Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia | 15 Can’t Miss Activities & Attractions

Often called the “pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik certainly lives up to the epithet. This beautiful city on the southern coast of Croatia is one of the most popular travel destinations on the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for its rich history and culture, stunning architecture, and picturesque landscapes. The city’s Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and full of historic landmarks like the Walls of Dubrovnik and Rector’s Palace. More recently, Dubrovnik has become famous as one of the main filming locations of the hit television show Game of Thrones. You will never run out of things to see and do on your trip, starting with these top 15 activities, tours, and attractions.

1. Walk atop the WALLS OF DUBROVNIK

The number one tourist activity in Dubrovnik is to take a walk along the walls that encircle the Old Town, and it’s easy to see why. The Walls of Dubrovnik are a series of very tall, white limestone defensive walls that were continually constructed, expanded, and further fortified from the 12th to the 17th centuries. They are often considered to be among the greatest fortifications of the Middle Ages, having never once fallen to a hostile army during this time. Some parts of the walls can reach up to 82 feet in height and as much as 20 feet in thickness.

There is an entry fee of 200 HRK to access the Walls of Dubrovnik at one of three entry points around the Old Town. It takes most people around one to two hours to make the full circuit along the walls, though you are welcome to go as quickly or leisurely as you like. Make sure you stop to take in the incredible views of the shimmering Adriatic on one side and the historic city on the other. Pretty much every section of the walls offers new and gorgeous viewpoints, so get ready to take a lot of pictures. During the city’s Summer Festival, there are even Shakespeare performances held along the walls.

The best time to visit the Walls of Dubrovnik is during the early afternoon when the cruise boat visitors have left for lunch and before the mid-afternoon crowds arrive. Guided tours are available, but you can choose to just pay the entry fee and walk the walls on your own.

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2. Sign up for the GAME OF THRONES WALKING TOUR

Dubrovnik was the perfect filming location for Game of Thrones, and the city has certainly capitalized on the fact that so many parts of it appeared in the show. Tourists can go on an organized Game of Thrones Walking Tour that takes them to all of the significant filming spots throughout the Old Town, which served as different parts of King’s Landing, like the Red Keep and Blackwater Bay. Guides show you pictures of the scenes to help remind you where you have seen each location before.

The Game of Thrones Walking Tour is an excellent option for big fans of the show, and it’s simply a fantastic tour of Dubrovnik as well. You will visit most of the city’s major sites, learning not only about how they were used as filming locations but a bit about the history of these locations as well. You’ll also get to enjoy some truly fantastic views of the city skyline. The tour costs about 200 HRK per person and takes about two hours to complete. Combine your passion for television and travel by signing up for this unique experience.

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3. Take a stroll down the STRADUN

Stradun, officially known as Placa, is the main street in Dubrovnik and has been a center of activity in the city since the 13th century. It actually used to be a channel before it was filled in to create a road. Many of the buildings flaking the street were then destroyed in a devastating earthquake and fire in 1667, and they had to be reconstructed. Today, Stradun is always hustling and bustling with locals and visitors and is considered by many to be one of the most charming thoroughfares in Europe. The white limestone street runs east to west and divides the Old Town into two roughly equal parts. It is lined with a wide variety of restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while people-watching. It is also the best place in Dubrovnik to do your souvenir shopping.

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4. Ride the cable car up to MOUNT SRD

Mount Srd offers the best views in all of Dubrovnik, with the city and the ocean spread out below. The low mountain sits just behind the city and has an elevation of 1,352 feet. It is serviced by a cable car which itself offers spectacular views. You can make the trek up the mountain by foot if you’re feeling fit, or you can hire a taxi, but do try to ride the cable car at least one way to get the full experience. The journey takes about 10 minutes, and once you are at the top, you are free to walk around. Enjoy two different viewing terraces, a restaurant, and a gift shop, and spend some time exploring the white-stone fortress as well.

