Updated November 2025

Dubrovnik, Croatia - I Had No Idea

Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. Perched perfectly on the hillside with spectacular Seaview and an amazing Old Town. We were blown away driving through the city on our first day. This is Dubrovnik, Croatia – I Had No Idea.

Today, Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its incredibly well-preserved medieval walls, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, and dramatic setting on the Dalmatian coast.

We stayed at a super cute Airbnb in a perfect location. Close to everything we needed with an amazing view.

A Little History (and Why 1991 Matters)

Did you know that in 1991, Serbian and Montenegrian armies attacked Dubrovnik? Yeah, I know, me neither. It is so amazing learning about the history and seeing where these countries are today.

During the Croatian War of Independence, Dubrovnik was besieged from October 1991 to May 1992 by the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA), which included units from Montenegro and Serbia. The historic Old City—now a UNESCO site—was heavily shelled, and thousands of buildings across the region were damaged, but the city has since been painstakingly restored.

Walking around today, it’s wild to realize how recent that damage was, and how much rebuilding has happened in just a few decades.

Visiting Dubrovnik in Winter (vs. Summer)

Visiting during winter and the current pandemic is 50/50. Half super awesome as the place is pretty empty, relaxed, and calm. Half super empty with lots closed as workers take the winter off after serving tourists all summer long.

That description is exactly what Dubrovnik is like off-season:

• Fewer crowds on Stradun and the city walls
• Easier photos without people in the background
• Some restaurants, shops and tours closed or on limited hours

If you go in summer, expect the opposite: hot days, busy cruise-ship crowds, and lots of energy, beach time and boat trips. The sweet spot for many visitors is late spring and early fall, when the weather is still warm but crowds are slightly calmer.

First Impressions of Old Town Dubrovnik

Walking within the walls of the old town, along the well-preserved buildings ranging from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum, felt like walking into a movie set. These buildings are part of what makes the Old City so special: a dense collection of churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains in a compact walled town.

Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun is lined with shops and restaurants of all kinds. This place is magnificently beautiful and I am pinching myself wondering if it is all a dream. I got emotional and cried today and my kids were looking at me like I am crazy, but I was just so overwhelmed with all the feels.

Stradun (also called Placa) is the main street of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, about 300 meters long, running from Pile Gate to Ploče Gate. Its polished limestone stones absolutely glow, and it’s lined with historic buildings, cafés, bars, gelato shops and little stores—basically Dubrovnik’s main “catwalk.”

I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to experience such awesomeness.

Things To Do in Dubrovnik Old Town

There is so much to do in Old Town and in Dubrovnik in general. Here’s how we spent our days (and what you might want to add).

Ride the Cable Car to Mount Srđ

We missed out on doing the cable car as we have been riding them in a few places but this is something you can do. From there, you have the best views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area. Eat at the cafe overlooking Old Town, visit the Museum of Homeland War, ride buggy and follow hiking trails. You can spend a while here enjoying the area.

The Dubrovnik Cable Car whisks you up to Mount Srđ, where you can see up to about 60 km on a clear day. At the top is Fort Imperial, an early 19th-century fortress that now houses the Dubrovnik in the Homeland War 1991–1995exhibition, telling the story of the siege and defense of the city.

If you want the classic postcard view of Dubrovnik’s orange roofs and blue sea, this is where you get it.

Walk the City Walls (Absolute Must)

We spent our few days doing various activities in Old town. Climbing and walking the wall is a must. It is a little pricy at about $30 and half that for kids. I did get the tourist card which allowed for entry to a few museums and the wall so it made it a better value. The views from the walls were just spectacular. The walls are 1940 meters long with 6 fortresses (Lovrijenac, Revelin, Minčeta, Bokar, St John and St Lucas).

The Walls of Dubrovnik encircle most of the Old City in an unbroken loop, up to 25 meters high and about 1,940 meters long, with multiple towers and forts woven into the fortifications.

Wall-walking tips:

• Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat and cruise crowds.
• Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, there’s very little shade.
• Consider the Dubrovnik Card (tourist card), which bundles wall entry with several museums and public transport, so you get more value from the ticket.

Game of Thrones Locations in Dubrovnik

If you are a Game Of Throne fan, this is a great city to visit as a lot of scenes were filmed here. Dubrovnik in Croatia was the perfect place for King’s Landing.

• The Red Keep: Lovrijenac Fort
• The Purple Wedding: Gradac Park
• The Riot: Pile Gate
• The Walk of Shame: Spanish steps by Saint Ignatius Church (the Jesuit staircase)
• City of Qarth: The Rector’s Palace

There are several walking tours dedicated to Game of Thrones filming locations, which help you match real-life landmarks with scenes from the show and share behind-the-scenes stories.

