Tour
2,5 km
1h00
19 audios
Text version
If you know a little about Croatia — or if you’re a die-hard Game of Thrones fan — Dubrovnik might already sound familiar. The Croatian city was founded in the 7th century under the former Republic of Ragusa. For over 400 years, it defended its independence against major powers such as the Venice Republic and Ottoman Empire. Its tumultous history has been shaped by natural disasters, wars, and conflict, leaving their mark on the city’s treasures and cobbled streets. Dubrovnik’s massive stone walls still stand tall today, silently telling the tales of its past. Just like in the old days, Dubrovnik continues to captivate everyone who visits. In this tour, we’ll take you through ancient churches and monasteries, beautiful Venetian palaces, historic fortifications, and gorgeous views of Mount Srđ and the Adriatic sea. Dubrovnik is ready to welcome you with open arms…
After climbing the grand staircase, you've arrived at one of Dubrovnik’s most beloved landmarks, St. Ignatius Church. Built between 1699 and 1729, the church was inspired by the blueprints of Rome’s famous Church of the Gesù. It’s named after the Jesuit priest Ignatius of Loyola, who generously funded much of its construction. Read more
Look to your right... You should spot a stone structure with a flag on the top standing along the pier. This is St John’s Fortress, one of Dubrovnik’s most important defensive structures. Built between the 14th and 16th centuries, it was designed to protect the city’s port from naval attacks. Read more
To explore Dubrovnik’s famous city walls, you’ve got three main entrances to choose from. Whilst Pile and Ploče usually get the most attention, Buže Gate is just as impressive as the rest, and the youngest of the three! In the early 20th century, the Austro-Hungarian army broke through the wall and created what we now know as Buže Gate. Read more
The fortifications before you connect the outer part of the city to the centre, and they once played a key defensive role as Dubrovnik’s ramparts. While the Pile gate takes you west, the Ploče gate leads you east of the city. Built in 1628, more than 80 years after Pile Gate, it’s no less important! Read more
The Stradun runs right through Dubrovnik’s old town, stretching 300 metres – you can’t miss it! You wouldn’t want to anyway... It traces back to the 12th century, built to connect two villages, Slav Dubrava and Ragusa, once separated by marshland. Read more
By the mid-14th century, the Republic of Ragusa was very prosperous. Dubrovnik attracted merchants, future residents, and Franciscan monks. In 1317, the monks began building a monastery on this main street, and that was no accident. Here, they were within the city walls and better protected during times of war. Read more
Fort Lovrijenac perches on a rock 37 metres above sea level, making it the highest point of Dubrovnik’s old town outside the city walls. Legend has it that in 1018, the people of Dubrovnik built this fortress in just three months in order to protect the city. Read more
Pile Gate was built in 1537 as a grand entrance to Dubrovnik’s old town. Located on the western side of the city walls, it takes us back to when the city would shut its gates at night to keep out invaders. Beyond the imposing gates, there was once a long wooden drawbridge — later replaced by stone — to make entry even harder for unwelcome visitors. Read more
Not far from the old town’s entrance lies one of Dubrovnik’s most iconic landmarks, the Large Onofrio Fountain. In the 15th century, Dubrovnik was one of the busiest trading ports in the Meditarranean, boosting its local economy. However, the city had very limited access to clean drinking water. Read more
The Rector’s Palace is one of Dubrovnik’s most important historical landmarks, transporting us back in time. Built in the 13th century, it served as the seat of power for the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa. The Rector was the head of the government, and would rule for a month. Read more
Welcome to Dubrovnik Cathedral, one of the city’s main religious landmarks. Back in the 12th century, a Romanesque church stood here, funded by the English King, Richard the Lionheart. He wanted to build a church for the local citizens who saved his life after his ship sank on a nearby island called Lokrum. Read more
Luža Square is home to some of Dubrovnik’s most iconic landmarks - but there’s one that stands out above the rest... Sponza Palace. Its arched gallery is hard to miss, and it’s the only building that survived the devastating 1667 earthquake. Read more
The Franciscan monks weren’t the only ones who found a home inside Dubrovnik’s city walls — Dominican monks and their friars also chose to settle here. Construction of their monastery began in 1300, and took 200 years to complete. During this time, the architecture evolved from Roman, to Gothic, to Baroque, resulting in the blend before you today. Read more
Dubrovnik opens out onto the Adriatic sea, offering plenty of beautiful views to make your heart swoon! Just look in front of you... Isn’t it stunning? You’re looking at the city’s old port, a symbol of the former Republic of Ragusa. Read more
In the past, many merchants and travellers passed through Dubrovnik and stopped over at the Ploče district. This constant flow of people raised health concerns, and citizens grew worried about epidemics coming in from abroad. So in the 14th century, a quarantine zone was built, called the Lazarettos. Read more
We can’t let you go before telling you about one of Dubrovnik’s most iconic landmarks... The old city walls. Built between the 8th and 16th centuries, these fortifications protected the city for hundreds of years — although the Republic of Ragusa often preferred diplomacy over war when dealing with rivals. Read more
Orlando’s Column still stands proudly in Luža Square, where it has remained for over 600 years. Carved from a single stone block in 1417 by a Milanese architect, this modest structure carries a powerful meaning. Read more
St Blaise’s Church is one of Dubrovnik’s most important landmarks. Tucked a little out of sight, it’s dedicated to the city’s patron saint. This baroque gem was built in the 14th century, though it looked quite different then.... The original structure was destroyed by an earthquake in 1667 and suffered a fire forty years later. Read more
Discover Dubrovnik with app
An interactive guide through the most beautiful streets, squares, and districts
18 fun audioguides full of historical facts, anecdotes, and legends
Set off from Dubrovnik to discover Mostar and the stunning Kravica waterfalls.
