The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Old Town Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, known as “Pearl of the Adriatic” is a UNESCO World Heritage site and incredible travel destination in Croatia. The Old Town is famous for its historic city walls, picturesque medieval corridors, and buildings dating back millennia. What surprised us when we got here was how well-preserved the Old Town is and how it is surrounded by towering walls with several churches and historical places – it seemed a little overwhelming at first.

If you are feeling the same, don’t worry. This guide will help you know the things to see and do and Dubrovnik so you can prioritize the ones that you want to see (or visit them all) and plan your visit well in one of the most beautiful spots in Croatia.

To make it more clear, we have divided the things to do in the inside and outside the city walls.

The Best Things to Do in Old Town Dubrovnik

Explore Old Town and Visit the Historical Landmarks

This one is a no-brainier when you are in the Old Town of Dubrovnik. The entire Old Town (‘Stari Grad’) is pedestrianized, making it a joy to explore on foot. Note that some historical spots such as Fort Lovrijenac (St Lawrence Fortress) are outside the city walls – more to this later.

(on a block) And before you start paying entrance fees for some of these historical spots, consider buying the Dubrovnik Pass. Check out this guide to know what is included in the Dubrovnik Pass and why it is totally worth it.

You can easily spend an entire day or two wandering the streets and exploring different medieval structures. And for your convenience, we have listed them in order assuming that you would enter through Pile Gate. Here are several places you shouldn’t miss:

• Franciscan Church and Monastery: Located on the main street (Stradun) and built in the 1300s. Not to miss is the beautiful courtyard and the Old Pharmacy with displays of ancient remedies and medical equipment.

• Stradun: Which means “large street” is the busy main street of the Old town (closer to Pile Gate) lined with restaurants, shops, gelato places and official Game of Thrones sellers that you will surely go home with one souvenir.

• Onofrio’s Fountain: The domed fountain near the Pile Gate was part of a complex water supply system built in the 15th century. It remains a popular spot to refill your water bottle with fresh, cool drinking water. This area can get crowded as it is usually the meeting point for most groups and tours.

• Sponza Palace: Located towards the east end of Stradun, Sponza Palace is a beautiful mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture that survived the 1667 earthquake. It now houses the city archives and is famous for its elegant courtyard.
• Clock Tower of Dubrovnik: (known locally as Gradski zvonik or City Bell Tower) was built in 1884 and notable for the two mechanical bronze figures known as Zelenci (“The Green Ones”) named as Maro and Baro that strikes the bell to mark the hour. The figures you can today are replicas made during the reconstruction in 1929. You can see the original ones up close when you visit the Rector’s Palace.
• St. Blaise’s Church: Located across the Sponza Palace, St. Blaise’s Church is dedicated to St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

• Orlando’s Column: located at Luza Square, surrounded by Sponza Palace, Clock Tower and St. Blaise’s Church; a historical landmark to commemorate the legendary knight, Orlando, depicted holding a sword and a shield, who helped defend Dubrovnik.
• Rector’s Palace: This Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece served as the seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa. Here, you can tour the preserved rooms with beautiful furniture, paintings, period decor and well-decorated ceilings which will give you a glimpse of Dubrovnik’s rich history. Do not miss the courtyard as it is one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones.

• Dubrovnik Cathedral (Assumption of the Virgin Mary): Built after the 1667 earthquake, this Baroque cathedral stands on the site of two previous churches. When you walk around the City Walls, you will always have a view of this beautiful cathedral.

• Monument of Ivan Gundulić in Gundulić Square: In the middle of this lively plaza, you will find the bronze statue of Ivan Gundulić, a well-known poet and dramatist and now regarded as the Croatian national poet. The Gundulić square is also surrounded by several shops and restaurants with outdoor patio.
• Jesuit Stairs: Picturesque staircase, dated 1738, leading to the Church of St. Ignatius and the 17th-century Jesuit College. Most famous for its prominence in Game of Thrones, but is also an incredible spot to take photos or admire views of the city.

• Church of St. Ignatius: A Baroque masterpiece built in 1725 which houses the oldest bell built in 1355 and one of the oldest replicas of Our Lady of the Lourdes.

• St Johns Fort: Located on the southwest of Dubrovnik Old Town, and a part of the city walls, is a great place to watch the sunset by the water and the passing boats to/from Lokrum Island. Inside the St Johns Fort is the Maritime Museum and Dubrovnik Aquarium.
• Dominican Monastery: Located near Ploče Gate, this 13th-century complex features a Gothic-style church and a museum with 15th and 16th-century artworks.

And these are the top historical spots you shouldn’t miss inside the Old Town. At this point, you are probably seeing the people walking around the city walls and wondering how you can get there – keep reading.

Walk Along the Old Town City Walls

If you only have time for one paid attraction, we hope you make it this one. This was our favorite thing in our tour of Dubrovnik. It is a great way to see Dubrovnik Old Town from an elevated perspective. You will also be able to walk up to the fortified towers such as the Minceta Tower for stunning views.

