Things to do in Dubrovnik
With its quaint cobblestone streets and red-tiled roofs, Dubrovnik makes an amazing holiday destination for visitors from all walks of life. Its sublime location on the Adriatic Coast means it's a popular European travel spot, featuring Baroque churches, monasteries and palaces built behind iconic city walls in the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
Visitors can enter through Pile Gate and admire the imposing Fort Lovrijenac or journey to the Rector's Palace, housing the Cultural History Museum. One can also delve into more recent historic events with the powerful exhibitions of War Photo Limited.
A short cable car ride up the hill lies Mt Srd, presenting stunning views of the Old Town and the Elafiti Islands. Dominating the bay is the forested island of Lokrum, just a 10-minute ferry ride from Old Harbour. Visitors should take in the Benedictine monastery, pose on a replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones and wander through lush botanical gardens.
Dubrovnik boasts a superb bus service, with key tourist routes running long past midnight in peak season. Discounted fares can be bought at a newsagent (tisak), and journeys to Old Town from Gruz or Lapad take just 15 to 20 minutes.
Those willing to brave the masses of July and August can explore the annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival of music, theatre, dance and film. But for most people, the best time to visit is May to June, or September to October, when the sun is out, the sea is warm and the crowds are noticeably thinner.
Mljet Island
Covered by small villages, forests and vineyards, Mljet is famous for its national park. Main attractions include the two saltwater lakes of Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero, as well …
Mljet Island
Covered by small villages, forests and vineyards, Mljet is famous for its national park. Main attractions include the two saltwater lakes of Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero, as well as a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. Mljet is said to be Croatia's greenest island, the beauty of the unspoilt oasis attracting nature lovers and those in search of peace and tranquillity. It's popular with couples because of the pristine natural beauty and lack of crowds, making it ideal for romantic getaways. It is also a great option for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and kayaking. There are regular ferry connections with Dubrovnik.
Website www.mljet.hr
Cathedral Treasury
Dubrovnik has had at least three cathedrals on the same site during its long history. The first was a Byzantine building dating from the 7th century; the second a Romanesque Cathed…
Cathedral Treasury
Dubrovnik has had at least three cathedrals on the same site during its long history. The first was a Byzantine building dating from the 7th century; the second a Romanesque Cathedral destroyed by a great earthquake; and at present the beautiful Baroque structure completed in 1713. Within the current Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, there are several magnificent statues and paintings, including a work by Titian dating back to about 1552. As well as valuable art, the cathedral has stunning Baroque features as well as a treasury, filled with hundreds of relics, artefacts and religious icons.
War Photo Limited
War Photo Limited features changing photographic exhibitions relating to war and conflict, aiming to expose the horror and brutality experienced by innocents and combatants alike. …
War Photo Limited
War Photo Limited features changing photographic exhibitions relating to war and conflict, aiming to expose the horror and brutality experienced by innocents and combatants alike. These exhibitions in the historic centre of Dubrovnik are intended to be educational and showcase the work of world-renowned photojournalists. The minds behind War Photos Limited consider war a disease and the intention is to rid people of the perception that it can be glorious and righteous. Anybody interested in military history, photography or the strength of the human spirit will be fascinated by War Photo Limited. Although some exhibitions may be quite shocking, a visit to the gallery is an overwhelmingly rewarding experience.
Website www.warphotoltd.com
Elafiti Islands
A popular excursion from Dubrovnik is a day trip to the offshore islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan. They are an escape from the mainland crowds, boasting olive groves, orchards, …
Elafiti Islands
A popular excursion from Dubrovnik is a day trip to the offshore islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan. They are an escape from the mainland crowds, boasting olive groves, orchards, sand- and pebble beaches, and several interesting churches and monasteries. Lush, green Kolocep is the smallest island and the closest to Dubrovnik. Lopud is the most visited and is renowned for the sandy beach at Sunj. Sipan was a chic summer getaway of choice for 15th-century aristocratic families in Dubrovnik, and is fascinating from a historical point of view. Kolocep and Lopud are both car-free islands and easy to navigate on foot.
