Dubrovnik, often hailed as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” offers a stunning blend of medieval history and coastal beauty. A popular travel destination, visitors are drawn to its massive, walkable city walls that encircle a UNESCO-listed Old Town and its gleaming limestone streets that lead to baroque churches and Renaissance palaces.
Beyond its architectural grandeur—and its fame as a primary filming location for Game of Thrones—the city features crystal-clear turquoise waters and a charming Mediterranean atmosphere that makes you feel like you are stepping back in time.
Things We Loved Most about Dubrovnik:
1. Wall Walking
Walking along the ancient walls is a must when visiting Dubrovnik. It is a one-way, counterclockwise route that takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Construction of the walls began in the seventh century. The iconic large-scale fortifications seen today were primarily built and reinforced between the 13th and 17th centuries, with significant additions in the 15th century. That means they are more than 600 years old in their current form!
The walls span a length of about two kilometers and feature 16 towers, three fortresses, moats, drawbridges, turrets, and other fortifications. They were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
This was at the top of our must-do list! We bought our tickets at the entrance, but you can also buy them online in advance.
The best part is that in one moment you get to view breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea, and then turn around to see the picturesque structures that make up this ancient city.
We saw a fair amount of construction while we were there, as well as some unexpected sights!
2. Kayaking: Ancient History Meets Modern Fun
Seeing the ancient city of Dubrovnik and its famous walls from the water was surreal.
We love kayaking, but this was next-level.
3. Cable Car to the Panorama Restaurant and Bar
Dubrovnik has a cable car ride that offers panoramic views of the city as it ascends Mount Srđ.
The lower cable car station is located just outside the eastern entrance of the Old Town near the Ploče Gate on Petra Krešimira IV street. We bought tickets at the entrance.
The ride was fun, and the view from the restaurant at the top was magnificent.
We stopped for drinks at the top. While we were there, a marriage proposal was underway right at sunset. A truly special spot, indeed!
4. Cliff Jumping and Swimming
The water in Dubrovnik is beyond amazing. It is a deep azure and turquoise blue, it’s cool, and it beckons you to jump in.
Our crew couldn’t wait to plunge into the refreshing, bright blue water.
5. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Also known as Dubrovnik Cathedral, this beautiful church was built between 1671 and 1713. It is the seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik. It was impressive, to say the least!
6. Serbian Orthodox Christian Church of the Holy Annunciation
This opulent church was built in 1877 and sustained damage from bombing during the Siege of Dubrovnik. It was well worth a stop to take in the gold altar.
7. Rector’s Palace
This beautiful palace served as the seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa between the 14th century and 1808. The palace was destroyed in a fire in the 15th century.
It underwent several rebuilds, at least twice due to gunpowder explosions from the armory that was housed within. It was also reconstructed after the great earthquake of 1667.
8. Rue Stradun
Rue Stradun, also known as “Placa,” is Dubrovnik’s iconic, limestone-paved main street. It divides the city in half and connects the Pile and Ploče gates. We walked it daily.
Once a seabed channel, it’s famous for its polished stones and historic Baroque architecture. You really can’t miss it.
9. Game of Thrones Filming Locations
Admittedly, we were not big Game of Thrones fans before visiting Dubrovnik. (Heresy, right?) It was still fun, though, to see the filming sites in person. The King’s Landing scenes were shot here.
We were not alone! The Jesuit Steps (“Walk of Shame” stairs) were situated just a minute’s walk from our accommodations. These stairs were jam-packed with tourists pretty much every day.
10. Buža Bar
“Buža” translates to “a hole in the wall”, and here you’re expected to do just that—walk through an actual hole in the wall to get to a hidden bar. As of this writing, there may be more than one buža bar, but we went to the original, Cafe Buža.
Once a lookout during times of conflict, Cafe Buža’s setting morphed into a secret spot where locals and visitors could savor a cold beverage and enjoy some cliff jumping.
Our crew got a kick out of exploring this unique experience.
The views were incredible!
It was kitschy, but fun.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at a fabulous villa right in the heart of the old city.
Featuring three levels of authentic, old-world charm, the villa was located at Hranjca 1 in the Dubrovnik Old Town. We couldn’t have asked for a lovelier accommodation in a more perfect location.
Final Thoughts
Dubrovnik offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. It’s no wonder it was chosen as a filming backdrop for HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Its old-world charm is undeniable, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-rounded travel destination.
Originally visited August 2019; content refreshed January 2026.
You can see a map of Dubrovnik here.
