Dubrovnik is located on the southern coast of Croatia and with itsfascinating heritage, beautiful coastline and interesting sights and attractions it is not hard to see why it is known as the Pearl of the Adriatic. A popular tourist destination; there are many things to see and do in Dubrovnik. Here are just a few of them.
• Old City
Meander through the maze of streets and soak up the atmosphere of the Old City; a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. This historical area is enclosed within some of Dubrovnik’s famous stone walls (click HERE to buy tickets). If you enter through the main city entrance, the Pile City Gate you will come across the Minceta Fort and Bokar Fort. Visit Minceta Fort for spectacular views of the entire city. The main street of the Old City is Stradun which is not only full of souvenir shops and restaurants but leads to some beautiful sites. There is the Onoforio Fountain, the City Cathedral, Orlando’s Tower and the Church of St. Blaise (the patron saint of Dubrovnik). The Old City presents a perfect study in Medieval and Renaissance architecture.
• City Walls
You can of course take a walk around the outside of the city to take in the impressive nature of the walls themselves. These stone walls can be up to 25m high and up to 6m thick. The walk is around 2km long and every tourist should be able to say they took in the famous walls of Dubrovnik.
• Lokrum
A small island in the bay of Dubrovnik; Lokrum is steeped in history. Legend has it that on the way home from the crusades, Richard the Lionheart became shipwrecked but was washed safely ashore on Lokrum. He honoured the island by having a church built on the mainland. The Archduke Maximillian Ferdinand also used to holiday there and had a mansion built. Lokrum is still a popular attraction and tourists can visit the ancient Benedictine monastery and beautiful botanical gardens.
• Maritime Museum
Due to the coastal location of Dubrovnik it has a rich maritime history. By visiting the Maritime Museum in St. Johns Fort you can discover this history of shipbuilding and maritime trade from the beginning.
• Banje Beach
Although Dubrovnik has many beautiful beaches to offer, Banje Beach is probably one of the best. You can relax on the sand or take a dip in the crystal clear, warm waters. If you are feeling more adventurous there are lots of water sports available such as jet-skiing, power boating and kayaking. Banje Beach is not just good in the day as in the evening the beach bar becomes a nightclub so can be enjoyed all day and night.
• Cable Car
In just under four minutes, Dubrovnik’s cable car will whisk you over 400m up the mountain of Srd, located just beyond the walled city. From this vantage point you can experience spectacular views of the entire city.
• Sponza Palace
Built in 1516, the Sponza Palace has been used as a customs house, bank and state treasury and is now the home of the State Archives. Again the perfect example of the architecture that Dubrovnik is famed for – a mix of Gothic and Renaissance. Perhaps the most poignant area is the Memorial Room of Dubrovnik Defenders. This room contains photographs of all the defenders of Dubrovnik who were sadly killed in the Croatian War of Independence. A good place for a bit of quiet reflection.
• The Old Town Harbour
Located in the Old City the harbour is now mostly used by local fishermen but is a lovely place for a relaxing stroll around and the pretty pier with Porporela lighthouse is a must-see.
There is no doubt there are a lot of things to see whether in the old or newer part of Dubrovnik. However, there are lots of things to do as well. Take advantage of the coastal location by going on one of the popular fishing excursions. The experienced fishermen on board will take you to some of the best fishing spots in the Adriatic!
Another popular pastime is diving as there are some beautiful diving sites just off the coast of Dubrovnik. Explore the Elafiti archipelago with its large colonies of red coral, the underwater caves of Mljet and Korcula or the shipwrecked WWII German torpedo boat all in crystal clear waters.
The hilly landscape offers top notch trekking and hiking experiences and many decide to climb to the top of Mt Srđ. It is over 500m high and from the top you can enjoy the impressive views over the city. Whether on a cross country walk or a scenic bicycle tours, getting out in the fresh air means you get to experience the true atmosphere of Dubrovnik.
If hiking, fishing and ancient sites are not really your thing do not write Dubrovnik off. Many people don’t realize it is buzzing with hip, young locals and has a well-established night life. Whilst providing tourists with pretty architecture and culture by day, the Old City is transformed by night. It is a hot spot for trendy bars and clubs, many of which often host live music events. As mentioned before, the beaches also come to life with revelers often staying out to watch the sun come up. It may not be the first place that springs to mind but for anyone looking for a great party atmosphere, Dubrovnik cannot be beaten.
Dubrovnik really does have something for everyone. Culture vultures will be enchanted by the vast array of historical sites and features. Sports enthusiasts will be kept busy with diving, hiking and a multitude of water sports and clubbers will never run out of hot clubs and bars to visit. Plus, everyone can enjoy the fact it is a lot cheaper than many other European destinations and benefits from plenty of warm sunshine. Whatever you are looking for in a holiday destination, you need look no further than the Pearl of the Adriatic – Dubrovnik.
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