The best part about Dubrovnik is that wherever you are within its old city walls, or even perched above them, you’ll get a view that will take your breath away. The city is surrounded by everything you need for your perfect holiday get-away!
If you’ve seen the city from above, then you’ve probably spotted the wild island of Lokrum. We could talk all day about its extraordinary beauty, botanical gardens, ancient Benedectine monastery, clean beaches, and sea caves… But it’s best experienced first-hand! You can head on a ferry straight to this paradise, only 2 kilometres away from the coast!
If the sea isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry. Away from the blue Adriatic waters, say hello to the deep green Mount Srđ. With an altitude of 400 metres, you can either climb to the top or take the cable car. But it doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as you get there and take in the stunning Dubrovnik panorama. These seaside landscapes will take your breath away…
If you have some time to explore the surroundings, you could start at Cavtat, a charming seaside town, only 20 kilometres south of Dubrovnik. Get ready for beaches, a relaxing atmosphere, and cultural visits, from the Račić family mausoleum, to the childhood home of painter Vlaho Bukovac.
Another essential trip from Dubrovnik are the Elaphiti Islands, an archipelago made up of 3 main islands, and dozens of smaller islets. A paradise that stretches along the Adriatic sea, it’s worth spending a few days here to truly experience its beauty. Every island offers a different activity, from kayaking and deepsea diving, to visiting ancient sites, peaceful villages, monasteries, or walking along its orangeries, with the Meditarranean at your side.
Another gem of the Adriatic sea is Mljet island, easy accessible by ferry from Dubrovnik. This island full of nature is sure to steal your heart. It’s best-known for one of Croatia’s most beautiful natural parks, with salt lakes, forests, and a secluded monastery hidden in the middle of the lake.
Wine lovers, head to the Pelješac peninsula, just above Mljet island. The famous Plavac Mali red wine is made here on its sunny vineyards, offering beautiful walks and delicious wine tastings. You can also stop by the nearby fortified town of Ston, known for its high-quality, fresh oysters.
If you fancy something more active, the Cetina river is the perfect place, about 2 hours away from Dubrovnik. Its waters offer a wide range of water sports, such as kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. You can also hike along its canyons, or take a dip in its waterfalls… Not bad, eh?
Finally, you could head over to Mostar, a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2 hours away from Dubrovnik. Famous for its Ottoman architecture, bazars, and mosques, the Old Bridge is the city’s most significant landmark. Connecting the two parts of the city across the river, it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Adventure, culture, and unforgettable views around Dubrovnik
200 audioguided tours for cities all around the world
Download Our rating
Budget
Description: Every city has its own iconic symbol, often reflecting its historical past. If you ever travel to the western part of Dubrovnik, your eyes will inevitably be drawn to the grand Lovrijenac Fortress. Does it look familiar? That’s no coincidence—it served as a filming location for the famous series Game of Thrones. Perched nearly 40 meters above the azure-blue sea, the view is straight out of an adventure movie. The monument was built in the early 11th century and was used to protect the city from the Venetian threat at the time. This defensive stronghold, or if you prefer…
Our rating
Budget
See Our Full Review
Our rating
Budget
See Our Full Review
Our rating
Budget
Hotel Description: Your comfort? That’s their top priority! Hotel Kompas is a charming establishment that’s perfect for…
Read more
Highlights
Things to consider
Location: Kardinala Stepinca 21, Lapad, 20 000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Our rating
Budget
See Our Full Review
Our rating
Budget
See Our Full Review
Dubrovnik is one of the most popular cities in Croatia. Its fortress surrounding the Old Town attracts thousands of visitors each year, especially since it served as a filming location for the iconic Game of Thrones series. If you want to stay in this emblematic area of Dubrovnik, it’s best to book well in advance. Accommodation options are limited and quickly snapped up. As a result, prices are significantly higher than elsewhere. The most accessible and convenient neighborhood is Lapad. This is the modern center of Dubrovnik, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, hotels, and bars. It’s a pleasant area near the seafront.
Stradun Street is the most popular street in Dubrovnik. It’s also where many restaurants and terraces are located. However, it’s also the area where you’ll spend the most on food. Croatian restaurants generally offer similar specialties, so to save money, it’s better to explore the side streets. You’ll have no trouble finding a restaurant that suits your tastes at a more reasonable price.
In a single day, you’ll have time to walk along the city walls that separate the modern town from the Old Town. These stone fortifications are over a thousand years old and are among the best-preserved in Europe. Every major city has a cathedral worth visiting. Each cathedral has its own unique style and always leaves an impression, as these places are both surprising and beautiful. In Dubrovnik, the Cathedral of the Assumption was built in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 12th century thanks to donations from King Richard the Lionheart, former King of England.
Dubrovnik is a compact city and can be visited over a weekend, or with an extra third day to relax and enjoy it fully. Over a weekend, you’ll have time to explore the city walls and the stunning Old Town. Continue your visit by heading to the Lovrijenac Fortress. This fort, built in the 12th century, was supposedly constructed to protect Dubrovnik from the Venetians, who wanted to take control of the city. To enjoy Dubrovnik while relaxing, you can then stroll along Stradun Street. The tourist heart of Dubrovnik, Stradun is home to several restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops.
Dubrovnik Airport is about twenty minutes away by car. Several bus lines run the route to the city center. A special shuttle bus operates between the airport and the center upon arrival. The bus schedule varies depending on flight arrivals. The trip takes about thirty minutes. City buses also run the same route, though they may take a bit longer depending on traffic, especially during peak hours.
Comments