The city of Dubrovnik is a visually stunning destination with a rich history that dates back to the 7th century. The city is well known for it’s picturesque city walls, that originated in the 13th century and have been built up over the years. Dubrovnik is also famous as the filming location for the King’s Landing in the hit television show Game of Thrones and thousands of people travel to the city each year to explore the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. There is a lot to do in Dubrovnik and it’s a great place for both exploring historical sites and relaxing by the beach. Whether you’re there to enjoy the sunshine, do some exploring, or taste the fantastic food and drink, below are 10 of my favourite historical things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
1. Explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is extremely picturesque and very well preserved. While the Old Town of Dubrovnik is a medieval walled city, much of it was destroyed in a devastating fire in 1667. The city was rebuilt after the fire and is so historically significant that it was named UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Today, visitors can explore the cobblestone streets and stunning architecture that makes up the area. Within the city walls there are a number of attractions, restaurants, bars and shops. Every street you turn down, there is something new to explore and you can easily spend the majority of your holiday wandering among the buildings.
2. Take a Walk on the Dubrovnik City Walls.
To get the best view of Dubrovnik, I highly recommend taking a walk along the city walls. The Walls of Dubrovnik were built as a defense mechanism for the city, and the current walls date back to the 13th century. It takes about two hours to walk around the entire thing and the views, both of the Old Town and out to the ocean, are spectacular. From the walls you can see a number is historical sites and buildings, including the Pile Gate, which is the original 16th century entrance to the Old Town.
3. Marvel at the veiws of St. John’s Fortress.
One of the most recognizable sites in Dubrovnik is St. John’s Fortress. The view of the towering structure is one often seen in photographs of Croatia, but also well known as the setting of King’s Landing in the hit show Game of Thrones. The original section of the medieval fortress dates back to the 14th century and was one of a number built to aid in the city’s defence. This particular fort was used to control the city’s port and further additions were later in the 15th and 16th centuries that added to the structure we see now. Today, visitors can explore St. John’s Fortress as a part of their ticket for the City Walls. Inside you can also visit the Maritime Museum and an Aquarium. If you journey higher up on the city’s hills, you can also get a stunning view of the Dubrovnik skyline!
4. Explore Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress).
Lovrijenac is another part of Dubrovnik that can be explored with a ticket to the City Walls, although it is not technically connected. The fort dates back to the 11th century and the story behind the building of it is a pivotal one in the city’s history. Many years ago, it was the Venetians first planned to build a fort on the site, to help strengthen their control of the region. But upon hearing of the Venetians plans, the people of Dubrovnik decided to beat the Venetians to it, by quickly building a fort on the same site in just 3 months time. It was quite a surprise to the Venetians who turned up ready to build, and they were forced to turn back, thus securing Dubrovnik’s control over the area. Today the fort can be visited as part of your ticket to the city walls. It’s also used as a theatre during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
5. Enjoy traditional Croatian food in one of the squares of the Old Town.
I love exploring a city’s history and culture through food and one of my favourite things about Dubrovnik is the plentiful amount of fresh, local food available. One of my favourite specialties in Croatia is the black risotto. The dish is believed to have originated in Venice, then making its way over to Croatia. The risotto is made with squid ink, giving it a wonderful seafood flavour.
Dubrovnik is also a great place to get fresh seafood and I’ve had some of the tastiest oysters there, which are available at a great price! Many of the restaurants in the Old Town have outdoor dining, which allows you to enjoy the meal in a picturesque, historical setting.
6. Take a boat ride to explore Lokrum Island.
While visiting Dubrovnik, I highly recommend taking a trip over to Lokrum Island. The island is only a 15-minute boat ride from the port of Dubrovnik and is filled with both stunning scenery and fascinating historical sites. The history of the island dates back to 11th century, when a Benedictine Monastery was established; the ruins of this monastery can still be seen today.
My favourite part of exploring Lokrum was the hike up to Fort Royal, a 19th century structure that provides a stunning view over Dubrovnik. Lokrum island is also great for hiking, swimming and enjoying local food and drink. It’s also where the real Iron Throne (used in the filming of Game of Thrones) is located. Visitors can actually sit on the throne, which makes for a great photo!
7. Explore monasteries whose origins date back over 700 years.
There is more than one monastery to explore while visiting Dubrovnik and each of them are a real step back in time. Inside the City Walls you can visit the Franciscan Monastery, which was first built in the 13th century (although has been rebuilt over many years since). On Lokrum Island, you can also visit the Monastery Complex, which consists of the remnants of the monastery, of which some parts dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Both places are serene and peaceful sites where you can take in the beauty of the historic buildings and gardens.
8. Sip on some delicious Croation wine.
The perfect thing to go with Croation food is Croatian wine! Wine production has a long history in Croatia that dates back to the Ancient Greeks and their wine production on the Dalmatian islands. The majority of wine produced in Croatia is white wine, but along the Dalmatian coast, the primary type of grape grown is the Plavac Mali. This red wine often has a full, rich taste and is normally higher in alcohol. Whether you prefer red, white or rosé, Croatian wine are perfect for sipping under the sun after a day of exploring.
9. Drink from Dubrovnik’s 15th century Onofrio’s Fountain.
An unmissable site inside of Dubrovnik’s City Walls is Onofrio’s Fountain. Built in the 15th century by Italian architect Onofrio della Cava, the fountain was built as a part of the city’s aqueduct system. Today, the fountain is a central landmark of the Old Town and one of many structures that adds to the city’s scenery. And if you happen to be thirsty, you can stop and take a drink!
10. Explore filming locations from Game of Thrones, one of the most successful TV series in recent history.
Game of Thrones is probably one of the most popular television shows of all time and was certainly HBO’s most watched show, with the final season drawing in an average of over 32 million viewers per episode. The show was filmed in various countries around the world, but it was the city of Dubrovnik that played the central role of King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. If you’ve seen the show, it’s hard not to imagine bumping into the Lannisters while wandering through Dubrovnik’s streets and there are a number of locations throughout the city that feature in the show. These include Fort Lovrijenac (which featured as the Red Keep), the Jesuit Staircase (where Cersei took her Walk of Penance), St. Dominic Street (that also features in outside scenes, including the Walk of Penance) and many more. As a fan of the show, it’s definitely a cool feeling to walk around the very recognizable city.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.