Top 10 things to do in Dubrovnik

This beautiful wide promenade is the main pedestrian street that dissects the old town of Dubrovnik. For half a century it has been the place to come and enjoy the cafes, shops and restaurants that line the thoroughfare. It is a people-watching paradise, see and be seen!

Mount the ancient walls to get birds-eye views of the Stradun and across the red rooftops of this wonderful old city to Lokrum island and the Sveti Ivan Fortress. The 2km long walls date back to the 12-17th century and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The walk will take you round all the fortresses and towers embedded in the walls. What is more, entrance to both Fort Lovrijenac and Fortress Revelin are included in the price of the wall ticket. During peak season avoid going when cruise ships are in town – pick your time wisely and book ahead.

If you are feeling energetic, hike up the nearby hill for unrivalled views of the sunrise or sunset. Make sure to choose your timing wisely though as you would not want to attempt this in the heat of the mid-day sun in summer. Alternatively, relax on the smooth 4 minute ride up the hill courtesy of the cable car. Take your time at the top to visit the fascinating war museum. You can always walk back down if you want to stretch your legs!

If you go on the summer solstice, you could enjoy a free performance. Make it up to the top for the annual dawn serenade by the famous cellist, Ana Rucner.

Dubrovnik is famed for it’s part as King’s Landing in the hit TV series Game of Thrones. Give a focus to your wanderings by visiting some of the 15 scenes used during filming. Why stop at GoT? Dubrovnik is also otherwise known as the wealthy casino city Canto Bight from Star Wars – The Last Jedi. It was the backdrop to Leonardo Di Caprio’s Robin Hood: Origins and the next big thing to watch out for is Dubrovnik’s role in the latest James Bond movie – No Time to Die – out in cinemas in April 2020.

St. Blaise’s Cathedral is the latest in a long line of cathedrals that were built on this site dating back to the 7th century. The current structure is an impressive 18th century baroque structure, partly funded by Richard the Lionheart on his way back from The Crusades. During the golden hour, as the sun sets, Dubrovnik cathedral glows with a rosy hue and then, as night falls, it is illuminated, creating a stunning contrast to the inky black sky.

At the end of the Stradun, you can find Sponza Palace. Built in the 16th century, this palace is one of the most beautiful in the city. It is a typical mix of gothic and renaissance styles with impressive archways built around a central courtyard. At one time it housed the customs house, mint, treasury and the armoury. Today it plays a central role in the opening ceremony of the annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival as well as being home to the archive – a rich historical resource dating back to 1022.

Escape the bustle of the old town and head over to Lokrum island just off the coast, there is a short ferry ride every 30 minutes during high season. The island is covered in pine, cypress and olive trees, providing welcome shade in the heat of the summer. Time to swim, relax and explore. Peacocks and rabbits roam the island which has an old Benedictine monastery and Royal Fort.

Hidden away at the base of the in the city walls, accessed through a ‘hole in the wall’, the Buža Bar and it’s sister bar are the perfect places to come for a refreshing drink, a spot of cliff diving and wonderful sunset views over the Adriatic.

When you need to cool down while visiting Dubrovnik, swap culture for nature and head through Gradac Park to Danče. The cliffs by this convenient beach provide plenty of interest for snorkelling right by the coastline. It is a little more protected than Buža, where the water can get whipped up by the wind. There are also plenty of cool dive sites in the surrounding area.