A round-trip ticket up the Mount Srd Cable Car costs 170 HRK for adults and 60 HRK for children. If you’re planning to hike or drive on the way up or down the mountain, then you can instead purchase a one-way ticket at the price of 90 HRK for adults and 40 HRK for children.

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5. Admire the architecture at RECTOR’S PALACE

Rector’s Palace is a must-see attraction for history buffs, architecture aficionados, or anyone interested in visiting one of the main cultural landmarks in Dubrovnik. Initially designed in 1435, it served as the seat of power for the Rector of Ragusa (the former name of Dubrovnik when it was an independent republic) until 1808. It features a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles due to several reconstructions over the years, and it contains a beautiful central courtyard as well. The well-preserved palace is now open to the public for an entry fee of 120 HRK for adults and 25 HRK for children. Today, it serves as a museum with restored rooms and numerous artifacts relating to the city’s cultural history. You’ll also find many fine paintings by Dalmatian and Venetian artists. Game of Thrones fans might recognize the Rector’s Palace as the setting for Qarth.

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6. Make a stop at the CHURCH OF ST. BLAISE

The Church of St. Blaise is an ornate, Baroque-style church dedicated to the patron saint of Dubrovnik, making it the most beloved church in the city. It was constructed in 1715 by the Venetian architect Marino Gropelli on the spot of an older Romanesque church that was destroyed in the 1667 earthquake. The visually striking building has a stately but welcoming exterior with a statue of St. Blaise himself on the roof. It is easily accessible and located right on Stradun. Many Summer Festival celebrations and the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations take place on the church’s front steps. Inside, the church features a barrel-vaulted ceiling, marble altars, and a silver-gilt statue of St. Blaise flanked by two angels. There is no admission fee to enter the Church of St. Blaise.

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7. See the treasures at DUBROVNIK CATHEDRAL

Dubrovnik Cathedral, also called the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is the current seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik. The Baroque cathedral that stands today was constructed in 1713, but there has been a cathedral at the site since the 6th century. It is located right by the Rector’s Palace on Stradun. The interior is known for its stunning violet marble altars and beautiful paintings by Dalmatian and Italian artists. The main draw is the treasury, which houses famous relics like gilded body parts of St. Blaise as well as other relics from around the world. Visitors are welcome daily to the Dubrovnik Cathedral, and entry to the church is free. However, there is a small 15 HRK fee to visit the treasury.

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8. Explore the surrounding sea on a KAYAK TOUR

Another popular type of tour to take in Dubrovnik is a kayak tour. See the Walls of Dubrovnik from a different vantage point as knowledgeable guides lead you around the city’s coastline. Marvel at the height of the walls, enjoy the beautiful blue water, and even explore a hidden cave on your adventure. Tours cost about 200 HRK per person and go at a nice, leisurely pace so that everyone can keep up. Most include a snack and even a glass of wine, depending on the company you book with. Tours typically depart from Old Town. It is highly recommended that you book a sunset tour if the timing works with your itinerary.

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9. Visit the FRANCISCAN MONASTERY

The Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik is a large complex that contains not only a monastery and a church, but a library, a museum, and a pharmacy as well. The pharmacy, which is still in operation today, actually dates back to 1317, making it one of the longest-operating pharmacies in the world. The monastery was built a bit later, in 1360, and is a wonderful example of Romanesque architectural style. It houses a gorgeous cloister full of leafy green plants that provides a welcome reprieve from the busy Stradun just outside. The library is quite a sight as well, as it contains more than 20,000 books. Entry to the Franciscan Monastery is 30 HRK.

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10. Visit the DOMINICAN MONASTERY

The Dominican Monastery is just a quick, five-minute walk along Stradun from the Franciscan Monastery, and it likewise has an entry fee of 30 HRK. It was established in 1315 and constructed right up against the city walls that were also built during that time. The cloister features a tranquil garden home to a 14th-century well that still works to this day. One of the other main highlights of the Dominican Monastery is its impressive collection of art. The rooms off the cloister feature works by 15th- and 16th-century artists, and there is a beautiful modern stained glass piece above a side altar. The monastery’s bell tower is a major city landmark as well.

