To Dubrovnik for the weekend: top attractions

Dubrovnik resembles a fairytale city of citadels and narrow medieval streets. In the course of history, the city has experienced phases of prosperity under the Byzantine and Venetian protectorates, the period of aristocratic republic, and the domination of the Austrian Empire, all of which have affected Dubrovnik’s life and appearance to varying degrees. At the same time it was a fortress, a city and a commercial port. Therefore, there is a lot to do and see here.

7 facts about Dubrovnik and Croatia

Dubrovnik is called the pearl of the Adriatic and one of the most unforgettable cities in Europe for its beautiful terracotta roofs and picturesque landscapes.

• UNESCO named Dubrovnik one of the three most beautiful Renaissance cities. The other two are Venice and Amsterdam.
• The Old Town is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site and is protected.
• The hottest month for beach vacations is August, with water temperatures averaging 26.5°C, but can be higher than 28°C. The high season for swimming is July-September. The climate is mild, so people often come here for a vacation with children.
• The national currency is the Croatian kuna: 1 HRK equals 0.13 €.
• Croatia is the birthplace of ties. In the 17th century, French soldiers, seeing a bandage around the neck of a Croatian, asked what it was called. The Croat, not understanding the question, replied that he was a «Croat» and the French decided that the item was a «kravat». That’s how the word entered the lexicon.
• This city has seen large-scale movie shoots: «Game of Thrones," «Star Wars," «Robin Hood.»
• It was here in the Dalmatian region that the Dalmatian dog breed was bred.

Walls of the Old Town (Dubrovačke gradske zidine) and the fortification complex

For lovers of unbreakable, monumental structures, Dubrovnik will be a favorite at first sight. The fortress walls of the Old Town, which are 1940 meters long, up to 25 meters high and 1.5—3 meters wide, seem impregnable and are its calling card.

In the streets of the city, you can’t help feeling that a time machine has worked and you are in the deep Middle Ages. A two-kilometer walking tour through the limestone-paved streets of the Old Town guarantees a lot of positive emotions and aesthetic pleasure.

The complex of defensive walls was built over several centuries — from XII to XVII centuries — and includes:

1. Mincheta Tower is the highest point of Dubrovnik’s walls and its most beautiful round tower with a crown-shaped top.
2. St. Ivan’s Fortress — this large ancient structure with a tower served as the main defensive fortification. The fortress acquired its semicircular shape only by the end of the 16th century.
3. Fort Bokar, a structure on the western side of the Old Town, decorated with a stone diadem, was built over a period of almost 80 years. Today, its premises and outdoor area serve as a venue for events.
4. Revelin Fortress — built in 1462 for additional defense against Turkey. In 1538 it was improved and shaped into an irregular square surrounded on three sides by a moat and the sea. Today Revelin serves as a place for stage performances, discos and the Dubrovačke ljetne igre (Summer Festival) from July 10 to August 25 every year.
5. The Lovrienac Fortress stands on a 37-meter cliff and is another impregnable bastion of the city, separate from the general fortification.

An earthquake in 1667 and bombings during the Civil War (1991 — 1995) severely damaged the fortress walls, but they have been rebuilt.

For the last few years, the walls of the Old City have been experiencing an increasing influx of visitors. This is the area where several episodes of Game of Thrones were filmed, and now these places beckon to fans who dream of getting in the frame, at least with their cameras. There are even special tours and excursions offering to walk in the footsteps of the main characters.

When you look at Dubrovnik from the sea, you get the feeling that it is all carved out of one huge rock. The streets and squares of the Old Town glisten in the sun. Centuries of history and millions of people have polished the roads to a shine. It is also incredibly beautiful from the height of the fortress walls, where you can climb up and walk around.

• It is possible to explore the walls on your own and free of charge, but if you want to enter all the fortifications you have to buy a universal ticket costing 12 € and children (5—18 years old) 4 €.
• The biggest influx of visitors is from 11:00 to 15:00. This is also the hottest time for sightseeing.
• Climbing the walls are narrow flights of stairs, so traffic slows down when there is a large influx of tourists.
• For a full tour of the Old Town, you should spend an average of 3 hours (not including visits to the numerous souvenir shops).
• Admission to the walls is open 8:00 a.m. — 7:30 p.m.

Maritime Museum (Pomorski Muzej)

The Dubrovnik Maritime Museum was opened in 1979 on two floors of the St. Ivan Fortress. The museum exhibits 15 collections of 11 thousand artifacts related to the history of the development of maritime trade and shipbuilding: models of ships of the XVII–XVIII centuries, navigational charts, flags, anchors, ship elements and weapons.

• The Maritime Museum’s opening hours are daily 9:00—18:00, Wednesday is a day off.
• Visiting time is 30—40 min.
• The entrance fee is 17 € for adults and 7 € for children. The ticket price includes visits to 9 museums of the city during 7 days: Cultural and Historical Museum, Maritime Museum, Ethnographic Museum, archaeological exhibitions in Fort Revelin, House of Marin Držić, Dubrovnik Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art, Dulčić Gallery, Pulitic Studio.
• More information on the museum’s website.

