Attractions in Dubrovnik - The Top 10 Popular Attractions

Red rooftops, a picturesque old town, and views of the Adriatic await travelers in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The small, car-free city is no longer a hidden gem, yet it is still not as crowded as other European capitals.

The 'Pearl of the Adriatic' features not only the UNESCO-listed old town but also well-preserved city walls, an impressive harbor, and a variety of sacred buildings. Its location along the Adriatic contributes to high visitor numbers.

We will show you the most popular and beautiful attractions in Dubrovnik, including some off the beaten path.

The best-preserved city walls in Europe

No landmark defines the skyline of Dubrovnik like the ancient city walls, which are the best-preserved fortification system in all of Europe.

In fact, the medieval wall is still completely intact and even withstood the siege by Serbian troops in 1991 and 1992. Construction of the wall began as early as the 8th century. It measures 1,940 meters in length and is partially up to six meters wide.

Tip: Today you can walk along and on top of the wall and enjoy a unique view of the city. It can get quite crowded in the mornings, especially when cruise ships arrive. The city wall is less visited in the afternoons or during the off-season.

Our Rank 2 in the Top 10 most popular attractions in Dubrovnik is the Old Town.

Passing through the Renaissance Pile Gate leads you into the historical heart of the Croatian city. Since 1979, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. Architectural monuments, baroque buildings, and the city wall make a visit to the Old Town a special experience.

Attractions in the Old Town of Dubrovnik

Just behind the Pile Gate is the Stradun, also known as Placa, the city's main promenade. But even away from the shopping mile, there is much to see, such as the Dubrovnik Cathedral, the Sponza Palace, or the Great Onofrio Fountain.

You will also find a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants here.

The architectural mix of the city, which is most apparent here, is worth a visit to the Old Town.

Panoramic ride to the top

It took 19 years for the new Dubrovnik Cable Car to be completed. Since July 2010, the cable car has been transporting visitors from the Old Town up to Mount Srd.

With the Dubrovnik Cable Car, you can reach the viewing platform at approximately 400 meters high in less than four minutes and, on clear days, see up to 60 kilometers over the Old Town and Adriatic.

The cable car gondolas can carry up to 30 people. You can enjoy breathtaking views during the ride. Two panoramic terraces, a souvenir shop, and a snack bar await you at the top of the mountain.

In the heart of Dubrovnik's Old Town lies the large main street and popular shopping avenue, Stradun, also known as Placa.

Here, shops line cafes and baroque buildings cluster around restaurants. Some attractions are located along the Stradun; at the end of the street stands the Roland Column.

The shortest route between the city gates

Stradun was established in the 11th century. It was largely destroyed in an earthquake in 1667 but was rebuilt afterwards. As a result, the buildings along the street all look alike.

Previously, it connected the western Pile Gate with the eastern Ploče Gate. Today, Stradun is a promenade, a tourist magnet, and the site of festivities and processions in the Croatian Adriatic city.

Did you know? Translated, Stradun means 'Great Street'.

Small, but beautiful

About 700 meters east of Dubrovnik, you will find the island of Lokrum, a tranquil oasis away from the touristy Old Town.

Lokrum is about 1.6 kilometers long and only 500 meters wide. However, it offers several worth-seeing attractions and served as a filming location for the TV series Game of Thrones.

Attractions on Lokrum

A nature reserve with olive trees, cacti, and palm trees characterizes Lokrum's landscape. Exotic plant species can also be discovered in the botanical garden, which opened in 1959. At its highest point is the Fort Royal, at 93.2 meters high, one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island.

Other attractions include the oldest Benedictine Monastery in Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which takes place here each year.

400 meters above the city

With our Rank 3, the cable car, you'll ascend to the highest peak of the city. From Mount Srd, you have the best view over the city on the Adriatic.

Near the new mountain station, there are a restaurant, observation terraces, and an amphitheater, where theatre performances for up to 250 visitors regularly take place.

Or you can enjoy serenity and the view on the 400-meter high mountain, including the picturesque Old Town and the idyllic harbor of Dubrovnik. Our Rank 6 among the most famous attractions in Dubrovnik is Mount Srd.

Get to know the history of the city

The long history of Dubrovnik is ever-present in the Pearl of the Adriatic. At every corner, old sacred buildings, baroque houses, and remnants of the former trading center await you.

Not least, the city walls from the 12th century testify to Dubrovnik's varied past. Visitors are introduced to this history at the Gornji Ugao Tower.

Unobtrusively and somewhat away from the bustling center, you will discover here the remains of a medieval foundry. Especially due to the vividly conducted tours through the historical artifacts, the museum visit becomes a unique experience - and the Gornji Ugao Tower our Rank 7 among the best attractions in Dubrovnik.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Another island has made it into our Top 10 most sought-after and popular attractions in Dubrovnik, Croatia: the island of Mljet.

The forested island

The 30 kilometers between the island and Dubrovnik are best navigated by ferry or charter boat. On the 100 km² large, densely forested island awaits you the Mljet National Park and, like on all the other islands along the Croatian Adriatic coast, numerous Benedictine monasteries.

Remarkable is especially the 5.3-hectare National Park with one of the most pristine ecosystems in the Adriatic. This is evidenced by the many animal species that are native to Mljet.

Did you know? Because many raids on Roman ships were allegedly organized from the island, Emperor Augustus attacked the island in 35 BC and made it a place of exile.

The most beautiful harbor in Dubrovnik

Not far from the city walls, you discover the city harbor, another notable attraction in Dubrovnik.

The most beautiful among the city's three harbors was designed in the 15th century. Alongside the city harbor, there is the yacht harbor and the commercial harbor, which is today reserved for large cruise ships.

In the past, the harbor was protected by numerous fortifications, a breakwater, and a chain against attackers, but today it is primarily a popular tourist destination.

Architecturally, the three arches of the harbor arsenal stand out. With a view of this feature and the Adriatic, visitors can relax in the cafes at the harbor. It is not without reason that the old city harbor is still one of the most beautiful attractions in the city.

And yet another island you should not miss during your vacation in Croatia's most beautiful city. On one of the largest islands off the coast of Southern Dalmatia, around 17,000 residents live today.

Sightseeing on Korčula

In the three large towns on Korčula, there are many sights, such as the reputed birthplace of Marco Polo or the dark pine forests that define the landscape of the island.

The two elevations also attract many active vacationers. The island is also an ideal place to escape the bustling activity in the Old Town of Dubrovnik.

Tip: The fine sandy beaches on Korčula are something special, as Croatia is known mainly for its many pebble beaches. Near the town of Lumbarda, there are the beach sections Bili Zal and Vela Przina, two of the most beautiful panoramic sandy beaches in Europe.

Dubrovnik is an impressive small city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It offers several attractions that impress its visitors. The city walls alone make Dubrovnik unique and an exciting destination for a city trip.

Are you more in the mood for a beach vacation by the sea? No problem! Dubrovnik has its own beach section, and nearby islands also offer spots for sunbathing.