Dubrovnik

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💡Dubrovnik: Good to Know

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🛂 Visa: most European countries plus Canada, Australia, US, Korea and Japan are visa exempt for a stay of up to 90 days

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✈️ Closest Airport: Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport (DBV)

 

💬 Language: Croatian but English is widely spoken

 

🏷️ Price Level:  The price level in Croatia is considerably lower than in the United States

 

🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Croatia US$ 6.02

 

💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)

 

☀️ Best Times to Visit: The best time to visit Dubrovnik is during the shoulder seasons, May and September/early October

 

🚘 Transportation: City buses and taxis 

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🔌 Adapter: Croatia uses type C and F plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe but it is needed when coming from the US

 

🛜 WiFi: Widely available; the city has installed free WiFi hotspots in the historic city center

 

🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some little stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city

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🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Port of Dubrovnik, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia (docked)

 

 

✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around

 

🎟️ In Dubrovnik, you can pay for city buses in cash or by credit card. For suburban buses, tickets must be purchased on the bus, and you can pay with cash or credit card. Pre-purchasing tickets from kiosks, tourist information offices, or hotel receptions can also be done and is often cheaper. 

 

✈️ Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport (DBV) is located around 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Dubrovnik Old Town. Shuttle buses to the city (Old Town and main bus station) leave around 30 minutes after each flight arrival and one-way tickets cost 10 EUR, while a round-trip costs 15 EUR. The trip takes around 25 minutes.

 

🚇 The Port of Dubrovnik is located in the Gruž suburb of the city and is approximately a 30 to 40-minute walk to the historic Old City centre. The bus ride from the Port of Dubrovnik to the Old City (Pile) takes around 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.  Lines 1A, 1B, 3, and 8 are the most relevant for reaching the city center. There is a bus heading to each part of the town every 10-20 minutes. Tickets bought on the bus are slightly more expensive than tickets bought at newsstands (2 EUR).

 

🚌 The Hop On Hop Off bus from Sightseeing Dubrovnik takes a loop around the city with frequent stops (more info here). 

 

 

⭐️ Top Sights in Dubrovnik

"Dubrovnik's city walls have never been successfully breached in its entire history, making it one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in the world."

 

📸 City Walls: Dubrovnik's city walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting the Old Town from invaders. They are a 1.2-mile-long stone fortification built between the 13th and 17th centuries, offering panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea. The walls are reinforced with forts, towers, bastions, and gates, with sections reaching up to 25 meters high. 

 

📸 Old Town (Stari Gard):  Stari Grad, meaning "Old Town" in Croatian, refers to the historic core of Dubrovnik, Croatia. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the iconic city walls, palaces, and churches. Stari Grad is a popular tourist destination, offering a rich history and cultural experience. 

 

📸 Dubrovnik Cathedral: The Dubrovnik Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It is notable for its history, architectural style, and the rich collection of artwork and relics housed within, including a polyptych by Titian. The cathedral stands in the old city center, near the Rector's Palace, the seat of government for the Dubrovnik Republic and is a prominent example of Dalmatian architecture.

 

📸 Mount Srđ: Mount Srđ is a mountain located just behind the city walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. It offers panoramic views of the city, the surrounding coastline, and even the Peljesac peninsula on clear days. The summit features a large white stone cross and Fort Imperial, a Napoleonic-era fortification. Visitors can reach the top by cable car or by hiking. 

 

📸 Pile Gate: The Pile Gate is a significant landmark and main entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town in Croatia. Built in 1537, it features a renaissance arch and is a symbol of the city's history and heritage. It was also used as a filming location for the popular TV series Game of Thrones. The gate is open 24 hours, but the drawbridge is usually raised at night.

 

📸 Lovrijenac Fortress: Lovrijenac Fort, also known as St. Lawrence Fortress or "Dubrovnik's Gibraltar," is a three-level, triangular fortress located outside the western walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Built in the 11th century to defend the city and protect the western entrance, it stands 37 meters above sea level. Famous for its plays, the fort is also recognized as a filming location for the Red Keep in Game of Thrones.

 

📸 Lokrum Island: Lokrum Island, a short 10-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik's Old Town, is a forested island with a variety of attractions. It's known for its lush greenery, rich history, and numerous opportunities for relaxation and outdoor activities. The island boasts a Benedictine monastery, a botanical garden, Fort Royal, and the iconic Iron Throne from the TV series Game of Thrones. 

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📸 Banje Beach: Banje Beach in Dubrovnik is a popular, pebble beach located just outside the Old Town, near Ploče Gate. It's known for its stunning views of Lokrum Island and the Old Town, and offers a range of amenities including showers, toilets, and the option to rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. Banje Beach is also a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities like kayaking and jet skiing.

 

 

🍽️😋 Typical Food & Drinks

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Dubrovnik, officially known as Ragusa during the Venetian Republic and later under other rulers, developed a diverse culinary tradition shaped by its history of trade with the East and its location on the Adriatic Sea. The city's strategic location and rich history have resulted in a unique blending of culinary influences, including Italian, Mediterranean, and local Croatian styles

 

🍽️ Black risotto (Crni Rizot): Black risotto, or "Crni rižot," is a Croatian dish made with cuttlefish ink and risotto. The cuttlefish ink gives the risotto its signature black color and a briny flavor. It's a popular dish in Dubrovnik and other Croatian coastal regions, offering a unique and flavorful take on risotto. 

