Dubrovnik is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia and for good reason. This beautiful and historic town has a lot to offer, even to the seasoned traveler. From the ancient city walls to relaxing on the beach, you’ll never run out of things to do in Dubrovnik. Whether you are visiting for the day or a week, you’ll enjoy this historic city.
Visit the Old Town Historic District
The 13th-century city walls will take you back to the medieval era while offering dazzling views of the sea. The wall features several battlements that were added later to better protect the town from the Ottomans. Visiting Old Town is like stepping back in time.
This old building is a combination of Renaissance and roque styles. Although in the 14th-century the rector would have resided on the first floor of the palace, today it houses the Cultural History Museum where you’ll find exceptional period exhibits. The courtyard is also known as being one of the shooting locations for The Game of Thrones TV series.
The Dubrovnik Maritime Museum is located in the St John’s Fortress. Exhibits in this museum include model ships, navigational equipment, and flags. Although it might be difficult to imagine today, in the 16th century Dubrovnik had one of the world’s largest fleets, consisting of 180 ships and 4000 sailors. You’ll also find an aquarium on the bottom floor with several marine exhibits.
If you’re interested in visiting Lokrum, it’s fairly easy to catch a boat to the little islet. Here you’ll find a lush landscape of pines, palms, and cypress trees. Along with scenic beaches, there is an abandoned monastery, as well as a villa built by Archduke Maximilian von Hapsburg. The botanical gardens provide a lovely place to sit and relax, but you will also find a bar and restaurant on the little island if you prefer refreshments while you rest.
Located a short walk from Old Town, Banje Beach offers spectacular views of the city walls, as well as the sea. You can rent beach beds and sip cocktails while relaxing to the sounds of the sea. After a day in the sun, you can head to a nearby restaurant for some scrumptious seafood.
Wine Tasting on the Pelješac Peninsular
While in Dubrovnik it’s easy to take a trip to the Pelješac Peninsular where you can spend some time exploring the wine country and sipping Croatian wine. A few of the wineries in the area are open for tours, including Matuško in Potomje where some of the best wine in the world is made.
Although you won’t find any major resort on this island, you will find nature as it was meant to be. There are two crystal blue lakes on the island, as well as a monastery. For those who plan to stay in the Mljet National Park, there is only one hotel. To get around, you’ll likely want to rent a bicycle or kayak.