Must-See Sites in Dubrovnik
Nestled off the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is a scenic city in southern Croatia. One of Europe’s hottest destinations, Croatia is full of history and charm and Dubrovnik is one of its best “hidden” gems. Here are the must-see sites while visiting historic Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik City Walls
The first must-see sites in Dubrovnik are the famous walls that encircle the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik. The defensive walls were built as fortifications to the city between the 12th-17th centuries during the Middle Ages and are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The walls are nearly two kilometers long and the fortifications include seventeen lookout towers, five defensive bastions, two corner fortifications, and St. John’s Fortress, which protects the entrance of the old city port.
Walking along these historic white stone walls, you can take in the gorgeous views of the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and the red-tiled roofs within the city’s walls. There are walking tours available along the City Walls of Dubrovnik with strategically placed cafés along the way that provide visitors a nice break with great views. The city walls of Dubrovnik, as well as several other sites around the city, have also been famously used as filming locations for HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones. The city walls serve as the fictional King’s Landing and many fans of the show visit Dubrovnik specifically for the Game of Thrones tour.
Cable Car Ride to Mount Srđ
Another way to experience the amazing panoramic coastline views of the city is by taking the Dubrovnik cable car ride. The cable car ride takes you over 1300 feet above sea level to the top of Mount Srđ, where the impressive Fort Imperial is a fortress overlooking the whole town. On a clear day, you can see nearby islands Lokrum and the Elafiti islands – which are also worth taking a day trip to visit. Taking the Dubrovnik cable car ride is a must on your trip to this historic port city in the Adriatic Sea.
Dubrovnik Old Town
Located within the city walls, you will find the historically preserved Old Town and some of the city’s most significant buildings. With architecture including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, Old Town’s palaces and monasteries are a sight to behold. The Placa is the main street in Old Town and it is where you will find all the best shops, cafes, and restaurants in addition to the many historic sites.
The Franciscan Monastery is a complex, off the Placa, built in the Romanesque style and has been in continuous use since the 14th Century. The Franciscan Monastery also contains a library, as well as one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, complete with a museum with antique medical equipment and literature. Rector’s Palace is a beautiful Gothic-style palace with elements of Renaissance and Baroque styles, and is another filming location of Game of Thrones.
A walk through Old Town would not be complete without a trip to the market. Located in the town square is the Gundulićeva Poljana open-air market, where you can find all sorts of fruits, vegetables, olives, honey, local seasonal cheese, and spices from the Mediterranean. Dried fruits and nuts are among some of the favorite local specialties along with flavored brandies. The best time of year to visit Croatia is early summer to early fall, so why not book your trip to beautiful and historic Dubrovnik today? Browse our selection of Croatia tours and vacations, or have a travel specialist create a custom vacation for you.
