With Croatia being such a popular holiday destination it helps to know some of the best places to go to when visiting this gorgeous country. Dubrovnik is the most popular destination in Croatia. It is not only known for its rich history, culture, amazing architecture, and picturesque landscapes. It is also a popular draw having been the main filming location for both Star Wars and Game of Thrones. In this post, we look at some of the Great Places to Visit in Dubrovnik.
Great Places to Visit in Dubrovnik
Old Town
Never been to Dubrovnik? Then you might like to visit Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is one of the favourite places for tourists to visit and stay when in Dubrovnik. Here, you’ll find plenty of museums, galleries, restaurants and bars. It is a great and easy place to walk around as the whole town is pedestrianised. You’ll be spoilt by the vast mix of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture as you walk the streets. So, if you up up for walking and sight seeing make sure you have a comfy pair of trainers on and get those step counts through the roof. You will need at least three days to see all the main attractions and enjoy this beautiful city at a less than breakneck speed.
Lapad
Lapad, Dubrovnik is almost 2.5 miles away from the Old Town and takes about 40 minutes by foot depending on walking speed and starting position. It’s a far greener and a more cost effective alternative to the busy streets of The Old Town whether you are eating out, or looking for a base from which to sightsee. Lapad is located on a beautiful lush peninsula. There are plenty of lovely pebble beaches with clear shallow waters to choose from. Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park is full of pretty green scenery, plenty of great hiking trails and some gorgeous costal views.
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Pile Gate
Pile is a small but busy suburb in Dubrovnik. It is located in front of Pile Gate, the stone entrance to Dubrovnik. This dates back to 1333. The wooden drawbridge was replaced with a stone bridge in 1537. This picturesque entrance looks like an image out of a children’s fairytale. Game of Thrones (GOT) fans should consider going on one of the tours available. They’ll take you to see Pile Bay. This was used for the Blackwater Bay battle scenes for GOT. The walkway there was used to film a scene with Sansa and Shae.
Stradun (also known as Placa)
This is the main street in Dubrovnik Old Town and one of the most recognisable attractions. This area is for pedestrians only. The limestone paved street spans 300 meters and stretches from the western entrance (Pile Gate) to eastern entrance Ploce Gate. The street is lined with bakeries, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops, it’s is important to note they are expensive. It’s well worth a visit as there are a number of attractions to see such as The Bell Tower, Onofrio’s Fountain, Saint Saviour’s Church, Sponza Palace, Statue of Marin Drzic, the Franciscan Monastery etc.
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The Jesuit Staircase
This became one of the most popular GOT locations in Dubrovnik after the Walk of Shame scene in season five that saw Cersei Lannister being forced to walk the steps naked. This iconic Jesuit Staircase ascends from Gundulić Square, and leads to the Jesuit church of St. Ignatius. Designed by the Roman architect Pietro Passalacqua and built in 1738, the Jesuit Stairs are a beautiful example of Baroque architecture in Dubrovnik. They bear a striking resemblance to the well known Spanish Steps that can be found in Rome.
City Harbour
This pretty harbour is located on the eastern part of Dubrovnik city. Here you will see the old Arsenal, a building with three symmetrical ports. This was where where ships were built. These days the Arsenal now functions as a very popular Mediterranean restaurant – Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant & Bar. Here you’ll find a wide range of delectable dishes and enjoy magnificent views. It has been said that they serve the best food in Croatia.
Walls of Dubrovnik
The walls of Dubrovnik were built in order to defend the city from any attacks from the sea. The walls are between 1.5 and 5 meters thick. There is a charge to walk the walls. Currently, (2024) this costs 35 € per adult, 15 € per child aged 7-18. Alternatively, purchase a Dubrovnik card at a cost of 35 € which lasts for 24 hours. This will allow the user to enter two museums, 2 galleries and walk the City Walls. From this vantage point you can get fabulous views of the whole city. It’s best to walk the walls in the early morning or between 5 and 7 pm to see the sunset. It takes approximately 37 minutes to walk the walls.
Lokrum Island
It’s certainly worth visiting Lokrum island if you do get the opportunity. Allow a day for this so you can take in all that this lovely island has to offer. On Lokrum Island, you can visit various GOT locations, have a splash about in the waters of one of their many rocky beaches, or a cove, swim in the Dead sea at Lokrum, enjoy the many stunning views, discover the multitude of wildlife (wild rabbits, peacocks, etc), visit the botanical garden and so much more.
