Dubrovnik Things to Do - 13 Must-Sees

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Dubrovnik, also known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia, if not even in all of Europe. It is known for its beautiful medieval architecture and the picturesque Old Town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Dubrovnik’s sights range from historic buildings and museums to islands and beaches.

Our 13 Tips for the Sights in Dubrovnik

There are quite a few beautiful sights in Dubrovnik. To give you a little overview for your city trip, we have summarized 13 of the top sights of Dubrovnik in this article. Since they are all relatively close to each other, they can also be easily explored on foot – even in just one weekend.

How to Get To Dubrovnik

The fastest way to travel from Germany to Dubrovnik is, of course, by plane. In Germany, many large airports such as Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg offer direct flights to Dubrovnik, especially during the high season (spring to fall). The flight time is usually about 1.5 to 2 hours. You can find the best overviews of flights, prices, and tickets on Skyscanner.

Info: Dubrovnik Airport is located about 20 kilometers outside the city. From the airport, you can take a taxi, a shuttle bus, or a rental car to get to the city center.

You also have the option of traveling to Dubrovnik by car or by train (in combination with a bus). Of course, this journey takes much longer. For train rides, we recommend checking out 12go, where you can find a good overview.

Accommodation in Dubrovnik – Our Hotel Tip

We recommend the centrally located Boutique Hotel Stari Grad in the Old Town. It’s a great starting point to be right back in the middle of it all within just a few minutes’ walk. It’s a small but fine boutique hotel in a restored 16th-century building and has only eight rooms.

The rooms come with everything you need – air conditioning, TV, private bathroom, a safe, and free Wi-Fi. The highlight is the breakfast on the rooftop terrace with a wonderful panoramic view over the Old Town and the sea. The only downside is that you have to carry your suitcase to the hotel yourself, as the Old Town is car-free. This didn’t really bother us.

If you’re looking for more hotels in Dubrovnik, also outside the Old Town, then take a look at this overview.

Recommendation for Dubrovnik: the Dubrovnik City Card

Depending on how long you stay in Dubrovnik to explore the city, the Dubrovnik City Card might be worth it for you. With the card, you get free admission to many attractions, such as the city walls, Fort Lovrijenac, and the Rector’s Palace. In addition, you get further discounts on other attractions and events. You can also ride public transportation free of charge.

Depending on the length of your stay, there are three different cards for one day, three days, or seven days. The easiest option is to buy the card online in advance. You will then receive it by email and have the card right on your phone. Otherwise, you can also buy the Dubrovnik City Card at the Tourist Office in the Old Town or even in some hotels.

1. Dubrovnik’s City Wall

The approximately two-kilometer-long city wall is the most popular attraction and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The massive wall has a height of up to 25 meters and a thickness of up to 6 meters. The structure includes numerous fortresses, gates, bastions, and towers. It was built in the 13th century and is now one of the best-preserved medieval city walls in Europe.

During a leisurely walk of about 2 hours, you can completely circle the wall and enjoy a really nice panoramic view of the city, the many Dubrovnik attractions, the harbor, and the sea. This way, you can already get a good overview of where you might still want to go and what you want to visit. There are also small kiosks and café bars along the way, so depending on breaks and photo stops, you might want to plan a bit more time.

The Pile Gate (see point 2) is used as the main entrance to the city wall. There is also a ticket booth here where you can buy tickets. Ticket prices are €35 for adults and €15 for children (children under 7 years of age get free admission). The opening hours vary depending on the season. It’s best to check online in advance.

2. The Old Town

One of the most beautiful sights is undoubtedly the Old Town, which has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The entire Old Town is surrounded by the city wall and is particularly impressive thanks to its mix of medieval, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. Additionally, the many historic buildings and squares, winding alleys, and numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants lend the Old Town a special charm and offer something for everyone.

Many film and TV productions have already taken place in the Old Town. One of the most famous of them is the legendary Game of Thrones. For the popular fantasy series, numerous scenes were filmed within Dubrovnik’s city walls. On a guided tour, you can discover more of these filming locations.

The Old Town is completely car-free, and you can only enter it through one of the three city gates: the Pile Gate, Ploče Gate and Buža Gate. The Pile Gate is the main entrance to Dubrovnik’s picturesque Old Town – it is located on the western side of the city.

