest watchtower of the city wall) is worth it. The official name of the museum is Kula Gornji Ugao (Upper Corner Tower Foundry Museum) and is here can be found on Google Maps.

2. Fort Lovrijenac (King's Landing), the Game of Thrones castle

For fans of the popular TV series Game of Thrones is visiting Fort Lovrijenac (Location here) an absolute must. This imposing fortress is located just outside the city walls and served as one of the main locations of the series viz King's Landing. As you walk through the old stone passageways and courtyards of the fortress, you will recognize scenes from the show.

Who a Game Of Thrones Tour book is guided along the famous places by a guide with large printed screenshots from the series. During such a tour you can see exactly where it happened. Personally, as a GoT fan, I found this tour fantastic. Whether you are a GoT fan or not, during your visit to the fortress, take the time to learn about its history and enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sea. From the castle you have the best view of the old city walls of Dubrovnik.

Tip:: Would you like to take a nice photo of Fort Lovrijenac (King's Landing)? Then I advise you to go up and into the old city wall. From Fort Bokar which is connected to the city wall, I made the picture below.

A more general viewpoint of Fort Lovrijenac is from Kula sv. Mary, the highest point of the city wall on the side facing the sea. The special thing about this viewpoint is that from here you get another beautiful part of Dubrovnik together with the fortress in your photo.

Tip:: Curious about what I shoot with? Then view the display below.

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3. The most beautiful viewpoint of Dubrovnik

For an unforgettable view of Dubrovnik Old Town and the surrounding area you must the funicular (15 euros one way, 30 euros return) take to Dubrovnik observation point on the top of the Srđ Hill. As you soar upwards, a panoramic landscape opens up that is nothing short of spectacular. From the top you can enjoy a beautiful view over the orange roofs of the old town, the azure blue Adriatic Sea and the green islands that lie off the coast. It is a perfect place to take beautiful pictures and enjoy the setting sun.

Tip:: You can also free walk without cable car to Dubrovnik Observation Point via the 'Mount Srd Hiking Trail'. It is a strenuous walk of about an hour. The starting point of this trail you can here find on Google Maps.

You can easily spend hours here, as you can relax on the panoramic terrace and have a bite to eat in the restaurant, enjoying the beautiful view.

If you want to escape the crowds and get a wider view of the islands, you can also take a short walk to the fortress on top of the mountain (the Homeland War Museum). Here you can enjoy the panoramic view in peace. On a clear day, you can see as far as 40 miles around and spot dozens of islands, as seen in the photo below.

Tip:: why boring with the cable car or walking back down, if you can ziplining? Located near the viewpoint Panorama Zipline Dubrovnik. For 50 euros you can first enjoy a bottle of local wine at the top during sunset and then zoom down via two ziplines!

4. Explore the picturesque streets

One of the best things to do in Dubrovnik is simply get lost in the picturesque streets of the old town. Stroll through the narrow cobbled streets, surrounded by ancient stone walls and red-roofed buildings. Discover hidden squares, charming boutiques and cozy cafes.

Every corner reveals new surprises and photogenic spots. Don't forget to look up from time to time and enjoy the view of the characteristic buildings, palaces and city walls that surround the city.

Our advice for a carefree city trip

Fully arranged city trip to Dubrovnik

Are you looking for one? fully arranged city trip to Dubrovnik with flights, transfers and hotel in one? Then take a look at Vakantiediscounter.nl and Prijsvrij.nl. Both websites have a great offer for Dubrovnik, but are very different.

The Holiday Discounter focuses mainly on super low prices, you can book a trip there from 249 euros pp.

Price-free focuses mainly on city trips in combination with luxury hotels of 4 or 5 stars.

View offer Vakantiediscounter.nl View the offer Prijsvrij.nl

By using our affiliate links you support us at no extra cost. Thank you!

5. Taste the atmosphere of the Stradun

De Stradun is the main street in Dubrovnik and a bustling center of activity. This elegant limestone street stretches for 300 meters and is flanked by beautiful buildings and shops. Take a walk on the Stradun early in the morning and feel the energy of the city awaken. Stop at one of the many cafes or restaurants to enjoy a refreshing drink or a delicious meal.

6. The Rector's Palace

The Rector's Palace, located at the Luža Square, is one of the most striking buildings in Dubrovnik. Originally built in the 15th century, the palace served as the home of the elected rector, the city's highest authority. Today, the palace is a museum that offers a fascinating insight into Dubrovnik's historical and cultural heritage.

Tip:: Those who come here in the afternoon will have to make a lot of effort to take a picture of the facade without too many people on it. The beautiful architecture of the facade is a magnet for Instagrammers and TikTokkers who are waiting for each other for an extensive photo shoot. Do you want the place to yourself? Then go early in the morning, preferably around 7 am, before the city wakes up.

7. Dubrovnik Cathedral

You have the Dubrovnik Cathedral seen in photos earlier in this article. The beautiful blue-grey dome towers above everything and is visible from many places in the old city. This beautifully preserved cathedral is still in use and when there is no church mass, you can enter for free to admire the structure.

