The “White Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is the most famous city in Croatia and one of the most beautiful walled cities in the world. This city boasts an impressive history and many beautiful historic attractions, and is also blessed with unbelievable picturesque beaches and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea.
It is virtually impossible not to fall in love with this city and not to be tempted to discover all its stories and secrets. There are also a number of fun ways to get to the city, including taking a ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik, which I highly recommend if you have the time. Here are our top 5 things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia!
You cannot visit Dubrovnik without walking its enchanting medieval walls. These magnificent walls were built from white stone, hence the nickname of the city, and are the main reason for which this city enjoys its fame. They run interrupted for 1,940 meters, encircling the city, and housing numerous towers, casemates and bastions. The entire city was surrounded by walls starting with the 13th century, although there is evidence that confirms the fact that Dubrovnik was fortified from the 9th century, when it was able to face the attacks of the Saracens.
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Today, you can admire the 14th century walls, wonderfully preserved and still functional. There are some places where the city walls reach the height of 25 meters, so you can only imagine the spectacular views that will unfold in front of your eyes. You can access the walls by the Pile Gate, St. John Fortress or Customs Gate. St. John Fortress houses the Aquarium and Maritime Museum.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik is home to beautiful medieval and Renaissance buildings, most of them housed by the fascinating Old Town. That’s why a visit to the Old Town of Dubrovnik is like travelling back in time. Here you will find the beautiful Sponza and Rector’s Palaces. Sponza Palace was built between 1516 and 1522, and is a beautiful Gothic-Renaissance building, currently home to the city archives, while the Rector’s Palace is a charming Venetian masterpiece, with an interesting story. Today, the palace houses the Cultural History Museum. During your Old Town walks you will also get a chance to admire the beautiful Bell Tower and the famous Column of Orlando.
If you visit Dubrovnik during summer, then you should definitely consider some sunbathing on one of its beautiful beaches. The easiest beach to get to from the city is the Banje Beach. Covered in pebble, this beach makes up for the lack of sand with incredible crystal clear waters. You can bring your own towel and sit on the public side, or spend a few Euros on a sun lounger and an umbrella on the beach club side.
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Lapand Beach, situated about 3,5 km from the city, is a beautiful strip of sand framed by numerous trees and Mediterranean vegetation. This is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in Dubrovnik, so you should definitely plan a day trip here.
If you’re not afraid of heights (and even if you are), a cable car ride above Dubrovnik is a trip worth taking. As you pass above the terracotta-tiled rooftops, white medieval walls, Old Town and Lokrum Island, you will have a chance to capture the panoramic beauty of Dubrovnik. The cable car departs from north of the city walls and takes you to Mount Srđ, the perfect place for taking some of the most amazing pictures of the city. The telescopes here will help you see all the way to the Elafiti Islands. You will find a snack bar and restaurant onsite. Those who love a good hike can reach Mount Srđ by foot.
Buza Cafe is the most famous cafe in the city. Why? Location, location, location! This cliff side cafe is situated on the south side of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and offers incredible views of the sea. The cafe is accessed through a hole in the City Walls and that’s why many visitors pass it by. Don’t hesitate to stop and drink a coffee or a cold Croatian beer on the terrace. The setting is accompanied by soul and funk rhythms. During the hot days, you will probably get a chance to admire some cliff jumps. If you are tempted to feel the rush of jumping off a cliff, don’t repress it!
We hope you enjoyed the 5 things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia! Which is city do you prefer as shopping destination?
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Pamela Anderson says:
The perfect Vacation destination Dubrovnik!
Peter says:
Croatia is so wonderful, romanic, italian, germanic and slavic influence all together… stunning