Translate This Page

Dubrovnik in one day 

Make sure to begin your brief visit to Dubrovnik with a promenade in Stradun or Placa the main street, while getting the first impressions of one of the Mediterraneans most beautiful cities. The astonishing city of stone is surrounded with 1,940 m long stone walls. A tour of the worlds second most frequented open-air museum will definitely take your breath away.

The fantastic views will inspire you to take some photographs, and the sights that you will capture will continue to amaze you over and over again. Visit the museums of Dubrovnik and find out where the rector of the glorious Dubrovnik Republic used to live, where grain was stored, which sailing ships formed parts of the powerful Dubrovnik Republic fleet travelling around the world, making Dubrovnik famous.

Taste some of the delicious Mediterranean specialities at the taverns and restaurants of the Old City and complete the treat with a cup of coffee in Stradun.

Buy some of the typical Dubrovnik souvenirs (delicacies, traditional filigree jewellery, a bronze statuette of St Blaise, Konavle embroidery…) to always remind you of the day when you began to discover Dubrovnik and inevitably fell in love with it forever, wishing to come back…

Dubrovnik in three days 

Dubrovnik offers numerous adventures within a three-day visit.

If the reason for your visit to our city is culture, you'd better prepare yourselves because culture, arts and architecture are inseparable parts of Dubrovnik. Do not miss a visit to the Franciscan Monastery Museum with the artefacts of the Friars Minor Pharmacy from 1317. 

The Dominican Monastery houses inspiring works by the members of the Dubrovnik 15th and 16t century school of painting and a canvas by the great Titian. The Cathedral treasury comprises silver and gold relics made by Dubrovnik goldsmiths from the 11th to 19th century. At the Rectors Palace try to conjure up the way the city was governed in the course of centuries and how freedom was guarded as the greatest treasure of the Dubrovnik Republic. Visit the Rupe Ethnographic Museum and learn more about the granary and storage of the state grain and wheat reserves in deep pits cut into the rock. Acquaint yourselves with the customs and folk costume of the Dubrovnik region. Walk the city walls, and make sure to visit the Maritime Museum in order to learn about the centuries-long seafaring tradition of the Dubrovnik Republic. Discover more about the famed seamen, and the mathematician Getaldić and the physicist Ruđer Bošković who calculated the loading capacity of the merchant ships karaka, galijun and nava.

Climb Fort Lovrjenac, the Dubrovnik Gibraltar, and conjure up scenes from Shakespeares Hamlet, Macbeth and Julius Caesar. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the small museum of the Dubrovnik Synagogue with numerous exhibits which testify to the life of the Jews in Dubrovnik.

At the Dubrovnik Defenders Museum at Fort Imperial on Mount Srđ, reminisce about the recent past and suffering of Dubrovnik. In addition to doing the city walls tour, climbing the Dubrovnik steps, walking the narrow streets with clothes drying in the breeze, charming restaurants and shops, a cocktail sipped by the walls, the murmur of the sea at Buža, and a concert or play at some of the Dubrovnik festivals, make sure to save some time for visiting the places in the Dubrovnik surroundings.

The Island of Lokrum, also called the Island of Love, is in close vicinity to the Old City. Centuries of rich history, legends, tales and the magic of the sea and nature will revive old loves, or inspire new ones.

The Arcadian idyll of the Trsteno Arboretum - where one of the most beautiful women of the European Renaissance, the red-haired Dubrovnik poetess Cvijeta Zuzorić wrote her verses and loved - invites you to take a walk in the shade of ancient trees and see your reflection in the Neptune and Nymphs Fountain.

Allow yourselves to enjoy swimming in the miraculously clean Adriatic, and take along a pebble from one of the white Dubrovnik beaches…

 

Dubrovnik in seven days

Many people definitely envy you - you are on a seven-day holiday in Dubrovnik!

 

Forget stressful everyday life, explore, rest, bathe, walk, read, listen to music, idle...

