Dubrovnik's stunning collection of restored and reconstructed architecture defines the coastal city, painting a vivid picture of its turbulent past. As you walk around the city, feast your eyes on the palaces, plazas, monasteries, churches and fountains built in a mixture of Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles.
These buildings have stood strong over the centuries, as earthquakes, civil war and sieges nearly ruined the city. They have endured the catastrophic earthquake of 1667, and the heavy shelling during the civil war in the early 1990s, but still stand strong today, beckoning visitors to explore their glorious history.
Surrounding the city is the world-famous, 2-kilometre-long stone wall, which protected the historical city from its enemies. Towering at 22 metres, you will be granted great views over the Old Town as you walk on the walls.
Spend an hour or so casually strolling the wall before climbing down to most of the city's attractions within the pedestrianised Old Town. Listed as a World Heritage Site, you will find palaces, churches, gardens and designer shops in the streets of this charming city. Wander down Placa, the marble-paved main street teeming with shops, cafés and restaurants, where there are no billboards or shop signs to be seen. This is an effort by the local authority to preserve the area's traditional look.
Visit the Rector’s Palace, a magnificent Gothic-Renaissance structure that was the power base of the old Dubrovnik Republic. Attend mass at the nearby Church of St. Blaise, an 18th-century Baroque building devoted to the patron saint of Dubrovnik.
Take a break and relax at Banje, Dubrovnik’s most popular beach just outside the walls of the Old Town. Soak up the sun and swim in the clear waters with arresting views of the Adriatic Sea. Wake up early and head to the fresh food markets at the picturesque Gruž Harbour, Dubrovnik’s main port. From here, you can also hop on a boat to one of the pristine neighbouring islands.
Dubrovnik awakens to a vibrant night scene with lively clubs and laidback bars. Have a meal or a drink in one of the numerous restaurants, cafes and bars within the Old Town or pulse to the beat within the historic Revelin Fort at its resident nightclub Culture Club Revelin. For some culture, book a seat to a classical music concert at Rector’s Palace.
It’s easy to navigate Dubrovnik by foot as most of it’s attractions are within the Old Town. Getting around the rest of the city is easy by bus, taxi or hire car. Most visitors equip themselves with the Dubrovnik Card, which offers free use of public transport, a travel guide to the city, discounts in restaurants and free entry to some of the cultural and historic attractions, which would otherwise have cost a bomb.
