Sublimely situated on the dazzling Datamatian coast overlooking the azure Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one of Croatia's top bucket list destinations - and it's all down to its fascinating history, fairytale beauty, and charming culture. Catapulted to worldwide stardom for its appearance in the block-busting TV series Game of Thrones, the city, and its magnificently preserved Old Town is a unique place of astounding marvel that can only be savored in person - not in pictures.
Still, with many jet-setters taking travel inspiration from globetrotting Instagrammers, Dubrovnik has become an influencer's heaven thanks to its stunning architecture, mighty medieval fortresses, and its breathtaking beaches that rival any of Europe's most photogenic spots of sun, sand, and sea. With Instagram-worthy shots at seemingly every angle of the city and its sensational surrounding parts, even the most seasoned influencers and photographers will find choosing its most Instagrammable parts to be a tricky task. However, amongst all of Dubrovnik's surreal photo ops perfect for inducing Instagram Inspo, these particular picks are the ones that discerning Insta-lovers simply cannot skip.
15 The Walls Of The Old City
A dream Dubrovnik trip isn't a dream Dubrovnik trip without walking along this majestic medieval metropolis's old city walls. With a photo opportunity at every step, this imposing wall originally constructed to bolster Dubrovnik's defenses is one of its most Instagrammable spots. As an official UNESCO World Heritage Site - a prestigious status it was bestowed in 1979 - visitors can access the walls at three different entrances before walking in the footsteps of this ancient seaside city's historic folk.
14 The Jesuit Staircase
Nicknamed "The Shame Stairs" by Game of Thrones buffs who witnessed the show's infamous in-the-buff scene, this Baroque staircase is one of Dubrovnik's most distinguishable attractions. It is on these stairs that the nefarious Cersei Lannister made her oh-so-satisfying walk of shame in her birthday suit as punishment for her crimes, and visitors can walk in her villainous feet themselves - fully clothed of course (indeed some people have attempted to relive the scene in the literal sense, causing much offense and a few arrests). Naturally, for the best photos, make sure to get there early before the waves of tourists all with the same intent roll out of bed and head on down.
13 Rector's Palace
The Rector’s Palace used to serve as a government office and living quarters for its prominent civil servants and is now a small museum telling the story of Dubrovnik, as well as housing plenty of its fascinating artifacts and displays. Despite having been destroyed in the past by gunpowder explosions, not once, but twice, it still remains a remarkable building of splendor and is a stupendous spectacle to worship on influencers' travel feeds. Additionally, the palace was used as a film location for the fictional city of Qarth in Game of Thrones, which also adds to its popularity. To get photos free of crowds, be sure to get there when the doors first open - the earlier, the better.
12 The Old Town Streets
It's impossible to pinpoint exact streets to snap photos at for one's IG feed; each and every part of the quaint Old Town is as photography-worthy as the next. With its narrow corridors and slim stony capillaries through which the city's beckoning charm flows, visitors can enjoy a field day snapping hundreds, if not thousands of photos all throughout the medieval town's quaint-old streets.
11 The Stradun
Found on the Old Town's main street, the Stradun is this part of the city's epicenter, showing off extraordinary architectural masterpieces to match. After an early morning, the whole street is a pedestrian zone, with a few hundred meters of length connecting the famous Pile Gate to Luza Square. Folks looking for pics will be in their element all along this major street, where there is no lack of deserving frames accentuated by Dubrovnik's legendary architecture from one end to the other. Plus, this part of town is a superb place for fitting some retail therapy and food into the day; souvenir shops, ice cream vendors, and foodie's joints are all on offer here.
10 Luza Square
As the Old Town of Dubrovnik's main square, Luza Square - located at the Stradun's east side - serves up ample Instagram shots that'll make Insta-followers irrevocably envious. It's in this place of astounding beauty where folks can find the Sponza Palace and the Church of Saint Blaise, flanked by a handful of cute cafés and tempting Dubrovnik restaurants inviting for a cup of coffee and a tempting Croatian meal in between snapping photos.
9 Pile Gate
This is the main entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town and is a popular meeting place for visitors and locals alike and is where all major bus services serving the Old Town arrive and depart. Of course, this translates to it being noticeably busy most of the time, but don't let that be too off-putting, for, upon approach, visitors can discover a handful of settings used for filming in Game of Thrones, such as the recognizable West Harbour on the right-hand side, as well as the highly elaborate Fort Lovrijenac. Also, when entering through the gate, fans with keen eyes might recognize the iconic staircase and street - both of which are musts for the Instagram reel.