With a pleasant Mediterranean climate, 2600 sunny days per year and protected nature, Dubrovnik offers you the opportunity to explore historical sites, museums and galleries, and to learn about the wisdom of our ancestors. Enhance your holiday with a tour of the city and its surroundings, tasting exquisite gastronomic specialities or attending sports events that will invigorate both your body and soul.

The mild climate, fortunately, enables sailing all the year round, so we recommend the Elafite Islands cruise where you can explore wooded untouched oases, and where the nature lovers can enjoy picturesque villages on the Islands of Koločep, Lopud and Šipan and the island life so unlike that in the environment where you come from.

Take a tour of Ston, visit the salt works, taste the oysters of Mali Ston Bay and explore the wine route on the Pelješac Peninsula. While on Pelješac, take a ferry from Orebić and you will reach the Island of Korčula in no time. The medieval city of Korčula is encircled with city walls. With a neat layout and rows of gothic and renaissance buildings, Korčula is the native city of Marco Polo. The city boasts the traditional knightly dances moreška, moštra and kumpanija.

The most beautiful parts of the Dubrovnik Riviera include Cavtat and Konavle. Among many reasons why one should visit this area are the unique folk costumes, good wines, smoked ham, cheese kept in oil and the story of silk.

If you are a lover of hiking, the hills of Konavle are the right choice. At the hundred-year old mill on the River Ljuta housing the Konavoski Dvori Restaurant you may also taste freshwater fish. A jeep safari and horseback riding are only some aspects of the wide-ranging tourist services offered in Konavle. If you enjoy eating - and even picking - tangerines, birds watching and archaeology, the valley of the River Neretva - the biggest one in the region - is the right place for you. 

Make sure to visit the Island of Mljet, mentioned in the legends of Odysseus, St Paul, the Benedictines and the Mediterranean monk seal. With two unique seawater lakes surrounded by pine woods that reach the shore creating an atmosphere of untouched nature, the Mljet National Park is frequented by tourists the whole year round. Rent a bicycle and cycle to the woods and lake shore, or merely take a walk, smell pinewood and take a boat to the Isle of St Mary - situated in the middle of the Large Lake - and explore the 12th century Benedictine Monastery and Church.

After the excursions to its surroundings, the lovely beaches of Dubrovnik and crystal clear sea are waiting for you. Top quality hotels, superb wellness centres and more than a thousand different events throughout the year were created precisely for you and your memorable stay!

Celebrities in Dubrovnik
 


There is a very long history of famous people who have visited Dubrovnik

 

from Richard the Lionheart, Wallis Simpson, Prince Edward, Elisabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Michael Douglas, Catharine Zeta Jones, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Richard Gere, Nick Nolte and Tom Cruise to celebrities, famed athletes, and virtuoso musicians. Every summer the polished stone slabs in Stradun show the reflection of world-famous persons. Last summer Dubrovnik hosted the Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and the fashion king Valentino. The City was also visited by the Norwegian royal couple King Harald and Queen Sonia, who are sailing in the South Adriatic on their yacht. The guests of the Chamber Music Festival Julian Rachlin & Friends were the most well-known Agent 007 Roger Moore and the old friend of Dubrovnik John Malkovich. 


Kevin Spacey visited Dubrovnik as a participant of the Dubrovnik Film Meeting, the prestigious manifestation organised in collaboration with the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Adriatic Luxury Hotel Group. In a memorable evening of film and glamour the film The Usual Suspects was shown, which won Spacey his first Oscar. While sailing the Adriatic the fashion magician Valentino never fails to visit Dubrovnik, and every summer one can see him and his company enjoying the summer night atmosphere. The Croatian football stars who have also forged international careers Eduardo da Silva and Luka Modrić walked along Stradun this summer. In recent decades Dubrovnik has hosted a large number of celebrities and royalty, the majority of whom come to the city on their luxurious boats anchored in front of the romantic Island of Lokrum, including Roman Abramovich, Paul Getty, Bill Gates, Caroline of Monaco, the Prince of Hanover, the King of Jordan and the Prince of Oman. However, all visitors to this world famous city, both well-known and unknown, are impressed by the beauty of Dubrovnik and its amazingly rich history and culture.