 

🍽️ Pašticada: Pašticada is a traditional Dalmatian beef stew, popular in Dubrovnik and throughout Croatia, known for its slow-cooked, tender beef and rich, sweet-and-sour sauce. A 15th-century recipe for pašticada exists in Dubrovnik. The dish is often served with gnocchi.

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🍽️ Buzzara: Buzzara is a popular Croatian cooking technique, especially in Dubrovnik, known for preparing seafood in a flavorful sauce. It involves cooking seafood, like mussels or scampi, with olive oil, wine, garlic, herbs (parsley), and sometimes breadcrumbs. The result is a delicious, fresh-tasting sauce that is a staple on many Dalmatian menus.

 

🍽️ Peka: Peka is a traditional Croatian cooking method where food, typically meat and potatoes, is roasted slowly under a heavy, bell-shaped lid covered with hot coals. This technique, popular in Dubrovnik and Dalmatia, infuses the dish with a smoky, tender, and flavorful taste.

 

🍽️ Dirty Macaroni (Šporki Makaruli): Šporki Makaruli, meaning "dirty macaroni" in Croatian, is a traditional pasta dish from Dubrovnik, Croatia, known for its rich meat sauce and unique flavor profile. It's often prepared around the Festivities of Saint Blaise, the city's patron saint. The dish's name is said to stem from its origins, where leftovers of meat and sauce were used to create a meal for servants, resulting in a "messy" or "dirty" appearance. 

 

🥤 Rozulin: Rozulin is a sweet, rose-based liqueur traditionally made in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It's known for its unique flavor and is a key ingredient in the traditional Croatian dessert, Rozata. Rozulin is crafted using Rosa centifolia (centifolia rose) petals, which are added to sugar and alcohol before being sun-exposed for several weeks.

 

 

📍🗺️  Maps, Apps & Links

 

🌐 Dubrovnik Public Transport Map

🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour

🌐 Free Walking Tour I

🌐 Free Walking Tour II

 

🚕 Uber

🚕 Bolt

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💎🔍🗺️ What else?

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Walk the Ancient Walls of Dubrovnik: History, Sea Views & the Perfect Drink Spot 🧱🌊✨
Dubrovnik isn’t just a beautiful coastal city—it’s a perfectly preserved medieval fortress rising straight out of the Adriatic Sea. Its iconic stone walls wrap around terracotta rooftops, hidden alleys, and sparkling blue water, creating one of the most unforgettable walks in Europe. Whether you're a history lover, a sunset chaser, or a traveler seeking breathtaking views, the Dubrovnik City Walls are an absolute must.

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🧱 Walking the Dubrovnik City Walls

A full circuit around the Old Town’s walls is roughly 2 km and takes 1.5–2 hours if you stop frequently for photos (you will!).
Expect:

• Towers and fortresses

• Dramatic cliffs plunging into the sea

• Narrow passages and stairways

• Terracotta rooftops glowing in golden light

• Stunning views toward Lokrum Island

✨ Why it’s special: The walls date back to the Middle Ages and are among the best-preserved defensive structures in the world—a living museum with unmatched panoramas.

 

Highlights Along the Walls

• Minceta Tower: The highest point, offering a postcard-perfect view over the Old Town.

• St. John Fortress: Overlooks the harbor—perfect for ship-spotting.

• Bokar Tower & Fort Lovrijenac Views: Spectacular lookout points where sea meets stone.

🍹 Best Places for a Drink With a View

After your walk, reward yourself with a relaxing drink overlooking turquoise waters or sunset skies. Here are the top picks:

Buza Bar (Bar Buža) – The Cliffside Classic

A legendary bar literally built into the cliffs outside the city walls.
✨ Views: Open Adriatic Sea, endless horizon, sunbathers and cliff jumpers.
🛎️ Why it’s special: No-frills, raw, and unforgettable—nothing between you and the sea except a cold drink.

 

Panorama Restaurant & Bar (Mount Srđ) – For the Best Overlook of Dubrovnik

Take the cable car up for a spectacular drink above the whole city.
✨ Views: Orange rooftops, city walls, islands, and the coastline stretching into forever.
🛎️ Why it’s special: One of the best sunset spots in Croatia.

 

Café Festival (Stradun) – A Gold-Hour Glow Among Medieval Buildings

Right in the heart of Old Town.
✨ Views: Stone palaces, lively streets, and the iconic marble Stradun.
🛎️ Why it’s special: Perfect if you prefer charming city views to coastal vistas.

 

🏛️ A Bit of History

Built between the 12th and 17th centuries, Dubrovnik’s walls protected the Republic of Ragusa, a powerful maritime city-state. The walls were never breached—proof of their ingenious design and strategic position. Today, they stand as a testament to the city’s resilience, beauty, and rich history.

 

💡 Tip:

Walk the walls early in the morning or late in the afternoon for softer light, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds. Bring water—and your camera. Dubrovnik’s walls are one of Europe’s ultimate photography spots. 📸🌅🍹