Even if you’re not into the show, these are still some of Dubrovnik’s most beautiful spots.

Museums We Visited in Dubrovnik

There is so much information along the streets in the Old Town, you can stroll along and read of the history, what happened and see how the city and country overcame the struggles they went through. We visited a few museums in the Old Town.

Rector’s Palace / Cultural History Museum

Rector’s Palace - Built in the late 15th century for the elected rector who governed Dubrovnik. Today the palace has been turned into the Cultural History Museum, with artfully restored rooms, portraits, coats of arms and coins, evoking the glorious history of Ragusa.

Historically, this Gothic–Renaissance–Baroque palace was the seat of the Rector and the government of the Republic of Ragusa, as well as a courthouse, armory and prison. Now it showcases period furniture, artworks and artifacts from Dubrovnik’s heyday.

The Cultural Historical Museum – The Cultural-Historical Museum is located in the Rectors Palace and is included in the Dubrovnik Card Package.

Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik

Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik - This museum is dedicated to the local hero’s who dedicated their life to save Dubrovnik.

It’s a small but powerful tribute to those who died defending the city in the 1990s conflict.

Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum - Lots of well-presented displays and interesting artefacts to admire and take in.

Dubrovnik was a major maritime power as the Republic of Ragusa, and this museum (inside St. John Fortress) explores that history with ship models, charts, and artifacts.

Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik

Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik – Small museum but had beautiful pieces. If you have the pass definitely stop in.

Perfect if you want a break from medieval everything and a dose of modern art with sea views.

There are lots more to visit. Be sure to pick your must do from the tourist card as there are quite a few museums included.

Other Sights You Shouldn’t Miss

Other things to see and do while in the city includes the Dubrovnik Cathedral, Lovrijenac Fort, St. John Fortress, Sponza Palace, Clock Tower and of course if you are visiting during the summertime, you must check out the beaches.

• Dubrovnik Cathedral (Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary): Baroque cathedral built after the 1667 earthquake, with an impressive treasury and works by Italian masters.
• Lovrijenac Fort: The dramatic fortress on a cliff outside the western walls—great for views back over Old Town and the sea.

• St. John Fortress: Guarding the harbor, home to the Maritime Museum and an aquarium.
• Sponza Palace & Clock Tower: Iconic buildings at the end of Stradun, with arcades and a bell tower that define the main square.

Beaches: In summer, head to Banje Beach, Šulići Beach or the beaches around Lapad for clear water and city-or-mountain views.

Practical Tips for Dubrovnik

Be sure to check out our other stops on our journey around the world.

Now, let’s talk practical things you’ll want to know before you land.

Money & Currency

Tips

1 Croatian Kuna equals 0.15 United States Dollar at the time of posting.

When we visited, this was the exchange rate we were working with and we were paying in kuna.

However, Croatia officially adopted the euro on 1 January 2023, so today you’ll be paying in EUR (€) instead of kuna. The fixed conversion rate was set at 1 euro = 7.53450 kuna, and kuna has been phased out of circulation.

So, update for today’s traveler:

• Bring euros, not kuna.
• Many places in Dubrovnik accept cards, especially in the Old Town, but smaller establishments still appreciate cash.

From our trip:

• USD is not widely accepted. Kuna is so bring change. Some places will accept Euro.
• Card is not widely accepted in smaller establishments, cash is king.

You do not need a car to get around. Stay in the Old Town or close and you can walk to everything. Bus is also super inexpensive if you need to use it. Dubrovnik’s local buses connect Old Town to Lapad, Babin Kuk and other neighborhoods, and are an easy way to reach beaches or more distant accommodations.

Getting Around & Where We Stayed

You do not need a car to get around. Stay in the Old Town or close and you can walk to everything. Between your feet, the buses and the occasional taxi, you’re covered.

Airbnb we stayed at – Apartment Natasha.
We stayed at a super cute Airbnb in a perfect location. Close to everything we needed with an amazing view. If you find Apartment Natasha available for your dates, it’s worth a look, especially if waking up to hillside + sea views is your thing.

Dubrovnik is one of those places that hits you in the chest a little bit, the beauty, the history, the resilience, the random moment where you’re on Stradun crying happy tears while your kids side-eye you.

If you’re on the fence about visiting, this is your sign: go. Walk the walls, learn the history, stare out at the Adriatic, and let this city surprise you the way it surprised me.