8 Ploce Gate
In the hostile times before the city's impressive stone bridge was built, a wooden drawbridge once stood in its place, which was raised at night to keep would-be intruders out. Today, it's one of the main entrances on the town's east side, granting access to the Dominican Monastery, then passing into Luza Square and the Stradun. Whilst it may not be as identifiable as Pile Gate, Ploce Gate is among the Old Town's significant historic structures and should definitely make its way into travelers' Instagram albums.
7 The Dominican Monastery
In the modern-day, the Dominican Monastery is a wonderful museum and is on every Dubrovnik-bound traveler's schedule. Located near Ploce Gate on the Old Town's eastern side, this beauteous landmark is befitting of one's beautiful Instagram feed, especially for its lovely courtyard and the interesting works of art adorning its walls.
6 The Old Town Rooftop Basketball Court
Once cited among the "best designed" basketball courts in the world, it's bizarre to imagine an old medieval town having a sporting ground right in the midst of its historical structures. But that's exactly where it is; located in the Old Town's northwest next to its highest point - Minceta Tower - the striking colors of the basketball terrain coupled with the beauty of its enveloping ancient architecture and walls earns this particular point a firm place on Dubrovnik's map of treasures. For the best views and photo ops of this rooftop court, visitors can purchase a ticket to walk along the city walls and find it along the way.
5 Fort Lovrijenac
Also referred to as "St. Lawrence Fortress," Fort Lovrijenac feels fairly familiar when gazing upon its mesmeric appearance - and Game of Thrones geeks will instantly recognize it as the "The Red Keep," which housed the fictional royals of "King's Landing." According to historians, this superior stronghold was first constructed for the purpose of safeguarding Dubrovnik from Venetian occupiers during the era of the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik's former name). It's also worth noting that anyone with a ticket for the Walls of Dubrovnik tour gets free entry into Fort Lovrijenac - so keep it handy.
4 Banje Beach
Locally named "Plaza Banje," Banje Beach is a perfect representative of what Croatia has in store at its paradise shores. And with the medieval Old Town set against the bright turquoise ocean as a background, it's undeniable that Banje Beach is a picture of perfection and claims its crown as one of Dubrovnik's, or rather the country's, most stunning and ever-Instagram-worthy beaches. At a mere five-minute walk from Ploce Gate, there's no excuse not to check this divine stretch of shoreline out during one's photo-scoping saunter through the Old Town, but do be warned, it can see droves of people in peak summer season - in which case a more peaceful alternative is the lovely Sveti Jakov Beach.
3 West Harbor
Dubrovnik's West Harbor and its glorious views are something to soak up slowly as well as take pictures of. It's one of the most featured film sets in the whole Game of Thrones series and is backed by the mighty Fort Lovrijenac, adding the final touch to its vistas (and those epic Instagram shots). Not just for photography fans, this small harbor is perfect for dipping toes in after all that walking around taking Instagram pics, and what's more, visitors can even hire a kayak here for exploring the Old Town walls' outer edges for an entirely unique perspective from below.
2 The Old Town Port
Known amongst the locals as "Porat," the sunsets come evening at the Old Town Port are otherworldly, which is exactly the reason that Instagram users need to get themselves to this serene spot for a leisurely evening stroll, camera in hand. It's also from the harbor here where visitors can take a boat to the idyllic Lokrum Island, or pay a visit to Fort St Ivana and its maritime museum.
1 Lokrum Island
Lokrum Island is one of Dubrovnik's prime island-hopping retreats, and with it being easily accessible from the Old Town's harbor, it makes for the ultimate full-day or half-day trip. Hop on any of the daily boat or ferry crossings sailing throughout the day, and explorers will be rewarded with some of the region's most dramatic sights. Lokrum is also a protected nature reserve with a pristine natural environment, and coupled with its secluded beaches said to be the prettiest in the area, it opens up innumerable awe-inspiring scenes reminiscent of a glossy travel magazine cover. Game of Thrones nerds will also be happy here; this island boasts "The Iron Throne," which fans simply cannot resist getting pics with.