Dubrovnik in summer

Summer… hot long days and even hotter short nights.

 

Swimming in the crystal clear sea, a cocktail in a romantic place under the starry sky, sunrise… 
 

Dubrovnik in summer offers street performances, Hamlet at Fort Lovrjenac and virtuoso concerts at the Rectors Palace Atrium. In summer Dubrovnik you will meet many famous people and see their luxurious yachts anchored in front of the Old City harbour. 
 

Dubrovnik in summer invites you to enjoy sitting on the steps of St Blaise's Church and by the Orlando Column, to wash your face at the fountain, or, like many other visitors, try and take off your shirt while standing on one foot on the Franciscan Church gargoyle. 
 

Listen to the street entertainers and the song of Dalmatian vocal groups under the vaults, and experience the fervent cheering at the Old City harbour during the water polo matches between the Dubrovnik beach teams which take place within the attractive amateur water polo league unique in the world, nicknamed «the wild league».
 

The Dubrovnik Green Men on the bell-tower Maro and Baro struck the hours and shortly afterwards repeat the striking, reminding you that, in the early summer morning, Stradun will glitter freshly washed from night adventures.
Move with the flow, enjoy and... come back! 

For gastronomic delight



Plain, ecological, seasoned with olive oil...



If you wish to experience how a nation really lives, you should go to the market place, the very stomach of the city, and smell, touch and taste the food which people consume every day.


Even the finest chefs who visit Dubrovnik and prepare international dishes in some of the city restaurants cannot resist the taste of courgettes from Župa Dubrovačka, cabbage from Konavle and aubergines and tomatoes grown in the fertile and unpolluted surroundings of Dubrovnik.

The gastronomy of an area is based on the fruits which grow on ecologically- preserved land, as is still the case with that in the Dubrovnik environs. The delicacies of Dubrovnik are plain and without many spices. Prepared in a simple way, they are seasoned with plenty of olive oil, which accentuates the juicy taste of natural foods. The gastronomic choice on offer at the Dubrovnik restaurants is heterogeneous, varied and in compliance with the guests wishes. Those visiting local taverns wish to taste authentic national food, good smoked ham, cheese kept in oil, octopus salad, zelena menestra (smoked meat and cabbage stew), sporchi macaroni, fried sprats and grilled sardines. Visitors to top class restaurants, on the other hand, are served the freshest fish from Adriatic depths, shellfish from the unpolluted sea and other delicacies prepared to meet the requests of the choosiest gourmands. Restaurants also serve the popular sushi, which has become an integral part of western cuisine. In the attractive ambience of the Dubrovnik restaurants one can also enjoy 

French cuisine and excellent steaks which would do credit to the finest Argentinian restaurants. In compliance with the wishes and adventurous way of life of younger visitors, fast food restaurants, pizzerias and small restaurants serve simple Dalmatian food and dishes of other cuisines.

Wine was highly valued in the Dubrovnik Republic, when dessert wines were sold on prescription as medicine. The tradition of growing grapes and wine production goes back to the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. A provision from 1424 determined the prices of particular wine varieties, with the exception of Malvasia wine of Konavle the price of which was not limited.

The best-known wines of the Dubrovnik region include red wines of the Pelješac Peninsula, the Plavac Mali variety, white wines - Pošiš from the Island of Korčula, the aforementioned Malvasia called nectar of gods, and the wines of the Konavle area with the characteristic flavour of the south.

 


 

Dubrovnik: Heaven on Earth!