Take in the Sights on the Dubrovnik Cable Car
You can take in the sights of the lush greenery, Old Town, Adriatic sea and little islands jutting out from the crystal clear waters. The ride takes 10 minutes each way and if you book your tickets in advance online or in various stores so you’ll be able to skip the wait at the ticket booth. It’s advisable to buy in advance during the busier months. There is a shop outside of the gate on the way to the cable cars where you can buy tickets easily.
Fort Lovrijenac (Red Keep in King’s Landing)
Also known as St Lawrence Fortress or Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar, this is a popular site for GOT tours. A number of Game of Thrones scenes were shot for the first episode of season three after the battle of Blackwater. The fort isn’t very big and there are some steps to get up to it. Useful to know if you have babies in pushchairs or people in wheelchairs with you. There is a fee to around fifteen euros to enter the fort. It normally takes about thirty minutes to see the attraction and enjoy the scenic views of the Old Town from your vantage point. The main thing here is the views. Don’t forget your camera!!
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I hope you have enjoyed reading my post Great Places to Visit in Dubrovnik and found it both interesting and informative. As you can see there are plenty of great attractions that you can see when visiting Dubrovnik. It is a busy city that attracts many tourists so it can help to go during off season which is normally from November to February (Christmas and New Year can see a spike in visitors).
Have you ever been to Croatia? Is this somewhere you might go, and if so would you consider Dubrovnik as one of the places that you may visit?
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So many places that I will be adding to my list. I really want to see the staircase.
It is a popular site with visitors.
I would love to go to Dubrovnik one day! Croatia looks like an incredible place, with so many interesting things to do and see.
It really is. I’m sure you’d love it there.
There is plenty to see there. It’s a great choice for a varied holiday.
You highlighted some amazing places to visit in Dubrovnik! From historical sites to stunning coastal views, this article is packed with fantastic recommendations for anyone planning a trip. Can’t wait to explore these spots and experience the beauty of Dubrovnik firsthand. Thanks for the travel inspiration!
Thanks so much, I aim to please. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
This is such a beautiful city. Thank you so much for sharing. I love the placa and the pictures you shared.
Thanks so much, it is a lovely place to visit.
I was in Dubrovnik a few years ago and loved it. Saying that I wouldn’t mind going back. I don’t remember visiting Lokrum Island so I’d definitely want to see this the next time.
There are so many things to see there you’ll need a fair few days and even then you’ll miss things. It’s certainly worth returning too. Have fun x
Dubrovnik is such a cool destination in Croatia, blending rich history with stunning scenery and cultural vibes!
It certainly is and draws in many visitors each year as a result. It is a good one to add to the bucket list.
Dubronvnik looks so amazing.. another place to add to my bucket list
I hope you get to go x
OMG It looks beautiful! I love old towns and buildings. Adding Croatia to my list now!
It is such a lovely place to visit and attracts a lot of tourists each year as a result.
Now I understand why Croatia is indeed a stunning holiday destination, and Dubrovnik is definitely a must-visit location. The rich history, amazing architecture, and picturesque landscapes make it a top choice for travellers. The fact that it was a filming location for Star Wars and Game of Thrones adds to its allure. The beautiful beaches and lush greenery of Lapad make it a perfect spot for relaxation and outdoor activities.
It is such a beautiful place and really worth visiting if you can.
The place looks beautiful. I’ve never been to Croatia. I’d like to go and explore the country someday.
It has plenty there to keep you occupied.
I have some Croatian heritage and I have been looking to travel to Croatia for a while. I would love to visit Dubrovnik as there are so many neat things to do there.
Oh wow, that’s great a visit there would be ideal for you to discover your roots.
Wow, what a beautiful place to visit! Your photos are breathtaking! I wouldn’t mind seeing the Walls of Dubrovnik, heck I would love to see all of them
Ha, it is a great site to go see if you get the opportunity.
This was such a great post and beautiful pictures!! It’s always been on my bucket list but I love the fact that it’s been a popular filming location for fantasy/scifi movies and shows!
It’s a lovely place to visit with plenty to see.
Croatia is amazing! I used to spend my childhood there. Makarska i Jelsa are go-to as well <3
It’s such a beautiful place to visit.