1. The ancient city walls: the top attraction in Dubrovnik

The notable city walls fall among the top attractions of the Old Town, Dubrovnik, gathering flocks of international tourists year-round. Aside from the city’s distinguished landmarks, including extraordinary palaces and monasteries, the ancient city walls are perhaps the most famous feature in the region. What makes them so outstanding is the complexity and the intricate system of the bastion and towers, alongside its detached forts. If you happen to be a first-time visitor, then you certainly must know that Dubrovnik is also referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic owing to its white stone.

Why visit: Keep in mind that there’s probably no other city or place which has preserved its medieval nature to this level of perfection. Additionally, the Old City of Dubrovnik is included on UNESCO’s list as a world heritage site.

The Ancient City Walls

Address: Placa ulica 32

Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: Enter the Pile Gate, to the left.]

Contact: +385 20 638 800

2. Stradun: the most prominent street in the city

Street, Strasse, or Stradun – whatever you call it, this noteworthy “stradun” or street in English is considered the longest and perhaps the most significant street in the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Both of its entrances (the Pile and Ploce gates to the city) are connected to each other via the famous Stradun running from the eastern part of the town. Naturally, many other side-streets show up to connect with the important Stradun where a diversity of cozy cafes, fine restaurants and bars are bursting at the seams with tourists and locals.

Why visit: Think of the notable Stradun as the main artery of the Old Town, featuring a wide array of antique shops, cafes, and bars to stop by for some fresh air and a cold drink.

3. Game of Thrones tour: take the “walk of shame” along Stradun

Are you a fan of the Game of Thrones series? If so, then you’ll certainly be excited to find out that your favorite characters from the series have been filming a bunch of episodes here.

Why visit: You can experience the scene of Cersei taking the “walk of shame”. However, this time it won’t be an epic TV moment, but one you can experience in real life. The famous scene was shot right here, along the Stradun street in the Old Town of Dubrovnik.

Game of Thrones Tour

Address: Dubrovnik 20000, Croatia

Contact: +385981751775

Website: Game of Thrones Tour

4. Experience great boat tours & sightseeing

Have you ever experienced a sea kayaking tour? Apart from going on a regular sightseeing tour, visitors are offered the unique adventure of contemplating the city’s most renowned spots by water, such as the medieval city walls, lesser known caves and the prominent Lokrum Island. Is it worth it? Definitely.

Why visit: Travelers with an adventurous spirit must certainly experience a city tour by sea kayak. The tour starts off with a briefing, nearby the Pile Gate. Afterward, tourists turn west and across a channel from where you can take in beautiful views of the city. Exploring the coastline with a few stops at other points interest are also included in the sea kayaking tour.

Boat trip and kayaking tour

Address: Bartola Kasica 13 | ACI Marina Dubrovnik, Na skali, Dubrovnik 20236, Croatia

Price: from 63 USD

Duration: 3 hr+

Contact: +385 98 757 890

Website: Dubrovnik Boat Trips

5. The noteworthy St John fortress

Sitting on the southeast part of the city’s port, the symbolic fortress of St John is recognized as a top attraction in Dubrovnik. Famous for its structure dating back to the turn of the 16th century, the fortification of St. John features sloping walls and cannon ports. Today the noteworthy spot is home to two other well-known attractions, namely the famous aquarium in Dubrovnik and the Maritime museum.

Why visit: As you can see, Dubrovnik is an appealing place, rich in diverse culture and history that is surely worth exploring both in and around the city.

St John Fortress

Address: Tijatska 2, Sibenik 22000, Croatia

Price: from 3 USD

Opening Hours: 8am - 8pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: from 90 min to 3 hrs

Contact: +385 (0)20 312 011

6. The Gornji Ugao tower: a world-renowned foundry

Walk up the stairs of the world-recognized tower and be ready to discover the history surrounding this 15th-century foundry. Referred to as one of the city’s best features, the Gornji Ugao tower provides an incredible collection of pincers and tools alongside stone warehouses revealing a fascinating period of suzerainty.

Why visit: if you happen to be nearby, don’t miss out on learning about the powerful history of manufacturing in this amazingly preserved site.

The Kula Gornji Ugao Tower

Address: Poljana Paska Miličevića 1, 20000,

Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.

Recommended duration: 1 hour

7. The remarkable Rector’s Palace with its gothic elements

The famous Rector’s Palace serves as another remarkable landmark in the territory of the extraordinary and colorful Dubrovnik. The gothic inspired palace was built in the 15th-century for the newly elected rector. The symbolic building features halls and chambers as well as a dungeon. Today the Rector’s Palace is referred to as an emblematic landmark which has been turned into a cultural museum and it has a striking appearance worthy of seeing at least once in a lifetime.

Why visit: The eminent Rector’s Palace is among the city’s top landmarks and tourist stops and is home to curious portraits, coins, tools and private rooms all of which are creatively and artistically preserved.

Rector’s Palace

Address: Pred Dvorom 3

Price: from 12 USD

Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Contact: 00 385 20 324837

8. Onofrio fountain: find the most famous fountain

This large fountain built in 1438 is another worthwhile stop and gathers a lot of attention. The Onofrio fountain was originally built with a unique sculpture which was unfortunately irredeemable after a massive earthquake a few centuries ago.

The magnificent fountain was erected as part of an intricate water supply system which, in part helped to bring water to the center from nearly 12 km (over seven miles) away. Together with two other smaller fountains, the large Onofrio fountain is a great example of the technical feats and achievements of the ancient city.

Why visit: Enjoy the colossal size of the beautiful Onofrio fountain alongside extraordinary architecture, hardly seen anywhere.

Onofrio fountain

Address: Poljana Paska Miličevića, 20000

Contact: +385 (0)20 312 011

9. The unique architecture of the Bell Tower

Constructed in 1444, this illustrious building features an incredible height of about 31m (101ft). The builder of the city Bell Tower was a man named Luka, the son of a famous admiral, who built the clock using a metal plate and two wooden sticks as arrows. Just like the great Onofrio fountain, the city Bell Tower was greatly impaired after an earthquake shook the ground, leaving the structure a bit slanted.

Why visit: The Bell Tower represents another renowned Croatian milestone and impresses with its unique architecture and construction by Luka Mihocin. Today, the beautiful Bell Tower receives immense attention and appreciation from both tourists and local visitors.

Bell Tower

Address: Brsalje 5, 20000 Dubrovnik

Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.

What to expect

Dubrovnik boasts an exceptional array of monuments and symbolic landmarks revealing the rich history and culture of this beautiful Croatian city. Once you arrive, you can enjoy the magnificent landscape while strolling down the prominent Stradun street.