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11. Marvel at the impressive FORT LOVRIJENAC

Fort Lovrijenac is one of the most prominent fortifications along the Walls of Dubrovnik. It is often referred to as “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar” for its location on an outcrop of rock just outside of the city walls. The fortress was built quickly in the 11th century to protect the city from invading Venetians and held its ground against the attacking forces. You must climb about 200 steps to reach the fortress, but the views from up top are worth it. Entry to Fort Lovrijenac is included in the price of admission to the Walls of Dubrovnik, and you should pay it a visit at the same time to take advantage of the single fee.

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12. Marvel at the equally impressive FORT ST. JOHN

Fort St. John is another important fortification that once defended the Old Town and its harbor from enemy ships. It was initially built in the 14th century and continually modified over the next few centuries. When trouble came around, inhabitants could pull up heavy chains from the fort to close off the port. Fort St. John also houses the Dubrovnik Aquarium on the ground floor and the Maritime Museum on the upper floors, both of which you should check out while you are there. A visit to Fort St. John is also included in the entry to the Walls of Dubrovnik. However, the Maritime Museum will cost an additional 130 HRK and the Dubrovnik Aquarium an additional 60 HRK.

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13. Climb to the top of the JESUIT STAIRCASE

The Jesuit Staircase is another Dubrovnik landmark that will be quickly recognized by fans of Game of Thrones, as it was the setting of Cersei’s famous “walk of atonement.” Aside from its relation to the show, the staircase is worth a visit as it is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the city. At the bottom of the stairs, you will find a market that sells fresh produce from the surrounding villages. At the very top of the stairs sits the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, towering over the square below from its lofty perch. If you have the time, it is highly recommended that you pop into the church to see its beautiful fresco displays.

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14. Enjoy a relaxing break at the beach

After you’ve done a lot of running around to see most of the landmarks you wanted to visit, why not take some time to relax at the beach? Dubrovnik is surrounded by the beautiful, clear aquamarine waters of the Adriatic Sea, and the city is home to several fantastic beaches as well. While they don’t offer large swaths of sandy coastline and tend to be more on the rocky side, the beaches are a wonderful place to swim. You can also usually find a warm slab of rock to do some sunbathing. A favorite activity for beachgoers is to swim outside of the city walls that they walked on top of earlier.

One of the most popular beaches in Dubrovnik that you should definitely visit is Lapad Beach. There are shallow waters perfect for swimming here, and the beach is located in a tourist-friendly area with a pedestrian zone where you can enjoy some shopping and dining. Another top spot to catch some sun and go for a swim right outside of the Old Town is Banje Beach. A pebble and sand beach, it offers nice views and plenty of fun activities. A little further from the center of town, Copacabana Beach provides a larger stretch of sand and more coastline to explore. You can enjoy the beach bar or order a cocktail right to your sun lounger.

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15. Catch a ferry to LOKRUM ISLAND

Lokrum Island is a Mediterranean paradise that lays about 2,000 feet off the coast of Dubrovnik. It can be reached via a 10-minute ferry ride from the Old Town harbor. The island is covered in lush green trees and criss-crossed by walking paths that let you enjoy some time surrounded by nature. There are also a few charming pebble beaches where you can relax and where the waters are ideal for swimming. You can go swimming and scuba diving at the small saltwater lake located on the island as well. Though it is a popular tourist spot, Lokrum Island does offer a nice break from the crowds of the city.

While on Lokrum Island, you should also pay a visit to the Benedictine Monastery. Constructed in the 11th century, it now houses a museum, a restaurant, and a replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. Right next door is a lovely botanical garden with over 200 different species of plants. As you walk around the island, you will also find a 19th-century fort that offers great views of Old Town across the water. A visit to Lokrum Island is easily one of the top things to do in Dubrovnik, so make sure you add it to your itinerary!

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