Tips to Visiting the Old Town City Walls

Here are our tips to visiting the Old Town City Walls and things we wish we knew prior to visiting:

1. You can only enter once. You are not allowed to exit and re-enter unfortunately. We thought about going early and coming back late in the afternoon, but this is not possible.
2. The Dubrovnik Pass costs the same as the City Wall ticket. If you buy the pass, on top of being able to access the City Walls, you will also be able to enter most of the major spots such as the Lovrjenac Fortress, Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery and many more. It also includes a bus pass which is a great deal if you would be taking public transport to go in/out of the Old Town.
3. There are three main entrances to access the City Walls – Pile Gate (busiest, Pile Gate is also the main drop off point for public transportation), Ploče Gate (located near the Dominican Monastery; less crowded) and from the Maritime Museum (in the southeastern corner; harder to locate). It would be wise to enter at Ploče Gate or Maritime Museum to avoid a queue line.
4. It is a 2 km walk or loop, in a one-way direction for crowd control. It may take 2-3 hours or longer depending on how much time you spend in an area (or how many photos you take).
5. Moderate difficulty with quite a bit of stairs. During summer, avoid going during peak hours as it can get quite hot and crowded. Bring water; you only have access to a couple of bars along the way. I think just 2 – we skipped most of those.
6. Best time is during early morning or late afternoon for soft light and golden hour.

Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress)

Often called “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar,” this imposing fortress sits on a 37-meter-high cliff just outside the western walls. Admission is included with your City Walls ticket or Dubrovnik Pass. The entrance is a little hard to find but watch out for signs on the right hand side of Amerling Fountain before entering Pile Gate.

The inscription above the gate reads: “Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro” (Liberty is not sold for all the gold in the world). Several scenes from Game of Thrones was also shot in this castle.

We found the Fortress interesting but not spectacular. The best part of visiting the fortress is the incredible views of the walled city from above. If you’re short on time, or don’t have free admission through your City Pass or City Walls ticket, it’s okay to pass on this landmark.

Ride the Cable Car to Mount Srđ

If you walked around the City Walls, you might have seen the Cable Car leading up to Mount Srd. Riding the cable car is a great way to see breathtaking views of the city, Lokrum island and the Adriatic Sea. Once in Mount Srd, you can enjoy the panoramic views or explore the Imperial Fortress or the Homeland War Museum.

The lower station to board the cable car is located outside the City Walls closer to Ploce Gate. The cable car journey takes about 4 minutes to reach the top. You can find the lower station in Google Maps marked as Dubrovnik Cable Car where you can buy your tickets in person or buy the cable car tickets online.

You can also choose to Book Cable Car, Walking Tour and City Walls Combo.

Explore Lokrum Island

If you are visiting Dubrovnik for the Game of Thrones, then your trip will not be complete without a trip to Lokrum Island. It is a small uninhabited island located southwest of Dubrovnik Old Town. Located in Benedictine Monastery is the Iron Throne where you can take a photo for free.

To board the ferry to take you to Lokrum Island, you can buy your ticket at the ticket office located at the Port of Dubrovnik. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs around €30 roundtrip and covers the island entrance fee.

Things no note, there are no cars in the island and walking is the best way to explore, so wear comfortable shoes. Also, you are not allowed to stay overnight in Lokrum Island.

More Tours & Things to do in Dubrovnik

You can also choose to Game of Thrones Tour + Lokrum Island Option

• Old Town Walking Tour: A walking tour helps you find the important landmarks, while learning about and appreciating the significance of what you’re experiencing.
• Take a Game of Thrones Tour: The Old Town served as King’s Landing. Tours will take you to famous filming locations, including the Jesuit Stairs (Cersei’s Walk of Shame) and Lovrijenac Fortress (The Red Keep).
• Kayak Around the Walls: Rent a kayak (or join a tour) just outside Pile Gate and paddle around the city walls and to the nearby Lokrum Island. This offers a unique, sea-level perspective of the massive fortifications.
• Find a Buža Bar: Look for the small, almost hidden doorways in the outer walls (usually marked simply “Cold Drinks”). These lead to “hole-in-the-wall” cliff bars built right onto the rocks outside the city walls, offering stunning views and a chance to jump in the sea.
• Wander the Side Streets: The narrow, steep, marble alleyways running perpendicular to the Stradun are where you’ll find the charming restaurants, tiny souvenir shops, and the true, quiet atmosphere of the Old Town.
• Have dinner in the sky: Literally! If you are a travel couple looking for a romantic dinner or simply wanting a bucket list activity while in Dubrovnik, then this the one for you. You can enjoy a 3-course dinner (meat, fish, or vegetarian) or 4-region tasting menu (Croatian delicacies or vegetarian bites), a selection of local Croatian wines and a 1-hour cooking show while suspended in the air.
• Day trip to Mlini or Cavtat: These picturesque seaside villages are popular day trip destinations for those looking for a relaxing retreat.

Practical Tips for Visiting Dubrovnik

• Dubrovnik Pass: Consider purchasing the official pass. It usually includes admission to the City Walls, several museums (like the Rector’s Palace), and free use of public transport, saving you money if you plan to visit multiple sites.
• Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes! You’ll be walking on polished, often slippery limestone and climbing lots of stairs.
• Dining: Explore restaurants in the smaller side streets for more authentic and usually better-priced Dalmatian cuisine compared to the main squares.
• Drinking Water: One thing that surprised us but we really loved is how accessible drinking water is around the Old Town. You can get fresh, cold water in Onofrio’s Fountain, the Small Lionhead fountain by Gundulić Square and the Amerling Water Fountain by Pile Gate. Yes, we drank the clean fresh water and we didn’t have to carry a full water bottle around.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it – all you need to know to plan your best trip to Dubrovnik Old Town! Make sure the read the tips and essential things to know in exploring the Old Town and the City Walls.

In case you missed it, read more about Dubrovnik Pass and if it’s worth buying.

Looking for the best places to stay in Dubrovnik? We have a Dubrovnik Where to Stay Guide, and a guide focused on best romantic places in Dubrovnik for couples.

After Dubrovnik do you plan to explore Croatia in a camper-van? If so, click here.