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Renowned for the beauty of its old town, Dubrovnik was once a powerful independent city-state and remains one of the best-preserved walled towns in Europe. Baroque churches sit on grand squares, shuttered townhouses line limestone streets, and vibrant bougainvillea cascades down steep, narrow lanes that lead to the azure waters of the Adriatic. Today, Dubrovnik stretches well beyond the city walls in a series of suburbs that line the coast and offer a quieter place to relax, swim and soak up the sun than the caf茅 and restaurant-lined streets of the old town.
Croatia specialist OlgaThere are other medieval walled cities in Europe, but nothing quite like Dubrovnik. To get away from the crowds drawn here by Game of Thrones, I suggest a sunset walk on the walls, which will afford you views of the whole city as well as the sea.
Things to see and do in Dubrovnik
City walls and Fort Lovrijenac
One of the first things you might like to do on arrival in Dubrovnik is to walk the 9th-century city walls for sweeping views of the old town and the seafront. Tell-tale new roof tiles reveal just how much of the city had to be rebuilt after the Croatian War of Independence, while the 15 forts added in the 14th century demonstrate just how long the city has defended itself from attack.
The most impressive of these fortifications is Fort Lovrijenac (Fort Lawrence) which sits on an outcrop of rock guarding the western approach to the city. You may also know it as the Red Keep from the TV series Game of Thrones.
Old Town
The winding limestone streets of Dubrovnik’s old town are hemmed in by the city walls and awash with ornate Baroque buildings. An earthquake in 1667 razed much of the medieval town and the city planners set about rebuilding Dubrovnik in an elaborate style.
The Cathedral of the Assumption is best known for its polyptych by Titian behind the main altar and for its treasury which contains the relics of Saint Blaise. Also worth a visit is the Gothic-Renaissance Rector’s Palace, now home to a cultural history museum, and the Franciscan monastery with its delicate 14th-century cloister, 11th-century pharmacy, and small museum.
Lokrum Island
This forested island just ten minutes by ferry from Dubrovnik is the best place for swimming near the old town. Although its beaches are rocky, the water is clear and if you tire of the sun, you can visit the island’s Benedictine monastery which has a fragrant botanical garden. At the heart of the island lies the 19th-century Royal Fort which offers good views down over the surrounding landscape.
Cable Car to Mount Sr膽
For expansive views over Dubrovnik, the coast and the surrounding islands, take the cable car up to the summit of Mount Sr膽 which sits at 412 m (1,352 ft) above sea level, rising up behind the city. If you can, aim to be here at sunset for the best views of the town. Near the summit cable car station is the Imperial Fort, a sturdy, early 19th-century defense post built by the French during the Napoleonic Wars. The fort houses the Homeland War Museum which details the history of the fort as well as the Siege of Dubrovnik in the early 1990s.
Game of Thrones
If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Lannisters, Dubrovnik is a good place to start. TV network HBO used Dubrovnik as a location for filming Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2016 and today, many fans make a pilgrimage here to see these locations first-hand.
The city’s Spanish Steps were the scene of Cersei’s naked walk through King’s Landing to the Red Keep (Fort Lawrence). The 15th-century Min膷eta Tower doubled as the House of the Undying, and Lokrum was the setting for the city of Qarth with many scenes filmed in the monastery’s botanical garden. If you make it as far as the visitor center, you can sit in a reproduction of the Iron Throne.
Best time to visit Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik makes a good year-round destination, though to avoid the worst of the crowds and the heat it’s best to plan a trip outside of July and August. April to June and September and October offer pleasant but cooler temperatures and fewer people on the streets. Although most hotels and activities are available year round, some are closed from November to March.
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Suggested itineraries featuring Dubrovnik
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Dubrovnik, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Dubrovnik
- 碍辞谤膷耻濒补 102 kilometers away
- Hvar 132 kilometers away
- Dalmatian Coast 139 kilometers away
- 叠谤补膷 142 kilometers away
- Split 165 kilometers away
- 艩辞濒迟补 169 kilometers away
- Trogir 179 kilometers away
- 艩颈产别苍颈办 215 kilometers away
- Zadar 284 kilometers away
- Plitvice Lakes 319 kilometers away
- Zagreb 391 kilometers away
- Pula 422 kilometers away
- Istria 439 kilometers away
- Rovinj 449 kilometers away
Photos of Dubrovnik
Our expert guides to exploring Dubrovnik
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Dubrovnik, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Dubrovnik at its best.
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A highlights guide to Croatia A highlights guide to Croatia
A highlights guide to Croatia
From the brilliantly blue waters of the Adriatic to the vineyards of Istria, Croatia specialist Caroline outlines five highlights of any trip to Croatia, including two cities where Game of Thrones was filmed.
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Accommodation choices for Dubrovnik
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Dubrovnik. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik
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Villa Amelie
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Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
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Villa Dubrovnik
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Hotel Kazbek
Dubrovnik
Ideas for experiencing Dubrovnik
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Dubrovnik, and which use the best local guides.
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Elaphiti Islands private boat tour Elaphiti Islands private boat tour
Elaphiti Islands private boat tour
An archipelago of 13 islands (only three of which are inhabited), off the Dalmatian Coast near Dubrovnik, the Elaphiti Islands offer historic villages, pine forests and karst scenery as well as leisurely swimming and snorkeling in crystalline waters.
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Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour
Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour
Explore King鈥檚 Landing and many other Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik, taking in historic streets, fortresses, islands and gardens that appeared in the hit television show as you walk in the footsteps of the Lannisters, Starks and Targaryens.
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Peljesac wineries and Ston oyster tasting Peljesac wineries and Ston oyster tasting
Peljesac wineries and Ston oyster tasting
Meet the producers of some of Croatia鈥檚 finest wines and seafood on a tour of the Dalmatian Coast. Take in two wineries and an oyster farm, where you can sample their products and hear about the work that goes into creating them.
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