Things to do in Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik was historically known as the Republic of Ragusa, a maritime city-state that remained an independent republic for over 450 years until 1808.
- The city's Statute of 1272 included some of the earliest recorded urban planning and public health regulations in Europe.
- In 1416, the Republic of Ragusa became one of the first states in the world to officially abolish the slave trade.
- The city maintained its autonomy through complex diplomacy and a policy of paying annual tributes to the Ottoman Empire, allowing it to act as a neutral trade intermediary.
- Dubrovnik's iconic walls have never been successfully breached by a hostile army throughout their long history.
About Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a fortified Mediterranean city on the Adriatic coast, famously known for its intact 16th-century stone walls that encircle the historic Old Town. Visitors typically enter through the iconic Pile Gate to reach the city center, where the Onofrio's Large Fountain serves as a central landmark for exploring local architecture. The city's cultural heritage is anchored by sites like the Rector's Palace and the ornate Saint Blaise’s Church. Accessible by land or sea via the Porat Dubrovnik, the city serves as a primary hub for maritime travel in southern Dalmatia. Its strategic importance is reflected in high-altitude structures like the Fortress Imperial, which offers expansive views over the surrounding coastline.
Highlights of Dubrovnik
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
This detached fortress stands on a cliff 37 meters above the sea, serving as a historic defensive point for the city.
Historical places
This stone portal serves as the main western entry point into the historic walled city.
Temples
This cathedral houses a significant collection of gold and silver reliquaries dating back to the 11th century.
Museums
This building served as the seat of the Rector who governed the Republic of Ragusa and now acts as a cultural museum.
Historical places
Situated atop Mount Srđ, this location provides the most comprehensive panoramic view of the Adriatic coastline and city layout.
Places of interest
This landmark was built in the 15th century as a key part of the city's sophisticated water supply system.
Temples
This ornate church is dedicated to the city's patron saint and is a significant example of Baroque architecture.
Beaches and ponds
This pebbled beach offers a quieter swimming experience away from the central city harbor.
Top things to do in Dubrovnik
The 180 highest-rated places in Dubrovnik, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
Lovrjenac Fortress is a standalone fortification situated on a 37-meter-high cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, separat...
2
Temples
Hercegovačka Gračanica is a Serbian Orthodox monastery complex situated atop Crkvina Hill in Trebinje. It serves as a fa...
3
Temples
Tvrdosh Monastery is a 15th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery located on the foundations of a 4th-century church in the...
4
Places of interest
Porat, the historic Old Town port of Dubrovnik, serves as the maritime heart of the medieval city, framed by the 15th-ce...
5
Historical places
Pile Gate serves as the primary land entrance to the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Dubrovnik. The structure consists of a do...
6
Temples
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is an 18th-century Baroque structure built on the foundations of a 12...
7
Parks
Trsteno Arboretum is the oldest Renaissance botanical garden in the Adriatic, dating back to 1492. It is situated on a c...
8
Amusement parks
Grad Sunca is a large-scale recreational complex located in Trebinje, combining a water park with a prehistoric-themed d...
9
Museums
The Rector's Palace is a late Gothic and Renaissance structure that served as the seat of the Rector and the administrat...
10
Historical places
Stonske zidine is a 5.5-kilometer-long defensive fortification system connecting the towns of Ston and Mali Ston on the...
11
Historical places
Fortress Imperial sits atop Mount Srđ at an elevation of 412 meters, overlooking the historic Old Town of Dubrovnik and...
12
Beaches and ponds
Beach Sunj is a sandy beach located on the southern side of Lopud Island in the Elafiti archipelago, Croatia. It is one...
13
Parks
Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park is a protected natural reserve located on the Lapad peninsula in Dubrovnik, characteri...
14
Places of interest
Vjetrenica is the largest and most significant cave system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, characterized by its high biodiver...
15
Places of interest
Onofrio's Large Fountain is a prominent 15th-century polygonal water structure located just inside the Pile Gate of Dubr...
16
Beaches and ponds
Plaža Sveti Jakov is a secluded pebble and sand beach located roughly 1.5 kilometers southeast of the Dubrovnik Old Town...
17
Places of interest
The Dr. Franjo Tuđman Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Rijeka Dubrovačka inlet at the entrance to the port o...
18
Temples
Saint Blaise’s Church is a Venetian Baroque sanctuary dedicated to Dubrovnik’s patron saint, situated at the heart of th...
19
Beaches and ponds
Mrtvo more, or the Dead Sea, is a small, landlocked saltwater lake located on the island of Lokrum near Dubrovnik. The l...
20
Places of interest
Park Orsula is a clifftop archaeological site and open-air stage overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the historic city of D...
21
Historical places
Minčeta Tower is the highest point of the Dubrovnik city walls, serving as the northernmost defensive stronghold of the...
22
Temples
The Franciscan Church and Monastery is a historic 14th-century complex located at the entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town....
23
Beaches and ponds
ACI Marina Slano, named after the prominent Croatian sailor Veljko Barbieri, is a modern nautical facility located in th...
24
Museums
War Photo Limited is an exhibition space in Dubrovnik’s Old Town dedicated to professional photojournalism from global c...
25
Temples
The Church of St. Ignatius is a 17th-century Jesuit Baroque church located at the highest point of the Old Town of Dubro...
26
Temples
The stone cross located on Mount Srđ serves as a primary landmark overlooking the historic walled city of Dubrovnik. Sit...
27
Historical places
Fort Bokar is a 15th-century casemated fortress designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo to protect the western gate of Dubr...
28
Places of interest
Stari Grad, or the Old Town of Dubrovnik, is a UNESCO World Heritage site encased within a continuous 1,940-meter-long s...
29
Places of interest
Dubrovnik, known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, serves as the primary filming location for King’s Landing in the televisi...
30
Temples
The Temple of Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord serves as the cathedral church for the Diocese of Zahumlje and Herzegovin...
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Dubrovnik on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Dubrovnik
May to June or September to October, when the weather is mild and the intense summer crowds are reduced.
3 days, which allows sufficient time to tour the walls, explore the historic center, and take a cable car or boat excursion to nearby islands.
The historic Old Town is entirely pedestrianized, so walking is the primary way to get around; buses and taxis serve the areas outside the city walls.
Stay within the Old Town for immediate access to historical sites, or choose the Ploče district for proximity to beaches and coastal views.
Expensive, particularly during the peak summer tourist season.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 180 curated attractions in and around Dubrovnik, ranked by traveller ratings.
Tvrđava Lovrjenac / Lovrjenac Fortress is the highest-rated place to visit in Dubrovnik right now.
The largest category is temples, with 70 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Sarajevo, Zenica, Mostar.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