3. Stradun: The Most Beautiful Street in the City

The Stradun, also called Placa, is the main shopping street and the most famous promenade in Dubrovnik. The approximately 300-meter-long street is located in the Old Town and extends in a straight line from the Pile Gate in the west to the Ploče Gate in the east. Along it, you’ll find numerous magnificent buildings that were rebuilt in the Baroque style after the great earthquake of 1667, giving the street a beautiful and harmonious appearance.

As befits a Balkan city like Dubrovnik, you’ll of course also find numerous cafés, restaurants, shops, and souvenir stores here, inviting you to shop and stroll. Furthermore, along the Stradun you’ll come across many Dubrovnik attractions, such as the Onofrio Fountain, the Sponza Palace, the Bell Tower, and the Church of Saint Blaise.

4. The Sponza Palace and Bell Tower

The Sponza Palace dates back to the 16th century and is one of the few historical buildings that survived the earthquake almost unscathed. With its mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles, it is among the most beautiful and imposing palaces of the Old Town. This historical building is located in the center of the Old Town, more precisely at Luža Square. By the way, the palace has served many functions throughout its history, having once been a customs house, mint, warehouse, and even an armory. Today, it houses the city archive, containing the most important documents in Dubrovnik’s history. The Sponza Palace is open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM. Admission is €4.

Tip: If you’re in town during the summer, you can check out the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which takes place every year from July 10 to August 25 in front of the Sponza Palace. Unfortunately, we just missed it during our stay.

Right next to it, you’ll find the bell tower. It was built back in 1444, but unlike the Sponza Palace, it was severely damaged by the earthquake and was only restored at the end of the 1920s. Apart from two valuable bronze figures that indicated the time by striking the bell, little remains of the original tower. However, the bronze figures were replaced during the reconstruction and can now be seen in the museum of the Sponza Palace.

5. Church of St. Blaise (St Blaise’s Church)

The St Blaise’s Church is another of Dubrovnik’s sights you shouldn’t miss. It is located directly opposite the Sponza Palace, which we mentioned earlier, and you can visit it free of charge. The building is dedicated to the patron saint St. Blaise. The church was built in the 18th century in the Baroque style, after the old church burned down completely in 1706 – with one exception: the statue of St. Blaise. The gilded statue can still be viewed inside the church today. In its hands, it holds a miniature view of Dubrovnik, showing how the city looked in the 15th century.

It is said that St. Blaise saved the city in the year 971 from an attack by the Venetian raiding forces. Since then, the Day of St. Blaise has been celebrated by the entire city every year on February 3.

6. Rector’s Palace and the Cultural History Museum

At the end of the Stradun, you will find the Rector’s Palace, a magnificent Renaissance building constructed in the 15th century. The palace once served as the seat of the rectors who governed the city during the era of the Republic of Ragusa. Today, the Rector’s Palace houses the Cultural History Museum of the city, which is definitely worth a visit.

It is the perfect place to gain insight into the history and culture of Dubrovnik. From extensive collections of historical documents and valuable paintings, to coins and weapons – there is a lot to discover here. In addition, the rooms are furnished with antique furniture and impressive antiques. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. The admission fee for adults is €20.

Tip: If you come here during the Summer Festival, great concerts also take place in the courtyard.

7. The Cathedral of Dubrovnik

From the Rector’s Palace, you can continue on to the Cathedral of Dubrovnik, officially known as the Assumption Cathedral. This church was also destroyed in the great earthquake but was rebuilt in the 18th century. The facade of the cathedral is simple, but its interior is richly adorned with works of art.

Particularly impressive is the cathedral’s main altar, which is adorned with a painting depicting the Assumption of Mary. The church also contains a treasury that holds religious relics and treasures of gold and silver, including the gilded reliquary of Saint Blaise. The church is open daily and admission is free, although visiting the treasury costs €3.

8. The Franciscan Monastery and the Oldest Pharmacy in Europe

Finally, you can still visit the Franciscan Monastery in the Old Town, which is located at the western end of the Stradun. The monastery was originally built in 1317, but much of it was destroyed during the earthquake. The monastery was rebuilt in the Baroque style, but some Gothic elements remain, such as the impressive cloister.