Curiosities:

„Those who seek  Earthly paradise  should come and see Dubrovnik“ (G. B. Shaw)

G.B. Shaw, famous Irish writer, wrote “Those who seek  Earthly paradise  should come and see Dubrovnik” after he visited this famous city in 1929.year, enchanted by its beauty, magnificence, harmony and everything else that makes  Dubrovnik so unique and special worldwide. Settled in furthest south of Croatia, this little city is a shining star on many  renowned world magazine covers and proudly wears title of one of the most beautiful cities of the world. For that reason it attracts many prominent tourists: actors, musicians and other artists, members of royal families, world jet setters etc..It used to be a city-state, widely known as Dubrovnik Republic  and  the  strongest Adriatic centre next to Venice. With the status of one of the most attractive tourist Mediterranean destinations, today it fuses old and new; centuries old history and dynamics of modern European city. This pearl of Croatian Adriatic  has been  included  in UNESCO list of world world’s heritage in 1979. as evidenced by a large number of protected historic  buildings.  Historical city Dubrovnik is enclosed by 2 kilometres long city walls,  numerous  fortresses and towers which protected the city from attacks of different enemies during the history. Inside the walls were built many impressive  structures ( palaces,  churches, monasteries, monuments ) by which is widely known. Walk along the walls is an experience not to be missed.

Vicinity of many magnificent islands (Lokrum, Elafites, Mljet, Korčula), magical landscapes and breathtaking perspectives, extremely preserved nature with beautifully imbedded Mediterranean architecture make this city one of the most attractive world destinations. Therefore, visit Dubrovnik and become one of the many  who will confirm famous G.B. Shaw saying.

Legendary Bono Vox recited  verses in Croatian language written in 1628 by famous Croatian poet Ivan Gundulić!

At the U2 concert held in Zagreb 1995 and 2009,legendary Bono Vox recited in Croatian ‘Oh beautiful, oh precious, oh sweet  liberty’ – Croatian  17th century poet Ivan Gundulić  from his famous Hymn to the freedom. Famous Gundulić verses have been also used as a moto for a song ‘Miss Sarajevo’ which he sung on unforgettable concert in Sarajevo in duet with magnificent  Luciano Pavarotti in 1997.

Freedom (Libertas) above all!!!

In the Republic of Dubrovnik freedom was considered to be one of the greatest values in life. Therefore the word LIBERTAS (FREEDOM) was written in capital letters on its famous flag. It was also supported by the fact that the Republic of Dubrovnik was the first in Europe to make a decision on abolishung slavery and in 1416 imposed a ban on transporting slaves. Freeedom was celebrated in verse all over its territory. Thus, on the fortress Lovrijenac, written in stone, there is the inscription in Latin that goes like this:»Freedom is not to be sold for all the gold of the world!»

It inspired many writers,as well. The great baroque poet Ivan Gundulić ( 1589 – 1638 ) celebrated it in the famous «Hymn to Freedom» from his pastoral drama «Dubravka»:

                    Oh, Freedom, so beautiful, dear and sweet,

                   Our Lord gave us all the treasures in thee.

                   The only true source of our glory,

                   The only adornment of our grove, (Dubrava)

                   All silver and gold and all our lives

                   For your pure beauty cannot be the price! 

Since then  these verses have been  the inspiration to many other artists.

The opening of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival starts with the flag-raising ceremony accompanied by the song «Hymn  to Freedom», and Bono Vox from U2 recited it on the humanitarian concert in Sarajevo in 1997, and later on in Zagreb in 2009.

Dubrovnik–a famous European cultural centre (often called a town-museum)

More than a thousand-year-long history has made Dubrovnik what it is now- a European cultural centre. At the beginning it was a small community, but very soon it saw the days of great flourishing and became the seat of the independent Republic of Dubrovnik, which met its end when Napoleon conquered it in 1808.

The Republic mastered the art of maritime affairs and by building strong fleet became a rival to Venice. Owing to maritime development the sea trade became more important, and it contributed to the growth of power of the Republic, which was best reflected in the social and cultural life of the town.

During the periods of the Renaissance and Baroque the Republic was a cultural centre on the whole of the Croatian territory. Literature, art and science were flourishing. It was the period that gave the greatest and most famous works of the authors who gained high reputation and glory out of the Republic,too.

