Dubrovnik guide 
The Pearl of the Adriatic welcomes you with its unique combination of history, architecture and natural beauty. Stroll through the narrow streets of the UNESCO-listed old town and admire its medieval walls, Gothic and Renaissance palaces and the iconic Stradun promenade. Don't forget to visit the island of Lokrum with its beautiful beaches or enjoy the views from the towers of the city walls.
Sights and attractions - What should you see and visit in Dubrovnik? Historic city walls, Stradum Street, Rector's Palace,...
Accommodation - Where to stay in Dubrovnik? In the historic city center or near the beach? In a luxury hotel, guesthouse, hostel or apartment?
Typical food and drink - What you should try in Dubrovnik - seafood, brodet, rozata or local wine.
Practical tips - Here you will find out when it is worthwhile to visit Dubrovnik, how to move around the city, where to shop,...
Weather - What temperatures and rainfall should you prepare for when visiting Dubrovnik? When are thunderstorms likely?
Personalities - What famous personalities lived and worked in Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik, often called the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of the most famous and most visited cities in Croatia. It is located in southern Dalmatia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. This historic city, known for its well-preserved medieval walls, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Dubrovnik has a rich history that dates back to the 7th century, when it was founded as a fortress under the name of Ragusa. Over the centuries it became an important commercial and cultural center, especially as an independent city-republic that prospered thanks to maritime trade.
The city is famous for its impressive architecture and many monuments, which mainly include its walls, gates, cathedrals and palaces. Both history and culture lovers and tourists looking for beautiful beaches and clean seas go to Dubrovnik.
Many popular movies and series such as "Game of Thrones" have been filmed in Dubrovnik, which has contributed to its popularity among tourists.
They also host the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which offers performances of opera, theater, ballet and concerts.
Sights and attractions
City walls - The walls surrounding the old town are one of Dubrovnik's biggest tourist attractions, as they are one of the best-preserved and most impressive medieval fortifications in the world. A walk along the walls allows visitors to admire the historic towers, bastions and medieval gates. These walls were built by the locals between the 13th and 17th centuries. They are approximately 1,940 meters long. The walls include 14 square and three round towers, plus several bastions, including the famous Minčeta Tower and the Lovrijenac Fortress. The walls were a key element of the city's defense and allowed Dubrovnik to maintain its independence from surrounding powers, such as Venice and the Ottoman Empire.
Stradun - The main street of the old town, Stradun, is lined with beautiful stone houses and buildings. This wide cobbled street is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops. It runs from the western city gate of Pile to the eastern gate of Ploče. After dark, you can enjoy the pleasant warmth radiating from the marble pavement, the lights of the lanterns and the relaxed atmosphere.
Rector's Palace – This palace was the residence of the Rector of the Dubrovnik Republic. The palace was built in the 14th century and underwent several reconstructions, especially after the earthquake of 1667. Thanks to its Gothic and Renaissance elements, it is considered one of the best examples of Dubrovnik architecture. Today it serves as a museum, where you can see historical artifacts and learn about the history of the city. Scenes from the TV series Game of Thrones were filmed here.
Address: Pred Dvorom, Dubrovnik.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary - The 17th-century Baroque cathedral was built on the site of an older Romanesque cathedral destroyed by an earthquake. The three-nave cathedral with its large Baroque dome dominates the skyline of Dubrovnik's old town. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with important works of art, including the painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary attributed to Titian. Next to the cathedral is the famous Cathedral Treasury (Riznica Katedrale), which houses around 200 reliquaries from the 11th to the 18th centuries, including the relics of St. Blaise and a fragment of the True Cross.
Address: Ulica kneza Damjana Jude 1, Dubrovnik.
Franciscan Monastery - This 14th-century monastery has one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, still in operation today. It was founded in 1317. The oldest and most valuable part of this late Romanesque monastery is the beautiful Paradise Courtyard with a cloister - the work of Mihoje Brajković of Bar. The monastery houses works of art and objects of exceptional value, including a richly furnished library with 20,000 manuscripts.
Address: Stradun, Dubrovnik.
