Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities, overlooking the calm blue Adriatic. Once the capital of the mighty sea-faring Republic of Ragusa (1358-1808), it's now Croatia’s most upmarket destination. Historically, this diminutive republic was sophisticated, refined and cultured.

Today, the pedestrian-only Old Town – packed with aristocratic palazzi and elegant Baroque churches, contained within sturdy medieval fortifications – draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, including glamorous names such as Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Claudia Schiffer and Harrison Ford. Beyond the walls, attractions include wine bars, classy seafood restaurants and five-star hotels.

And then there's the glorious rock-and-pebble coast, with beaches, scuba diving and sea kayaking. Some of the best beaches lie on Lapad peninsular, two miles (three kilometres) west of town; or you might try tiny Lokrum islet, with its botanical garden (you can get taxi-boats from the old town harbour); or the pine-scented Elaphiti islands (ferry from Gruž port).

For further Dubrovnik inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife and things to see and do.

Any first-time visit to Dubrovnik should begin by walking a full circuit (just over a mile) of the magnificent 13th-century City Walls. It'll take well over an hour, and you can expect ever-changing perspectives over the terracotta rooftops of the Old Town and out to sea. To dodge the crowds, check how many cruise ships will be in Dubrovnik on any particular day on the Dubrovnik Port Authority, and then pick what looks like the quietest date.

Afterwards, stroll along the limestone-paved Stradun (aka Placa), the main pedestrian thoroughfare through the Old Town, running from Pile Gate in the west to Ploče Gate in the east. Originally a sea channel, it was filled in during the 12th century, and is now lined with souvenir shops and pricey cafés.

On Gundulićeva Poljana (Gundulić Square), take a look at the open-air market (mornings only). In the past, all the stalls sold local seasonal fruit and vegetables, but nowadays you'll see mainly traditional gifts aimed at tourists – pretty handmade lavender bags, lavender oil, arancini (candied orange peel), bruštulane mjendorle (sugar-coated almonds) and dried figs. For lunch, grab a sandwich at Buffet Škola in a narrow alley off Stradun – they bake fresh bread and fill slabs of it with local cheese and pršut (similar to prosciutto), and also do a yummy homemade apple strudel.

To get some idea of how local aristocrats once lived, visit the Cultural History Museum. Based in the 15th-century Rector's Palace, this is where the rector (city governor) would reside during his one-month term in office – on display are portraits of slightly cross-looking local nobles, as well as period furniture, costumes and clocks. It was also used as a location for Game of Thrones – if you're a fan, you'll recognise it as the atrium to the Spice King's palace in Qarth.

Nearby, the 17th-century Baroque Cathedral is also well worth a look in for its impressive Treasury, displaying ornately crafted golden reliquaries, including the skull of St Blaise (Dubrovnik's patron saint). And for liquid gold, call at Uje on the Stradun, a shop specialising in Croatian olive oil – the owners have their own olive groves on the island of Brač, and you can ask to taste their oils before making a purchase. Find more of the best things to do in the city in our guide.

Spend the night in the Old Town, packed with candle-lit tables and sun-tanned diners on summer evenings. Start with a sunset drink at Buža, accessed through a tiny doorway in the city walls. Tables are arranged on a series of levels on the rocks overlooking the sea – informal but truly magical on a balmy evening.

Then, splash out at the romantic fish restaurant Proto, to feast on lobster risotto and grilled sea bream – King Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson dined here in 1936. Round off the evening with a nightcap at The Bar – order a mojito, deliciously refreshing on a hot summer night. Discover the best of Dubrovnik's nightlife with our guide.

Start the day with a visit to this 13th-century Fort Lovrijenac. Lying outside the Old Town, it affords superb views of the City Walls, making it a favourite photo spot. Climb up 175 steps, to reach the upper level, complete with canons and a small chapel.  

Then return to town to shop for gifts. Immediately outside Ploče Gate, Life According to Kawa is a welcoming concept store, specialising in quirky Croatian designer items, including their own limited edition of Dalmatia-inspired T-shirts and mugs, tastefully packaged rakija (a potent spirit) by Mashtel from Nin, and beautifully illustrated Croatian cookery books.

Nearby, inside Ploče Gate, Dubrovačka Kuća stocks paintings and ceramics by recognised Croatian artists, including raku-glazed ceramic fish by Ljiljana Barbarić, and ceramic candle-holders decorated with floral motifs by Andrea Bassi. Have lunch at Barba, serving street food based on fresh local seafood – try the octopus burger, in a bread bun with salad and mayonnaise.

Afternoon

To discover more about Dubrovnik's historic naval power, visit the Maritime Museum in St John's Fortress, overlooking the old harbour. In the 16th century, the city-republic had one of the world's largest fleets, with more than 180 ships and 4,000 sailors – exhibits here include model ships from that time, as well as navigational equipment, flags and maps.

Afterwards, grab an ice cream at nearby Gianni's, then spend the afternoon sunbathing and swimming in the deep blue Adriatic. Banje beach, immediately outside the town walls, and has a bar serving chilled drinks – take your own beach towel and lie on the pebbles, or pay extra for a sun-bed and parasol. Above the beach, there's a lounge-bar on a wooden deck, doing cocktails and snacks.