Directly by the cloister is the entrance to the Franciscan Museum, which is particularly popular because a part of what is now Europe’s oldest pharmacy is located here. The pharmacy is still in operation today and, in addition to medication, you can also buy traditional herbal products and cosmetics there. Maybe you’ll find a nice souvenir from Dubrovnik here?

9. Fort Lovrijenac

Outside the Old Town, on a 37-meter-high rock, lies Fort Lovrijenac. In Croatian, it is also called Tvrđava Lovrijenac. The fort was once used as a defensive structure and was built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Today, it is a popular vantage point that you can reach in about 10 minutes from the Old Town.

Over 200 steps lead you up, where you will be rewarded with a view of the sea and the Old Town. By the way, you can also visit the fort. It is open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM, and admission is €15.

Little tip: If you have purchased a ticket for the city walls or the Dubrovnik City Pass, then admission to the fort is included.

10. The Island of Lokrum

Here, you can simply switch off and enjoy the peace and nature. You’ll find several small coves and bathing beaches on the island that invite you to swim and relax. The small salt lake called Mrtvo More (Dead Sea) is highly recommended. Otherwise, on a walk you can explore several attractions, such as Fort Royal, a benedictine monastery, and a botanical garden. You might also encounter a few peacocks and rabbits living here, roaming freely. Thus, the island is perfect for a day trip.

From the Old Harbor in the city center, a small ferry departs for Lokrum about every 20 minutes, and the journey takes about 10 minutes. You can purchase a ticket right at the pier. A round trip including admission to the island costs €27 for adults and only €5 for children (ages 5–18).

11. Mount Srđ and Cable Car

The approximately 400-meter-high Mount Srđ, also known as Sergius Mountain, is located behind the Old Town and is an absolute highlight! From the top, you can enjoy a stunning view of the city, the sea, and the surrounding islands. In addition to the view, the summit of the mountain also features the Museum of the Croatian War of Independence. For those who get a little (or even a big) hungry, there’s a restaurant on-site serving delicious food.

You can ride a cable car (also called the Cable Car) up the mountain in just a few minutes, but you can also drive up with your own car or take a taxi. You can also hike up the mountain in about 60-90 minutes; especially on hot days, be sure to bring enough fluids, snacks, etc.

To get to the cable car, you’ll need to take it from near the Ploce Gate. This is located at the northeastern end of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. A one-way ticket costs €15 for adults, round trip: €27. For children (ages 4-12), a one-way ticket costs €4, round trip €7. You can also combine the cable car ride with a tour, during which you’ll learn even more secret stories and facts.

12. The Old City Harbor

The Old City Harbor, which dates back to the 15th century, is another of our Dubrovnik attractions. Located right next to the city walls, you can find it at the eastern end of the city, offering a great view of the sea. The harbor is a central point for boats and sailing ships, as well as excursion boats to nearby islands like Lokrum. Along the picturesque promenade, many cafés and restaurants have settled, inviting you to linger.

13. Beaches in Dubrovnik

In addition to the many sights, Dubrovnik also has some beautiful beaches in the surrounding area to offer. However, they are mostly pebble beaches. Many of the beaches have the Blue Flag – a certificate for water quality, safety, and services on the beach. Unfortunately, we didn’t have an opportunity to see all the beaches ourselves, but we will definitely make up for it. Still, we didn’t want to leave this point unmentioned.

Dubrovnik: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Dubrovnik in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Dubrovnik.

Have you been there before? Do you have any tips for other Dubrovnik attractions? As always, we look forward to your comments.

Photos: Photo 1 (Dubrovnik from above): Kevin Ruck/shutterstock.com, photo 3 & post thumbnail (city walls): Wirestock Creators/shutterstock.com, photo 4 (Sponza Palace): andreyspb21/shutterstock.com, photo 5 (Church of Saint Blaise): biggunsband/shutterstock.com, photo 6 (Dubrovnik Cathedral): Leela Mei/shutterstock.com, photo 7 (Fort Lovrijenac): Francesco Bonino/shutterstock.com, photo 8 (cable car): Alexey Fedorenko/shutterstock.com