With its dazzling beauty and charming streets, Dubrovnik’s name as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” could not be more fitting. The city of Dubrovnik is tucked inside its city walls, but its location on the Croatian coastline makes it just as welcoming if you’re arriving by land, or sea.

Dubrovnik has seen a major growth in tourism in the last five years-partly thanks to fans of the TV series Game of Thrones who know Dubrovnik as the real life King’s Landing. Now in addition to Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has also served as filming sets for Robin Hood: Origins and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, drawing more attention to the city.

If you’re planning your visit to Dubrovnik, you could find it challenging to escape the crowds and tourist traps. To help you find your way around Dubrovnik, I found the best sights to sees, tours, and restaurants so you can enjoy all Dubrovnik has to offer and avoid the crowds.

With so much to see and do, here are the essential experiences in Dubrovnik that you will not want to miss!

EIGHT ESSENTIAL THINGS TO DO IN DUBROVNIK 

WALK THE ANCIENT CITY WALLS

Don’t leave Dubrovnik without this once in a lifetime experience- to walk on the ancient city walls. From the top of the walls, the view overlooking the city is spectacular. It’s a perfect way to see the city from above and get sweeping panoramic views of the old town with the Adriatic sea in the distance.

Budget around 2-3 hours to walk the entire 2km length of the walls. There are three entrances to the walls near the Pile Gate, the Ploče Gate and the Maritime Museum. The Pile Gate entrance has  the most traffic, so entering from the Ploče side has the added advantage of getting the steepest climbs accomplished first!

The best time to walks the walls are within the first two hours immediately after the walls open in the morning. By walking the walls in the morning, you avoid the intense heat, and the crowds. Along the walls they have a handful of shops with air conditioners that sell juices, gelato, and more importantly a place to cool off!

LEARN THE STORY OF DUBROVNIK ON A WALKING TOUR

History buff, or not any traveler can appreciate a walking tour of Dubrovnik to learn the story of the city.

In less than two hours you’ll learn the story of the economic, social, and cultural achievements of Dubrovnik over the centuries. It’s also important to understand the story of the major landmarks you’ll pass by including Franciscan Monastery, D’Onofrio’s Fountain, and Rector’s Palace, rather than just take a picture of them and keep going!

If you’re looking for a walking tour company checkout Dubrovnik Walks for their variety of walking tours, and friendly local tour guides! We enjoyed our “Discover the Old Town” Tour.

Pickup Local Treats at Gundulic Square

Gundulic Square is an open-air market in the Old Town that’s your perfect place to pickup a unique gift to bring back home. At this morning market you’ll find local vendors selling the best local handmade Croatian fabrics, honey, lavender oil, or dried fruit and nuts. The market is only open in the mornings and closes in the afternoon.

Take a Game of Thrones Tour

If you’re a fan of HBO’s Game of Thrones it’s no doubt you’ve heard that Dubrovnik is one of its main filming locations for the series.

You’ll find so many different tour companies that offer a Game of Thrones tour, and it can be daunting to choose the best one. If you’re a true fan, you need to book with Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Tours. Game of Thrones Dubrovnik is also the only tour company that provides interactive props for you to capture photos with along the way. 

The guides from Game of Thrones Dubrovnik couldn’t be more passionate about the series. All of the tour guides from Game of the Thrones Dubrovnik have either been extras on the set, or who have worked on the set. All the guides have great stories about their time spent with the cast!

Sea Kayak Around Dubrovnik’s City Walls

Kayaking is a fun way to get a unique perspective of the city walls from down below. You can book an organized tour that will take you around the city walls, the island of Lokrum with stops at a private cave beach for snorkeling.

Popover Tip: The organized kayaking tours can be rather pricy, and take up a lot of time in your day. If you’re an experienced kayaker, it’s much easier and cost effective to rent a kayak around the city walls on your own time without the pressure of a tour group.

Wander Through the Side Streets Old Town Dubrovnik

One of the most charming areas of Dubrovnik is the streets on the hills of the Old Town. Here you’ll find some of the better and quieter restaurants on the side streets as opposed to the busy Stradun.

Seaside Drinks at Buza 1 and Buza 2

Buža I and II are cliff bars located near the south side of the Old Town.

The entrance to Buža I is literally a hole in the wall–the city wall to be exact. When you walk through the doorway, you’ll find yourself on the edge of a cliff looking at the Adriatic Sea.