The fact that the language of the Dubrovnik writers was chosen to be the basis of the standard Croatian language shows how much the Croatian writers of the nineteenth century were fascinated by the beauty of spirit of the Republic. Besides, there are many data in the town chronicles about the advancement and developed awareness even of the average inhabitants of the town.The Republic is known for having built one of the first mediaeval sewage systems ( 1296 ), which is still in use. The first quarantine in the world was introduced in Dubrovnik (1377 ). It is also proud of having opened the third pharmacy in Europe, which has been in use since 1317. It was the first town in Europe to issue the decree on abolishing slavery (1416 ). The Dubrovnik maritime insurance law is the oldest in the world (1568). However, the most curious fact is that the Republic of Dubrovnik was the first state in the world to recognize officially the USA (1783 ) and by doing so stimulated other countries to do the same.

The praiseworthy fact, indeed! The greatness of the Republic was not in the size of its territory but in the spirit of its people!

The long history is present in the whole town,which is at the same time a museum and a stage,where the cultural heritage and the contemporary life walk hand in hand. The historical nucleus is surrounded by the monumental town walls preserved in their original form, open to visitors as the main attraction of Dubrovnik. The tower Minčeta, the fortresses of St.John, Bokar, Revelin, St.Luke, and Lovrijenac, the Duke’s Palace, the Franciscan Monastery, the Church of St.Vlaho – the patron of the town, Orlando’s Column – all of them are just a few of historical witnesses that should be seen, and the spirit of the bygone times will come to life before your eyes.

The famous Feast of St.Vlaho – UNESCO’s Unmaterial World Heritage

The Feast of St.Vlaho, the patron of the town, has been on the UNESCO’s list   of the world heritage since 1st Sept,2009. It is based on the legend about the appearance of St.Vlaho, who helped the inhabitants of Dubrovnik defend their town against Venice. The great honour of the patron saint has been unchanged all through the stormy times the town has experienced continuously since the year 972. St.Vlaho’s Day ( 3rd February) was a holiday for all the inhabitants of the Republic. They even introduced St.Vlaho’s Freedom Day for all the punished persons and prisoners to enable them to celebrate the day freely.

The celebration was very picturesque, with the ecclesiastical flags and dressed in folk costumes, just as is done nowadays. The preparations for the ceremony are long and carefully performed.

St.Vlaho’s Feast is at the same time the celebration of religiosity and human creativity, ranging from folk customs, songs, dances, traditional weapons to traditional gastro-delicacies. It represents the beauty of Dubrovnik spirit – its past and its present.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival-The most renowned Croatian festival

Dubrovnik Summer Festival is the oldest and most famous Croatian festival. In the period from 10th July to 25th August you can enjoy various musical, drama and dancing performances in  the unique atmosphere of the town squares, towers and streets. From year to year   the Festival has been a host to many famous names of the world elite composers,soloists, orchestras and actors.

 The Republic of Dubrovnik – a great maritime town-state!

  • Dubrovnik maritime insurance law from 1568 is the oldest one of the kind in the world
  • In the 16th cent. the fleet of the Republic numbered about 40,000 seamen and more than 180 big ships, and was among the strongest on the Mediterranean.
  • The term «the Dubrovnik vessel» (argosy) can be found in Shakespeare’s works.
  • In the 15th cent. Dubrovnik was one of the largest European cities, with about 40,000 inhabitants.
  • Besides on the Mediterranean, the Dubrovnik seamen sailed even to     North America,and some stayed there to live with the local people.

How Dubrovnik helped the USA?

The Republic of Dubrovnik was the first state in the world to recognize officially the USA in 1783. By doing so, they inspired some other countries to do the same.

Slavery was first abolished in Dubrovnik!!!

The Republic passed the law on abolishing slavery in 1416, and was the first state in Europe to do so. By that act it affirmed its dedication to the ideals of freedom and humanity.

Richard the Lionheart in Dubrovnik!

