If your time in Dubrovnik is limited, or if you simply want a concise, all-in-one list of its highlights, we’ve prepared one for you.
1. Old Town Walls
It couldn’t be any other sight in first place. Without a doubt, if you’re travelling to Dubrovnik for the first time, or if you don’t have time to see anything else, this is the one to see! Take a walk along the famous, celebrated walls, gaze out at the unique view, watch the laundry strung between the narrow passages, and sit down to rest at a café overlooking the Adriatic. For a little history: Dubrovnik’s old town began as a Byzantine castle, and for 500 years they kept building and adding to the walls, until it came to be considered one of the finest, most impregnable defensive fortresses. In some places their height even reaches 25 metres, and walking the full length takes about 2 hours (2 km).
2. The Old Town
Once you’ve walked the walls, it’s time to explore the old town too. These two are must-dos. I particularly love the narrow lanes along Stradun, the main street that runs through the old town. Wander the countless stone alleys, let your steps lead you to narrow passages, hidden little shops and blossoming balconies. Climb the steps and escape the crowd’s voices — in general, let yourself get lost and seek out the city’s hidden corners. You won’t regret it.
3. Mount Srđ
I didn’t get my words tangled — wait. Let me ask you a question. Do you like sunsets? Would you like to watch the sun dip into the sea while having all of Dubrovnik laid out before your eyes? To open your arms and hold the whole of it in your embrace? Okay, that’s three questions, but the answer is one. Yes, you definitely want it, and you can enjoy it by heading up Mount Srđ. The best part is that even if you don’t have a car, you can go up by cable car. Just make sure you’re there on time.
4. Lovrijenac Fortress
Lovrijenac Fortress is built 40 m above the sea and was of strategic importance for Dubrovnik’s defence. It’s also called the ‘Gibraltar of Dubrovnik’ because of its position; today it serves as a theatre and hosts summer festivals. You don’t need to climb all the way up to see it — admiring it from below is enough.
5. The Cathedral
If you’ve seen a lot of cathedrals, you’ll immediately understand why this one stands out. Baroque in architecture rather than the Gothic we’re used to, it’s special both outside and in. Don’t miss going inside to admire Titian’s famous ‘Assumption’ from 1552, as well as other works by Italian and Dalmatian painters.
6. St John’s Fortress
St John’s Fortress is part of the walls and sits above the harbour.What’s amazing about this fortress is the clever, effective way they used to thwart a possible pirate invasion of the city. When the alarm sounded, they would raise a very heavy metal chain whose other end was tied to the fortress opposite, Kase Jetty, stopping the ships and damaging them. All credit to their ingenuity.
7. The Franciscan Monastery
Beyond its Baroque architecture and its beautiful inner courtyard, the Franciscan Monastery has something else very impressive: one of the oldest pharmacies not only in Europe but in the world, which first opened 700 years ago (!) and is still operating. And if that hasn’t charmed you enough, let me tell you that medicines and creams are still made from ancient, medieval recipes and placed in medieval-style vials.
8. The Church of St Blaise
A landmark within the old town, in a spot you simply can’t miss, this church is tied to a legend. It’s said that St Blaise appeared to a monk in his sleep and warned him of the Venetians’ impending attack. Thanks to that intervention, the city prepared in time and was saved.
9. Lokrum Island
For a change of scene and to escape the old town, hop on a little boat to the nearby island of Lokrum just opposite, only 10 minutes from the harbour. I should mention there’s a legend surrounding this island too. It’s said that when the French general wanted to close the monastery there and drive out the monks, the monks cursed anyone who tried to acquire land on the island — a curse that holds to this day. Defy the legend, take a stroll around the little island, and you’ll be rewarded by the sight of the peacock families that live there.
10. Arboretum Trsteno
Also known as the Trsteno Arboretum, this is a botanical garden about 20 km from Dubrovnik. It was the garden of a noble family who lived there 500 years ago and would ask sailors to bring them seeds and saplings from the places they travelled. The result was this botanical garden with lush vegetation, rare and exotic plants, and home to one of the largest plane trees in the entire world. A kind of paradise, you might say.
With love for travel, roadtrips and adventure.
The Altervan team.