Minčeta Tower (Tvrđava Minčeta)

The tower in the northern part of the city stands out against the background of Dubrovnik’s fortification walls, as it is their highest point and the main architectural adornment. Although the tower was originally square in shape (1319), it is now round — it was rebuilt in the 15th century. Its uniqueness lies not only in its beauty, but also in the impregnability of the structure — the masonry is 6 meters thick. The Mincheta Tower was and remains a symbol of Dubrovnik’s steadfastness and invincibility.

The Mincheta Tower serves as a viewing platform with two viewing places (on the 1st and 2nd levels). From the top of the tower you can enjoy an excellent view of the city and the Adriatic Sea. Locals say that anyone who has not climbed the tower and seen the city from its height has never been to Dubrovnik.

• To get to the top, you have to climb 750 steps and a steep spiral staircase.
• If «Game of Thrones» means anything to you, the tower is a must-see — it acted as the House of the Immortals.
  
• Office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.

Franciscan Monastery (Franjevački samostan)

At the very beginning of the Old Town’s famous Stradun Street, to the left of the Peel Gate, one enters the huge late-Romanesque complex of the Franciscan monastery founded in 1317. During its almost century-long construction, some of its elements were destroyed and rebuilt several times. Before the earthquake of 1667, it was the most splendid church in the city.

The entrance to the monastery is decorated with Gothic elements made by the best carvers of the city. Renaissance is found in the carved figures and sculptures. The courtyard with a double colonnade in the late Romanesque style is called an architectural masterpiece.

The monastery pharmacy, founded in 1317 and still in operation today, is also a local attraction. The monastery has a world-famous library with a rich collection of manuscripts. There is also a hall with an exhibition of religious objects, fine art objects, rare books and valuable gold pieces.

• Opening hours are 09:00—18:00 daily from April to October and 09:00—17:00 daily from November to March.
• Entrance to the monastery is free, but you have to pay to see the museum exhibition: adults 4 €, children — 2 €.

Fort Lovrijenac (Fort Lovrijenac)

This fort is not built into the overall defensive wall of Dubrovnik, but stands alone on a 37-meter high cliff. It is one of the best examples of fortification architecture. At the beginning of the XI century the Venetians tried to build their fortifications there, but the locals did not allow them to do so. But they built the fortress themselves in just 3 months, which was rebuilt many times afterwards. Lovrijenac was built in the XI century, but the first written mention of it dates back to 1301.

The fort has a triangular shape with three terraces. In places, the thickness of the walls on the sea side reaches 12 meters, while the inner walls are only 60 cm thick. Ten huge cannons defended the impregnable structure. Above the entrance there is an inscription in Latin «Freedom is not for sale for all the gold in the world». Inside the structure — impressive arches and a small courtyard. Dubrovnik’s fortifications are so strong and imposing that during all the periods of their active use for their intended purpose, the enemy never once entered the city.

Nowadays, Lovrijenac serves as an excellent stage for theater performances. During the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, concerts, musical shows and plays take place here.

• There is a forest path and a long staircase leading up to the fort. If you don’t go inside, there is a viewing platform at the foot of the fort where you can take photos.
• Entrance to the fortress is 7 €, but it is better to bring national currency (50 kuna) or a bank card. Entrance is free with a ticket to see the walls of Dubrovnik.
• The fortress inside is small, there are few sights, but the view of the city and the sea from it is amazing.
• For Game of Thrones fans: it served as the main fortification of Westeros' capital, King’s Landing.
• Office hours are daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• The average visit time is 20 min.

Stradun

The main pedestrian street of the Old Town is also its main attraction. This 300-meter long road was formerly a water canal, which was filled in the 9th century. The street runs from east to west, starting at the Ploce Gate and ending at the Pila Gate, with fountains on both edges. At the beginning of the street stands the bell tower, from which you can hear the bells of the Franciscan monastery.

The external image of Stradun changed significantly after the earthquake of the XVII century. While originally the street had a motley and eclectic appearance, its reconstruction was carried out in the same style as the Old Town, becoming a complex architectural ensemble with it.

On both sides of Stradun there is a string of similar buildings with shops and cafes on the 1st floor. The street has all the characteristics of the main urban arteries of European cities: souvenir stores, boutiques, restaurants, music and street performers of various kinds.

• The entrance to the main street is difficult to pass by — it is the famous Pila Gate (Vrata od Pila) with the statue of the patron saint of the town, St. Vlasius.
• Every year on February 3, the city celebrates the day of its patron saint, Vlasius of Sebastia, on Stradun. It is an extravaganza with events and shows. The celebration is traditional and dates back to 972.
• The street also celebrates Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve colorfully as it begins to glow and shimmer in lights.
• Allow about 1 hour to explore the street. Add an extra hour for souvenir shopping and countless photos.
• For a fee of 10 €, you can have a photo session styled after «Game of Thrones».
• The beginning and end of the street are crowned by the large and small Onofrio fountains, built in 1440 and 1442 respectively.