The story about the English king Richard I Lionheart and his shipwreck on the small island of Lokrum is a proof that stormy weather does not always mean something bad.

Both the old English and Dubrovnik chroniclers recorded the King’s arrival in Dubrovnik in 1192. Returning from the third Crusade on a Venetian ship, Richard I fell in great storm. He made a vow to Our Lady to build two churches in Her honour if he escaped death: one on the land on which he would step first and the other in England. The ship reached the island of Lokrum safely. Having heard about the King’s vow, the Dubrovnik authorities sent their representatives to the King with the request to change his vow and build a church in Dubrovnik instead on Lokrum. Richard showed understanding for their reasons and had the church built in Dubrovnik.It was devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, but it was destroyed in the great earthquake in 1667. Today on its site you can see the beautiful Dubrovnik cathedral. Richard I, known for his gentlemanly behaviour, came to like Dubrovnik very much and stayed there for some time. His lion heart was touched by the hospitality of his hosts and the beauty of the town. He even left the Venetian ship, on which he had arrived, and sailed back on a Dubrovnik sailing-vessel, which was more adequate to his royal taste and needs.

Agatha Christie and her honeymoon in Dubrovnik!

World-famous Agatha Christie spent her second honeymoon in Dubrovnik and in Split. The two towns, not chosen accidentally!

Bathing wih the view of the Town Walls

The beach just at the bottom of the Town Walls has been reported by many travel brochures as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Bathing in the crystal-blue sea and at the same time having the view at the Town Walls, the magnificent monument of the past times, is a breathtaking experience.

The Trsteno Arboretum – the oldest in the world!

The Trsteno Arboretum not far from Dubrovnik has been developing since        15th cent. and is the oldest in the world. It is a wonderful example of a Renaissance park with many interesting and exotic plants. The two oldest plane-trees are more than 400 years old. The walking paths fit beautifully in the luxuriant vegetation of the park.

What to visit?

  • The magnificent Town Walls represent one of the best protective systems in Europe. Their total length is 1940 metres. They were being built from 13th to 17th cent. With their four fortresses they surround the old part of the town: Minčeta, Bokar, Sv.Ivan (St.John) and Revelin. Nowadays they are often in use as stages for various cultural events and concerts and the Minčeta tower is known for weddings organized there.
  • The fortress Lovrijenac-known as the Gibraltar of Dubrovnik-is situated

out of the town walls on a sheer rock, 37 metres above the sea level. It is a historical symbol of resistance to the Venetian Republic. It is of a triangular form, with two bridges leading into the tower, and above the entrance gate there is the inscription carved in stone:

«Freedom is not to be sold for any treasure in the world!»

 Nowadays Lovrijenac is a stage for various drama performances, Shakespeare’s  «Hamlet» being the most famous of them.

  • Orlando’s Column – the oldest preserved public sculpture in Dubrovnik.

The erection of the column is connected with the legend of Roland (Orlando), Charlemagne’s nephew, who helped Dubrovnik in  fighting against the Saracens. The column was erected in the 15th cent. as a symbol of freedom and independence. During the Dubrovnik Summer Festival the flag with the word Libertas (Freedom) on it flutters on the column.

  • St.Vlaho’s Church – of the saint who is the patron of the town. It is on the main square. St.Vlaho’s statue with the maquette of the town survived both the great earthquake and the great fire.
  • Sponza Palace – had different functions in the Republic: a custom-house, a bank, a school. Every year the opening of the Summer Festival takes place on the square in front of the Sponza Palace.
  • Duke’s Palace (Rector’s Palace)- the seat of the government and the Duke, the highest political bodies in the Republic. Today it is used as the exhibition area for the paintings of  old masters and for the concerts of classical music.
  • Franciscan Monastery – in its museum there is the inventory of the third oldest pharmacy in Europe.
  • Stradun – the main street (walk) in Dubrovnik. The New Year’s open-air party on Stradun is so interesting and exciting that in the recent ten years or so it has placed Dubrovnik among the most attractive destinations in the world