Korcula Island
Korcula Island is one of the biggest on the Adriatic, boasting verdant vineyards, dense pine forests, secluded beaches and olive groves. The main town juts out into the sea, and is…
Korcula Island
Korcula Island is one of the biggest on the Adriatic, boasting verdant vineyards, dense pine forests, secluded beaches and olive groves. The main town juts out into the sea, and is typically Dalmatian in character, with red-roofed houses and enclosing walls. Some sources say Marco Polo was born here and his rumoured house is now a museum open to the public. Korcula Town is also famous for its 15th-century Moreska sword dance, which is performed during summer.
Other towns on the island include Vela Luka and Lumbarda, which are surrounded by vineyards and coves. Korcula is said to have been a favourite Greek holiday spot over 2,000 years ago and, since then, it hasn't stopped delighting visitors with its culture and green landscapes. Of the 1,000 or so islands in Croatia, Korcula is often ranked most highly as a holiday destination.
Website www.korculainfo.com
Sponza Palace
Built between 1516 and 1522, the Sponza Palace was the centre of medieval Dubrovnik. A mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, it's one of the most beautiful and we…
Sponza Palace
Built between 1516 and 1522, the Sponza Palace was the centre of medieval Dubrovnik. A mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, it's one of the most beautiful and well-preserved palaces in the city. It has been suggested that the style of building gives some indication of what public buildings in Dubrovnik may have looked like before they were destroyed in an earthquake in 1667. Although this natural disaster caused considerable destruction to Dubrovnik, the palace itself was largely undamaged. Today, it houses the Dubrovnik archive, which contains 7,000 volumes and about 100,000 individual scripts. The atrium of the palace is an art gallery showcasing various exhibitions from contemporary artists, as well as those prominent in Dubrovnik's past.
Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik's picturesque Old Town is the most renowned tourist destination in Croatia. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, it is one of the world's finest and best-pres…
Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik's picturesque Old Town is the most renowned tourist destination in Croatia. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, it is one of the world's finest and best-preserved medieval cities, and lies against a gorgeous backdrop of rugged limestone mountains.
The destination is perhaps best known for its medieval walls, which were laid out in the 13th century and became an ongoing project for almost two hundred years. The fortified walls are up to 10 feet (3m) thick on the sea side and at least twice as thick on the land side, reaching up to 82 feet (25m) in height. Any first-time sightseeing tour of the city should begin with a walk around these sturdy old ramparts, which incorporate fortresses, towers, and cannons along the way. From high up on the walls, visitors can enjoy amazing views over the Old Town rooftops and out across the glistening Adriatic Sea.
Dubrovnik's unforgettable Old Port is just a 10-minute bus ride away from the Old Town, and boasts fantastic sightseeing opportunities and intriguing, small markets along its tiny cobblestoned streets. The rich history and quaint shops of the Old Port make Dubrovnik a popular cruise port, with liners anchoring at the modern Port of Gruz less than two miles (2,5km) from the Old Town. Different kinds of boat tours depart from the harbour, offering visitors a wonderful chance to explore the stunning coastline and learn about the port's history. The detached sentinel of Lovrijenac Fort to the west of the Old Town is also worth a visit.
Stradun
The biggest, longest and widest street in Dubrovnik, the grandiose Stradun dates back to the 13th century, while its uniform houses were mostly built more than 300 years ago. The c…
Stradun
The biggest, longest and widest street in Dubrovnik, the grandiose Stradun dates back to the 13th century, while its uniform houses were mostly built more than 300 years ago. The commercial, entertainment and spiritual home of Dubrovnik, the limestone-paved Stradun is the best place to get a feel for the pulse of Croatia's capital. It holds many of the city's monuments and some great restaurants and shops. One of its more famous attractions is Onofrio's Fountain, which is located in a small square near the Pila Gate and Franciscan Monastery. Built in 1438 by a famous Italian architect from Naples, Onofrio della Cava, this large fountain is considered a masterpiece of its time.