During the summertime, you’ll see people swimming and sunbathing on the rocks below the cliff bars. If you want a table, make sure to get there before the crowds. If they run out of tables, you can grab a drink and perch up on the rocks like we did!

Take a Ferry to the Charming Island of Lokrum

A quick 10-minute ferry ride away and you’re transported to the peaceful island of Lokrum. I was shocked to find out the Lokrum is a popular spot for locals just as much as it is for tourists. Lokrum has a beautiful botanical garden. 

In the center of the island you can explore the Benedictine Monastery that dates back to around the 15th century. Near the Monastery you can also visit the small Game of Thrones Museum that HBO donated to Dubrovnik. Now is your opportunity to sit on a replica of the Iron Throne from the series!

You won’t have to search far to spot the several hundred rabbits and peacocks that happily frolic around the island. Lokrum offers several spots to relax by the water. For an adventure, you can hike up to Fort Royal to visit the highest point of the island. The hike isn’t easy, but once you’re at the top you’re greeted with beautiful views of the old town of Dubrovnik. 

Essential Landmarks to See in Dubrovnik

Large Onofrio Fountain

You can’t miss the Large Onofrio Fountain once you pass through the City Walls through the Pile Gate entrance. The Large Onofrio Fountain is one of Dubrovnik’s most famous and beautiful landmarks that was built in 1438. It still serves as a functioning fountain where you can fill up your water bottle!

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Duborvnik, and you won’t need to worry about spending your money on bottled water if you refill your bottle at the Large Onofrio Fountain. 

The Franciscan Monastery

The Franciscan Monastery is one of the few buildings in Dubrovnik that survived the devastating earthquake in 1667.

This monastery museum is just inside the Pile Gate, off Stradun. You enter through the door at the end of the gap between the small church – almost up against the city walls and the big monastery. It’s a small entrance fee, but well worth it to explore these beautiful grounds.

Part of the mission of the Franciscans was to contribute to the health of the citizens, which was why they created the pharmacy within the Monastery

In addition to getting your prescriptions filled, you can purchase a selection of homemade creams made from local products according to traditional recipes from the monks.

The real pleasure of visiting the Monastery is wandering around the beautiful cloisters. It’s a perfect escape from the crowds, and offers a peaceful location to relax and enjoy on a hot day.

St. Lawrence’s Fortress

You can’t miss St. Lawrence’s Fortress perched on a cliff across the sea looking toward the City Walls. The fortress is estimated to be around 1,000 years old, and was built as an extra precaution to defend the city against invaders.

With the limited shade at the Fortress, it can get rather hot quickly! Avoid going during the heat of the day, and instead opt for sunset for cooler weather. If you’re a photographer, this will be a great spot during sunset to capture shots of the Old City at golden hour.

Five Essential Places to Eat and Drink in Dubrovnik

Dolce Vita

Wander up one of the side streets off the Stradun for gelato at Dolce Vita. They’re known for their bitter orange gelato that pairs well with chocolate. Dolce Vita is cash only!

Peppino’s Ice Cream

Peppino’s was our favorite gelato shop in Dubrovnik.  It’s located right behind the Stradun. They have so many creamy flavors (Ferrero Rocher was incredible!). Just like many other small shops in Dubrovnik, Peppino’s is cash only.

D’vino Wine Bar

A cozy evening hangout for drinks before or after dinner. D’vino wine bar has a wide selection of Croatian wines for you to try. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about all the different selections of wine too!

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a tiny restaurant that is one of the Adriatic’s most genuine representations of Bosnian cuisine. Order the džingis kan meat plate (dried beef, sausage, peppers and spring onions with curdled milk) and get a taste of everything Bosnian, or enjoy my favorite Cevapi (small grilled meat sausages).

Lady PiPi

Lady PiPi has some of the best grilled meat and fish dishes you’ll find in Dubrovnik. It’s hidden at the top entrance to the City Walls with stunning views looking over the City Walls if you’re lucky to grab a table at the top.

The two dishes Lady PiPi is known for are their tuna steak, and the seafood platter for two. I had the tuna steak, and it was incredible. Lady PiPi is also known for their homemade french fries. These french fries were worth the hype and made for a fun side dish for our table.

As far as the background of why the restaurant is called “Lady PiPi”, you’ll just have to visit and look for the statue to find out why!

Final Thoughts on Dubrovnik 

Dubrovnik is everything you’ve dreamed of when you think of Croatia and so much more! Enjoy every opportunity you can to wander the streets without a map during sunset and explore this charming city. 

Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to Dubrovnik, or if you’re planning to go.

 

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