Tip:: Curious about what I shoot with? Then view the display below.

The ultimate world travel camera

Fujifilm X-T5 Silver + 16-80mm

5.0

The Fujifilm X-T5 with 16-80 is the ultimate all-round world travel camera† This camera has been declared several times by both the consumer association and Tweakers.net the best system camera you can buy. Even on automatic mode, you suddenly feel like a professional photographer!

Pros:

• The best tested camera
• Fantastic photos
• 6.2K video
• 5 year warranty

View prices Our review

By using our affiliate links you support us at no extra cost. Thank you!

8. Culinary indulgence Prijeko Ul.

Do you want to know where the very best restaurants can be found in Dubrovnik? Or do you not know exactly what you are looking for and do you want to be surprised? Then walk across the Prijeko ul (Google Maps location here). This narrow, 300-meter-long street is home to 50 small-scale restaurants and cafes for every budget.

Remark: Something I love so much about Dubrovnik is that it is still not overrun with chains like McDonalds, Burger King and Domino's Pizza. The restaurants in Old Town Dubrovnik are almost all small-scale and run by families. Not only does that make for an authentic experience, you tastes it too.

Tip:: Order a snack platter with dried Croatian prosciutto ham (Prosciutto), olives and cheese from the region. Combine that with Posip, a fresh local white wine, of which you immediately want to take liters home. In a future article I will share more culinary tips with you. There is much more to discover in Dalmatia!

9. Dominican Museum and Convent

The Dominican Museum and Convent (location here) is a religious complex dating from 1225 with a Gothic church and a museum of art and artifacts. It is located in the heart of the old town and is a cultural masterpiece not to be missed. The monastery has a beautiful courtyard which is regularly open to the public.

Tip:: While walking on the city walls of Dubrovnik Old Town, you will have a beautiful view of the grandeur of the monastery, as seen in the photo above.

10. St Blaise's Church

The Church of St. Blaise is a Venetian-style church and one of the main attractions of the city. St. Blaise's Church is on it Luca Square, the largest square of Dubrovnik Old Town. The church was built in 1715 by the Venetian architect and sculptor Marino Gropelli (1662-1728) on the foundations of the heavily damaged Romanesque medieval church.

Essential Information

• Flight tickets: Dubrovnik is a relatively small city but it does have its own airport. Easyjet and KLM fly direct to Dubrovnik from  Amsterdam. Transavia flies from Rotterdam directly to Dubrovnik. With Ryanair and Croatia Arilines it is possible to travel from Eindhoven to fly, although that is usually with a transfer. On this page from Skyscanner you can see at a glance what the cheapest flight is at the moment and compare the different airports and flights.
• Best time to travel: The best travel time for Dubrovnik is spring and autumn. During these periods you have very pleasant temperatures and it is not too busy. The prices of airline tickets and accommodation are usually a lot lower. In the summer, the city is also popular to visit. Just take into account temperatures that rise above 35 degrees, fully booked hotels and apartments and more expensive airline tickets.
• Hotels & Apartments: I have stayed in up to 10 different accommodations in Dubrovnik Old Town and its surroundings. Here are my personal top three:
  1. Villa St Vitus – Beautiful apartments with a unprecedented view about Old Town Dubrovnik.
  2. Apartment Jelena – Apartments with an outdoor terrace in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik.
  3. Dominic Little Palace - Beautiful traditional styled hotel in OldTown.
• City trip: Do you want to book a fully arranged city trip to Dubrovnik? Then that is of course also possible. You will find the largest offer for City trips to Dubrovnik at this page from price free. Another good place to look for cool deals is at this page of the holiday discount.

Conclusion

Every time I have the urge to return to Dubrovnik. I have now been to Dubrovnik 20 times over 7 years and I did so in different seasons. It is a city that you should see at least once in your life. Nowhere in the world will you find a walled fortress city that is as incredibly well preserved as Dubrovnik.

The Old Town (Old Town) is small enough to explore in a few days. It is therefore perfect for a (romantic) city ​​trip. In addition, the city is also suitable as an intermediate destination for those who have a tour of Croatia to make. There are many campsites, apartments and hotels in and around the city, and the Dubrovnik region is also home to some gems of sights. More about that later in a next blog!

Our advice for a carefree city trip

Fully arranged city trip to Dubrovnik

Are you looking for one? fully arranged city trip to Dubrovnik with flights, transfers and hotel in one? Then take a look at Vakantiediscounter.nl and Prijsvrij.nl. Both websites have a great offer for Dubrovnik, but are very different.

The Holiday Discounter focuses mainly on super low prices, you can book a trip there from 249 euros pp.

Price-free focuses mainly on city trips in combination with luxury hotels of 4 or 5 stars.

View offer Vakantiediscounter.nl View the offer Prijsvrij.nl

By using our affiliate links you support us at no extra cost. Thank you!

^{PssstBefore you leave, we have a real insider tip for you below. A 25 minute drive from Dubrovnik you will find a hidden beach called Pasjaca Beach. Click on the photo below for more info.}