Looking for the best things to do in Dubrovnik, when it comes to this famous coastal city in the south of Croatia there is no shortage of activities to indulge in no matter the time of the year you pick to visit the town. The ‘pearl of the Adriatic’, as it is popularly known among the citizens of Croatia, is a tourist attraction with generates revenue for the country.
For some interesting tips on things to do if you visit Dubrovnik, we have compiled some of the best activities that will make your stay in Dubrovnik the most memorable moments of your life.
There are lots of things to do in Dubrovnik but as a first-time visitor, identifying the fun spots and activities may be difficult. Here we have compiled a list of things to do in Dubrovnik both in the Old Town and in other places.
Exploring Dubrovnik Old Town
It is referred to as the Old Town due to its great historical heritage, ancient buildings and also its attractive city wall.
Anyone who pays a visit quickly learns that Dubrovnik Old Town is one of the famous locations in Dubrovnik. It is also a popular attraction amongst lots of tourists. Dubrovnik Old Town also has a lot of attractions which include the city walls which surround the old town. It was built to protect the town from the invasion of the Turkish army. You can also get to see the church of St. Vlaho and the Sponza Palace. These locations are easy to find, and both are on the main street of Stradun. The Old town is also on World Heritage site list compiled by UNESCO.
While you’re in Dubrovnik Old Town, why not try some of our tips on how to have fun?
Things to do in Dubrovnik
The old Pharmacy museum
You should also visit the Old Pharmacy in the Old town. This pharmacy has been in operation for over 700 years and is among the oldest in Europe. It is a great tourist site which still functions as a chemist where locals troop in to get their prescriptions. There are also containers, jars, poisons, and equipment on display. The museum gives you an idea of how the health system worked in the past.
Get a souvenir
While Stradun has a lot of souvenir shops, they are often quite expensive. If you walk further, you get to the Ploce Gate. From here you can connect to the Dubrovač kakuća from a doorway. This place offers high-quality ceramics and glassware. Their products can be trusted as they work with the Museum of Arts & Crafts in Zagreb.
Experience Dubrovnik Summer Festival
If you time your trip properly, you can get to see the Dubrovnik summer festival. This is the biggest festival in Croatia, and it lasts for 47 days and nights. During the festival, there are usually performances from dance and opera groups, theatre, and classical music. Most of the performances are done in the Old Town. There are lots of free performances, but you may need to pay for others. In some cases, booking ahead can save you lots of struggles. With over 50 different venues including the Sponza Palace, Lokrum Island, the Lovrijenac fortress, and more, you get to experience firsthand the cultural heritage of Dubrovnik as well as Croatia in whole.
Go shopping at the market in the Old Town
In the baroque square of Gundulićeva poljana is the oldest market in the Dubrovnik Old Town. A lot of people rush to do their shopping on Saturdays, so you may need to get here very early to avoid the crowd. Ivan Gundulić also has a statue in the market. The statue of the 17th century overlooks the entire market area. You can also find a fish market if you walk towards the old harbor.
If you are a fan of homemade recipes, then you are in luck. You will be able to find some of the traders who sell strong flavored brandy, Loza, and travarica. There is also honey, olives, Mediterranean spices, and cheese.
Anyone who is into aromatherapy, you can get cantarion oils, dried flowers, as well as lavender if you stroll towards the stalls near the Rector’s palace. You should also consider getting coffee at one of the many cafes around. You know when it’s time to go for coffee as an official comes with feed for the birds.
Although Dubrovnik Old Town is quite popular amongst tourists, it is not the only location where you can have lots of fun in Dubrovnik. If you are seeking entertainment outside the Old Town, then we have a list of things you should try.
A tour of the City Walls
One of the greatest attractions in Dubrovnik is the City Walls, and a tour of the walls tops our list of things to do in Dubrovnik. It consists of 16 fortresses with and there are few of them which are quite popular due to their location on the wall. These are the Revelin fortress, Minceta tower, St. Johns fortress and Lovrijenac fort. For fans of popular TV series, Game of Thrones, the Lovrijenac fort will remind you of the Red Keep in Kings Landing. The city walls give a great view of the city, and you get to see everything from high above. Timing your visit to the walls is crucial as it gets crowded quickly. You may spend up to three hours or less when you decide to take a tour of the walls. It is great to take along your supply of water when going.
Ride the Dubrovnik cable car to Srdj Hill
If you want an extraordinary view of the entire landscape of Dubrovnik, then the top of Mount Srdj can provide this satisfaction. To get to this perfect spot, you will need to ride the cable car. Originally built in 1969, it was rebuilt and opened for use in 2010 after getting destroyed during the Civil War in Croatia.
Putting aside the fun cable car ride, at the cable car station, you find a café-snack bar and a restaurant for you to relax. You can also get souvenirs from the shop at the top.
I have some great ideas on how you can enjoy your trip to the hilltop. The first is to take a walk to the cliff side behind the building. This grassy location serves as an excellent spot to relax. The second is my favorite. Don’t be in a hurry to get down from the hill. You can get a fresh view of Dubrovnik as the city lights light up in the evening.
As Old town is very crowded we encourage you to see some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik outside the old town.
Visit the island of Lokrum during the day
When you go on a vacation, you’re surely going to be looking for some peace as you go sightseeing. Visiting the island of Lokrum is the best holiday escape for any tourist. With a ban on cars, the island is accessible only by ferry. The island is also home to some of the important locations of popular TV series Game of Thrones. You get to see the real-life Qarth, Kings Landing, and the Red Keep.
You can also enjoy memories from as far back as the 12th century when you visit the Benedictine Monasteries. Just be sure not to miss the last ferry back to the mainland. The legend of Dubrovnik is never complete without the part about the curse of the island of Lokrum. It is against the rules to stay on the island for the night so you will need to return another day. The boat ride to the island takes off from the port of Old Town.
Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik | Try sea kayaking
For outdoor activities, sea kayaking is the most popular in Dubrovnik. They also make sure tourists get the opportunity to take part in the fun as there is a training course. They show you some few techniques that you need to get started. The sea kayaks are a bit different from the regular kayaks you may be familiar with. They move a lot better, and it is easy to maintain the motion in a straight line mainly due to the length of the kayak and the extra cargo capacity.
Relax on the Banje beach
The Banje beach is the most used beach in Dubrovnik. Although there are lots of other beaches around, this is where lots of tourists troop into. It is situated in Ploce, and it provides access to lots of other fun places. You can rent a boat and take a ride to Lokrum. There is also a cocktail bar for relaxation which doubles as a party spot at night. You can also go skydiving with a speedboat. There are also showers and chairs although you may have to rent. If you feel you’ve had enough of the Banje beach, you can head out to Sveti Jakov.
There are lots of other things to do in Dubrovnik, but we have picked some of our best to line up in this list. There are lots of bars which offer some of the best wine in Croatia for you to visit. Try communicating with some of the locals or store owners on more insights into the beautiful town.