Onofrio's Fountain - The large Onofrio's Fountain is one of the city's landmarks. It can be found at the Pile city gate. It was built in the 15th century as part of the city's water supply system, which supplied Dubrovnik with drinking water from the Knežica spring, 12 km away. It was damaged by an earthquake in 1667, but was restored. You can still get drinking water here, which flows from 16 stone ornaments around the fountain.
Address: Ulica Placa (Stradun), Dubrovnik.
Pile City Gate – This main entrance to the old town features a drawbridge and an imposing statue of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. Built in the 16th century as part of the city’s defensive walls, the gate features two massive towers connected by a stone bridge that spans a former moat. Above the entrance is a statue of St. Blaise holding a model of the city in his arms.
Address: Street Vrata od Pila, Dubrovnik.
Sponza Palace - One of the most beautiful and best-preserved palaces in Dubrovnik, it was built in the transitional Gothic-Renaissance style between 1516 and 1522. Originally serving as a customs house and storage house, it later became the cultural center of Dubrovnik and a meeting place for educated citizens within the literary academy. The palace houses the Dubrovnik State Archives, which preserve documents dating back to the 12th century. It also houses the Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik, dedicated to the victims of the Croatian War of Independence. In the summer, it hosts the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
Address: Stradun 2, Dubrovnik.
Lokrum Island - The island is only 10 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik. That's why many cruise ships come here. On the island you can visit the botanical garden, the ruins of a Benedictine monastery or relax on the beaches. There is also a salt lake here, which resembles the Dead Sea. Lokrum is home to a colony of peacocks, which were brought to the island by Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg in the 19th century. Fans of the Game of Thrones series also head to the island, as some scenes were filmed here.
Lovrijenac Fortress - This fortress on a rock by the sea was built to defend the city and is often referred to as the "Gibraltar of Dubrovnik". Today, theater performances are held here as part of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. The fortress offers wonderful views of the walls and the city. The fortress was built by locals in the 11th century to thwart Venetian plans to build their own fortress on the site. According to legend, Lovrijenac was completed in just three months thanks to the massive efforts of the citizens of Dubrovnik. The walls of the fortress are up to 12 meters thick on the sea side, while on the city side they are only 60 cm thin, which allowed for a quick recapture of the fortress in the event of a betrayal by its commander.
Accommodations
In this beautiful seaside resort, you can choose from more than 3,000 different accommodation offers, from cheap options to luxurious ones. You can choose between apartments, guesthouses, hotels, holiday houses or hostels.
You can experience real luxury at the 5* Palace Natali hotel, for example. The hotel is located near the historic center, less than a kilometer from the beach. Here you can relax in the garden or on the terrace with outdoor furniture. Refreshments are offered by the local restaurant, and refreshments are available in the outdoor pool or hot tub. There is also free private parking, a sauna and a fitness center.
If you are looking for luxury at an affordable price, take a look at the 5* Sun Gardens Dubrovnik hotel. The hotel is located right next to the beach, about 9 km from the center of Dubrovnik. The facilities of this large hotel include 3 outdoor and 1 indoor swimming pool, garden, terrace, wellness and spa center, tennis courts, soccer field, climbing wall and more. Children can have fun on the playground or the animation team will take care of them.
If you prefer to stay in a guesthouse, Ana Guesthouse is located 3 km from the city center and only 400 meters from the beach. You can park for free directly in the building. You can relax in the garden or on the terrace. Families with children will also fully enjoy the pension - they lend you a baby carriage, and you can use the children's playground.
If you prefer accommodation in an apartment with its own kitchen, take a look at Apartments Giron, for example. You will find them right in the city center, 30 meters from the most famous Stradun street. It is not possible to park at the accommodation, but we will be happy to provide you with an airport transfer or luggage storage.
Hostel Petra Marina offers cheap accommodation not far from the port. The main bus station is less than a kilometer from the hostel. You can stay in a shared room. All guests can use the shared kitchen, common room or terrace with a stunning sea view. At the reception, they can arrange various types of activities or trips for you upon request.
For a complete offer of accommodation in Dubrovnik, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.
Typical food and drink
Seafood - As a coastal city, Dubrovnik offers a wide variety of fresh seafood dishes. You can taste calamari, prawns, mussels and fish, often grilled with olive oil, garlic and parsley.