Cathedral of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary (Katedrala Marijina Uznesenja)

Dubrovnik Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary, has existed since the beginning of the 18th century as it is today. An earthquake in 1667 destroyed the previous structure, and during the restoration work, fragments of an even earlier cathedral from the 6th-8th centuries were found.

The building of the modern cathedral is made in the Italian Baroque style. The main decoration is the beautiful grand staircase and the magnificent dome. Above the altar, do not miss Titian’s polyptych «Ascension of Mary». In total, the temple contains over 200 artifacts and relics of St. Vlach.

• Open Monday through Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00, Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00. In low season there is a break in service from 12:00 to 15:00.
• Admission is free.
• Photography is not allowed in the cathedral.

Not far from the cathedral is another church, St. Ignatius, from which the legendary Jesuit Staircase begins. It was made famous by Cersei Lanister when she walked down it naked in the fifth season of Game of Thrones.

Princely Palace (Knežev dvor) and History Museum (Kulturno povijesni muzej)

Another place that belongs to the list of mast-si in Dubrovnik. The Prince’s Court was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style with Renaissance elements. After some damage and even destruction, it was thoroughly reconstructed at the end of the XVII century, with skillful bas-reliefs on the columns.

The palace was the prince’s residence until 1808. Every month a newly elected prince from the members of the board moved here. Above the entrance to the palace there is an edifying inscription saying that it is time to forget about personal matters and think only about the state. The prince was not allowed to leave the building for personal matters during the month of his reign, except for illness or work matters. The palace had everything necessary: an office and a conference room, a court, a prison, living quarters, an armory and a powder cellar.

Today it houses the city’s cultural and historical museum, where, in addition to interesting architecture, one can see original furniture, antiques and paintings. In the courtyard of the palace there is a monument to the rich sailor Miho Pratsat, who bequeathed his entire fortune to the state in the XVII century. This is the only monument built during the existence of the Dubrovnik Republic (1358—1808).

• Museum hours are 9:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. daily, Wednesday is a day off.
• Entrance is included in the museum card (9 museums in total), its price is 17 €.
• More information on the museum’s website.
  

Lokrum Island (Lokrum)

Lovers' Island or Lokrum is another natural and man-made attraction of the city. It is located less than 1 km from Dubrovnik. A wonderful view of the island can be seen from the walls of the Old Town.

There are many legends about the island, the most romantic of which is the one about how Richard the Lionheart was saved here in 1192 on his way home from a crusade. In the XI century there was a Benedictine monastery here, in the XIX century it was owned by the Habsburgs, who set up a summer residence with a garden and a promenade, and in the XX century the Botanical Garden with rich collections of exotic plants was opened.

On Lokrum, you can walk to Dead Lake, climb the 91-meter ascent to Napoleon’s Fort or simply take pictures with the numerous peacocks. There is also a replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones.

• Every half hour a water cab leaves from the city port to Lokrum, the travel time is only 10 min. The cost of a round trip ticket is 20 €.
• The last cab taking people from the island to the mainland leaves at 17:00.
• Overnighting on the island is forbidden.
• You can also book a 2—3 hour kayak or canoe excursion to Lokrum, which costs 30 € on average.

Funicular and Fort Imperial (Tvrđava Imperial)

The best view of Dubrovnik, its walls and the bay is from Srd Hill, where the Imperial Fort is located. It is better to go up there by cable car and back down on foot — there are several hiking trails. A ticket for the funicular costs 12 € one way, 23 € round trip.

Also on the top of Srd Mountain is the Croatian War of Independence Museum, which shows the history of Dubrovnik’s struggle during the 1991—95 war. The museum is located in the Imperial Fort, which was built in the early 19th century, when Dubrovnik was under Napoleon’s rule.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a small city with many attractions within walking distance of each other. If you need to get to a distant point, there are municipal buses. The trip from one extreme point of the city to another will take no more than 30 minutes.

When choosing a hotel to stay in, focus on the distance from the beach or the old town.

1. The cheapest accommodation in Dubrovnik is a bed in a shared hostel room, which costs 10 € per night. The beach and the Old Town are 4 km away. Renting such accommodation is convenient if you are looking for a budget option with an overnight stay for 1—2 days.
2. The cost of renting a comfortable room with a terrace will vary from 20 € per day depending on the season and proximity to the beach.
3. At 100 meters from the beach and in the heart of the Old Town, good apartments such as Villa Madonna della Strada cost from 70 € per night.
4. To rent a designer studio in the city center costs 135 € or more per day. For example, the SUNce Palace apartments, made in the form of a medieval palace, are a 5-minute walk from historical sights.
5. A good 4* hotel 3 km from the historic city center, such as Hotel Porto, will cost from 90 €. A more luxurious room in a 5* Rixos Premium hotel with its own beach costs from 150 €.

If you are looking for a place for your soul and rest by the clean sea, then go to Dubrovnik. There are no endless sandy beaches here, but the purest water of the Adriatic, picturesque nature, impressive medieval architecture, unique atmosphere and cozy streets. Yes, Dubrovnik is exactly cozy. That is why it is suitable for family vacations, romantic trips and just a weekend excursion tour.