by Paterachim [format changed] / CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the Most Magnificent Walled Cities in the World

A. About Dubrovnik

Nickname: Pearl of the Adriatic

Situated on the Adriatic Sea coast of the extreme south of Croatia, picturesque Dubrovnik is regarded as one of the most magnificent walled cities in the world.

A walk along these almost two kilometers (1.2 miles) long intact walls is one of the highlights of every trip to the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Since 1979 the old town has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Best Things to do in Dubrovnik

The Good

Dubrovnik has an impressive number of sights for such a small town. Furthermore, it scores extremely high for its sublime seaside location, its large and intact pedestrianized old town, and its warm southern climate.

In addition, the city is clean and safe and there are wonderful beaches with crystal-clear water nearby.

Negative Aspects

Dubrovnik is exceedingly small (40,000 inhabitants in total, only 4,000 live in the old town) so most people are tourists. Especially in high season, the small town can be massively overcrowded (1.2 million tourists in 2017).

In addition, prices are quite high, in fact almost twice as high as in the rest of Croatia.

A bit like Venice, Dubrovnik may appear to some more like a giant open-air museum, than a living city.


B. Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than twenty sights in Dubrovnik. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.35/10 in this most important category:

# DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS 8 4.1 out of 5 stars

Constructed mainly during the 12th–17th centuries, the intact city walls are the most impressive sight of Dubrovnik.

They run an uninterrupted course of approximately 1,940 meters (6,360 ft) in length, encircling most of the old city and include gorgeous views, two striking towers (Minceta and Bokar Tower), and two forts (Lovrijenac and Revelin Fort).

City Walls and Fortifications 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1979

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | City Walls

by Daniel Ortmann / CC BY-SA 2.5

# OLD TOWN 8 4 out of 5 stars

Surrounded by its famous walls, the beautiful pedestrianized old town of Dubrovnik is one of the most picturesque in the world and was acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

Discover attractive churches, palaces, monasteries, squares, monuments, and fountains along the wonderful white limestone alleys.

City District 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1979

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Old Town

by Chris93/ CC BY-SA 3.0

# Mount Srd and Dubrovnik Cable Car 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Take the modern cable car to the top of the summit of Mount Srdj (405 m/1,330 ft.) to enjoy the best views of Dubrovnik and the shimmering dark blue sea.

Funicular Railway

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Dubrovnik Cable car

by S J Pinkney / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

# Fort Lovrijenac 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Built upon a 37-meter-high sheer rock overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this imposing fortress is often called “Dubrovnik's Gibraltar”. The views of the city and its walls are just breathtaking

Fort

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Fort Lovrijenac

by Ardfern / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Rector's Palace and Cultural Historical Museum 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The Rector's Palace, now home to the interesting Cultural Historical Museum, is constructed in a mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance styles.

Palace and Museum

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Rector's Palace

by Amoli / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Placa Street (Stradun) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Measuring three hundred meters, this picturesque straight street with its white limestone pavements links the town's two gates. It is the main street of Dubrovnik’s charming Old Town.

Street Length: 300 m

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Stradun

by László Szalai / Public domain 

 

# Sponza Palace 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Located at the end of Placa (Stradun) street, this remarkable 16th-century palace is now home to the city archives and the Museum to the Dubrovnik Defenders. It is one of the very few buildings to survive Dubrovnik’s 1667 earthquake.

Palace

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Sponza

by Joanbanjo / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Pile Gate 4 2 out of 5 stars

This massive pedestrian-only gate serves as the main entry point into Dubrovnik's charming old town.

Gate

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Gate of Pile

by Marcin Konsek / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Cathedral 4 2 out of 5 stars

Dubrovnik's beautiful eighteenth-century Baroque Cathedral is famous for its treasury holding relics from the 11th to 18th centuries from local masters, Byzantium, Venice, and the Orient.

Cathedral

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Cathedral

by Hedwig Storch / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

#10 | Dominican Monastery 4 2 out of 5 stars

Located in the monastery's elegant cloister, the Dominican museum houses the most important works by the Dubrovnik Painters School dating to the 15th and 16th centuries.

Monastery and Museum 

Best Cities in the World | No. 53: Dubrovnik | Best Things to do in Dubrovnik | Dominican Monastery

by IoannesII / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Dubrovnik

    • Loggia Square with Clock Tower 3
    • Big Fountain of Onofrio and St. Saviour Church 3
    • Franciscan Monastery Museum 3
    • War Photo Limited 3

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Dubrovnik

🌍 KOTOR (City in Montenegro, 91 km from Dubrovnik) 7

🌍 MOSTAR (City in Bosnia, 138 km from Dubrovnik) 6

Lokrum (Island, 4.2 km from Dubrovnik, 10 min. by Ferry) 5

Elaphite Islands (20 km from Dubrovnik) 5

Korcula (City, 149 km from Dubrovnik, 1h 50 min. by Catamaran Ferry) 5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Dubrovnik for at least two entire days:


🌍 DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS 8

🌍 OLD TOWN 7

Mount Srd and Cable Car 6

Fort Lovrijenac 6

Rector's Palace and Cultural Historical Museum 5 

 Placa Street (Stradun) 5

Lokrum (Island, 4.2 km from Dubrovnik) 5

Gate of Pile 4

Dominican Monastery 4

Dubrovnik Cathedral 4