Start the evening in the Old Town with an amusing and informative Dalmatian wine tasting 'flight' (either three reds; or three whites) at D'Vino wine bar in the Old Town – it's mellow and cosy, with several outdoor tables in the narrow side street.

For dinner, head to Azur, serving unusual but astoundingly delicious 'Cro-Asian' dishes, devised by the owner-chef, combing Dalmatian ingredients with Thai spices and fragrant herbs – try the superb swordfish fillet in black curry sauce. Close the day at Fratello's Prosecco Bar just outside the Old Town, sipping Croatian sparkling wine on their glorious sea-view terrace. Find the best restaurants in the city with our guide.

Insider tips

Island watch

Lokrum islet is a lush escape of pines, palms and cacti, and a rocky shore with spots for bathing. There's an abandoned 11th-century Benedictine Monastery. Climb to the highest point of the 19th-century Fort Royal for panoramic views. In summer, regular taxi-boats depart from the old harbour (journey time: 10 minutes; note that all visitors have to leave by sunset).

Take a ferry to the Elafiti islands of Lopud and Šipan to kayak, swim, snorkel and cliff-jump. Don't miss Šunj, one of Croatia's rare sandy beaches, when in Lopud. On the beach, several make-shift bars serve chilled drinks and snack until the sun goes down.  

The nearby coastal town of Cavtat (served by regular taxi-boat and local bus) was founded by the ancient Greeks. This huddle of old stone houses are built on a pine-scented peninsula sheltering a pebble beach to one side, and a natural harbour to the other. Its main attraction is the splendid Art Nouveaux Račić Mausoleum by sculptor Ivan Meštrović.

The Dubrovnik Pass affords entry to major cultural attractions, including the City Walls and Cultural Historical Museum, plus free transport on city buses.

Where to stay

Luxury living

Hotel Excelsior is built into a hillside above the coast, overlooking the deep blue sea and the pine-clad islet of Lokrum. Interiors are cool and minimalist, with grey walls and retro-chic furnishings. Down by the sea, a stone terrace has steps into the water. A vast wellness spa includes a 20-metre indoor pool and whirlpools, a Roman bath and Finnish sauna.

Designer digs

One Suite Hotel is hip design hotel with 18 rooms and suites, decorated with commissioned artworks. Highlights include a rooftop pool, a gym, a slick bar where they do a superb breakfast, and a peaceful garden. It lies a 10-minute walk from the beach and a 10-minute drive from Dubrovnik's Old Town.

Budget beauty

A welcoming, family-run boutique hideaway in an historic stone building. Van Bloemen Apartments have bohemian décor with an eclectic mix of antiques, quirky bric-a-brac, floral fabrics and modern art. A 10-minute walk up the Stradun brings you to Pile Gate, the main entrance into the Old Town. 

What to bring home

Natural Rose face cream (krema od ruža) is made to a secret medieval recipe at Ljekarna Male Braće, set inside the 14th-century Franciscan Monastery.

Uje specialises in Dalmatian olive oil. Their best-seller, Brachia virgin, comes in a stylish olive-shaped white ceramic flask.

KAWA now stocks a discrete selection of quality Croatian wines as well as hip designer items.

When to go

For most people, the best months to come here are May to June or September to October – think sunny days with the sea warm enough to swim, and hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions open, but with less crowds – though it will still be busy.

During peak season, July to August, Dubrovnik is over-run by tourists – hotel prices rocket, restaurants and beaches are packed, and there are queues at all the main attractions, but on the plus side you get the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and a glitzy nightlife.

Low season, November to April, can be lovely, though most facilities are closed and the weather is less reliable. The down-side of tourism is that many locals have sold up and moved to the Lapad suburb, so the Old Town is semi-abandoned come winter. Some hotels and restaurants now open for Christmas and New Year, but almost everything is shut through the rest of January. And while a few places reopen for Carnival in February, the new season only really begins at Easter.

Know before you go

Essential information

British Consulate: The British Honorary Consulate Dubrovnik is closed until further notice. If you need consular assistance in the area, you are advised to call the British Embassy Zagreb (Ivana Lučića 4, Zagreb; 00 385 1 600 9100; gov.uk)

Croatian Emergency services: Dial 112

Dubrovnik Tourist Office: Brsalje 5 (just outside the old town, close to Pile Gate); 00 385 20 312011. Open saily Mon-Sat 8am-7pm. There is also a smaller tourist information office at Obala Ivana Pavla II, br. 1, Gruž (close to the ferry port); 00 385 20 417983. OpenMon-Sat 8am-2pm, Sun closed. Dubrovnik City Tourist Board website

Currency: Croatia adopted the  joined the Euro (€) on January 1, 2023.

Telephone code: 00 385

Time difference: +1           

Flight time: London to Dubrovnik is around two hours and 40 minutes

Author bio

Jane has lived on the Dalmatian Coast on and off since 1998. She explores the blissful Croatian islands in summer, and the cultural attractions, bars and restaurants of the mainland port cities of Split and Dubrovnik through winter. 

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