Brodet - Thick fish stew cooked in tomato sauce with onions, garlic and wine. It is traditionally served with polenta and includes a variety of fish and seafood.
Pršut (cured ham) - A popular delicacy, often served with hard sheep's cheese from the Pag or Livno region.
Sarma - Cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of minced meat and rice, covered with sauce and slowly stewed. This dish has become popular with local people all over Croatia, including Dubrovnik.
Rožata - Dubrovnik version of French crème caramel. This sweet pudding with caramel glaze is one of the most popular desserts.
Dubrovnik cheese with honey - This dessert combines sheep's or goat's cheese with honey. The simplicity of Dalmatian tastes is excellent.
Wines – Red wines of the Plavac Mali variety from the Pelješac region come mainly from the Dubrovnik region. Other popular wines include Dingač and Pošip.
Practical advice for the trip
Most tourists arrive in the summer months (June to September). You can tell by both the crowds flowing through the streets and the higher prices. If you want to experience Dubrovnik in a quieter atmosphere, it is recommended to visit outside the high season, for example in spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October).
The main attractions, such as the city walls, tend to be paid and relatively expensive. If you plan to visit more sights, it's worth considering the Dubrovnik Pass, which includes entry to the walls and other museums, plus city transport.
The historical center of Dubrovnik is best explored on foot. The Old Town is full of narrow streets and stairs, so be prepared for a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes pay off.
You can easily get around the Old Town by bus. The local transport company offers clear lines around the city and the surrounding area. It pays to buy tickets in advance, for example at newsagents, where it will be cheaper than buying from the driver.
If you are traveling by car, expect limited and expensive parking in the center. We recommend using a parking lot further from the center or parking garages.
Always carry a bottle of water with you as you get tired easily walking around town or exploring the walls and water is not always readily available.
In high season, long queues can form at the entrances to the walls or museums. Consider purchasing tickets online in advance to avoid waiting. Boat trips (to the nearby island of Lokrum or the Elaphite Islands) are also worth booking in advance, especially in high season.
Restaurants and shops in the Old Town are more expensive than elsewhere in Dubrovnik. If you're looking for cheaper dining, head to the less touristy parts of town.
Most places in Dubrovnik accept credit cards, but smaller shops or cafes may prefer cash. In Croatia, you pay in kunami, so keep some cash on hand, although ATMs are easy to find around town.
Some shops and institutions have a siesta, especially in the off-season. Many museums have shorter opening hours during the winter months.
The most famous Banje beach near the Old Town is very crowded in the season. If you are looking for a calmer and more natural swimming, go to the nearby island of Lokrum, where you will find beautiful places to swim and relax.
Weather
Dubrovnik has a Mediterranean climate, which means warm and dry summers and mild and rainy winters.
Daily temperatures in summer often exceed 30 °C, with almost no rain. The beautifully warm sea invites you to swim.
In winter, daily temperatures are around 10-15 °C. It rains more often, and sometimes a winter storm comes.
Dubrovnik thus offers great weather for a summer vacation, but also in the off-season it has a pleasant climate for sightseeing.
You can read current information and the weather forecast for Dubrovnik for the next 7 days in our table:
Famous personalities
Marin Držić (1508–1567) – One of the greatest Croatian playwrights and writers. He is often compared to Shakespeare. Držić's Renaissance plays form a significant part of Croatian literature.
Ruđer Bošković (1711–1787) – Physicist, astronomer, mathematician and philosopher from Dubrovnik, known for his pioneering scientific discoveries. His theory about the atomic structure of matter also influenced the scientists of the following centuries.
Ivan Gundulić (1589–1638) – Famous Baroque poet and dramatist, author of epic poems such as "Ottoman". Gundulić is considered a national hero. They built a monument to him in Dubrovnik.
Luka Sorkočević (1734–1789) – Music composer from Dubrovnik, known for his symphonies and chamber music. He was among the most important representatives of classical music in Croatia.
Ivo Vojnović (1857–1929) – Playwright and writer. His works were influenced by traditional life in Dubrovnik. He belonged to the main figures of Croatian realism and modernism.
